Jan 15 2008
For the first time, after 30 years of honoring real estate developments worldwide, The Urban Land Institute will honor some of the best examples of Houston real estate development.
"This award recognizes the full development process -- construction, economic viability, environmental sustainability, community benefit, marketing, and management -- as well as design," said Reid Wilson, ULI Houston District Council Chair.
As debate intensifies among Houston real estate developers and neighborhood preservation groups on regulations impacting future real estate developments, ULI will spotlight developments that brought public and private interests together.
The awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at the Rice Crystal Ballroom, 909 Texas Ave, with a reception starting at 5:30 pm. For more information call ULI Houston at 713-349-8821.
The Award is the centerpiece of ULI's efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of real estate development. Local versions of the ULI Awards help to raise awareness of ULI's mission: to provide leadership in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. ULI hopes the Houston award can serve as a springboard to send more award entries from the Houston district council to the Americas competition in Washington, DC.
Judges for the 2008 ULI Houston Development of Distinction Award were: Judd L. Bobilin, executive vice president and chief development officer for Novare Group, an Atlanta real estate developer; Frank Ricks, AIA, a founder and managing principal of Memphis firm LRK Architects, and Ed Garza, senior associate with EDAW in San Antonio and former Mayor of San Antonio
Bringing an out-of-town jury to choose Houston winners accomplished an important goal for award organizers. "The jury spread the word about Houston's best developments beyond our borders," Wilson said. He adds that ULI hopes to "call attention to developments that will make a positive difference for years, even generations to come."
Finalists for the 2008 ULI Houston Development of Distinction Award are:
- Christ Church Cathedral, Mixed Use Project
- Market Street, The Woodlands
- Minute Maid Park
- The Rice lofts
- Sabine Promenade