The 2024 The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Awards marked many firsts for BOMA International.
Capping the 2024 BOMA International Conference & Expo in Philadelphia, the TOBYs—hosted by master of ceremonies Greg Schwem, a Chicago-based corporate comedian and motivational humorist—featured the induction of honorary BOMA Fellow Henry Chamberlain, president and chief operating officer of BOMA International, who delivered his final State of the Industry address Tuesday morning. He joined 2024 BOMA Fellow inductee Scott Bennion of BOMA/Utah, vice president of real estate for Scandia Company.
2023-2024 Chair Bob Six announced two surprise awards that went to Dominic Lau, executive director of BOMA China, and Amy Chisholm, vice president of education and meetings for BOMA International, whose award was described as “well-deserved and long, long overdue.”
2024-2025 Chair Manuel Moreno noted three more firsts after he was formally inducted as chair:
- Moreno himself is the first Latinx person in the organization’s history to serve as chair.
- Luci Smith, currently the chair-elect, and Kjersten Jaeb, vice chair, represent the first time in BOMA International’s history that the organization will have had two consecutive female officers.
- Mary Lue Peck, who will succeed Chamberlain as president and COO at the end of this year, will be the first woman to hold those titles with BOMA International.
Moreno also introduced one last first—the inaugural Henry H. Chamberlain Leadership Award, which was presented to its namesake. It signifies “exceptional leadership and contributions to the commercial real estate industry,” Moreno explained.
Who Won a 2024 TOBY?
The coveted honor for Over 1 Million Square Feet was awarded to Qingdao Conson HaiTian Center in Qingdao, Shandong, China, managed by Qingdao Conson-Shanghai Urban Properties Co., Ltd., and owned by Qingdao Conson HaiTian Center Construction Co., Ltd.
As one of three towers in a mixed-use development on the banks of Fushan Bay in Qingdao, China, HaiTian Center is a beacon to the city and positioned as the Guest House to the World, taking advantage of the view of the ocean bay with a complementary facade which references the ocean from top to bottom. HaiTian Center is LEED Platinum-certified and holds China’s Green Building Three Star Rating.
Other winners by size were:
500,000-1 Million Square Feet: Post Montgomery Center, San Francisco, California, managed by JLL and owned by Post Montgomery Associates.
250,000-499,999 Square Feet: California Plaza, Walnut Creek, California, managed by Newmark and owned by Walnut Creek.
100,000-249,999 Square Feet: 407 North Maple, Beverly Hills, California, managed by Tishman Speyer Properties, LLC, and owned by 407 N. Maple, L.P.
Under 100,000 Square Feet: Terry Thomas, Seattle, Washington, managed by CBRE and owned by Alpha Z Seattle Office 1, LLC.
These buildings also won a BOMA International TOBY Award:
Corporate Facility: NCR Global Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia, managed by Cousins Properties and owned by Cousins Properties.
Renovated: Energy Square, Dallas, Texas, managed by Glenstar and owned by US Energy Square, LLC.
Earth: Empire State Building, New York, New York, managed by ESRT Management, LLC, and owned by ESRT Empire State Building LLC.
Life Sciences: 1375 W. Fulton, Chicago, Illinois, managed by CBRE and owned by Beacon Capital Partners.
Medical: Xchange Medical, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, managed by Davis Management Group, LLC, and owned by Xchange MOB Partners, LLC.
Mixed-Use: The Bloc, Los Angeles, California, managed by CBRE and owned by National Real Estate Development.
Historical: The Meadows Building, Dallas, Texas, managed by Glenstar and owned by US Energy Square, LLC.
Industrial: 17450 E. 32nd Place, Aurora, Colorado, managed by LBA Realty, LLC, and owned by LBA-RVI Company XLV, LLC.
Retail – Open Air/Strip Mall: Preston Trail Village, Dallas, Texas, managed by Epic Property Management Services LLC and owned by EREP Preston Trail II LLC.
Suburban Low-Rise – 1-5 Stories: Wayside Office Park, Burlington, Massachusetts, managed by Piedmont Office Management, LLC, and owned by Piedmont Office Realty Trust.
Suburban Mid-Rise – 6-10 Stories: Centennial Lakes Office Park I-V, Edina, Minnesota, managed by Cushman & Wakefield and owned by United Properties Investment, LLC and State Farm Realty Company.
See You in Boston!
BOMA/Boston’s Rob Brierly and Amy Bush highlighted the rapid development in the Seaport area, including food halls, beer gardens and much more, as they welcomed BOMA 2025 to Boston—this time, mask-free, unlike Boston’s 2021 conference.
“Come for the conference, but stay for the fireworks,” Brierly said, highlighting the city’s Fourth of July celebrations. “We’ll see you next year!”
