29 award categories presented for innovation and achievement by regional commercial real estate development firms, affiliated companies and professionals

NAIOP Maryland honored fifteen different companies and fifteen professionals in twenty-nine separate categories at its bi-annual “Awards of Excellence” Gala held last evening in front of more than 400 people at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore. The program celebrates and recognizes the innovative achievements of regional commercial real estate developers, as well as the companies and professionals that service this industry in the Maryland region. Ryan Burrows, JLL; Morgan Gilligan, Stewart Title Guaranty Company; and Nicole Wilhelm Smith, ECS Mid-Atlantic served as Co-Chairs.

Robert Becker of St. John Properties, Inc. was named winner of the NAIOP Maryland “Lifetime Achievement Award,” an honor bestowed Edward St. John, founder and chairman of St. John Properties in 2000. Other individual award winners were Owen Rouse, Manekin, LLC, Distinguished Merit Award; Dianna and Wayne Wilhelm, Wilhelm Commercial Builders, Greg Masi Volunteer Award; Kate Jordan, Lee & Associates, Rising Star Award; James Caronna, NAI KLNB, Brokerage Award; and Emily Brown, American Office, Service Provider Award.

The F. Patrick Hughes Legislative Award was presented to Robb Merritt, Merritt Properties, Inc. In addition, NAIOP Maryland recognized seven professionals for the Chapter’s Government Relations Distinguished Service Award. The winners were Philip Dales, Hyatt and Weber, P.A.; Edward Gibbs, Gibbs and Haller; John Gontrum,Whiteford,. Taylor and Preston, LLP; Steve Elmendorf, Linowes and Blocher, LLP; Joe Rutter, Land Design and Development, Inc.; Bill Shipp, O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A. and Ben Wechsler, Linowes and Blocher, LP;

The project and transaction awards were.

Best LEED Warehouse
Mid-Atlantic Distribution Center Building C
Chelsea Ventures, LLC

Best LEED Office
8115 Maple Lawn Boulevard
Greenebaum Enterprises & St. John Properties, Inc.

Best Community Impact
City Garage
Sagamore Development Company

Best Social Impact
“Fallen Star” Memorial at The GATE at Aberdeen Proving Ground
St. John Properties, Inc.

Best Medical Office
Greater Baltimore Medical Center
Merritt Construction Services

Best Adaptive Reuse
The Rouse Building
The Howard Hughes Corporation & Garver Development Group

Best Warehouse
Hanover Crossing
Liberty Property Trust

Best Industrial Park
Baltimore Crossroads @95
Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC

Best Office Park
Annapolis Corporate Park
St. John Properties, Inc.

Best Retail
Merritt Athletic Club – White Marsh
Merritt Construction Services

Best Mixed Use
Peter Fillat Architects
400 East Pratt

Best Office Redevelopment
McHenry Row Expansion
Mark Sapperstein

Best Build-to-Suit Warehouse
NAFCO & Congressional Seafood
Merritt Properties, LLC

Best Overall Design Team
Price Modern Headquarters
Gensler

Most Creative Transaction
The GATE at Aberdeen Proving Ground
St. John Properties, Inc.

Best Investment Sales Transaction
100 and 30 Light Street
Corporate Office Properties Trust

Best Low to Rid-Rise Office
Agora, Inc.
Merritt Construction Services

Best Interior Tenant Fit-out – Flex
Jailbreak Brewing Company
Arium AE, LLC

Best Interior Rehab
T. Rowe Price Building Two
IPD Project Team

Best Interior Rehab – Common Area
6940 Columbia Gateway Drive – Lobby Renovation
Corporate Office Properties Trust

Best Interior Tenant Fit-out – Office
Pandora Headquarters
Gensler

“The response to this year’s call to nominations was robust, which signifies the strength of the regional commercial real estate industry,” explained Brendan Gill, President of NAIOP Maryland. “Selecting the winners was difficult, as these award recipients represent the execution of real estate or individual achievement at the highest level. Each of the nominated entries helped positively shape the real estate landscape in the Baltimore region.”

In accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award, Bob Becker said in his acceptance speech, “NAIOP Maryland has been an important organization for me and my career development through the educational and networking opportunities they provide and more. I have found that NAIOP members, and the real estate community in general, are friendly competitors. NAIOP provides opportunities to meet with executives from other companies to discuss trends, share leads and help us all identify best practices to stay on top of our game.

He added, “I am proof that you don’t have to be the CEO or President of a company to be recognized. By living your life with integrity, professionalism, dedication and courtesy, you too could be standing here receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.”