12th Annual ULI Impact Awards: Celebrating the Places That Shape Us
By: J. David Chapman/April 3, 2026
12th Annual ULI Impact Awards: Celebrating the Places That Shape Us
"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." This profound statement by Winston Churchill encapsulates the notion that our physical surroundings influence our thoughts, behaviors, and ultimately, our lives.
Last week marked one of my favorite nights of the year in Oklahoma’s real estate community: the 12th Annual Urban Land Institute Impact Awards. Held once again at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, the event drew a sold-out crowd of developers, designers, lenders, planners, and community leaders. It is a room filled not just with projects, but with people who care deeply about the future of our built environment.
The Urban Land Institute has had a huge influence on development in Oklahoma. For the past eleven years, ULI Oklahoma has awarded Impact Awards to the most deserving projects. I have the privilege of serving as a judge for these awards, and I can say without hesitation that this year’s field was as strong as any we have seen. ULI provides a clear rubric, evaluating projects on design, impact, sustainability, and community contribution. Even with that structure, the deliberations are never easy. The level of thought, creativity, and investment represented in these submissions continues to rise year after year. Here are the winners:
In the Boutique Development category, Two-Step Twin earned top honors. This nine-unit, three-story project blends seamlessly into the Wheeler District, proving that smaller-scale developments can have a big impact when thoughtfully designed. Credit goes to Dryline Architecture, McAlister Construction, Gwin Engineering, and Obelisk Engineering.
The Small-Scale Development award went to The Lark in downtown Edmond, a pocket neighborhood that reflects intentional design and a strong sense of place. Matthew Myers, designers Brew, and Tray McPherson created something that fits naturally into the fabric of the community while raising the bar for what small infill can be.
In the Large-Scale Development category, The Citizen was recognized. This twelve-story mixed-use development in downtown OKC represents the continued evolution of urban living in our state. The project team includes PolisOKC, Urban Realty Partners, Saxum, AHMM, Michaelis Boyd, LAUD, and Lingo Construction.
The Outstanding Rehabilitation and Restoration award was presented to the Pegasus building, which transformed a long-overlooked structure on the former Dolese site into a six-unit creative hub. The Greyhound Group, TAP Architecture, and Modus Construction demonstrated how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into forgotten spaces.
Additional recognitions highlighted the broader impact of development. Reeve Tarron received special recognition for his leadership within ULI Oklahoma. OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark earned a Distinguished Merit Award, bringing a world-class destination to Oklahoma City’s Horizons District through the vision of the Chickasaw Nation.
Canopy Art Center was honored for Outstanding Community Building Effort, creating a meaningful hub for creativity and connection. The project team includes Dusty Gilpin, Carlos, Barboza, Carpe Diem, & Carlos Barboza, Sr.
The City of Oklahoma City was honored in the Outstanding Public Initiative category for delivering a vibrant multicultural public space that reflects the diversity and energy of Oklahoma City called Plaza Calle Dos Cinco.
Walking through the event, it is hard not to notice how far Oklahoma has come. Projects that would have seemed ambitious a decade ago are now becoming the standard. Walkability, mixed-use design, adaptive reuse, and thoughtful placemaking are no longer niche ideas. They are expectations.
But beyond the awards themselves, what stood out to me most was the energy in the room. Our University of Central Oklahoma Real Estate students were there volunteering, engaging with industry professionals, and seeing firsthand what is possible in this field. One student told me, “This is exactly what I want to do.” Moments like that remind me that these events are not just about celebrating past success, but about inspiring the next generation.
As always, congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees. Your work is shaping the places where we live, work, and gather. In the end, the real impact of the ULI Awards is not the recognition given on stage, but the standard it sets for all of us. It challenges us to think bigger, design better, and build communities that endure. And in that sense, we are all beneficiaries of the work being honored.
Dr. J. David Chapman is Professor of Finance & Real Estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu)