(NEW YORK, NEW YORK)— The USA branch of International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-USA) has announced 2019’s winners of its Grand Prix of Real Estate Recognition Awards, which acknowledges outstanding work in the real estate industry.
FIABCI is a community for real estate experts—including brokers, developers, architects, investors, and more—with an international reach spanning 70 countries. The winning developments of the Real Estate Recognition Award have demonstrated excellence across relevant industries—including construction, planning, architecture, sales, and marketing while meeting goals that align with FIABCI’s core values, like sustainability, energy efficiency, and community impact.
This years winning developments are Kaiaulu ‘o Kaka’ako Master Plan (Hawaii), Virgin Trains USA (Florida), The Mark (Washington), and Kahauiki Village (Hawaii).
Kaiaulu ‘o Kaka’ako Master Plan (KKMP) in Honolulu, HI is a project spearheaded by Kamehameha Schools’ Commercial Real Estate Division. Kamehameha School was founded by Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last Princess of Hawaii, for the education of native Hawaiian students. KKMP is a mixed-use development that includes apartments, townhouses, condos, affordable housing, commercial space, and open park space. Lead by constituents dedicated to preserving Hawaii’s rich history and respecting its indigenous population, the project models guidelines for respectful, attentive development on indigenous land. Considerable resources were dedicated to historical research and archeological investigations to ensure that burial grounds and other sites of historical importance were respected throughout the construction process. Revenue from KKMP will support the school’s central educational mission for years to come.
Virgin Trains USA, developed by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, provides a high-speed privately-owned transportation option between Miami, Four Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando Florida. The mass transit system connects Orlando’s international airport to Miami’s major cruise port, PortMiami, where Branson’s Virgin Voyages will open next year.
The Mark in Seattle is a commercial office and hotel tower designed by ZGF Architects. The building marks an important negotiation with the local community, which was fighting hard to save The Sanctuary, one of the nation’s oldest Byzantine-style churches. After a dispute with the city and near-demolition of the church, the developers of The Mark, Daniel Real Estate, reached a compromise that preserved the historic structure, which was remodeled as an entertainment space, and provided the congregation with a new place of worship.
Kahuaiki Village arose from a partnership with the Hawaiian government and aims to provide housing for Hawaii’s large homeless population. Its mixed structure of one- and two- bedroom homes in Oahu aims to provide stable housing for 600 families.
