The M.H. Cowen House

The M.H. Cowen House is a winner for the 2025 Preservation Design Award for Preservation or Restoration. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/programs/awards/.

About The M.H. Cowen House

The property suffered decades of deferred maintenance and major water management issues. Character defining features presented disrepair, diminished design integrity, or missing completely. Exterior woodwork (including gates, framing, windows, doors, shutters, window grilles) was repaired and restored, finished with May’s original paint and glaze finish treatment. The failed roof membrane was replaced and compromised interior wood trusses structurally reinforced. The roof tile, having lost its distinctive rustic installation during previous repairs, was successfully salvaged and meticulously reinstalled to match May’s original signature pattern.  The site was re-graded to address site drainage and water infiltration at the house.  The original river rock, terra cotta and brick paving was carefully documented, removed and reinstalled throughout the site, to accommodate a new underground drainage system. Original site features were restored. Pervious ground cover and drought resistant plantings replaced overgrown water heavy nonoriginal landscape while historic trees, with their original adobe curbs, were retained.

Community Importance

The Cowen House project is located on a prominent corner in the heart of the historic core, in the City of Claremont. It is one of only a handful of Cliff May designed homes built in Claremont, the only one, and possibly last, in May’s earlier Hacienda style. The property has been admired by the community throughout the decades and caused great concern as it fell into a state of disrepair, facing the possibility of new ownership. 

Claremont takes great pride in its architectural heritage. A historic preservation ordinance was published and formally adopted by the city on March 26, 2024. City staff and Claremont Heritage embraced the opportunity to showcase this project, as an exemplary model for best preservation practices, setting standards for other preservation projects located within the city. The project was designed in compliance with the SOIS, information-based treatments designed to restore character defining features while preserving historic materials, updating the property and building systems for responsible use.

As a first step, the Owners had the property nominated for landmark designation, focused on their commitment to preservation. The project team worked closely with the city and Claremont Heritage to confirm the project goals of all interested parties were in alignment. During construction the project team was invited by Claremont Heritage to present, to the community, the project approach and scope. Immediately upon completion of the project, the Owners opened the property for a Claremont Heritage architectural tour, with an invitation for future tours.

About CPF and the Awards

The California Preservation Awards are a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The awards ceremony includes the presentation of the Preservation Design Awards and the President’s Awards, bringing together hundreds of people each year to share and celebrate excellence in preservation.

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 1978. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.