OKC HP Commission announces 2026 preservation award winners

Published on May 06, 2026

Link to event photos - Vice-Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, Patrick Gaines, presented the awards

The Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Commission has announced the 2026 award winners, honoring exceptional projects that celebrate and preserve the city's architectural heritage.

The awards were presented during a ceremony on May 5 at the OKC Zoo. The event was held in partnership with the Oklahoma City-County Historical Society, the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture and Historical Preservation Inc.

“We are fortunate to live in a community that is passionate about preserving our City’s historic character,” Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Officer Katie Friddle said. “It’s important that we protect and celebrate the historic buildings we have to save history for future generations.”

Adaptive Reuse Award: The Pachyderm Building, 2000 Remington Place
This award recognizes the transformation of a building to a new use while retaining features critical to its historic integrity. Built in 1963, the Pachyderm Building was converted from an elephant, rhino and hippo facility into an event venue, exhibit hall and the Zoo's Expedition Africa habitat hub. Project team: OKC Zoo, Wishneff & Associates, Cynthia Savage/A.R.C.H. Consulting, PGAV Architects and Timberlake Construction.

Historic Districts Award: The Paseo Duplex, 401 NW 27 St.
This award honors projects in Oklahoma City's designated Historic Districts, which undergo rigorous design review. The Paseo Duplex, completed in 2025, adds a new structure to a corner lot in Jefferson Park, complementing nearby historic homes while maintaining a clearly modern identity. Project team: Klaas Reimann-Philipp, Philipp Architect PLLC; Erin Yen and AHMM.

New Construction Award: Villa Teresa, NW 12 St. and N Dewey Ave.
The New Construction Award recognizes infill development that respects surrounding historic character while creating its own modern identity. The Villa Teresa project added modern residential buildings adjacent to the Villa Teresa Historic District, using scale, silhouette and masonry detailing that complement early 20th‑century structures. Project team: Marva Ellard, Billy Woodring, Fitzsimmons Architects, Lippert Bros. and Jenco Construction.

Preservation Award: First National Center, 120 N Robinson Ave.
This award honors preservation efforts that maintain a structure’s historic character through careful repair and rehabilitation. First National Center, built in 1931 with a 1957 addition, underwent extensive restoration to convert former bank and office floors into hotel, apartment, retail and dining spaces. Work included hazardous materials remediation and detailed restoration of architectural features and finishes. Project team: ADG Blatt, Jordan & Skala Engineers, Walter P Moore, Flick Mars, Dawn Henderson Design, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), Scott Oldner, Poole Fire Protection, Marsh PMK, Trimark and Steven Mcquillin.

Transformation Award: The Walcourt Building, 141 NE 13 St.
This award recognizes projects that return a property to its historic condition by removing incompatible alterations or recreating missing features. The 1931 Walcourt Building, long vacant and on preservation watch lists, was rehabilitated beginning in 2017 and reopened as an office building in 2022. Project team: Walcourt Partners, LLC, Preservation and Design Studio, CLS & Associates, Engineering Solutions, Gumerson Blake Design Build and Sine Construction and First Liberty Bank.

Colcord Award for Leadership in Preservation

  • Marva Ellard
  • Crown Heights-Edgemere Heights Neighborhood Association

Two awards were presented for advancing appreciation, advocacy and awareness of historic preservation.

  • Marva Ellard has led revitalization and preservation work for more than 40 years. She has written $1 million in grants for the Mesta Park neighborhood and supported projects across Mesta Park, Heritage Hills and other historic districts. Ellard has also driven the redevelopment of several major historic properties, raising awareness of OKC’s architectural heritage through her advocacy and expertise.
  • Crown Heights-Edgemere Heights Neighborhood Association, founded more than 50 years ago, promotes fellowship, preservation and beautification. The association has supported Crown Heights' designation as both a Historic District and a National Register district, installed neighborhood signage, lighting and markers, assisted with preservation of historic parks and landscapes and advocated for other districts and properties.

The Oklahoma City Historic Preservation Commission administers the City's historic preservation program, which includes increasing public awareness of the value of historical, architectural and archeological resources.

Oklahoma City has nine locally designated historic districts and nine historic landmarks, along with more than two dozen National Register districts and more than 150 National Register-listed properties.

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