Two local artists won the praises of preservationists Wednesday for seeking historic designation of their buildings north of downtown.

The Historic and Design Review Commission supported findings of historic significance requested by co-owners Rolando Briseño and Angel Rodriguez, for their two commercial buildings in Beacon Hill.

“This is a great day. I wish there were a lot of people here clapping,” Barbara Witte-Howell, a member of the San Antonio Conservation Society, said before reading a statement favoring the designation.

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Preservationist said the action at the sparsely attended meeting represented a key factor in protecting San Antonio's historic structures: involvement from property owners. Both structures, the 1920s Beacon Building at 708 Fredericksburg Road and the 1930s-era Casa Uptown, nearby at 1241 W. French Place, reflect Spanish Colonial Revival design.

“It's great that both of these designations are owner-initiated. The little neighborhood commercial structures are part of what makes neighborhoods viable,” said Shanon Wasielewski, the city's historic preservation officer.

Although the owners did not attend the meeting, Briseño said he hoped to use the designation to access grants to fund repairs. He said he and Rodriguez have spent tens of thousands of dollars fixing up the building on West French that they've owned for 14 years, and the Fredericksburg structure they bought two years ago. Both have exterior tiles, columns and other features that remain intact. But they need extensive work, Briseño said.

“Our goal is to return these buildings to their original glory,” he said.

He said he also hopes to help Beacon Hill, a neighborhood conservation district, retain its bungalows and other historic housing in an area platted as Treasure Hill in 1906 and later known as Uptown. The Zoning Commission must approve the designation.

“I'd like to bring attention to this area and help bring it back to life,” Briseño said.

The Beacon Building was designed by Ellis Albaugh and Henry Steinbomer, who became a prolific church architect. At least half of his 150 church projects in Texas were local, including Jefferson Methodist and St. Luke's Episcopal, according to city staff research.

When Casa Uptown opened in 1932, it housed a Piggly Wiggly store, a produce market and a café and delicatessen.

The commission also supported historic designation of the old Protestant Children's Home, built in 1925 at 3031 W. Woodlawn Ave., near Bandera Road.

Although it has deteriorated for years, preservationists say its Colonial revival-style façade and decades of operations as an orphanage make it part of the community's fabric. It was designed by noted architect Carleton Adams, whose work includes Jefferson High School nearby.

Preservationists have tried for nearly two years to find a new owner to buy and restore the building. Since historic designation is being sought by the city, it must be approved by the Zoning Commission and the City Council.

Rear 1980s additions to the building are not part of the proposed designation.

“From a structural standpoint, we didn't see any major concerns with the original portion,” Wasielewski said.