Last month, the commercial real estate industry honored 15 North American commercial properties with The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) Award at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International North American Commercial Real Estate Congress® and The Office Building Show held recently in Dallas, TX.
The TOBY winners were recognized for excellence in office building management and operations in specific categories of building size or type. To win the international award, the office buildings first won both local and regional competitions. Judging was based on community impact, tenant/employee relations programs, energy management systems, accessibility for disabled people, emergency evacuation procedures, building personnel training programs, and overall quality indicators. A team of expert industry professionals also conducted a comprehensive building inspection.
The winners of the 2005-2006 TOBY Awards in 14 categories and The Earth Award:
• In the Renovated Building category, the winner is 500 Jefferson, Houston, TX, submitted by Darrel Holub. The property is managed and owned by Trizec Properties.
• In the Historical Building category, the winner is LaSalle Bank Building, Chicago, IL, submitted by Julie A. Nowak. The property management company is Jones Lang LaSalle Americas (Illinois), and the owner is LaSalle Bank.
• In the Corporate Facility category, the winner is American Express Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ, submitted by Barbara Wodrich, RPA, FMA. The property management company is Trammell Crow Company, and the owner is American Express.
• In the Medical Office Building category, the winner is 1101 Madison Tower, Seattle, WA, submitted by Lori Granberg. The property management company is Trammell Crow Company, and the owner is Health Care Property Investors, Inc.
• In the Government Building category, the winner is United States Courthouse, Fort Myers, FL, submitted by Lacey Willard, RPA. The property management company is the United States General Services Administration, and the owner is the United States Government.
• In the Suburban Office Park Low-Rise category, the winner is Cumberland Metro Office Park, Chicago, IL, submitted by Marie T. Croce. The property management company is CB Richard Ellis, Inc. and the owner is State of Hawaii Employee Retirement System.
• In the Suburban Office Park Mid-Rise category, the winner is Corporate Centre of Cool Springs, Franklin, TN, submitted by Crystal Waller. The property management company is Crescent Resources, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, and the owner is
Corporate Centre Acquisition Company.
• In the Industrial Office Park category, the winner is Crystal Park Industrial Complex, Round Rock, TX, submitted by Don Roberts. The property management company is Opus West Management Corporation, and the owner is Opus Real Estate Texas, VI, LP.
• In the buildings Under 100,000 Square Feet category, the winner is 31 Inverness Center, Birmingham, AL, submitted by Betty A. Swann, RPA. The property management company is Cousins Properties Services, and the owner is Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association.
• In the 100,000 to 249,999 Square Feet category, the winner is the Grand Avenue Courtyard, El Segundo, CA, submitted by Christine Oritz. The property management company is Lowe Enterprise Real Estate Group, and the owner is Commonwealth Grand Avenue Corporation.
• In the 250,000 to 499,999 Square Feet category, the winner is Hazard Center Office Tower, San Diego, CA, submitted by Lisa M. Gualco, RPA, FMA. The building is managed by PM Realty Group, and the owner is 7510 Hazard, LLC.
• In the 250,000 to 499,999 Square Feet category, a Distinguished Entry Award goes to Tower 42, London, United Kingdom, submitted by Peter Merrett. The building is managed by Greycoat Estates and Atisreal, and the owner is Tower Limited Partnership, a consortium comprising Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and Hermes Real Estate Limited.
• In the 500,000 to One Million Square Feet category, the winner is One BriarLake Plaza, Houston, TX, submitted by Lizabeth Green. The building is managed by Crescent Property Services, and the owner is Crescent One BriarLake Plaza, LP.
• In the Over One Million Square Feet category, the winner is Marathon Oil Tower, Houston, TX, submitted by Mark R. Nicholson. The building is managed by Cushman & Wakefield, and the owner is Tower Associates.
• Denver Place Wins The Earth Award
The Earth Award was presented to Denver Place, Denver, CO, submitted by Lori Carter, RPA. The building is managed by Amerimar Realty Management Company, and the owner is Denver Place Associates, LP. The Earth Award recognizes excellence in environmentally responsible building operations and management—entries are judged on everything from indoor air quality to green purchasing policies.
The TOBY Awards are sponsored by Securitas Security Services USA.
