NAIOP South Florida Celebrates South Florida’s Top Players in Commercial Real Estate

Annual Awards of Excellence Winners Honored at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Reception and Dinner

On the heels of a triumphant year for South Florida’s commercial real estate community, NAIOP South Florida held its annual Awards of Excellence dinner and reception to celebrate the best deals, projects and players in 2021, as well as those who have made an indelible impact on the industry. This year, South Florida’s Commercial Real Estate Development Association hosted the highly anticipated event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

“2021 was an excellent year for commercial real estate, especially here in South Florida, so we have many reasons to celebrate,” said NAIOP South Florida Executive Director Jules R. Morgan. “The Awards of Excellence is one of our most well-attended events and an industry favorite. There is a huge sense of comradery among our members, which is why this organization is so special. Uniting everyone for an evening of fun, networking and recognition is at the heart of what NAIOP is about. Congratulations to all our amazing finalists and winners and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended.”

This year’s ceremony was particularly special because so many individuals were honored for a lifetime of achievement.  Among them, Maridee Bell, vice president of Sunbeam Properties & Development, received an Excellence Award for her many business accomplishments, including her enduring commitment to the Miramar Park of Commerce, which with her help has become one of the largest and most successful business parks in Florida.

Michael Silver received Volunteer of the Decades for his loyal membership of more than 40 years to NAIOP.  Silver has generously mentored and educated the next generation of professionals, lobbied in Tallahassee and the Capital on behalf of the industry, served as president of NAIOP South Florida and has chaired the Miami Dade Bus Tour since its inception.

Pike Rowley was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, with more than three decades of experience in commercial real estate including expertise in office and industrial leasing, property management, and acquisitions and disposition. A principal at Avison Young, Rowley was co-founder of the South Florida Office Brokers Association, has served as president of NAIOP South Florida and has been awarded Broker of the Year from both BOMA and NAIOP.

Ford Gibson also received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Gibson is a 35-year commercial real estate industry veteran whose development portfolio includes more than 16.5 million square feet of office, retail, industrial, manufacturing and multifamily projects throughout the east coast and Florida.

This year’s Awards of Excellence winners are:

Sale of the Year

  • Institutional Sale: (tie)
    • Boca Raton Innovation Campus, CBRE
    • Citigroup Center, Cushman & Wakefield
  • Private: The Milan at Town Center, Marcus & Millichap
  • Private, Land: Last large site in Doral, Berger Commercial Realty

Industrial Lease Transaction of the Year:  Kehe, Colliers International & Flagler Global Logistics

Office Lease Transaction of the Year: Jackson Health System’s Public Health Trust, CBRE & Urban-X Group

Economic Impact Deal of the Year: Project Eterias, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

Rookie of the Year: Michael Oretsky of CBRE

Broker the Year: Douglas Mandel of Marcus & Millichap

Broker Team of the Year

  • Investment: Cushman & Wakefield South FL Capital Markets Team of Scott O’Donnell, Dominic Montazemi, Jason Hochman, Miguel Alcivar, Ron Granite, Greg Miller, Mike Ciadella
  • Industrial: CBRE’s Industrial Advisory and Transaction Team of Tom O’Loughlin, Larry Genet, Larry Dinner and Michael Oretsky
  • Office: Cushman & Wakefield Miami Agency Leasing Team – Brian Gale, Andrew Trench, Ryan Holtzman, Jeannette Mendoza & Lena Weeks

Project of the Year: (tie)

  • Office: 545wyn, Gensler & Sterling Bay Properties
  • Industrial: Miami 27 Business Park, Duke Realty

Developer of the Year: Bridge Industrial

Excellence Award: Maridee Bell of Sunbeam Properties & Development

Volunteer Hall of Fame Award: Michael Silver of CBRE

Lifetime Achievement Award:

  • Ford Gibson, Foundry Commercial
  • Pike Rowley, Avison Young

“Commercial real estate in South Florida has showed no signs of slowing,” said Awards of Excellence Chair, Past President of NAIOP South Florida and Senior Vice President of Duke Realty Stephanie Rodriguez. “It’s an incredibly busy time for everyone in the industry, but NAIOP events like this one give us all a chance to take a moment, reconnect with our peers and celebrate hard-earned success.”

For more information about the Awards of Excellence and NAIOP South Florida, visit www.naiopsfl.org.