Pictured at the event are Sandra Pabon, Itasca Construction Associates, and Jessica Abramson, Stiles Corporation.
NAIOP South Florida, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, has announced the winners of its 2026 Awards of Excellence, recognizing the most outstanding transactions, projects and professionals across the South Florida commercial real estate industry.
This year’s event took place for the first time in Miami at the JW Marriott Marquis, reflecting the organization’s strategic commitment to deepening its presence and membership throughout Miami-Dade County and the broader South Florida region.
The annual gala, themed “The Magic of Real Estate,” honored excellence in the South Florida commercial real estate (CRE) industry, bringing together industry leaders, developers, brokers and rising professionals for an evening of recognition and celebration.
“Hosting this year’s Awards of Excellence in Miami was a deliberate and meaningful choice,” said Mark Corlew, chapter president of NAIOP South Florida and principal at Grover Corlew.
“Our goal has always been to grow our membership across all South Florida, deliver real value to the professionals who make this industry thrive, and invest in the next generation of commercial real estate leaders. Miami is a global city with extraordinary momentum, and NAIOP South Florida is proud to be part of that story. Tonight’s honorees represent the very best of what our industry can achieve.”
Tere Blanca, founder, chair and CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate Inc., received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. Since founding the firm in 2009, Blanca has built it into one of Southeast Florida’s leading commercial real estate services firms, with more than 50 professionals across three offices. Prior to launching her firm, she served as senior managing director for Cushman & Wakefield of Florida and spent 14 years as a top producer at Codina Realty Services Inc. ONCOR International.
Blanca is actively engaged in civic and industry leadership, serving on the boards of BankUnited, Miami Dade College and The Beacon Council, and as immediate past chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southeast Florida & Caribbean District Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Florida Council of 100, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, Women Corporate Directors (WCD) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Among her many honors, Blanca has been recognized as a “Top 100 Leader,” “Ultimate CEO” and “Most Influential Business Woman” by the South Florida Business Journal; “Power Leader of the Year” by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; “Women of Influence: Legend” by Real Estate Forum; “Top 25 Women in Real Estate” by Commercial Property Executive; “Successful Hispanic Women of the Year” by CAMACOL; and “Philanthropist of the Year” by City Year Miami.
She also is a CoStar Power Broker, a past NAIOP Office Broker of the Year, and a past recipient of “Top Dealmakers of the Year” from the Daily Business Review and “Office Broker of the Year” from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership, market expertise and commitment to elevating the commercial real estate profession make her a deserving recipient of NAIOP South Florida’s highest individual honor.
“The 2026 Awards of Excellence is a reflection of how dynamic and resilient our commercial real estate community continues to be,” added Jules R. Morgan, executive director of NAIOP South Florida. “From landmark sales and transformative developments to the brokers and leaders shaping what comes next, we are proud to celebrate each nominee and every winner.”
Lawyer/Law Firm of the Year: Holland & Knight
Sale of the Year – Private: West Park Portfolio Sale – Berger Commercial Realty
Sale of the Year – Institutional: Bank of America Plaza – CBRE
Small Bay – Industrial Sale of the Year: LFax LLC – Genet Property Group
Broker Individual of the Year: Douglas K. Mandel – Marcus & Millichap
Broker Team of the Year – Capital Markets Team: CBRE National Industrial & Logistics
Partners Florida Team – José Lobón, Trey Barry, Brian Linnihan, Frank Fallon, Royce Rose, George Fallon, Gabe Braun and Daniel Sarmiento
Broker Team of the Year – Leasing Team: Cushman & Wakefield South Florida Industrial Team – Chris Metzger, Rick Etner, Christopher Thomson, Matthew G. McAllister, Eric Cantor and Nicolas Reid
Developing Leader of the Year: Cara Girardi – Colliers
Office Lease of the Year: City National Bank – 2701 Le Jeune – CBRE
Industrial Lease of the Year: Prologis Gratigny Building 15 – JLL
Small Bay Leasing Agent of the Year: Lawrence Oxenberg – Berger Commercial Realty
Economic Impact: The Pomp – Holland & Knight/Cordish Companies
Project of the Year – Industrial: Bridge Point Flagler Station – Kurv Industrial (formerly Bridge Industrial)
Project of the Year – Mixed Use: Wynwood Plaza – Holland & Knight, Nelson Mullins jv/Oak Row Equities & L&L Holding Company
Project of the Year – Office: One Flagler – Related Ross
Developer of the Year: Related Ross
Lifetime Achievement: Tere Blanca – Blanca Commercial Real Estate
For more information about NAIOP South Florida and its programs, visit naiopsfl.org, email naiop.info@naiopsfl.org or call 754-332-3005.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business
