Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia is pleased to announce the finalists for its Awards for Excellence program, now in its 7^th year. The national jury of experts, comprised of interdisciplinary industry leaders from around the country, applauded the high quality and impact of all projects that were submitted. Winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on June 16, 2021, featuring film and television writer and producer, Lee Eisenberg.

The Awards for Excellence, modeled after the ULI Global Awards for Excellence, recognizes superior development projects in the Greater Philadelphia Region, Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware that capture the ULI mission of pushing the standard of excellence in shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

This year’s award criteria include leadership in development, equitable development & community impact, resilience & sustainability and market acceptance. Celebrated projects are selected for demonstrating creativity and providing replicable strategies that better communities and the built environment.

The 12 selected finalists represent a variety of project types including market rate and affordable housing, office, civic spaces, mixed-use, makers space and policy initiatives, and all provided high impact and exemplary models to the surrounding community and region. The national jury is celebrating this group as the highest quality projects that represent all aspects of real estate and land use. The Jury, which includes leaders in development, finance, design and planning from across the country, had a difficult task this year with a strong pool of applicants and recognized high quality across the board.

The 2021 finalists are (alphabetically):

Bok Building (Philadelphia, PA). A former vocational high school in South Philadelphia providing affordable workspaces for over 200 businesses and non-profit organizations, incorporating a variety of neighborhood amenities, including a wellness center, dog park, rooftop bar and coffee shop. Developed and submitted by scout.

Bridgeport Zero Energy Ready Home Twins (Bridgeport, PA). Born out of a collective vision for a new paradigm in home design and building that also supports Bridgeport’s growth and revitalization efforts, these homes are the first Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home certified single-family attached twins in Montgomery County. Developed by Bridgeport Properties Bush & Fifth Street LLC, submitted by Prescott Public Relations.

Crest Manor (Willow Grove, PA). An affordable housing community, located in a mixed income neighborhood with accessible public transportation and high performing school district, this project serves tenants at or below 60% of area median income. Developed and submitted by Montgomery County Housing Authority.

Drexel Square and The Bulletin Building at Schuylkill Yards (Philadelphia, PA). This catalytic project, part of the $3.5 billion Schuylkill Yards Master Plan, was created to lead the larger scale neighborhood transformation and includes a community gathering space and greenspace as well as a mix of offices, labs and new ground-level retail space. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust and Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation, Submitted by Kieran Timberlake.

East Market (Philadelphia, PA). A multi-phased, mixed-use development in Center City Philadelphia designed to be a bridge, linking the Convention Center to Jefferson Health and Chinatown to Midtown Village, and defined by active, pedestrian-oriented walkways and street-life, resulting in a dynamic twenty-four-hour hub of activity. Developed by National Real Estate Development, submitted by Cashman & Associates.

Five City Center (Allentown, PA). A new Class A office building in the heart of Allentown’s central business district and adjacent to premier apartments, the campus redefines the city’s skyline and attracts forward-thinking companies downtown. Developed by City Center Allentown, Submitted by JDavis Architects.

Huntingdon Mills (Philadelphia, PA). Located in the Fishtown neighborhood, a unique, civic-focused and mission-driven development that restored the former Franklin Carpet Mills complex into an active, vibrant mixed-use residential and commercial community developed specifically for individuals and organizations in the Health and Human Services sector. Developed and submitted by D3 Development.

PHLRentAssist (Philadelphia, PA). An emergency rental assistance program to help landlords and tenants during COVID-19, which has distributed $64.2M in emergency rental assistance and included launching an Eviction Diversion Program that ensured access to a housing counselor and a pre-filing mediation. Developed and submitted by Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.

Powel Elementary – Science Leadership Academy Middle School (Philadelphia, PA). A unique public and private partnership between Drexel University and the School District of Philadelphia that combines an existing K-4 school (Powel) with a recently created middle school (Science Leadership Academy) into one combined facility in West Philadelphia. Developed and submitted by Wexford Science + Technology.

Schuylkill River Trail: South to Christian (Philadelphia, PA). Utilizing public and private partnerships, this project turned an abandoned rail yard into a landscaped, public riverfront trail and greenway, extending the popular Schuylkill River Trail and providing safe and easy access to the river, open space, and other areas of the city. Developed by City of Philadelphia, Department of Parks and Recreation, submitted by Schuylkill River Development Corporation.

The Discovery Center (Philadelphia, PA). An urban bird sanctuary and leadership development center that restores access to the East Park Reservoir, this project offers programming aimed at connecting city residents with nature and serves as a valuable educational and recreational resource to the neighboring Strawberry Mansion community. Developed by East Park Leadership and Conservation Center (Philadelphia Outward Bound School & Audubon Philadelphia), submitted by DIGSAU.

University of the Sciences – Living-Learning Commons (Philadelphia, PA). This new, mixed-use residence hall providing the first new residential development for the area in over 40 years includes multiple classrooms, ground level retail and a public plaza, incorporating sustainable features that have resulted in Green Globe certification. Developed by University of the Sciences, Submitted by Design Collective.

Winners will be announced at a virtual celebration on June 16. Our featured speaker will be film and television writer and producer, Lee Eisenberg, who has worked on hit shows such as The Office, Good Boys and Little America. In a fireside chat, Lee will touch on his newest venture, WeCrashed, an eight-episode series based on the rise and fall of WeWork, one of the world’s most valuable and controversial startups, and the husband wife duo behind the story, played by Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. For additional questions about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kelly Cary, [email protected] (deadline June 11).