NAIOP GA 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence Application

2025 Categories:

Office Development of the Year

Award will be given to the team or company responsible for the development of the best, new building constructed primarily for office use.
 

Industrial Development of the Year

A project or building constructed primarily for industrial, flex or storage uses. Projects will be judged on the physical merits (building façade features, ceiling heights, truck loading access/configuration, interior design/improvements, sustainability, etc.) and other unique characteristics that demonstrate the project or building’s value.

Mixed-Use Development of the Year

New predominantly commercial or residential project that has at least two uses. Can be more than one building. Detail the percentages of each use and provide photos of all uses.

Developing Leader/Rising Star

• Award will be presented to a Developing Leader who has made a meaningful impact in your company, deal(s), company culture or the industry.
• Developing leaders are active in the industry, under 35 and should be members of NAIOP.

Associate Firm of the Year ** People’s Choice **

This will be a “People’s Choice” award. Three firms will be nominated, and the winner will be selected by the popular vote. NAIOP Georgia will use an online voting platform and the three firms will be encouraged to solicit votes via their social media.

• The Associate Firm of the Year will be presented to the firm that demonstrates:
  Significant impact on the local community and Georgia
• Active involvement and service to the NAIOP Georgia chapter and the broader industry
• Notable recent successes or accomplishments 

Best Amenity Space

Award will be presented to the project that exemplifies the most innovative program and design for the provision of building public common spaces and/or spaces for occupants and guests. These areas can be provided for any use and may be indoor or outdoor environments. Examples include, but are not limited to, rooftop terraces, lounges, conference areas, patios and pool decks, fitness areas, public lobbies, and building core facilities. Before and after photos could be useful depending on the project. 

Best Interiors

• Award will be presented for innovation in interior tenant programming and design implementation in non-retail space. Finished space should reflect the mission/brand of the tenant.
• Spec suites and co-working spaces that are intended to create revenue via a lease term or management agreement will be considered.
• Category excludes retail/restaurant space and building common area.
• Based on submissions, category may be split and judged according to square footage.

Best Repositioning / Redevelopment

• Award will be presented to the most complex and best executed repositioning or redevelopment of a property.
• Submissions may include projects for redevelopment, conversion of the building, or repositioning of the following uses: office, multifamily, institutional, industrial and hospitality.
• Acceptable submissions include: Historic Restoration / Preservation Building Renovation Adaptive Reuse / Conversion / Repositioning
• Submissions should include the stats on the building before and after.

Significant Real Estate Transaction

• Awards will be presented for transactions based on size, risk, complexity, uniqueness, impact on local or regional areas, and other significant information.
• This category will give two awards: Sale or Re-capitalization and Tenant Lease. The Sale or Re-capitalization should be over $15 million; and the tenant lease should be at least a 5-year lease.
• Please include any additional information that makes this deal significant.
• A transaction of high significance for the capital market; it can be industrial, office, mixed-use or multi-family residential.
• Describe transaction size and/or value, complexities of the deal, and the overall economic impact on the locality. 

Submission Requirements:

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT:

Only NAIOP Georgia members can submit an entry and receive the winning trophy at the Awards Ceremony. Non-members may be part of the team that is announced in December and can purchase an additional trophy.

The owner, developer, general contractor or architect submitting shall employ at least one NAIOP Georgia member.

LOCATION:

To qualify, the project must be located in Georgia

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE:

Projects must have been completed and receive a Certificate of Occupancy between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. 

ELIGIBILITY:

The Building or space may only submit under one year. For additional clarification, if the project contains multiple buildings that deliver in subsequent years, each building may be submitted in the year it is developed and completed, even though the buildings are part of a larger master planned project.

JUDGING

NAIOP Georgia reserves the right to reassign submissions, and add, amend, or drop categories based on submissions received. Based on submissions, categories may be split. Each category will be judged based on specific criteria and responses to questions.

2025 Submission Instructions:

DEADLINE – All award package submissions must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm on Saturday, November 8, 2025. No exceptions.

Each entry must include the following:

1. Cover Page with the name of the project and submission category
2. A bulleted executive summary outlining the objectives, challenges, budget constraints, and solutions to delivering the project. (1 page max; up to 10 bullets)
3. A narrative expanding on the objectives and describing in more detail how they were successfully implemented and accomplished. (1 page max)
4. Graphics supporting the entry, including a brief descriptive caption (15 words max)
5. If applicable, one (1) site plan, photo or master plan illustrating the project relative to adjacent roads, buildings, and / or neighborhoods.
6. Certificate of Occupancy / Completion
7. Drone footage if available and if appropriate that could be used in a finalist video.
8. Photo file (total zip file no larger than 200 MB) containing six (6) images that best explain and support the development objectives.

• Best Amenity and Interiors entries must include an illustrative or rendered interior floor plan in addition to required photos but do not require a site plan unless it influenced the objectives of the development.
• Best Repositioning/ Redevelopment entries should include up to four “before” photos for a total of 10 images
• Best Mixed-Use project entries can include up to 10 images, which should include an image of the master plan.
• Photos or renderings submitted may be used during the awards program and for general publicity purposes. Please do not put captions on the photos.
• Images must be labeled Category_Project Name_#.  Submit in a Zip file.

 Criteria – Building or Interior space

Summary – Describe as applicable

1. Overall Concept - Discuss the goal, plan and implementation; the compatibility and diversity of the use groups; the overall project design concept; and the project success. Context of the submission to its surroundings can be helpful to judges. Design - Identify specific design ideas including benefits/amenities. Address zoning, code, site/building constraints, and client limitations.
2. Innovation - Describe any innovative design concepts, construction methods, materials, or technologies incorporated into the project. Highlight creative approaches to problem-solving, process improvements, or adaptability to site constraints and external conditions. Discuss how these innovations enhanced project delivery, improved user experience or well-being, and promoted sustainable practices.
3. Achievement of Goals - Describe how the project team addressed and overcame challenges to achieve the client’s goals. Discuss strategies used to meet design, budget, schedule, or operational objectives, particularly in response to unforeseen issues during construction. Explain how successful execution contributed to the overall success of the project from the client's perspective.
4. Project Size (Square Foot) and Hard Construction Cost per Square Foot (SF) for all submissions
5. Community Impact – State the market impact the development or lease has on the surrounding community or Georgia at large

Applications must be received no later than Saturday, November 8, 2025.  

Helpful hints:

Pro tip #1 All submissions should describe the project in its context to the site and specific design challenges and solutions that qualify the project as the best in its category. Judges will take into account innovative design and construction techniques, entitlement process, use of building materials, program functional requirements, security, treatment of service and loading areas, sustainable site design, landscaping and more.

Pro tip #2 The executive summary and narrative should not be the same. The executive summary provides an overview of the project's winning features with short descriptive bullets while the narrative provides a detailed description that expands the summary bullets.

Pro tip #3 In addition to the projects physical characteristics include project challenges parentheses budget constraints. Schedule, entitlement process, environmental issues, etcetera parentheses where appropriate. Overcoming challenges is a consideration in selecting a winning project.

Pro tip #4 Do not submit as narrative prepared for another organization's award program. Amend your narrative to be sure it responds specifically to NAIOP Georgia's guidelines.

Pro tip #5 Photographs should support the executive summary and narrative in telling the story of the project. For example, if a key component of the entry is an exceptional lobby, be sure to include lobby photographs and a detailed description of the feature in the caption.

Pro tip #6 quality and illustrative photographs are key! Judges do not visit the projects and may be less familiar with the site or project.

Pro tip #7 In the Repositioning/Redevelopment category, “Before” and “After” photographs are extremely helpful. If “Before” photographs do not exist a brief description of the original condition of the project should be included in the summary or narrative.

Pro tip #8 Photo images may be used throughout the awards program presentation. Do not include captions on images uploaded.

Pro tip #9 Accuracy is important; please ensure all information is correct. Originality, complete descriptions and neatness matter.

Pro tip #10 If relevant, send drone footage of the finished site that could be used in the finalist presentation.