About

On April 1, 1982, Heritage Consulting Group was founded by John Tess and opened on the 13th floor of the Terminal Sales Building in Portland, Oregon. Heritage advises owners and developers of older and historic buildings through the development process, helping them secure federal, state, and local incentives. We have completed thousands of projects throughout the United States and are currently active in locations nationwide, including projects in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland. John established the values of the company that remain today, including creative problem solving and tenacious client advocacy. As we mark our 40th year, John has handed over the reins to Cindy Hamilton, who now serves as president. With our enduring legacy and strong team we are ready to lead the industry for another 40 years.

1982

Year Founded

1700 +

Projects Completed

43

States with Completed Projects
  • Where we advise

    Heritage is often engaged in guiding large, complex projects through the historic tax credit process, such as the IBM Building in Chicago, Jersey City Medical Center, Denver Union Station, and Quicken’s Downtown Detroit initiative.

  • Decades of experience

    With decades of experience in securing approvals for conversions to hotel use, Heritage has also developed a hospitality industry niche, completing projects for Kimpton, HRI Properties, and Sage Hospitality, among others.

Testimonials

  • Art Schuldt, President

    Housing Solutions Alliance, LLC

    “Our firm’s focus is public housing redevelopment. We have found Heritage to be unmatched in their knowledge of the history of public housing and as such have been a valuable partner in obtaining very critical historic equity”

  • Mark Edlen, Principal

    Gerding-Edlen Development

    “Gerding-Edlen Development has worked with Heritage Consulting Group for over a decade.  Of particular note, the firm was our historic preservation consultant for the Wieden + Kennedy World Headquarters building and the Armory, the first Platinum LEED Certified Rehabilitation.  Their work on our behalf included securing historic property designations, tax credits, design review and city, state and federal approvals relating to the historic status of the buildings.  Throughout our relationship, we have found Heritage to be a superlative advocate on our behalf as relates to historic issues.  They have understood our needs and worked effectively in a timely and effective manner.  We are currently working with Heritage on a number of projects and look forward to continuing that relationship.”

  • Tom Capp, COO

    Gorman & Company, Inc.

    “Heritage is an invaluable partner in our historic rehab projects.  We greatly appreciate their sense of ownership in our projects. Their professional guidance routinely allows us to both avoid mistakes and move our projects forward quickly and successfully.”

  • Tom LaTour, former President

    Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group

    “We have used John Tess and Heritage for all of our historic hotel rehabilitations from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. John understands both the historic regulations and our own requirements for developing a first-class hotel property. We wouldn’t undertake any historic rehabilitation without Heritage on our team.”

  • Walter Isenberg, Co-founder, President and CEO

    Sage Hospitality

    “We are pleased to recommend Heritage Consulting Group.  Federal and state historic tax credits are integral to many of our development projects.  Heritage is an effective and successful advocate on our behalf, combining superior strategic guidance with the ability to get timely answers from federal and state reviewers.”

     

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A Heritage of Giving

Heritage established its Giving Back Program in 2012 in honor of the company’s 30th anniversary.

As part of its 30th anniversary, Heritage launched the Giving Back program. Through this program we provide pro bono services for properties deserving research and recognition for their contributions to America’s cultural and architectural history. Giving Back projects include the Joe Frazier Gym in Philadelphia, the William Penn Memorial Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Lawrence Halprin’s Open Park Sequence in Portland, Oregon, the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Jorgine Boomer House and David & Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, Arizona.