In-person

Breakthrough Awards Breakfast

December 2, 2026 @ 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM New York, NY

Celebrating the Year’s Top Innovations, Developments, Transactions & Leaders

Commercial Observer’s 2026 Breakthrough Awards will recognize the teams, deals, developments, and executives across asset classes and verticals who have succeeded despite economic and urban challenges. Awards will be presented to the winning team at the Breakthrough Awards Breakfast on December 2nd in NYC.

Deadline for Nominations: July 10, 2026

*Eligible nominations are for projects and transactions completed in the past 12 months (May 2025- Present).

View Category descriptions

Submitter's Name

First

Last

you're Email creativity

Submitter's Work Email

Which award are you submitting for?

What firm, team, or individual would you like to nominate? Important: Please include the names of all partners involved in the deal/development you are nominating, along with contact information for a representative at each firm.

Please include a synopsis of why the deal, team, firm, or individual you're nominating should be selected as a 2026 Breakthrough Award winner. Special attention will be given to brain and moxy, or the creativity and innovation incorporated, as well as the scope, size, and any partnerships forged to push the deal forward.

Supporting Details: Please include any links to project or deal announcements, websites.

INVESTMENT & TRANSACTION AWARDS

Retail Transaction of the Year

Recognizing a breakthrough commercial real estate transaction involving retail properties, such as shopping centers, malls, or individual retail assets, this award considers factors such as creative marketing strategies, tenant recruitment, sales performance, market impact, and innovation.

Multifamily Transaction of the Year

Highlighting an outstanding transaction in the multifamily sector, considering factors such as deal size, unit/rental price, occupancy rates, market impact, and innovation.

Industrial Transaction of the Year

Honoring an exceptional commercial real estate transaction involving industrial properties, such as warehouses, logistics centers, or manufacturing facilities, considering factors such as deal size, tenant profile, market impact, and innovation.

Healthcare/Life Sciences Transaction of the Year

Recognizing an exceptional commercial real estate transaction involving healthcare and/or life science-focused properties, including hospital complexes, medical, extended care, speciality care, laboratory, medical and/or life science office and campus, R&D, and biotech spaces, considering factors such as deal size, creative deal packaging, partnerships, market impact, and innovation.

Residential/Condo Transaction of the Year

Highlighting an outstanding transaction in the residential/ condo sector, considering factors such as deal size, unit/rental price, occupancy rates, market impact, and innovation.

DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Sustainability Program of the Year

Sheds light on a commercial real estate transactions that demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, green building practices, and environmental responsibility.

Public-Private Partnership of the Year

Recognizing an exemplary collaboration between public and private entities that has resulted in a transformative, world-class space delivered by the teams reflecting the market’s rich diversity and expertise.

Adaptive Reuse Project of the Year

Celebrating a project aimed to repurpose a building that is designed to, or has resulted in a positive impact for the greater real estate community.

Design & Development Deal of the Year

This award shines a spotlight on the year’s most remarkable commercial real estate development project that exhibits excellence in design, construction, planning, sustainability, and economic impact.

INNOVATION AWARDS

Tech Advance of the Year

Celebrating a team that has created a cutting-edge technology to empower and advance the real estate industry.

Innovation in Office

Recognizing a commercial real estate project that has set new standards in office design, functionality, or tenant engagement.

Innovation in Retail

Honoring a commercial real estate project that has revolutionized the retail experience.

Innovation in Residential/ Condo

Celebrating a residential real estate project that has introduced innovative solutions to meet the needs of modern living.

Innovation in Multifamily

Celebrating a multifamily real estate project that has introduced innovative solutions to meet the needs of modern living.

Innovation in Industrial

Awarded to an industrial real estate project that has demonstrated significant innovation in design, logistics, or operational efficiency.

TEAM & LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Law Firm of the Year

Awarded to a law firm within the real estate industry that has exemplified best-in-class leadership, expertise and services.

Top CRE Financier of the Year (Banks)

Recognizing a team that demonstrated unmatched adeptness, skillfulness and an innovative approach to navigating inflation, rising interest rates and what has been an especially difficult year for the industry.

Top CRE Financier of the Year (Non-Banks)

Honoring a non-bank financial institution that refused to sit back on the sidelines and instead remained one of the most active firms in the industry.

Marketing Team of the Year

This category honors a team that has advanced their firm’s corporate brand positioning and/or portfolio marketing through innovative and creative campaigns

Architectural Team of the Year

Recognizes an exceptional architectural team that demonstrates design excellence, technical innovation, and strategic vision in delivering modern and best-in-class projects.

About the Starrett Lehigh Building:

Starrett-Lehigh, a 2.3 million-square-foot workplace destination, is home to influential companies across fashion, entertainment, media, architecture, design, and technology. As an anchor of Manhattan’s West Side for nearly 100 years, the building serves as the professional and cultural hub at the center of the Meatpacking District’s retail and lifestyle growth, the commercial expansion of Hudson Yards, and the residential development in Chelsea and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The office campus is designed for innovative businesses looking to thrive in a global marketplace. A recent $150 million capital investment has transformed the property into a hub of modern convenience, featuring 100,000 square feet of premier amenities including the 601 Athletic Club, flexible amenity bays, and Level Ten with its two-story rooftop terrace. It also features diverse dining options including: Hav & Mar, the seasonal seafood house from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, The Yacht Club, the waterfront destination within Level Ten known for its elevated seafood-driven menu and sweeping Hudson River views and Olly Olly, the building’s food market.