11th Annual ULI Impact Awards. And the winners are…….
By : J. David Chapman/February 13, 2025
The Urban Land Institute has had a huge influence on development in Oklahoma. For the past ten years, ULI Oklahoma has awarded Impact Awards to the most deserving projects. I am honored to serve as a judge, and, even though ULI leadership gives us a clear rubric in evaluating the nominees, this may be the most difficult evaluation I make all year. The decisions were difficult again this year with a host of great projects and developments nominated. This year’s program was held at the Oklahoma City Convention Center with a sold-out crowd. Below are the winning built environment projects.
In the Boutique Development category, Douglas Townhomes was honored for blending seamlessly into the neighborhood. Kudos Khoury Real Estate, Sam Gresham Architects, and American Eagle Homes.
For the Small-Scale Development category, ULI honored New Saigon Apartments for its high-quality and thoughtful design. The project team includes Omega Investments, Common Works Architects, Johnson & Associates, and Franklin.Build.
In the Large-Scale Development category, the Phillips Murrah HQ building was chosen. This five-story, new construction infill project features a four-level parking structure. Located on a long-vacant Midtown lot, the lower two floors are mixed-use, with retail, hospitality, and services on the ground floor and offices on the second level. The project team includes Midtown Renaissance, Fitzsimmons Architects, Lingo Construction Services, Crafton Tull, Wallace Design Collective, FSB, and Bell & McCoy.
In the Outstanding Rehabilitation & Restoration category, the award goes to Public Strategies Headquarters. The Public Strategies Headquarters involved the redevelopment of three separate buildings, two of which were connected by a glassed-in alleyway during renovation. One building now houses the Public Strategies corporate headquarters, another serves as a production studio, and the third is reserved for future development. The nearly 100-year-old buildings were preserved, maintaining their original footprint but optimized as interconnected spaces. A climate-controlled, glass-topped alleyway now links two of the buildings, allowing employees to enjoy natural sunlight year-round. The masonry wall along the west side of the building was opened to create a second-floor balcony, which adjoins new interior spaces. This area features f loor-to-ceiling glass walls, offering stunning views of the skyline. This revitalization project transformed 47,000 square feet of neglected space in Automobile Alley, activating it for office use and providing workspaces for over 135 people. The project team includes NE 9th Street Development Company, Inc., Studio Architects, HFSD, and Timberlake Construction. Great job!!
In a special recognition, ULI recognized OAK OKC for their decade-long process of creating a premier walkable, urban district in northwest Oklahoma City. Developed after the acquisition of 40 separate properties, OAK seamlessly blends residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create a vibrant community. The Project team includes Veritas Development, The Dobson Family, Ryan McNeill, Wakefield Beasley, WDG Architecture, Nelson Architecture, Willowbrook and Lingo Construction.
Congratulations to all those nominated, and especially those who received awards, but it occurs to me that the real winners are the residents of Oklahoma who have a great built environment and a wonderful organization such as ULI to motivate and honor those that create this environment.
J. David Chapman, Ph.D., is professor of finance & real estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).