Preserving historic buildings builds a fabric of culture and history for the next generation, said Bruce Gerleman, who received the Historic Preservation Hall of Fame award during the Des Moines Heritage Trust’s Historic Preservation Awards Dinner.

The Trust recognized leaders and projects that are leaving their mark across the region during the dinner, held at the Des Moines Heritage Center on East Fifth Street in the East Village on  May 14.

This year’s winners included Gerleman, owner of Gerleman Management Corp., and Ryan Francois, founder and CEO of Rally Cap Properties, who received the Historic Preservation Champion Award.

Other award winners were:

Historic Preservation Projects of the Year – Commercial

• Carpenter Paper Building, 106 SW Seventh St., Des Moines – Tim Rypma
• Ingersoll Dinner Theater, 3711 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines – Connor Delaney
• SHYFT Collective Building, 740 18th St., Des Moines – DEV Partners

Historic Preservation Project of the Year – Residential

• 2846 Forest Drive, Des Moines – Cutler Construction

Historic Preservation Projects of the Year – Adaptive Reuse

• Plant 1 Lofts Phase I (formerly Maytag) – 515 W. Fourth St. N., Newton – Christensen Development
• Klein Building in Highland Park, 3614 Sixth Ave. Des Moines – Tim and Chloe Bratvold

The Historic Preservation Hall of Fame Award recognizes a lifetime of contribution to preservation that has shaped historic preservation in Iowa for decades.

Gerleman was described as a “preservation pioneer” who began his real estate career in 1981 after seeing the potential created by changes to the federal tax code, which created a 25% federal tax credit for historic preservation.

His projects included several historic mansions in the Grand and South of Grand neighborhoods. He then turned his attention downtown, where he acquired and renovated the Martin Hotel and buildings along Court Avenue and Third and Fourth streets.

Gerleman, who also owns Jethro’s BBQ and the seafood restaurant Splash, said he saw opportunities to preserve historic buildings and build a lasting legacy for Des Moines.

Francois, a Des Moines native who grew up in the Beaverdale area, was recognized for his work restoring nearly 30 residential properties in the Drake, Waveland Park and Sherman Hill neighborhoods.

He is also a dedicated environmentalist, who created an urban garden on High Street between 23rd and 24th streets, an area he calls the Woodland Realm with gardens, natural timber structures and stone work.

Francois said it takes people like those honored by the Des Moines Heritage Trust to breathe new life into dilapidated structures.

In a news release announcing the award winners, Tim Waddell, president of the Des Moines Heritage Trust Board, said the winners “showcase the power of preservation to transform communities and neighborhoods.”

“Whether through dedicated, visionary leadership or innovative redevelopment, each honoree is helping turn historic structures and iconic local landmarks into dynamic spaces that serve our region today while honoring its rich heritage,” he said.