Presented annually since 1979, the Developer of the Year Award is given annually to one developer that best exemplifies leadership and innovation in the commercial real estate industry.

Nominations for 2020 are now open!

Nominate your company for NAIOP's highest honor using our online nomination tool. Nominations close on Friday, February 28.

The Developer of the Year award is determined by a five-member selection committee of industry peers that uses the following criteria to evaluate entries:

Outstanding quality of projects and services. Detail your portfolio’s innovation through the incorporation of sustainability, technology, building wellness and resiliency as they apply to development and building operations. Judges take into consideration the size and diversity of a nominee’s portfolio.
Financial consistency and stability. Detail your company’s strategies for return on investment, economic sustainability and success.
Ability to adapt to market conditions. Detail your company’s adaptability and success navigating economic, community impact, demographic and environmental conditions.
Active support of the industry through NAIOP. Detail how your company and your employees are involved in NAIOP through the number of active NAIOP members, your chapter participation, your support of NAIOP Corporate programs, and your employees’ participation on chapter and Corporate Boards of Directors.
Support of the local community. Detail your company’s charitable and philanthropic activities within your market.

Past Winners: 2019-2011

2019: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.
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2018: St. John Properties, Baltimore, Maryland
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2017: Trammell Crow Company, Dallas, Texas
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2016: Touchstone, Seattle, Washington
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2015: Majestic Realty Co., Los Angeles, California
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2014: Brandywine Realty Trust, Radnor, Pennsylvania
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2013: Vulcan Real Estate, Seattle, Washington
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2012: The JBG Companies, Chevy Chase, Maryland
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Watch JBG Companies Accept 2012 Developer of the Year

2011: CenterPoint Properties, Oak Brook, Illinois

Past Winners: 2010-2000

2010: The Alter Group, Chicago, Ill.

2009: Highwoods Properties, Raleigh, N.C.

2008: Liberty Property Trust, Malvern, Pa.

2007: Ryan Companies US Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

2006: Bentall Capital, Vancouver, British Columbia

2005: ProLogis, Denver, Colo.

2004: United Properties, Bloomington, Minn.

2003: Colonial Properties Trust, Birmingham, Ala.

2002: Lowe Enterprises, Los Angeles, Calif.

2001: Duke Realty Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind.

2000: Stiles Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Past Winners: 1999-1989

1999: Matrix Development Group, Cranbury, N.J.

1998: The Estate of James Campbell, Kapolei, Hawaii

1997: Cousins Properties Inc., Atlanta, Ga.

1996: Beacon Properties Corporation, Boston, Mass.

1995: The Irvine Company, Irvine, Calif.

1994: Miller-Valentine Group, Dayton, Ohio

1993: Charles E. Smith Companies, Arlington, Va.

1992: Opus Corporation, Minnetonka, Minn.

1991: CARTER, Atlanta, Ga.

1990: The Sudler Companies, Roseland, N.J.

Past Winners: 1989-1979

1989: Birtcher, Laguna Niguel, Calif.

1988: Trammel Crow Co., Dallas, Texas

1987: Rouse & Associates, Malvern, Pa.

1986: Taylor & Mathis Inc., Atlanta, Ga.

1985: Olympia & York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1984: Vantage Companies, Dallas, Texas

1983: The Koll Company, Newport Beach, Calif.

1982: Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, Boston, Mass.

1981: Gerald D. Hines Interests, Houston, Texas

1980: Southern Pacific Company, San Francisco, Calif.

1979: Bennet & Kahnweiler, Chicago, Ill.

Note: Companies that have won Developer of the Year within the previous 10 years are not eligible, nor are companies with a representative on the current NAIOP Corporate Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee may not nominate or endorse candidates.