HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) -Innovative design in Houston’s built environment and open space earned industry recognition at this year’s Development of Distinctions awards event, held by Urban Land Institute’s Houston District Council.
The 18th annual event, presented Feb. 11 by Wilson, Cribbs + Goren, showcased intriguing projects that exemplify best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management. The program is modeled after the national Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence
ULI 2025 Development of Distinction Awards Recognize Good Design and Community Impact
A jury of national real estate experts evaluated all finalists’ projects. This year’s slate included Adrienne Bain, North Carolina’s JPI managing director, capital markets,; Heather Personne, managing principal in Phoenix’s Evolve Ventures; and Rico Quirindongo, Seattle’s director of planning and community development.
In a video highlighting this year’s category winners, judges noted how the projects were stunning, bold and thoughtful, and also had successfully integrated their presence and programming into their communities at large. Accessibility and sustainability in construction and operations also drew judges’ favorable attention.
Award categories and their 2025 winners included:
Large-Scale For-Profit:
Norton Rose Fulbright Tower, previously 1550 on the Green, is Skanska’s 28-story class A office building adjacent to Discovery Green downtown. Judges said it was “well-considered” for its curving, park-side site, judges said. It was “courageous in its timing” and a “successful gamble.”
The project’s six towers form a single mass that follows the contours of the street. Highly amenitized, the tower has panoramic views. Landscaped rooftop terraces pull the park aesthetic into the building. Its side core design, flexible floor place and LEED Platinum mechanical system meanwhile set a new standard for Houston architecture.
Judges also noted how retail space at street level is an asset for the community at large.
The project team included Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc.; architect Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) with Kendall Heaton Associates Inc.; landscape architect SWA Group; civil and structural engineering by Walter P Moore; and interior design by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.
Large Scale Non-Profit
a magnet program for the performing arts, delivered an environment for creative excellence and talent. In its building and site plan, the project understands how music is experienced within its student community.
Judges noted its acoustically precise practice rooms and performance venues. The school further emphasizes its academic focus with screens of cut metal musical notes. The liberal use of color provides placemaking. Natural light and imaginative common areas for non-classroom teaching help prevent it from feeling like an institution.
Located near a city park, the school replaced a 50-year-old building and now has a new landmark within its neighborhood.
The project team included Brave/Architecture, landscape architect Asakura Robinson, Matric Structural Engineering, and acoustic design consultant Jaffe Holden.
Small Scale Non-Profit
Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library is a 23,260-square-foot “next-generation” library resource and a community hub.
As one judge observed, “It’s a place for gathering. A place for learning. A place to grow.”
Judges cited the project’s innovative use of space, including TECHLink-supported recording spaces for music, videos and podcasts. The layout features flex space meeting areas, study rooms and a range of seating options. It also encourages interaction with nature.
A Houston Public Library project, the development team included Brave/Architecture, landscape architect Asakura Robinson, general contractor Spaw Glass, acoustic consultant Russ Berger Design Group and technology consultant 4B Technology.
This project also earned the 2025 Development of Distinction People’s Choice award.
Open Space
The City of Houston’s Vogel Creek Greenway project adapted a former golf course into a mile-long greenspace that integrates a trail network with water detention, flood control, transportation, recreation and community advocacy.
Judges appreciated the collaboration of stakeholders, including the local community, in revitalizing the neighborhood’s outdoor asset and instilling a sense of community pride.
The public-private project team included Houston Parks Board, City of Houston General Services Department, Houston Parks & Recreation Department, landscape architect Asakura Robinson, civil and structural engineering by Halff, and general contractor Texas Wall and Landscape. Financial partners were City of Houston Public Works, Harris County Precinct One, The Brown Foundation, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Be Well Initiative.
Historical Redevelopment
The Coffee House at West End, part of a church property in the under-caffeinated Washington Corridor, serves the greater community as well as the church. The opened-up interior boasts an industrial aesthetic with use of materials from the original 1930s building, such as exposed brick and wooden beams contrasting with modern steel. The former three-story space is now two stories, and it encompasses a mezzanine for seating or events space.
Judges cited the project’s role as a “third space” for the community as coffee shops in the area are lacking.
For the project, River Pointe Church worked with Studio Red Architects, Bennett Design Group, Arch-Con general contractors, Matric Structural Engineers, acoustician Salas O’Brien, and local mural artists Sebastian “Mr.D 1987” Boileau and Eyeful Art.
Sustainable Adaptive Reuse
Judges had leeway to showcase a category and chose sustainability, selecting for its winner Alexandria Center for Advanced Technologies at The Woodlands, a multi-tenant campus designed to drive innovation and collaboration.
The project includes a purpose-built, cost-effective Class A laboratory infrastructure with move-in-ready lab suites and shared amenity spaces.
Judges noted the project’s “seamless transitions” from indoors to outdoors and appreciated the repeating theme of the DNA helix in placemaking.
Developer Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. worked with architect Gensler and landscape architect SWA Group on the project. The team also included DPR Construction, Walter P. Moore, and HLB Lighting.
Other finalist projects considered in the 2025 awards included The Allen, by DC Partners, Glenwood Cemetery Visitor Center, Trees for Houston Kinder Campus, Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston and Trailhead Ridge Park, by Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.
Since 2008, more than 140 projects and public space have been recognized as ULI Houston’s Development of Distinction winners, finalists and honorable mentions.
Feb. 12, 2025 Realty News Report Copyright 2025
THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT PODCAST
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Danny Rice of Colliers
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Trey Odom of Avera
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Kris Larson of Downtown Houston +
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Jim Carman of Howard Hughes Holdings
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Jeff Havsy of Moody’s Analytics
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Sam Scott of CommGate
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with John S. Moody, Jr. of Moody Law Group
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Scott Martin of Granite Properties
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Robert Clay of Clay Development
File: ULI Houston Recognizes Developments of Distinction in 2025 Award ULI Houston’s Best Developments of 2025: Houston’s Best Developments of 2025: ULI Awards River Pointe Church, Houston’s Best Developments of 2025: ULI Awards