HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – The projects honored by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Houston’s 2020 Development of Distinction awards demonstrate that successful development is as much about building community as it is about construction and design.
Each award-winning project strengthened and supported the surrounding neighborhood and beyond, said David Kim, ULI Houston’s executive director. “People want community. People want to be connected.”
Proximity to transit also featured prominently: four of the five winners are located near Metro transit lines.
The awards ceremony, held Tuesday and presented this year by Wilson, Cribbs and Goren, showcased developments and public open spaces that raise the bar in design, construction, economic viability and public benefit. The program aligns with ULI’s Global Awards for Excellence.
Highlighting and honoring successful projects aims to inspire further thoughtful development, Kim added. ULI, a non-profit organization promoting responsible land use, encourages the exchange of ideas and best practices.
The 2020 ULI Houston winners, organized by category and including a People’s Choice honoree, are listed below.
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For-Profit Award (projects larger than 100,000 square feet)
The top honor in the large for-profit category went to the Bank of America Tower developed by Skanska USA Commercial. Judges highlighted the building as the first LEED Platinum v4 core and shell certification in the United States and praised its extensive high-quality amenities. A 30,000-square-foot public space and culinary market called Understory has invigorated downtown activity, offering tenants and downtown visitors a place to meet, collaborate and dine.
The project’s design team included Gensler; PDR; Michael Hsu Office of Architecture; OJB Landscape Architecture; with Skanska USA Building serving as general contractor.
For-Profit Award (projects smaller than 100,000 square feet)
Main and Co., developed by NewForm Real Estate and Zimmerman Interests, won the small for-profit category. The project restored and repurposed the Main and Commerce Exchange property, bringing life back to a once-derelict downtown block. Where cotton and shipping businesses once operated, the restored building now hosts forward-looking technology firms with global reach—an example of adaptive reuse connecting Houston’s past and future.
The design and construction team included Paradigm Design as architects and Main Street Construction as general contractor.
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The Heritage Award
The Heritage Award recognized The Jones on Main, a sensitive redevelopment and repositioning of the iconic 1929 Gulf Building, originally developed by Jesse H. Jones. Led by Lionstone Investment and Midway, the project modernized office spaces while preserving key historic elements such as the grand banking hall, original frescos and convenient multi-modal access.
The addition of Finn Hall, a food hall named after architect Albert Charles Finn, brought renewed energy to downtown and helped advance the area’s transformation into a more vibrant, around-the-clock district.
The project team included AMB Architects, Gensler, PGAL and Streetsense; OJB Landscape Architecture; and general contractors Harvey Builders, Hoar, Rogers-O’Brien, and Trademark.
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Not-for-Profit Award
The Not-for-Profit Award went to Cornerstone Community, a collaborative project by New Hope Housing and Star of Hope. The 48-acre campus delivers emergency and transitional services, education, and supportive housing targeted to homeless single women and single-parent families.
Designed as a campus with landscaped courtyards and affordable rental units, Cornerstone Community serves as an anchor institution that stabilizes and uplifts the surrounding neighborhood.
The project team included GSMA Inc. and Kirksey Architecture; landscape architects Clark Condon and Kudela & Weinheimer; with Camden Builders Inc. and Tellepsen as contractors.
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