HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Communities benefit from sensitive development within them and can be transformed by their impact. Urban Land Institute Houston recognizes successful examples of this each year with its annual Development of Distinction awards.
The top honored projects also represent best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing, and management.
The organization’s recent 2026 Development of Distinction event, presented by Wilson, Cribbs + Goren, showcased 11 finalist projects before naming category winners that had been evaluated by a jury panel of industry experts.
As described in event materials and jury videos, categories and top honors included:
Public-Private Partnership
Fort Bend County Epicenter, a 230,000 SF flexible space buildout on 52 acres, accommodates gatherings from educational to recreational. It also doubles as an operations center and emergency shelter during natural disasters. Other features include a 38,000 SF outdoor pavilion for livestock shows and equestrian events.
In video remarks, jurists called it an asset for a community making the transition from agricultural to suburban use.
The project team included developer Stonehenge Holdings; PBK Sports, STOA Architects and Sustaita Architects; landscape architects GreenScape Associates; Satterfield & Pontikes Construction; Republic Engineering & Development Servies, Walter P. Moore structural engineering: and Leaf Engineers, MEP.
Non-Profit Large
Con is “a transformative and nurturing sanctuary” of healing and empowerment for Houston’s homeless youth. In addition to housing, the campus includes an engagement center with recreation spaces, food access, case worker offices, creative studios, a chapel, baby play area, and a medical clinic.
The project sensitively addressed intake services as well as housing and the emotional needs of its residents, jurists said. They noted the “trauma-informed design” used to create safe environments of respect and dignity. Some examples include the use of open spaces, rounded interior features and soft interior finishes. The result makes it feel not like an institution but a home.
The project team included Gensler; landscape architect Clark Condon Associates; Harvey Builders; WGA Consulting Engineers; Daily + Associates structural engineering; and Telios, MEP.
City Of Houston Public Works & Engineering NE Quadrant Facility turned “a deteriorating municipal yard into a modern, efficient and secure operations campus” that is mindful of its employees’ safety and well-being.
The facility, 33,500 SF, supports 120 workers across utility specialties. Site circulation now better separates heavy fleet traffic from staff. Meanwhile, to foster collaboration and wellness, the design called for expansive windows, natural lighting and a covered outdoor commons space.
Jurists noted how the project addresses the human element of providing services for customers across the city. Modern and well executed, the project links spaces used by employees in the field with those in administrative and office roles.
The project team included RDLR Architects; landscape architect Asakura Robinson; contractor Morganti; civil and structural engineering by CSF Consulting; and LAN, MEP.
For Profit – Small:
Talyard Brewing Co. brought its craft brewery and beer garden to Sugar Land’s Imperial neighborhood. It’s a family-friendly environment, with pickleball courts, lawn games, a playground, food truck courtyard, and stage for live entertainment.
Jurists noted how the project captured spaces and experiences for a wide demographic.
Owners Keith Teague and Chuck Laughter worked with Gensler on the project. Kimley-Horn and Associates handled landscape architecture, plus civil and structural engineering, with DMAC Construction and Development and Infinity Engineers.
Historical Redevelopment
Grogan’s Mill Village Center Redevelopment by Howard Hughes Communities has revamped a mid-‘70s property comprised of retail space, community center and library in The Woodlands. Grogan’s Mill Village Center opened about the time The Woodlands community celebrated its grand opening, Oct. 19, 1974.
The results deliver a sense of place with resources for the community now and in the future.
Jurists noted how the design incorporated a more activated destination.
The project team included PGAL and Identity Architects; landscape architect M2L Associates; O’Donnell/Snider Construction and WC Construction, Vogt Engineering, CJG Engineers, IMEG; and DBR and ASEI Engineering, MEP.
Open Space
A pair of park projects tied in this category.
Camden Park, on 3.5 acres within Westchase District, is “a model of community-driven urban planning.”
The project earned kudos from the jurists for its colorful, playful interpretation. Its features, such as a stage, piano, dog park, trails, terraces and programming, “provide something for everyone.” The park acts as a yard for adjacent multi-family housing.
Westchase District worked with architect Natalye Appel+Associates; landscape architect Office of James Burnett; contractor DLM Meacham; Walter P. Moore and Matrix Structural Engineers.
Club Creek Park and Houston Vietnam Veterans Memorial project began as a storm water retention project but has transformed its “flood-prone tract along Brays Bayou into a resilient community-focused open space.”
The 14.9-acre site integrates a 120-foot regional detention basin.
Surrounding the Veterans Memorial, meanwhile, are new trails, open meadows and play areas. A two-acre pond and restored wetlands help filter storm water and support habitat.
By involving the community in design, jurists noted, the project became so much more for a park-poor, under-served part of town.
The project also earned this year’s People’s Choice award.
Other finalists in the 2026 program included: Hotel Saint Augustine by Loretto Project LLC; Camden Park (City of Houston); Columbia Senior at 2100 Memorial, by APV Residential and Columbia Residential; Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou, by Brinshore Development and Buffalo Bayou Partnership; and The University of Houston RAD Center.
Judges this year included Anna D. Goodrich, managing director and principal at Goodrich Enterprises, LLC; Holly Law Eve, director of real estate and leasing services at University of Virginia; and Gregg Lintern, former chief planner and executive director of city planning for the City of Toronto.
Since 2008, more than 150 projects and public spaces have been recognized by the Houston District of ULI’s Development of Distinction winners, finalists and honorable mentions. The program is modeled after the national ULI Global Awards for Excellence.
The mission of the Urban Land Institute is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.
Feb. 13, 2026 Realty News Report Copyright 2026
Photos courtesy ULI
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File: ULI Houston Honors 2026 Developments of Distinction