Preservation
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places
The North Hill Preservation District is recognized on the Nation’s official list of historic places and structures deemed worthy of preservation, the National Registry of Historic Places. Because of this recognition, there are guidelines for preserving and restoring historic homes within the District, which is protected under Section 12-2-10 of the City of Pensacola Municipal Code.
The City of Pensacola’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) oversees the City’s historical districts, including North Hill. The ARB’s duties include reviewing plans for any change that will affect the exterior (all sides) appearance of a property, including any accessory structures like garages or storage sheds, and major landscaping changes.
NHPA Assistance with the City of Pensacola’s ARB
The NHPA’s Architectural Review and Assistance Committee (ARAAC) can help guide you through the process to get renovations approved by the City of Pensacola’s ARB. For more information, please email president@historicnorthhill.com.
Please contact the ARB if you have any questions BEFORE beginning restoration/repair work to the exterior of your home!
Helpful Resources
Gregg Harding, Assistant Planning and Zoning Division Manager
Phone: (850) 435-1673
Email: GHarding@cityofpensacola.com
City of Pensacola Architectural Review Board
City of Pensacola Forms and Fees for ARB Review
City of Pensacola Municipal Code (PDF)
City of Pensacola Preservation District Guidelines (PDF) (special district zoning, uses, maps, procedures)
National Park Service Preservation Tech Notes (various information on preserving historic buildings)
U.S. General Services Administration Historic Preservation Technical Documents
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
This Old House Magazine’s 35 Tips for Restoring Old Houses (updated June 2021)
This Old House Magazine’s Guide to Period Appropriate Historic Paints (updated June 2021)
Transformations
Recognizing excellence in North Hill exterior renovation projects.
The NHPA annually recognizes District homeowners’ preservation efforts with the Joyce Turner Award and the Edwin J. Hacker Award.
Joyce Turner Award for Historic Preservation
Joyce Turner was a founding member of NHPA and a champion for the District’s National Historic Places designation. Her family was responsible for many of the beautiful structures in the District and Downtown Pensacola. The NHPA chose to name the annual award for excellence in exterior renovation in her honor.
Edwin Hacker Award for Excellence in Landscaping
Edwin Hacker was well known to the neighborhood for his meticulous attention to his garden. The award for excellence in landscaping projects was named in his honor.
Nominate a North Hill Home
All NHPA members are invited to submit award nominations each year in April to be reviewed by the Board in May. Nominees should be NHPA members and, depending on the scope of the work undertaken, should have received approval for their project from the ARB. Winners selected by the Board are announced at the Annual Founders’ Day Dinner Meeting held each June.
Recent Award Winners
Winners of the Joyce Turner Award for Historic Preservation
2014
1218 N. Barcelona Street and 24 E. Brainerd Street
2015
317 W. DeSoto Street
2016
519 N. Palafox Street
2017
105 W. Jackson Street
2018
222 W. LaRua Street
2019
903 N. Spring Street
2020 (presented in 2022)
116 W. Gonzalez Street
2021 (presented in 2022)
316 W. Strong Street
2022
126 W. Jackson Street
2023
815 N. Baylen Street
2024
14 W. Gadsden Street
2025
609 N. Spring Street
Winners of the Edwin Hacker Award for Excellence in Landscaping
2014
119 W. Lloyd Street
2015
301 W. Gonzalez Street
2016
150 W. DeSoto Street
2017
1308 N. Barcelona Street
2018
317 W. Gadsden Street
2019
475 W. Blount Street
2020 (presented in 2022)
1304 N. Barcelona Street
2021 (presented in 2022)
813 N. Spring Street
2022
1201 N. Reus Street
2023
820 N. Baylen Street
2024
823 N. Baylen Street
2025
1390 N. Spring Street
“Preserving old or historical homes is like capturing a moment in time that tells a story from that period that would otherwise be forgotten. If the home is transformed into a modern-day house, its historic significance is, perhaps, lost forever — a tragedy not only for the homeowner but also for a community as well.”
Phoebe Chongchua