Annual Awards
Project of the Year Award
The Project of the Year Award honors exceptional commercial real estate developments across North Carolina and its contiguous counties. Presented annually at the CREDA NC Conference, these awards showcase projects that exemplify innovation, quality, and impact on the region.
Project of the Year awards are presented in three categories: New Development, Redevelopment, and Industrial Development.
Eligibility:
- Project must be completed or substantially completed (at least core & shell) between January 1, 2026 and
December 31, 2026. - Submission must include a CREDA member in good standing who played a substantial role in the project.
- Submissions can be submitted for Project Category
- New Development
- Redevelopment/Adaptive reuse/Repurpose, or
- Industrial Development.
- Projects will be selected based on 30-point grading system:
- (1) Economic Impact (10 pts): Unique contribution to the growth and vitality of a community or region (e.g., job creation, catalytic effects on surrounding development, public infrastructure delivered that would not otherwise have occurred).
- (2) Design & Innovation (10 pts): Distinctive design, innovation, and overall “cool factor.”
- (3) Project Challenges (10 pts): Demonstrated ability to overcome design, regulatory, or other significant hurdles across phases.
Please provide project photos and/or renderings. Upload with the online application or email to info@credatriad.org with the subject line: “2027 CREDA NC Project of the Year.” Application deadline is January 6, 2027.
A representative of each winning project will be invited to accept the award at the CREDA NC Conference in Pinehurst on February 18, 2027.
Winners will be featured in the CREDA Development Magazine, a national publication circulated to 22,000 of commercial real estate’s best and brightest.
Questions? Contact CREDA Triad at info@credatriad.org.
2026 Project of the Year Award Winners
New Development Winner:
Ballantyne Reimagined –
The Bowl at Ballantyne
Redevelopment Winner:
Salem Bottleworks
Winston Salem QAH Group
Industrial Development Winner:
Ethnicraft – High Point
Landmark Builders
Developing Leader Award
This award recognizes a young commercial real estate professional who exemplifies CREDA’s mission to “elevate the commercial real estate development industry by providing advocacy, education, research and connections to foster business opportunities.” A Developing Leader award recipient demonstrates leadership through active involvement in chapter initiatives, a commitment to professional growth, and contributions that elevate the commercial real estate industry in the Carolinas.
Awards are presented during the CREDA State Conference in Pinehurst, NC. Winners receive a scholarship for state conference registration.
Nominee must:
- Be a current CREDA member 35 years and under and member of a CREDA NC chapter
- Be active in chapter events, committees, and/or leadership opportunities
- Demonstrate measurable professional impact in commercial real estate (development, brokerage, construction, engineering, architecture, legal, finance, etc.)
- Exhibit community engagement, volunteerism, or mentorship within the industry
- Uphold high standards of ethics, professionalism, and collaboration in advancing the built environment
- Show leadership traits that reflect long-term potential to influence the industry (2026 and 2027 DL Chairs and Chapter Presidents are not eligible)
Up to three awards will be presented during the 2027 CREDA NC Conference in Pinehurst, NC on February 17-19. Winners will receive a scholarship for the 2028 CREDA NC Conference registration. - Deadline to apply: January 6, 2027
2026 Developing Leader Award Winners
Kendal Cleary
Barringer Construction
CREDA Triangle
Nick Blackwood
Isaacson Sheridan
CREDA Piedmont Triad
Steve Mortensen
Metromont
CREDA Charlotte
Annual Award Nominations Are Open for 2027
Questions? Contact CREDA Triad at info@credatriad.org