Historic Resources Group

What Historic Resources Group does

Historic Resources Group (HRG) is a Pasadena, California-based historic preservation consulting firm founded in 1989 by Christy McAvoy. The firm provides professional services across preservation planning, historic resources surveys, historic structure reports, cultural landscape reports, environmental review under CEQA, NEPA, and Section 106, federal historic tax credit applications, National Register and local landmark nominations, and Mills Act applications. Its client base spans municipal, county, state, and federal government agencies as well as private-sector owners, developers, real estate professionals, architects, and nonprofit organizations — with marquee engagements including City of Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources (SurveyLA citywide survey covering 880,000+ parcels), NBC Universal Evolution Plan, Paramount Pictures, Fox Studios, Madison Square Garden's Forum, USC campus master plan, Rose Bowl Operating Company, and Pasadena City Hall.

HRG's core technology stack is GIS-centric and methodology-driven rather than software-platform based. The firm's proprietary assets include the GIS mapping and database management framework used for large-scale citywide surveys, the SurveyLA methodology and field guide software developed for the City of Los Angeles, and the Adaptive Mitigation Management Approach (AMMA) developed for USC. Deliverables are produced by a multidisciplinary team of architectural historians, preservation planners, GIS/technical specialists, and a licensed architect, supported by a small business development function.

HRG operates a purely professional services revenue model: project-based, scope-defined engagements priced on a custom basis (pricing is not publicly disclosed), with no platform, subscription, or productized SaaS component. Go-to-market is primarily sales-led and reputation-driven — secured through RFPs, direct outreach, professional referrals, conference presentations (AIA National Convention, California Preservation Foundation, Getty Conservation Institute), and active participation in preservation trade bodies (California Preservation Foundation, LA Conservancy, AIA Historic Resources Committee). Marketing spend is minimal; the firm relies on a portfolio website and an Instagram presence (@hrgpreservation). HRG is privately held, bootstrapped since founding with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Historic Resources Group

Legal name

Historic Resources Group

Website

https://historicresourcesgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, Historic Resources Group is a privately held historic preservation consulting firm serving government agencies, developers, and institutional owners across California with preservation planning, historic surveys, environmental review, and federal historic tax credit services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Consulting

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Historic preservation consulting
• Preservation planning services
• Historic structure reports
• Environmental review consulting
• Cultural resource management

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Preservation Planning and Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for historic preservation planning, including preservation plans, historic structure reports, historic context statements, and design guidelines.
2. Environmental Review Services: CEQA, NEPA, and Section 106 environmental review and compliance consulting services.
3. Federal Historic Tax Credit Applications: Preparation of federal historic rehabilitation tax credit applications and certifications for property owners.
4. Historic Designation Services: National Register nominations, local landmark designations, and Mills Act applications for property owners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Historic Resources Group is a historic preservation consulting firm delivering professional services including preservation planning, architectural consultation and standards compliance, environmental review (CEQA, NEPA, Section 106), historic structure reports, historic context statements, cultural landscape reports, historic resources surveys, federal historic tax credit applications, National Register and Mills Act nominations, and historic assessments. The firm serves government agencies and private sector clients across California on landmark, district, campus, and citywide preservation projects.

Product overview

Historic Resources Group is a historic preservation consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of professional services. The firm operates as a single-service practice rather than a platform with separate modules. Services include Architectural Consultation & Standards Compliance, Cultural Landscape Reports, Environmental Review (CEQA, NEPA, Section 106), Federal Historic Tax Credits, Historic Assessment & Historic Designations, Historic Context Statements & Historic Resources Surveys, Historic Structure Reports, Mills Act Applications, and Preservation Planning. These services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of architectural historians, architects, planners, and preservation specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Consultation & Standards Compliance Provides expert guidance on architectural projects ensuring compliance with historic preservation standards and regulations, including Secretary of the Interior's Standards, for property owners, developers, and architects.
• Cultural Landscape Reports Documents and analyzes the historic and cultural significance of designed landscapes, gardens, and natural areas for municipalities and property owners.
• Environmental Review (CEQA, NEPA, Section 106) Conducts environmental compliance reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for project proponents and government agencies.
• Federal Historic Tax Credits Assists property owners in preparing federal historic rehabilitation tax credit applications and certifications for qualified preservation projects.
• Historic Assessment & Historic Designations Evaluates properties for historic significance and assists with nominations for local, state, and national historic designations for property owners and municipalities.
• Historic Context Statements & Historic Resources Surveys Develops comprehensive historic context statements and conducts citywide or area-specific historic resources surveys, including the SurveyLA-style methodology that covered more than 880,000 parcels for the City of Los Angeles.
• Historic Structure Reports Prepares detailed documentation of historic building conditions, significance, and treatment recommendations for preservation planning for property owners and institutions such as the Rose Bowl Operating Company.
• Mills Act Applications Prepares applications for the California Mills Act property tax incentive program for owners of qualified historic properties.
• Preservation Planning Develops comprehensive preservation plans and strategies for properties, districts, and municipalities, including the proprietary Adaptive Mitigation Management Approach (AMMA) methodology developed for the USC campus master plan.

Quantifiable outcome

• SurveyLA identified over 880,000 potentially significant parcels across Los Angeles
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered notable, flagship and core.

• Drisko Studio and Spectra CompanynotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2013Team members on the Lopez Adobe rehabilitation project in San Fernando, which won a Governor's Historic Preservation Award.
• Los Angeles County ArboretumnotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2013Worked with LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden curators and staff on the Lucky Baldwin Queen Anne Cottage and Coach Barn roof replacement project.
• Moule + PolyzoidesnotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012Collaborated on the City of Santa Ana Transit Zoning Code, part of the Santa Ana Renaissance Specific Plan. HRG contributed historic preservation expertise that won The Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award.
• Madison Square Garden CompanyflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012Historic resources consultant for the Forum rehabilitation project, helping secure federal preservation tax credit and National Register nomination.
• D'AIQ (architect)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012Local design review, building permits, and construction administration partner for the Rose Bowl renovation project alongside City of Pasadena's Rose Bowl Operating Company.
• Los Angeles ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnered on 'Curating the City: Modern Architecture in L.A., 1940-1990' as part of Getty Research Institute's Pacific Standard Time Presents initiative. HRG facilitated expert meetings and helped compile list of 1,000+ significant modern buildings.
• Mann Theatres and Behr Browers ArchitectsnotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2012Assisted with Chinese Theatre restoration and rehabilitation work in 2001.
• National Alliance of Preservation CommissionsnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012HRG sponsored and participated in NAPC 2012 Forum in Norfolk, Virginia. Principal Peyton Hall contributed article to The Alliance Review on seismic shift in historic urban development.
• City of Los Angeles Office of Historic ResourcesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Key partner on SurveyLA - the first citywide historic resources survey. HRG developed the citywide historic context statement and conducted field surveys in Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, West L.A., San Pedro, and other areas.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Page & Turnbull: California-headquartered architecture and planning firm specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and cultural resources consulting. Closest direct competitor to HRG with overlapping service lines in preservation planning, Section 106 review, and National Register nominations.
• Architectural Resources Group (ARG): Architecture, preservation, and planning firm with direct overlap in historic resources surveys, preservation planning, and adaptive reuse consulting. Operates across the Western US with comparable service menu to HRG.
• Chattel, Inc. Los Angeles-based historic preservation consulting firm offering preservation planning, historic resources surveys, National Register work, and environmental review—closely matching HRG's service portfolio.
• Heritage Consulting Group: Multi-state heritage consulting firm offering Section 106, NEPA, HABS/HAER documentation, and historic preservation planning services comparable to HRG's environmental review and HABS capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• ICF International (Cultural Resources): Large global consulting firm with a cultural resources practice delivering NEPA, Section 106, and historic preservation services. Competes for the same government RFPs as HRG but from a much broader platform.
• AECOM Cultural Resources: Global infrastructure consulting firm with cultural resources and environmental practice groups serving federal, state, and municipal preservation clients. Competes with HRG on large public-sector environmental review and preservation contracts.
• SWCA Environmental Consultants: National environmental and cultural resources consultancy with established Section 106/NEPA practice competing for cultural resource management work from the same public and private clients as HRG.
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE): Structural and architectural engineering firm with dedicated historic preservation and cultural resources practice engaging in historic structure reports and rehabilitation consulting on similar landmark projects.

Emerging players

• Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (consulting arm) / Wisserman Consulting Group: Specialized preservation planning firm delivering historic resource surveys, National Register nominations, and preservation design services to municipalities—an emerging participant in the same niche as HRG.

Regional players

• Past Forward (California Office of Historic Preservation contractor): California-based cultural resources consulting firm providing historic resources inventories and preservation planning services for regional and municipal clients overlapping with HRG's California footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hrgpreservation
• Xx.com/hrgpreservation
• Facebookfacebook.com/hrgpreservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/historic-resources-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Historic Resources Group