The prestigious award recognizes developments and open spaces that demonstrate best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management, and is modeled after the national Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence. The program’s Heritage Award recognizes a development which has been completed for a minimum of 25 years, in addition to adhering to all other award criteria.

Houston District Council Board Chair Abbey Roberson said “This newest class of finalists demonstrates once again the incredible level of creativity, thoughtfulness, vision and careful consideration brought in designing purposeful developments in Houston. Each of these projects fills a dynamic niche in its individual community and advances the built environment in Houston as a whole.”

Finalists were selected by a nomination panel of Houston real estate leaders that included Marina Badoian-Kriticos, HARC; Hector Covo, Huitt-Zollars; Kristi Johnson, NorthMarq Capital; Blake Royal, BoyarMiller; and Steven Ward, Ward Getz & Associates, LLP.

High resolution images for all 2020 finalists can be downloaded using this link.
All photos should be credited as follows: Photo courtesy of Urban Land Institute and (insert name of project pictured). See a full list of Development of Distinction finalists and winners since 2008.

A jury of national real estate experts will travel to Houston to tour all finalists’ projects on November 11th-13th, to select the 2020 Development of Distinction winners. The national jury includes:

Emma West is Partner at Bousfields Inc. in Toronto;
Heidi Kimball is Senior Vice President at Sunbelt Holdings in Scottsdale; and
Dan Govan is an Associate at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris in Oklahoma City.

For-Profit – Large category

For-Profit – Small category

Non-For-Profit category

Open Space category

Heritage category