“There’s no place like home,” said Dorothy Gale in the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of Oz.” The Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) and the American Institute of Architects Cleveland (AIA) agree with Dorothy.  

The two organizations will recognize 13 area homes, churches, schools, and other landmarks built between the mid-19th Century and md-20th Century at the annual Celebration of Preservation on Wednesday, May 22 at the Ariel LaSalle Theater in Collinwood.

This year’s winners list honors those who have poured loving care into historic homes or created new homes—both residential units and historic buildings that have been adapted for use as homes or office spaces.

Everything from kitchens to living rooms to the iconic structures that welcome us home to Cleveland, will be honored at the Celebration of Preservation awards.

“We are excited to showcase the 2024 Award Winners at our Celebration of Preservation awards show,” says CRS events coordinator Peggy Sexton. “These winning projects are truly amazing and showcase the exemplary work of builders, architects, historic preservation professionals, and others who seek to renew and revitalize for the next generation.”

Here is a list of this year’s 13 winners:

Brown ResidenceBrown residence: Honorable mention, interior residential design

This Tudor Revival style home in Shaker Heights’ Sussex neighborhood was built in the 1920s with distinctive brickwork, leaded glass windows, and lovely architectural character.

The design project focused on upgrades to the kitchen and adjacent mud room, but also included structural upgrades. Work included updated and reworked mechanical systems, removal of soffits in the kitchen that hid air conditioning were removed and the original ceiling height was restored.

Considerable effort was made to source and replicate the original trim throughout the remodeling project. Arched doorways, replicating the originals, were added to connect the kitchen and dining room. A handmade ceramic tile entryway and kitchen floor compliments the brick exterior and natural surroundings. 

The initial budget may not have worked without the financial assistance through the Heritage Home Program—which allowed for outstanding attention to detail and quality. The completed project blends seamlessly with the original architectural character of the home.

Thomas-Oliver residence: Award of merit for streetscape impact in an historic district

Located in the Ohio City Preservation District of Cleveland, this 1864 vernacular home has been lovingly remodeled over several years. The rear of the original home had been altered with unsympathetic additions. Part of the renovation work included removing modern materials, such as vinyl siding and windows, and replacing them with finishes that complement the original design features.

Work on the house includes new cedar lap siding, wood windows, and a sandstone foundation. The culmination of the multi-year project is a first floor addition that allows the home to function more fully, adds to the rhythm of the streetscape, and is harmonious with the surrounding historic architecture.

7216 West Clinton - Heritage Home Program7216 West Clinton: Heritage Home program

Constructed in 1902, this handsome Victorian is a contributing structure to Cleveland’s Franklin West Clinton Historic District. When neighbors Lee Chilcote and Katherine Readey learned that the house had been sold to a developer who intended to flip the property as quickly and inexpensively as possible, they petitioned the developer to sell to them instead.

The couple had a vision to convert the property into a rental—retaining its character and making the house a charming addition to the neighborhood with high value finishes and a preservation minded scope of work.

Having used a Heritage Home Loan on their personal residence, they knew it would be a great tool to renovate this new investment property. The property underwent a complete restoration both inside and out.

With new mechanicals, bathrooms, and kitchen, the house retains its historic elements, but also functions for modern needs. Asbestos shingle siding was removed to reveal the original lap siding. The crowning touch on this restoration is the multi-color paint scheme that is both fun and historic.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens’ Great Hall chandelier restoration: Outstanding restoration of an historic feature

The ornate chandelier in the Great Hall of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens was built in 1898 by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company co-founder, F.A. Seiberling. The hall is a National Historic Landmark and had been a historic estate museum since 1957.

The team at Stan Hywet has been committed to maintaining the house and its many artifacts to showcase the cultural, educational, and institutional riches of one of the most significant achievements in architecture and horticulture to come out of America's Industrial Age.

The chandelier's compromised condition came to the attention of the Stan Hywet staff when electrical issues were found during common maintenance.

A lighting specialist evaluated the fixture for restoration and, since the fixture had originally been built in-place, the team joined forces to develop a permanent lowering system that would provide the first access to chandelier since it was built at the turn of the 20th Century.

The chandelier restoration work required updated electrical and testing equipment to meet current UL certification requirements.  Although the original fixture already employed electrical lighting, high efficiency LED lamping now provides longer lasting and cutting-edge technology to this historical treasure.

All the pieces of the chandelier were cleaned, repainted, when necessary, and meticulously reassembled under the consultation of an art specialist before the fixture was returned to its home inside the Great Hall.

MiavanaMiavana Inc.: Outstanding restoration of an historic structure

This 1839 building, listed on the National Register of Historical Places, first served the City of Hudson as a dry goods store and later as a bank.

Over the last 185 years, the building has seen a number of changes. Architectural and interior design firm Compass Studio worked with Miavana, Inc. to return the building to its period of significance in the 19th Century.

A historic preservation assessment was performed to help identify the original plan, framing, and any other original elements. On the exterior, a balustrade was reinstated along with historically accurate shutters, windows, trim, and front door.

The building additions from the 1940s and 50s were updated to be more sympathetic with the original building. The interior was fully remodeled. During construction, it was discovered that the original roof trusses were failing, so an innovative structural design was used to reinforce the original hand-hewn wood members.

Today, the building’s legacy continues as a landmark in the heart of Hudson’s business district and stands as a model rehabilitation project that respects the significant historical elements while creating a vibrant and modern office space.

The Dexter Apartments: AIA Cleveland compatible new building in an historic district

The Dexter Apartments on Franklin Circle in Cleveland’s historic Ohio City neighborhood fronts an intersection that was previously a dead-end street, but the City of Cleveland recently restored the street to the original traffic circle.

Dimit Architects designed the Dexter’s primary façade to reinforce the restored urban context—transitioning from a larger civic scale in deference to the historic Victorian era homes to the west.

Ford Hessler ApartmentsFord Hessler Apartments: AIA Cleveland compatible new building in an historic district

The Ford Hessler Apartments infill a former gravel parking lot on the beloved Hessler Road. Located in Cleveland’s first historic district, this new infill building offers six units—including the first housing in the district that is accessible to residents with mobility challenges.

Consistent with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s standards, the new structure’s design intently focused on maintaining scale, proportion, materials, and detailing that is compatible with the surrounding street.

The design takes cues both from adjacent duplexes with one- and two-story porches and gabled attics, as well as the five-story brick building with two-story porches directly across the street. The resulting structure is a harmonious addition to Hessler Road, continuing its tradition of richly detailed human-scaled homes.

Whedon Farwell House: Award of Excellence for residential restoration with an architecturally appropriate addition

The 1826 Federal style Whedon-Farwell House was designed by architect-builder Lemuel Porter and is considered a masterpiece of his work.

Located in the Hudson Historic District, the building demonstrates Italianate style elements that were likely added when carpenter Charles Witty owned the house from 1867 to 1873. The two-story single dwelling originally operated as an inn, then a “young ladies’ seminary” around 1870, and later served as the Hudson Primary School in the 1930s.

The home has undergone several insensitive alterations over many years. The new homeowners brought the property back to its original historic footprint and added a more compatible addition to satisfy their family’s spatial needs.

Work scope included the removal of a non-historic garage and living space additions. Once removal of all non-historic elements was complete, the foundation was restored and a three-car garage and living spaces were constructed. The new additions minimally impact the presence of the historic home from the street and have been sensitively integrated with the historic architecture.

The local design team worked closely with an historic preservationist to understand how the original historic fabric had been altered and then the team created plans to restore original features—including key elements like the fireplace and barrel-vaulted entry.

LDA Offices at the Historic WHK Studio OneLDA Offices at the historic WHK Studio One: Excellence in creative adaptive reuse

Constructed as a storage building for an auto garage in the 1920s, this unassuming building became a part of the WHK, and later the WMMS Studio One radio station complex.

The building was used primarily as a recording studio and had sound dampening material on the walls. It served the broadcast community from 1949 through 1977.

The historic WHK Studio One has now been reimagined as the office for LDA Architects. Federal and State historic tax credits were an integral part of the financing for this creative adaptive reuse. Because the building was historically used for recording studios, there was almost no natural light. One of the first challenges was to create an office space that would be inviting and well lit. 

To preserve the character of the acoustical walls in the main studio, narrow windows were introduced between the acoustic bellow features. Skylights were introduced to reach the desired natural light levels. Historic architectural elements, such as acoustic panels, have been maintained. The project is also the first in the nation designated as a CIRRUS Low Carbon project, which requires energy efficiency upgrades that will significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Majestic Hall: Award of Excellence for restoration of a Cleveland landmark

Today’s Majestic Hall on Euclid Avenue was constructed between 1903 and 1904 as the First Methodist Church. Designed by J. Milton Dyer in the perpendicular Gothic style, it was meant to rival Charles Schweinfurth’s Trinity Cathedral a few blocks down the street.

The building served as a church until 2009. It was then leased by Cleveland State University until 2018 when it was sold for redevelopment. After several years of project planning and restoration work, the former church was successfully converted into Majestic Hall events center.

The adaptation of Majestic Hall retained as much of the original material as possible. On the exterior, the entire building was repointed, and the roof was repaired. Inside, historic light fixtures, stained glass, and flooring were cleaned and maintained, and all of the original doors were stripped and refinished.

Perhaps the most spectacular part of the restoration is the plaster and painting repairs. A master craftsman was hired to complete this work. It is now impossible to tell the original from the restoration. The soaring grandeur of the former church—with its gilded decoration and intricate lancet windows—can be enjoyed by all who will visit this Cleveland landmark for celebrations and special occasions.

The Glass House345 Glass House: Award of Excellence for stewardship in preservation

The Glass House is an international style modern home that is unique to the area. Built in 1965, the house was designed by local architect Carl Droppers as his family home, it became known to the community as the Glass House.

Now under the stewardship of Susan Secoy Jensen of Secoy Architects, the house is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been restored with care.

Original drawings were used to guide the restoration work of the home’s character-defining features that were intact but in need of repair due to deferred maintenance. On the exterior, damaged concrete was replaced with Berea sandstone. Painted wood panels were replaced with new mahogany to follow the original design. Glazing was restored with 26 new glass panels, new hardwood stops, and custom milled original details. In the kitchen, original appliances and cabinets were repaired and retained and damaged Formica countertops were repaired with matching material.

The electric system has been updated but the original lighting features were retained. New wood plank flooring replaced the carpeting. Throughout the restoration, Carl Droppers children and grandchildren visited the house to share their memories and see the restoration efforts.

Longfellow Senior Housing- Distinguished Rehabilitation and Community Impact Award

Designed by Cleveland School Architect Walter McCormack, the Jacobethan Revival style Henry W. Longfellow Elementary School served the Collinwood neighborhood from 1924 until 2010.

After closing, the building was vacant and was scheduled for demolition. Thanks to the efforts of Council member Mile Polensek and the Cleveland Restoration Society, a solution was found to save the Cleveland Landmark. A team made up of Vesta Corporation, Marous Construction and LDA Architects successfully transformed the former school into The Longfellow—30 affordable senior apartments and built 50 additional living units on the site.

Converting the auditorium into a community space and the gymnasium into a fitness area specifically designed for seniors ensures that the space remains accessible and caters to the unique needs of the aging population.

The Longfellow has solidified its place as an integral and cherished part of the Collinwood community. Not only does it serve as a vibrant focal point, but it also actively contributes to the community's economic prosperity. Additionally, the development plan has provided the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) with a duplicable strategy when future schools face decommissioning.

West Side Market Clock TowerWest Side Market Clock Tower: Distinguished restoration of a cultural landmark and the AIA Cleveland Craftsmanship Award

Designated a historic landmark in 1973, the West Side Market first opened in 1912 and is Cleveland’s oldest continuously operating, municipally owned market. Designed by Hubbell and Benes, the West Side Market has undergone several projects—including attempted repairs and maintenance of the structure using various materials not equivalent to the original materials.

This project ensured that the clock tower was brought back to its former glory using the original materials, while discreetly using modern systems and materials like stainless steel stone anchorage, fiberglass doors, digital time keeping, and waterproofing to ensure its longevity.

Engineers from Wiss Janey Elsner worked with masonry specialists from Coon Restoration & Sealants to ensure that repairs were done in the best, most historically accurate way possible. Glass craftspeople with Whitney Stained Glass were hired to replace the glass in the clock. All of the work was overseen by Mark Duluk and his team of architects with the City of Cleveland.

The West Side Market began as one of three city-owned markets and is the only one remaining. The care and craft that was put into the restoration of the clock tower is a demonstration of pride and commitment by the City of Cleveland, ensuring the long life of this cherished resource.

Sexton says the annual event is always popular and fun celebration of all of these projects.

“Come and find inspiration for your own home or workplace restoration or just admire once again the compelling architecture in our area,” urges Sexton.

The Celebration of Preservation takes place on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Ariel LaSalle Theater, 823 E. 185th St., Cleveland 44119. Tickets are $50 for CRS or AIA members, $75 for nonmembers, with $25 being tax deductible. Tickets include an appetizer and wine or beer. The deadline to buy tickets is this Wednesday, May 15.