The Hotel del Coronado courtyard sculptural centerpiece is a replica of the original bronze “Naiad Queen” statue cast from a duplicate found in Washington state. Courtesy David Marshall, AIA

EACH YEAR, SAVE OUR HERITAGE ORGANISATION honors the people, groups, and communities whose commitment to preserving San Diego’s historic places has burnished the meaning, depth, and beauty of this region we call home. The People In Preservation Awards are our way of celebrating the exceptional work that makes preservation a vital part of our culture and civic life.

In 2025, we recognize an inspiring group of awardees whose contributions reflect the full spectrum of preservation, by reviving landmarks, honoring community stories, and safeguarding the architectural heritage that defines our cities and neighborhoods. These individuals and projects provide anchors in a time when rapid change threatens to erase what distinguishes San Diego County from other places.

Preservation’s role as a driver of cultural heritage tourism and local economic vitality is unmistakably evident in this year’s awards, with four hotel-related projects, including three historic resorts and a downtown landmark, a theatre and major attraction in Balboa Park among the honorees. These sites not only safeguard history but also enrich the region’s economy and strengthen its cultural identity.

The 2025 award recipients embody powerful preservation themes:

• Legacy leadership and long-term commitment honoring individuals and organizations whose long-term commitments have shaped San Diego’s preservation landscape.
• Creative and sustainable adaptive reuse that gives historic buildings new life and relevance and secures community identity and sense of place.
• Stewardship of iconic and irreplaceable landmarks from coastal resorts to beloved civic institutions with cultural heritage tourism as an economic force, seen in the revitalization and preservation of resort properties, urban hotels, and public cultural institutions.

SOHO first presented the PIP Awards more than 40 years ago. Since then, more than 700 individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and institutions have been recognized for their outstanding contributions. This long and growing PIP list tells a compelling story, not only of our city’s architecture and historic sites, but of the people who have chosen to protect and elevate them, often quietly, behind the scenes, and always with dedication.

This year’s winners embody what it means to care deeply: about place, about memory, and about the legacy we leave for the future. Their work encourages us all to pause, look around, and take in the layers of meaning in our built environment. Thanks to this group of preservationists, San Diego retains our sense of place, our true character, and our connection to each other.

SOHO OFFERS OUR DEEPEST CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 People In Preservation honorees. Your work matters. You inspire us. And you help ensure that the story of San Diego continues to be told with clarity, pride, and authenticity.