Preservation Austin, the longtime local nonprofit that champions (and often funds) protecting and maintaining historic spaces in the city with an eye toward community, announced the winners of its 63rd Annual Preservation Merit Awards Wednesday. Austin's Eastern Crescent, and particularly its historic Eastside, is well represented among the 12 award winners, recognized for representing the wide-ranging efforts to build community and enhance historic spaces across Austin," according to the organization.

“Our 2023 award recipients speak to Austin’s diverse past and inspiring present,” said Preservation Austin’s Lindsey Derrington. “We have the privilege of sharing these projects with our community to advance our shared understanding of the places that have shaped Austin’s culture and history, and of the people whose advocacy and research continues to bring this heritage to life.”

Winning brick-and-mortar places include Uptown Sports Club, a long-neglected neighborhood landmark at 1200 East Sixth Street recently renovated by world-famous pitmaster Aaron Franklin and associates as a Louisiana-influenced bar and restaurant.

Huston-Tillotson University received a stewardship award, and special recognition awards went to the original L.C. Anderson High School preservation team and the city of Austin’s Translating Community History initiative.

Also receiving special recognition awards are Black Austin Tours' Javier Wallace and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for its "To Emancipate: From Slavery to Freedom" educational installation at Oakwood Cemetery Chapel.

The 2023 Preservation Merits Awards jury comprised Harrison Eppright, Visit Austin;  preservation planner Meredith Johnson; Ayshea Khan, city of Austin Equity Office equity and inclusion program manager; Texas State University history professor Ruby Oram; and the Texas Historical Commission's Glenn Reed.

Award winners are listed below.

Preservation Awards

AUSTIN STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTER
Recipient: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

BATTLE HALL
Recipient: The University of Texas at Austin
Preservation Award for Restoration

ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Recipient: Episcopal Church Council of the Diocese of Texas
Preservation Award for Restoration

UPTOWN SPORTS CLUB
Recipient: Jason Jones, James Moody, Aaron Franklin, Eric de Valpine, and Tenaya Hills
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

WINDSOR ROAD HOUSE
Recipient: Birgit Enstrom and Hugh Jefferson Randolph
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Main building, Huston-Tillotson UniversityHuston-Tillotson University

Stewardship

HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY
Stewardship Award for the Preservation of its Historic Campus

U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Stewardship Award for LBJ Suite Furnishings Conservation

ROBIN SHEPHERD
Stewardship Award for 5 birds dwellings llc.

Javier WallaceBlack Austin Tours

Special Recognition

BLACK AUSTIN TOURS
Recipient: Javier Wallace
Special Recognition Award for Education

ORIGINAL L.C. ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL
Recipient: Original L.C. Anderson High School Preservation Team
Special Recognition Award for Public Service

TO EMANCIPATE: FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM
Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Oakwood Cemetery Chapel
Special Recognition Award for Education

TRANSLATING COMMUNITY HISTORY
City of Austin Planning Department, Historic Preservation Office
Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Media Coverage, Scholarship, and Planning