Recently, Marion Street Services was a proud recipient of it’s 2nd Oak Park Historic Preservation award.
Each year, Oak Park’s Historic Restoration Awards recognize homeowners, architects, contractors, and business owners who go beyond surface-level updates. These projects focus on restoration, rehabilitation, and thoughtful additions that keep historic homes and buildings functional without losing the details that give them character. Sustainability and long-term stewardship are just as important as visual authenticity.
Maintaining their reputation as one of best historic preservation contractors in Oak Park and River Forest, IL, Marion Street Services has again won a prestigious Oak Park Historic Restoration Award. Having previously won in 2023, Marion Street Services came back out on top in 2025 by scoring the first ever 100% score ever given out on the Historic Preservation Award rubric.
With architect Kimberlee Smith and Marion Street Services working side by side on this 1890’s home in Oak Park, they were pleased to display what is possible when preservation is treated as a collaboration between history, design, and craftsmanship.
This award winning project required challenging custom millwork to be completed, along with a heavily damaged roof, requiring extra time and care had to be taken at every turn by the Marion Street team. Attention to detail is also what sets the Marion Street Services team apart from others. The Marion team was especially attentive to finding landscape stone that would match the existing foundation. This task alone required nearly two dozen varieties of stone to be tried when searching for the best match.
As mentioned, this recognition marks Marion Street Services second Historic Preservation Award since 2023. Winning a 2nd time reflects a consistent commitment to craftsmanship and historically sensitive construction. Rather than chasing trends, Marion Street Service’s work reflects a steady focus on understanding how older homes were built—and how to build onto them the right way.
Read more about Marion Street Service’s 2023 award here.
Sikora, Lacey. “Celebrating preservation” Celebrating preservation – Wednesday Journal January 29, 2026 https://www.oakpark.com/2026/01/29/celebrating-preservation/