2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award Recipients

The Wedge Innovation Center - Alton

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Two historic buildings in downtown Alton have been revitalized into a dynamic, multi-use civic hub featuring retail, coworking and business incubator space. Driven by extensive community input, the project was part of social impact redevelopment company AltonWorks’ efforts to transform the city’s downtown with inventive, preservation-focused redevelopment that sparks economic growth while engaging residents and providing needed resources to the region.
(Photo credit: Michael Robinson Photography)

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Rendleman Orchards Historic District - Alto Pass

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Stewardship

Established in 1873, the Rendleman Orchards family-owned farm has become Union County’s first National Register historic district following an extensive three-year historical research effort led by fifth-generation owners. The operational orchard and historic district features 34 contributing structures and serves as a dynamic heritage tourism destination celebrating Southern Illinois’ agricultural history.

(Photo credit: Devin Leigh Photography)

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Champaign County African American Heritage Trail - Champaign County

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Stewardship

Sparked by nationwide protests in 2020 against racial injustice, this unique trail connects local sites of Black historic significance through public-facing interpretive material. The community-driven and volunteer-led initiative celebrates the lives and contributions of African Americans in the Champaign County area, making this vital history visible to more people.

(Photo credit: Experience Champaign Urbana)

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Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation - Chicago

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation adaptively reused the formerly vacant Robert Emmet Elementary School to create a modern workforce development center and community services hub. Driven by grassroots advocacy from Austin neighborhood residents, the state-of-the-art facility now offers local job training, financial coaching, legal aid and other supportive services to community members.

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Little Village Arch Restoration Project - Chicago

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration

Designed by Mexican American architect Adrián Lozano, Chicago’s iconic Little Village Arch serves as an important cultural gateway celebrating Mexican and Mexican American heritage along the West 26th Street commercial corridor. A comprehensive restoration, led by the Chicago Department of Transportation and JLK Architects, revitalized the Chicago Landmark to ensure its preservation for future generations.

(Photo credit: Leslie Schwartz)

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Muddy Waters MOJO Museum - Chicago

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration

Muddy Waters’ former 1891 two-flat home has been restored and reimagined into a museum, studio and performance space that celebrates the legendary Blues musician and Chicago Blues history. Through extensive repairs, creative vision and community support, the ambitious multi-phase project transformed the once endangered property into a vibrant gathering place in the North Kenwood neighborhood.

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The New Broadview - East St. Louis

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation & Richard H. Driehaus Legacy Award

Architect Rosemann & Associates and developer Efficacy Consulting and Development led a $30 million rehabilitation of the formerly vacant Broadview Hotel in East St. Louis, creating a vibrant, mixed-use space that provides affordable housing, community business incubation and social programming spaces. The project thoughtfully transformed the once endangered historic site into a nationally recognized landmark designed to foster economic opportunity and neighborhood stability, serving as a model for how adaptive reuse can deliver transformative and catalytic impacts in historically disinvested communities.

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West End Service Station - Edwardsville

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Stewardship

The City of Edwardsville revamped a long-vacant former Route 66 service station into a visitor center and local museum. The landmark now amplifies local history and continues to drive economic development and community revitalization—a fitting project to celebrate during the Mother Road’s centennial year.

(Photo credit: City of Edwardsville)

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Brad White

2026 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Leadership

With over 40 years of experience in community development, philanthropy and affordable housing, Brad White is one of Illinois’ most influential preservation leaders. Recently retired from his role with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, White led a distinguished career during which he spearheaded impactful preservation projects like Oak Park’s Unity Temple and Chicago’s 606 Trail, shaped national preservation policy through his presidential appointment to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and ensured people remain connected to the places that define their communities, share stories of our past and shape our future.

(Photo courtesy of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation)

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