Since 2012, LOCUS has presented the national LOCUS Leadership Awards to developers and investors who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to public leadership, smart growth development, and furthering LOCUS’ mission.
This year, we received a record-breaking number of nominations from all over the country, and our decision was more difficult than ever before. That said, we are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2015 LOCUS Leadership Awards.
Developer of the Year
LOCUS’ Developer of the Year award goes to for-profit companies or individuals who have shown exceptional leadership in smart growth development by creating outstanding quality of projects and services, support the real estate industry through LOCUS or allied smart growth organizations and engage in community involvement and support for local, state, federal policies that promote greater vibrant walkable neighborhoods for all Americans.
LOCUS is proud to recognize Federal Realty Investment Trust as the 2015 LOCUS Developer of the Year. Based in Rockville, MD, Federal Realty Investment Trust is committed to being environmentally and socially responsible while creating long-term growth for the company and its shareholders. Known for selecting locations in metropolitan areas with high population densities with public transportation infrastructure, Federal Realty continues to incorporate sustainable building practices that go beyond to create greener, healthier and more efficient environments for their tenants and the communities they serve.
Federal Realty is a proven leader in the ownership, operation, and redevelopment of high quality retail real estate in some of the country’s best markets. Their expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, CA; Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, MD; and Assembly Row in Somerville, MA. These unique and vibrant environments combine shopping, dining, living and working to provide a walkable destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty’s 89 properties include over 2,600 tenants in approximately 20.2 million square feet of retail space and 1,500 residential units.
Developer Lucas Thornton, Hist:RE Partners
Richard Baron Award
This year marks LOCUS’ first annual Richard Baron Award. The Richard Baron Award is given to an outstanding developer working to build attainable housing and ensure equitable outcomes. We are proud to announce Lucas Thornton, President of Hist:Re Partners as the recipient of the inaugural Richard Baron Award.
Completed in 2013, the Lawson Building project focused on the adaptive reused of a 25,000 sq. ft. merchandise warehouse in Downtown Roanoke, VA into a mixed-use development with 22 moderate income apartments, 2 studio live/work units, and a commercial office. The building is also fitted with a pervious pavement system, shade trees, recycling building materials, low-e thermally insulated glass, reflective roof membranes, an insulated the roofing system, and innovative filters to strain pollutants from storm run-off and on-site recycling for it tenants.
Since its founding, Hist:Re Partners has become the go-to company for smart growth development in Roanoke. Mr. Thornton’s most recent project, William Road, is expected to set a precedent for new, infill, mixed-used construction by replacing a mostly-vacant surface parking lot. His commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional development makes him an innovator and smart growth leader, shaping the way development is done in Roanoke.
Federal Realty Investment Trust and Mr. Thornton are the true embodiment of the spirit and mission of LOCUS and are worthy recipients of the 2015 LOCUS Leadership Awards.
Rendering of completed Ponce Market in Atlanta.
Honorable Mention
As mentioned, this year we received an unprecedented number of nominations for the 2015 LOCUS Leadership Awards. This overwhelming number of applications introduced us to great developers and projects from across the county and we found one additional company worth highlighting.
We are pleased to honor Jamestown Properties for their stellar work on Ponce City Market as our 2015 LOCUS Leadership Honorable Mention.
Located just off the Atlanta Beltline, Ponce City Market is the most recent development to focus on sustainability by the green development arm of the Jamestown’s, Jamestown Development and Construction (JDC), pursuing a LEED Core & Shell Silver certification in the two-million-square-foot, mixed-use,1920s-era, historic Sears, Roebuck & Company building. JDC has more than a decade of expertise in environmentally-sensitive land development, walkable street design, and green construction practices and operations. The JDC team also has national experience in the redevelopment of post-industrial brownfield sites, the development of high and mid-density residential and commercial properties, and development using comprehensive environmental sustainability practices. LOCUS commends Jamestown for be a leader in the creation of walkable, people-centric projects.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners for their exemplary leadership on smart growth development issues.
Join the Awards ceremony
The LOCUS Leadership Awards will be presented on June 3, 2015 as part of the a 2015 LOCUS Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The Summit will bring together real estate developers, investors, and public officials from across the country for high-level networking and peer-to-peer education.
Registration for the Summit closes May 26. Learn more and register today.
