The Urban Land Institute New York (ULI NY) 3rd Annual Excellence in Development Awards was held in Manhattan’s Gotham Hall last night, but it was Brooklyn developments that took the lion’s share of awards.
The event drew hundreds of attendees from across the real estate spectrum to celebrate New York–based developers, architects, urban planners and other land use industry professionals whose work reflect an exemplary commitment to responsible planning, design, sustainability and community impact.
This year ULI NY Honored 9 Outstanding Development Projects in the Categories of Housing, Office, Mixed-Use, Institutional, Civic Space, Repositioning or Redevelopment, Hotel, and Retail.
Some of this year’s winners from Brooklyn included Dumbo-based Two Trees Development, which nabbed the Excellence in Market-Rate Housing Development award for their breathtaking 300 Ashland building, which is already being regarded as iconic as part of the BAM Cultural District.
Acadia Realty Trust and Washington Square Partners, which took the Excellence in Retail Development Award for their City Point project, 10 City Point just off the Fulton Mall and Flatbush. The development features among other retailers, a Target, a Century 21, a Trader Joe’s and the most happening food court in Brooklyn.
“We are honored to be recognized for playing a leading role in the reimagining of retail in Downtown Brooklyn. The City Point project has brought a diverse set of high-quality options in retail, food and entertainment to a market previously underserved by these lifestyle resources,” said Paul Travis, Founder and Managing Partner of Washington Square Partners.
Other Brooklyn winners included the non-profit CAMBA, which was a first time winner this year in the Excellence in Affordable Housing Development category for CAMBA Gardens, their innovative design of an affordable housing complex on the campus of the Kings County Hospital, located on the border of Crown Heights and East Flatbush.
The buildings were constructed by the city’s Supportive Housing Loan Program in conjunction with CAMBA, which provides employment, education, health, legal, social, business development, and youth services to New Yorkers.
“It was an incredible experience to work on a transformative project that offers a safe and secure environment for everyday New Yorkers. For a non-for profit to win such a prestigious award for all the work that we’ve done is wonderful. What we have done is wonderful. We are absolutely thrilled to be included with such an array of phenomenal for-profit developers,” said Joanne Oplustil, President and CEO of CAMBA Inc.
Midtown Equities, HK Organization, and Rockwood Capital nabbed the Excellence in Repositioning or Redevelopment Award with DUMBO’s Empire Stores at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Toll Brothers and Starwood Capital Group received the Excellence in Hotel Development Award for their 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, also at DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“We cultivated the best of eco-conscious design and sustainable architecture that seamlessly extends to the breathtaking Brooklyn Bridge Park to allow for residents and pedestrians to access the park. With this property, we were able to select every material and develop mindfully, keeping in mind the space’s main purpose to serve, entertain and inspire with some of the best amenities found in the New York hospitality market,” said Arash Azarbarzin, President of SH Group, which shared the award for 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge & Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Besides the dinner awards ceremony there was ample time for the several hundred development executives to mingle, talk shop and network in a relaxed, but semi-formal environment.
“We congratulate all of the winners who have truly demonstrated a strong commitment to building vibrant and sustainable communities for New Yorkers to enjoy for generations to come,” said Marty Burger, Chairman of ULI New York.
