Honoring the Region’s Boldest Planning and Development

ARC’s Development of Excellence awards recognize projects in metro Atlanta that exemplify cutting-edge, livable design that enhance the surrounding community and support the goals and policies of the Atlanta Region’s Plan, metro Atlanta’s long-range, comprehensive blueprint.
Developers, local governments, and other organizations are awarded Development of Excellence Awards for visionary planning and innovative design projects that make the 10-county Atlanta region a better place to live, work, and play.
Check out the video featuring the winning projects and read more about the winners below.
The 2020 Development of Excellence Awards winners were announced at the ARC State of the Region Breakfast on November 13, 2020.
Visionary Planning – North Point Placemaking Plan
The North Point Placemaking Plan won in the Visionary Planning category, which honors state-of-the-art planning initiatives that will achieve lasting progress in the community. The plan aims to transform a six-hundred-acre area between GA-400 and Big Creek Greenway from an auto-dominated environment into a walkable, mixed-use district.
Innovative Development – Adamsville Place
This category recognizes a cutting-edge development that contributes to the region’s advancement and supports the goals and policies of the Atlanta Region’s Plan. The winning Adamsville Place development fills an important need in south Fulton County, providing 300 affordable housing units, a health center, and a charter school, all serviced by an onsite MARTA bus stop.
Great Place – Powder Springs LCI Implementation: Town Green and Historic Building Renovations
The Great Place category was awarded to the Powder Springs LCI Implementation: Town Green and Historic Building Renovations. This award recognizes an inspiring space that enhances a community’s character and provides options for housing, employment, or recreation. The City of Powder Springs utilized an LCI implementation grant to renovate and expand its Town Green to more than double its size. The project also includes the rehabilitation of three nearby buildings for new restaurant and retail uses.
Livable Center – Decatur East
Livable Center recognizes a targeted project that significantly advances the implementation of a community’s Livable Centers Initiative plan. Built on a former parking lot at the Avondale MARTA station, Decatur East transforms the concrete lot into a bustling mixed-use, Transit-Oriented Development with an affordable housing component.
Honorable Mention – The Park at Highway 29 Ballfields
The Park at Highway 29 Ballfields began as an idea for developing an urban park project that would catalyze revitalization in Union City. The project included the renovation of an athletic field, extensive landscaping, and development of an amenities area. Redevelopment of the park led to the construction of a community center, resulting in a sense of place for Union City and a safe place for kids to play and residents to socialize.
Past Winners
2019 Development of Excellence Award
Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design, Presented to Georgia Tech
2018 Development of Excellence Award
LaFrance Walk, Presented to Kronberg Wall Architects
2017 Development of Excellence Award
Parson’s Alley, Presented to the City of Duluth, Fabric Developers, Vantage Realty Partners, Kronberg Wall
2016 Development of Excellence Award
Kronberg Wall Offices, Presented to Kronberg Wall
2015 Development of Excellence Award
Ponce City Market, Presented to Jamestown Properties
2014 Development of Excellence Award
The Commons at Imperial Hotel, Presented to Columbia Residential, National Church Residences
2013 Development of Excellence Award
Oliver House at Allen Wilson, Presented to the Decatur Housing Authority
2012 Development of Excellence Award
Historic Fourth Ward Park, Presented to the City of Atlanta Departments of Watershed Management and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership; the Trust for Public Land; and the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy
2011 Development of Excellence
Perkins+Will Atlanta Headquarters, Presented to Perkins+Will
2010 Development of Excellence Award
White Provision, Presented to White Provision Development Company
2009 Development of Excellence Award
Suwanee Town Center, Presented to the City of Suwanee, Main Street Corners LLC, Madison Retail, and Bowen Family Homes
2008 Development of Excellence Award
Oakland Park, Presented to Urban Realty Partners
2007 Development of Excellence Award
West Village, Presented to the Pacific Group, Inc., Branch Properties of Atlanta, and the Highlands Companies of Alpharetta
2006 Development of Excellence Award
Woodstock Downtown, Presented to Hedgewood Properties and the City of Woodstock
2005 Development of Excellence Award
Glenwood Park, Presented to Green Street Properties
2004 Development of Excellence Award
Metropolis, Presented to the Novare Group and Wood Partners, Inc.
2003 Development of Excellence Award
Technology Square and Centergy, Presented to Gateway Development Services, Kim King Associates, Inc., the University Financing Foundation, and the Georgia Institute of Technology
2002 Development of Excellence Award
Milton Park, Presented to Pope & Land Enterprises and AMLI Residential
2001 Development of Excellence Award
Old Suwanee, Presented to Richport Properties and the City of Suwanee
2000 Development of Excellence Award
- Lindbergh City Center, Presented to Carter & Associates
- Monarch Village, Presented to Pathway Communities
1999 Development of Excellence Award
- Post Riverside, Presented to Post Properties, Inc.
- Ridenour, Presented to Macauley Properties
Nominations are no longer being accepted for 2020.