Urban Land Institute (ULI) North Florida announced its award winners at the organization’s Awards for Excellence awards presentation. Hosted at the EverBank Auditorium in downtown Jacksonville, the event drew the top real estate professionals in the City

“The event was a wonderful celebration to honor one of our City’s great leaders and recognize distinctive development projects in Jacksonville and Tallahassee,” said Margaret Jennesse, chair of ULI North Florida and senior vice president, Crescent Communities.

The ULI North Florida Awards for Excellence winners include:

Preston Haskell (Visionary Leader) – Preston Haskell is the founder and chairman of The Haskell Company and was recognized for his contributions in Jacksonville in making a difference in “Place Making” and championing best practice principles throughout his distinguished career.

Gaines Street Revitalization (Downtown category) – The Gaines Street Revitalization, prepared by Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC Planning and Design, was adopted by the Tallahassee City Commission in 2001. The Gaines Street districts are envisioned to be vibrant in-town neighborhoods integrating a broad mix of residential and commercial development, while recognizing the area’s historic character and sense of place.

Black Sheep Restaurant (Private Sector category) – Black Sheep Restaurant is an independent restaurant located in Jacksonville’s historic 5-Points area in Riverside. The design of the restaurant features a rooftop deck with bar and open seating.

UNF Student Union (Public Sector category) – The Student Union is UNF’s community center and offers the community a variety of facilities, programs, services and activities. The Union is a student-centered organization that complements the academic experience of UNF students through a variety of cultural, educational, social and recreational programs, while providing an engaging learning environment. The building is the community center of campus and provides a shared home for the University, welcoming students, faculty, alumni, staff, parents and guests. The Union is both a facility and a program designed to enrich campus life and advance the University’s educational mission through formal and informal associations.

The John Gorrie a condominium (Reuse Sector category) – In 2009, Delores Barr Weaver purchased an abandoned school that had once been an architectural gem in the historic Jacksonville neighborhood of Riverside Avondale. Designed in the Mediterranean revival style, John Gorrie Junior High School was built in 1923, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and officially closed in 1997. After years of neglect and disrepair, Weaver began the meticulous restoration and renovation of the two buildings that housed the school, investing a substantial amount of her own time and money into the project. The John Gorrie a condominium has become one of Jacksonville’s premier condo communities and features 68 residences including studios, one and two-bedroom condominiums, and two-story townhomes.

To learn more about ULI North Florida and its award winners, visit www.northflorida.uli.org.