Every year at our Art Deco Preservation Ball we present the Art Deco Preservation Awards to the people who have helped preserve the buildings, art, and culture from the Art Deco era. Our awardees come from all over California, not just the Bay Area. They reflect a mix of public and private buildings, as well as individuals and organizations.
We are always looking for winners, so keep your eyes open throughout the year and make a nomination using the forms below at any time. We also appreciate updates on any of our former award winners. You can leave a message at (510) 271-6760, or contact the Preservation Director, Therese Poletti, at preservation@artdecosocietyofcalifornia.org.
Don’t be shy! List your name so we can thank you for your efforts and let you know immediately if your nominee wins!
Past Awardees
2024
Michael F. Crowe Award: Formosa Cafe, West Hollywood. The 1933 Group, for revival and restoration of an iconic Hollywood restaurant and cocktail lounge from 1939.
Santa Barbara Main Post Office, U.S. Postal Service, for preserving the 1930s Art Deco interior of a Spanish Colonial Revival style Post Office designed by architect Reginald Johnson.
Relic Vintage, Oran Scott, San Francisco, for recreating a 1940s style apparel shop and preserving vintage fashion of the Art Deco era.
Mount View Hotel, Calistoga, for restoring and preserving a Mission Revival hotel with interior Art Deco details that evoked a 1930s remodel.
High Street Pharmacy, Oakland, for creating a sensitive Art Deco-inspired interior decor in this small independent pharmacy and creating an era appropriate neon sign.
Art Deco Technology Award: Michael Taylor, Regrout USA, for restoring historic tile and creating patented tools for the process.
Cultural Legacy Award: Carla Normand, for preserving the voice of the Art Deco era.
Certificate of Appreciation: Bradbury & Bradbury, Benicia, for recreating vintage and era appropriate wallpaper patterns for the 1920s through the 1940s.
2023
Michael F. Crowe Award: Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Niles, for their work preserving and exhibiting silent film of the Art Deco era and earlier
Eddie Muller and the Film Noir Foundation, for creating awareness of film noir as an international cinematic movement and for rescuing and restoring films of the era
Paramount Theatre, Oakland, for restoring the iconic neon sign and mosaic, and two Legacy awards to visionary Jack Bethards and artist/restoration expert David Boysel
Castro Theatre Conservancy and Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, San Francisco, for their advocacy work to landmark the interior of the last single screen movie palace in San Francisco and the Save the Seats Campaign
Art Deco Technology Award: Greg King, for his work over 45 years of restoring and repairing neon signs at movie theaters, businesses and elsewhere in California
Los Gatos Theatre, Los Gatos, for re-designing a 1915 movie theater in the Art Deco Style in downtown Los Gatos
Friends of the California Theatre and Daniella Thompson, Berkeley, for advocacy and work landmarking the downtown Berkeley Art Deco movie theatre
2020-2022
Michael F. Crowe Award: George Washington High School Alumni Association and Jon Golinger for fighting to save the Victor Arnautoff murals from destruction
Anne Rosenthal, art conservator for her work restoring many important murals of the Art Deco era
San Francisco Art Institute for uncovering lost murals of the 1930s and for the stewardship of other murals and art at the school
San Quentin State Prison for stewardship of murals in the dining hall by Alfredo Santos, painted in the 1950s in the style of the WPA era
Gregg Greenwood for over two decades of extraordinary volunteerism as the Gatsby Summer Afternoon Auto Director
2019
Michael F. Crowe Award: Imperial Western Beer Company and Streamliner Bar for restoration and reuse of a former Fred Harvey Restaurant and bar at Union Station, Los Angeles
Eclectic Architecture Award: Berkeley City Club Conservancy for restoration of the loggia windows at Berkeley City Club
Art Deco Technology Award: Radio in the Art Deco Era to California Radio Historical Society, Alameda
Craig Roberts for being Swing Street Radio host, producer & ADSC long time emcee
LiPo Cocktail Lounge in partnership with SF Shines for restoration of 1930s neon sign
Long Beach Airport for preservation and restoration of the main terminal and mosaics
The Potomac Association for restoration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Floating White House, The USS Potomac, Oakland
Oakland Aviation Museum for restoration of a 1940 Boeing School of Aeronautics Hangar and educating the public about the history of flight
2018
Michael F. Crowe Award: Southwestern Law School - Bullocks Wilshire Building, Los Angeles, 1929 for restoration and stewardship of this iconic former Art Deco department store
Eclectic Architecture Award: El Campanil Theatre, Antioch, 1928 for restoration and community use of historic movie theater
Art Deco Technology Award: A salute to the typewriter for honoring the collection of Jim Flamson, Calistoga, and the California Typewriter Company, Berkeley
Anchor Brewing, San Francisco, 1937 for restoration and renovation of a 1930s former coffee factory into an industrial brewery
African American Art & Culture Complex, San Francisco, 1934 for stewardship of 1930s murals by José Moya del Piño in this vibrant cultural center, a former brewery
San Francisco Arts Commission for 2014 restoration and conservation of the Coit Tower Murals, San Francisco, 1934
525 Alcatraz, Oakland, 1952 for stylish Art Deco-inspired renovation, excellent example of post-WWII survival of Streamlined design
Jerry Wagner for a lifetime of preservation, including a major collection of Pathex silent film, 1920s-1930s toy trains, a 1931 Cadillac and a 1910 Julia Morgan home
Certificate of Appreciation: The Bellevue Club, Oakland, 1926 for outstanding stewardship of this late-1920s building and institution.
2017
Michael F. Crowe Award: Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Theater for restoration and renovation
Eclectic Architecture Award: Mills College, preservation and stewardship of its 1920s buildings in memory of Karen Geer, a Mills alumna
Vintage Cinemas’ Vista Theater and Ronald Wright, designer for restoration of Egyptian revival interior
San Francisco Unified School District, Roosevelt Middle School for restoration and modernization project
Tank Garage Winery for restoration and rehabilitation of a late 1930s Texaco gas station
Randy Juster for preservation of Art Deco architecture and art through photography
Veritas Investments, owner, 915 Pierce Street apartments for restoration of exterior and lobby
Certificate of Appreciation: Allen Michaan for his passionate collecting of all things Egyptian revival
Certificate of Appreciation: Annie Schlichter for her ongoing preservation and stewardship of the Lakeshore Apartments
2016
Michael F. Crowe Award: Museum of Neon Art, (MONA) Glendale, CA
Eclectic Architecture Award: Chinese Historical Society of America
Former Chung Mei Home for Chinese Boys, El Cerrito, CA
Arthur Dong for “Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936- 1970”
Grant Avenue Follies
Stookey's Club Moderne
Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan for “San Francisco Neon: Survivors and Lost Icons"
Sandee Althouse and the San Carlos Heritage Association
Heather Ripley
2015
Michael F. Crowe Award: Diego Rivera Mural Project, sponsored by City College of San Francisco
Oakland Scottish Rite Center, restoration
Glenview Elementary School Preservation Efforts
Sailors' Union of the Pacific
Brian Kendall, City of Oakland facade development program
Theresa LaQuey Couture
Ed and Karen Archer, vintage lifestyle pioneers
Hearst Castle, eclectic architecture of the Art Deco era
2014
Michael F. Crowe Award: Treasure Island Museum Association
Anne Schnoebelen, Treasure Island Museum, preservationist
Lucien Labaudt, artist
Maxine Albro, artist
140 New Montgomery, restoration
15 Hermann Street, apartment building
The Decobelles
Laurie Gordon, Lifetime Achievement Award
2013
1st Annual Michael F. Crowe Preservation Award: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
Jack Bethards, Paramount Theatre
Peter Botto, Paramount Theatre
Leslee Stewart, General Manager, Paramount Theatre
David Boysel, artist, restorer, Paramount Theatre
San Francisco Neighborhood Theatre Foundation
Mark Cantor, preservationist of jazz on film
Robert Boardman Howard, artist
Adaline Kent, artist
2012
Golden Gate Bridge
Academy of Art University Automotive Collection
Jim Rizzo, neon preservationist
Ice Cream Bar, San Francisco
Hangar One Moffett Field, Mountain View
Eastern-Columbia Building, restoration, Los Angeles
Brents Carlton, artist
Jacques Schnier, artist
2011
Peter and Merle Mullin: Mullin Automotive Museum Collection
David Packard: Theater Preservationist
John Wentzel: Aladdin Radio Repair Co.
The Bruton Sisters: Helen, Margaret, Esther: Artists
Helen Forbes: Artist
Dorothy Wagner Puccinelli: Artist
Alameda County Veterans Memorial Buildings
San Francisco Silent Film Festival
The Posey Tube, Alameda Gateway
2010
Mirian Saez: Director of Operations, Treasure Island
Michael & Gino Cerchiai: Bimbo's 365 Club
Ralph Stackpole, Sculptor: (Empire Group)
Sargent Johnson, Sculptor: (G.G. National Recreation Area)
Piedmont Piano Company, Oakland
Maxwell DeMille's Cicada Club, Los Angeles
Baha'I Center Building, San Francisco
Courtroom, Alameda County Courthouse, Oakland
2009
The Alameda Theater, Alameda
Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Danville
Flora Restaurant, Oakland
George Washington High School, San Francisco
200 Powell Street Building, San Francisco
Gray Brechen, Historian
Patricia Dedekian, Preservationist
Therese Poletti, Author
2008
The Uptown Theater, Napa
100 Capra Street Apartments, San Francisco
The Hamilton Residences, San Francisco
The Medico-Dental Building, San Jose
The General Warehouse, Richmond
Certificates of Appreciation:
Alice Jurow
Philip Hudner
2007
Petaluma Fire Station, Petaluma
Fox Theater, Salinas
Henry Doelger Headquarters Building, San Francisco
Scott Morse Residence
Martin Brown, Empire Group - for the City Club of San Francisco
Radio Station KCEA, 89.1 FM
Menlo-Atherton High School
Certificates of Appreciation:
Michael Crowe [presented in 2008]
Cherie Oliver
2006
Alameda Family Physicians Building, Alameda
Cerrito Theater Renovation, El Cerrito
Flowers Building, Alameda
Parkside School, Sebastopol
'Ship of the Desert' House, Palm Springs
Sinai Memorial Chapel, San Francisco
Certificates of Appreciation:
16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project, San Francisco
Laura Smith (Artist)
United Artists Theater Lobby, Berkeley
2005
J. W. Harris House, Berkeley
King City Union High School Auditorium, King City
Lark Theatre, Larkspur
Mary Bowles Building, Oakland
Acme Glass Company Building, Palo Alto
Certificate of Appreciation: Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA)
2004
Hoover Tower, Stanford University, Palo Alto
Mainzer-Strand Theater, Merced
Picky, Picky, Picky Store, Eureka
Miller-Dutra Coastside Funeral Chapel, Half Moon Bay
Sherman Cleaners Building, Oakland
See's Candy Store, 3295 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland
The Jesters Vocal Trio
Certificates of Appreciation:
Donald MacDonald, Architect: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rails
Allen Michaan, Theatrical Entrepreneur
2003
1580 Beach Street Apartments (circa 1931), San Francisco
The George C. Davis House (1940), Atherton
The Miottel Collection, Berkeley
Lakeview School (1914/1941), Oakland
99 Ord Street Residence (1932), San Francisco
Certificates of Appreciation:
Mel "the Barber" Bridges, San Anselmo
Bob Rickard, Eureka Theater, Eureka
2002
Rusty Frank
Fox Theater, Telegraph at 18th Street, Oakland [marquee restoration]
172 Parker Street Apartment Building, San Francisco
Monterey County Courthouse, Church and Alisal Streets, Salinas
Del Mar Theatre, Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz
Don Neely's Royal Society Jazz Orchestra
City Hall, 317 Broad Street, Nevada City
Certificates of Appreciation:
Erma Delucchi
Friends of the Oakland Fox
2001
Avalon Casino & Ballroom, Catalina Island
1990 Beach Street Apartment Building, San Francisco
Cynthia Glinka, Teacher of Period Dance
Lake Merritt Hotel, Oakland - Exterior & Interior Refurbishing
"Lighthouse" Neon Store Sign, San Carlos
State Theater Murals, Red Bluff
Cinema Grand, San Pedro
The 42nd Street Moon Theater Company, San Francisco
The 460 San Mateo Avenue Building, San Bruno
2000
300 Montgomery St., San Francisco
Murals by Miguel Covarrubias, World Trade Center Lobby
Ferry Building, San Francisco
Sweet's Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland
El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
Cascade Theatre, 1731 Market Street, Redding
Union 76 Station, 88 El Camino Real, San Carlos
The Rafael Film Center, 118 Fourth Street, San Rafael
Bill McKenna and the Vintage Music Theater
Certificates of Appreciation:
San Carlos Heritage Assn., 147 Belvedere Ave., San Carlos
The Bellevue Club, 525 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
The Regency Building, 1290 Sutter St. San Francisco
The Shell Building, 100 Bush St., San Francisco
1999
J.B. Nethercutt Collection, Sylmar
Herbert Hoover Memorial Pavilion, Stanford
Howard Automobile Company Building, Berkeley
Bellevue-Staten Apartments, Oakland
Sea Scouts Building, Palo Alto
Woolworth Building, Bakersfield
McClure House, Alameda
Certificate of Appreciation: Sara Klotz de Aguilar
1998
Robert Grimes (Sheet Music Archivist)
Lundberg Haberdashery, Kensington
Schroeder's Restaurant Murals, San Francisco
David Boysel (Restorer)
Oakland Ballet
Tamalpais Railway Car
Max Factor Building, Hollywood
George Olsen Auto Dealership, San Francisco
1997
Candra Scott & Associates Interior Design
Richard "Mr. Rick" Fishman
The Beach Chalet Murals, San Francisco
U.S. Post Office, St. Helena
Ideal Cleaners, Oakland
TAP Plastics, San Francisco
The Recorder Building, San Francisco
Frederick Hodges
Linda Finch
1995 & 1996
Pantages Theater, Hollywood RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach
I. Magnin Oakland & San Francisco (endangered)
Berkeley High School, Berkeley
French Bank of California, San Francisco
Fulton Street Apts., San Francisco
Miss Laurie Gordon
1994
Norman Steur
Largent Home, San Francisco
U.S. Post Office, Stockton
Mark Jones Couture, San Francisco
Arteche's Upholstery, Woodland
The DC-3, Oakland
William Whitney
1992 & 1993
Stanford Theater & Film Archive, Palo Alto
1150 Union Street Apts., San Francisco
Eureka Theater, Eureka
Golden Gate Railroad Museum, Redwood City
Street Clock outside of Davidson & Licht Jewelry, Oakland
Museum Pare, San Francisco
415 Bellevue Apts., Oakland
Rosicrucian Museum, San Jose
Public Service Bldg., Glendale
Stephan, ADSC Artist
Caldecott Tunnel, Berkeley
Lake Merritt Hotel, Oakland
John Breuner Co. Bldg., Oakland
Shell Bldg., San Francisco (for restoration)
Suzy & Erazm Pochron
1991
Lorna Theater, San Diego
Rafael Theater, San Rafael
Carlos Club, San Carlos
13070 Alta Lane South, Los Altos
Hospitality House, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Rex Restaurant, Los Angeles
Bert's Beauty & Barber Shop
Ryde Hotel (now Grand Island Inn), Ryde
Senator Hotel's Neon Sign, San Francisco
Coca Cola Bottling Co (now Goodwill), San Francisco
1990
Bridge Theater, San Francisco
Piedmont Avenue School, Oakland
1580 Beach Street Apts., San Francisco
1675 Howard Street, San Francisco
815 Miramar, San Francisco
Bistro Ambrosia, San Francisco
Sheherazade Bakery, San Francisco
Fanny’s Market, San Francisco
845 California Street Apts., San Francisco
Old Hayward City Hall Bldg., Hayward
I. Magnin SF & Oakland (preserved)
Donald Macky
Jewish Community Center, San Francisco
Floral Depot Building, Oakland
1989
Treasure Island Statues & Fountain Restoration Project
505 Montgomery, San Francisco
See' s Candies, Statewide
Rincon Annex Post Office, San Francisco
1360 Montgomery Apt. Bldg., San Francisco
Roosevelt Middle School, San Francisco
Curran Theater's Neon Sign, San Francisco
Taft High School, Taft
Silver Gate Masonic Temple, San Diego
Zoe Dell Lantis Nutter
Esther Williams
Golden Gate International Exposition Associates
Jim Roseveare
Edward Linotti
1988
City Club/Stock Exchange Tower, San Francisco
Coit Tower, San Francisco
750 Harrison St., San Francisco
Howden Bldg, Oakland
La Moderne Apts,. San Diego
Rosenbergs Dept. Store, Santa Rosa
Senator Theater, Chico
Southern Pacific Train Station, Palo Alto
Veteran's Bldg., Alameda
1987
Presidio Theater/Bechelli's Restaurant, San Francisco
Alameda Theater, Alameda Building One
Treasure Island Ocean Park Motel, San Francisco
Union 76 Station, San Francisco
Marina District Apt. Bldg.
3665 Scott, San Francisco
Baptiste Bldg., 405 Arguello, San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge
Michael Crowe
1986
Wiltern Theater & Office Bldg., Los Angeles
Nevada County Courthouse, Nevada City
Stern Bldg., San Francisco
Alameda County Courthouse & Hall of Records, Oakland
Lorenzo Theater, San Lorenzo
National Maritime Museum, San Francisco
Elite Cafe·, San Francisco
Western Merchandise Mart, San Francisco
The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge
1985
Erte
Peter Mintun
Milton Pfleuger
Oakland Heritage Alliance
Orinda Theater, Orinda
Morrison' s Dress Shop, San Francisco
Water Works Bldg., San Jos
James Lick Middle School, San Francisco
Shell Bldg., San Francisco (endangered)
Whitehurst-Shannon Funeral Home, Modesto
1984
Redwood Room, Clift Hotel, San Francisco
Cirque Room, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
Mayan Lobby, 450 Sutter Street, San Francisco
China Moon Cafe, San Francisco
Pacific Telesis Tower, San Francisco
Rosalyn Dress Shop, Oakland
Steve Levin, Peter Botto, Paramount Theater, Oakland