2025 Awards for Excellence
ULI Washington Awards for Excellence
ULI Washington is thrilled to announce the 2025 Awards for Excellence – a groundbreaking awards program that is set to redefine excellence in our region!
Join us for an unforgettable evening where we celebrate and honor outstanding leaders and visionary projects that have left an indelible mark on our region, and for a program that promises an electrifying synergy of talent, innovation, and inspiration.
What to expect:
- A celebration of remarkable leadership that has ignited positive change in our community.
- Recognition of transformational projects that have pushed the boundaries of innovation and sustainability.
- Engaging presentations, inspiring speeches, and networking opportunities.
- A night to remember in the company of visionary individuals and incredible projects.
Do not miss this extraordinary event where we bring together the best of leadership and project excellence. Stay tuned for more details and prepare to be part of a night that will set the standard for greatness.
Nominations Now Open - Extended Deadline to Nov. 15th
Nominations and applications for both Leadership and Project Categories are now being accepted. All nomination forms and applications will close at 5 PM on November 15, 2024. See full descriptions of each award below.
Leadership Category Descriptions
The Visionary Leader
Visionary leadership is the driving force behind improving and supporting local communities. The Visionary Leader Award celebrates the professional and philanthropic contributions of a longstanding leader in building a sustainable, transformative path forward in the land use and/or real estate industry in the Metropolitan Washington Region.
The Groundbreaker
The Groundbreaker is a mid-career professional in land use and real estate, demonstrating exemplary leadership across the Metropolitan Washington Region. The awardee will be recognized for outstanding commitment to regional success with projects and professional experience focused on community engagement, engaging diverse perspectives, and transformative impact. This person should serve as a role model to young professionals with aspirations for continued leadership development.
The Changemaker
The Changemaker Award is an exemplary regional leader in the public sector and/or nonprofit sphere. The awardee is someone who implements creative thought leadership and takes innovative approaches to address land use and real estate projects. Their accomplishments demonstrate a positive, measurable impact on the Metropolitan Washington Region, and local communities.
Project Category Descriptions
Qualification for Consideration: Projects that have reached substantial completion and/or stabilization between August 2023 and November 2024 will be considered.
Excellence in Housing Development: Includes all types of housing projects, such as multifamily rental, attached and detached for sale.
Excellence in Affordable Housing Development: Includes any multifamily rental, attached, and detached for-sale developments in which at least 30% of the units are income-restricted.
Excellence in Office Development: Includes any project that is predominantly office and may include office buildings that are part of a larger mixed-use development.
Excellence in Mixed-Use Development: Includes projects that integrate a mixture of land uses. If there is a predominant use, one secondary use must account for at least 15% of the project area. This category may include large tract land development, master-planned communities, multi-phased projects, and others. For larger master planned projects, applications will be considered in cases where at least 50% of the total project has been delivered and stabilized, which can be prior to November 2024.
Excellence in Institutional Development: Includes projects developed by and intended for use by public agencies or institutional entities, such as schools, universities, and hospitals, where the organization takes a meaningful leadership position in developing the project. Projects may include performing arts venues, sports arenas, public buildings, educational facilities, and others.
Excellence in Sustainability: Includes buildings that focus on sustainable practices, climate change mitigation, and adaptation using design + solutions, including environmental stewardship, resilient design, innovative best practices, pollution prevention, and resource conservation.