Washington, DC — The National Building Museum announced that it will present its 21st annual Honor Award for 2007 to Related for its commitment to design excellence, affordable housing, urban revitalization, and innovative mixed-use development. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding individuals and companies that have made significant contributions in the fields of architecture, planning, construction, and building. Past honorees include the Rockefeller and Pritzker families, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and Michael D. Eisner and the Walt Disney Company. Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and CEO of Related Companies, and Jorge Perez, Chairman and CEO of The Related Group, will accept the award on behalf of Related at a gala event on June 14, 2007 at the Museum in Washington, DC.
Related is currently undertaking some of the most ambitious development projects in the nation. From the east coast to the west coast, urban centers are undergoing a renaissance of design, culture, and community fueled by Related’s innovative real estate development. In Miami innovative residential developments have dramatically changed South Florida's urban landscape; in Manhattan, Robert A.M. Stern has designed one of the country’s first urban, multi-family residential development for Related, complete with solar and rainwater collection as part of a major environmentally sustainable project in Battery Park City. Stern also designed the landmark Time Warner Center that has helped shape mixed-use development and transformed the Columbus Circle area. Related’s work is also transforming downtown Los Angeles. A monumental multi-billion dollar revitalization effort designed by Frank Gehry is underway to reshape nine acres into a cultural and residential community that includes open spaces, an event center, specialty markets, and retail shopping.
Recognized for its prolific and progressive projects, Related has combined the concept of mixed-use development with an acute understanding of changing urban lifestyles and local cultural contexts. The developer is capitalizing on the nation’s interest in celebrated architects such as Bernardo Fort-Brescia, David Childs, Charles Gwathmey and Robert Siegel, Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, David Rockwell, Philippe Starck, and Robert A.M. Stern, while investing in broader community improvements. By incorporating parks, shared spaces, and high-quality infrastructure in its projects, Related combines innovative design with civic responsibility to create vibrant neighborhoods.
Related Companies was founded in 1972 by Stephen M. Ross with a goal of financing and developing government-assisted, multi-family housing for long-term investment. In 1979, Jorge Perez partnered with Ross to create The Related Group, the nation’s leading developer of multi-family residences. Related has continued to grow through new markets, new partnerships, and new capabilities and the finance division enterprise has gone on to become Centerline Capital Group (formerly CharterMac), the largest financier of affordable housing in the United States today. Similar growth has occurred in all of Related’s business operations, from property management to real estate financing and urban development. Related’s business continues to reflect the company’s commitment to, and the country’s need for, more affordable housing stock. Related Companies has developed or acquired more than 58,000 affordable units, including Manhattan Plaza, one of New York City’s largest affordable housing communities. The Related Group has recently launched an “attainable housing” division. The division develops projects that enable civil and working professionals such as nurses, firefighters, and school teachers to finance and purchase housing at reduced rates in Florida. Working with local governments, The Related Group has constructed multiple projects around Miami-Dade and sold affordable units to hundreds of individuals and families.
Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and Founder of Related Companies said, “It is a tremendous honor to receive this esteemed award from such a distinguished institution. As one of the largest private developers in the nation, we feel it is both a responsibility and a privilege to play a role in helping to improve people’s lives. At Related, we take great pride in the extraordinary impact we can have on the economic vitality and quality of life in the communities in which we build. It is rewarding to receive this recognition for our design excellence, commitment to affordable housing, and transformative projects.”
“The Related Group has earned a national reputation for building luxury condominiums; however, since its inception, we have placed great priority on building affordable and attainable housing. We are extremely pleased to be recognized for our efforts in this area,” said Jorge Perez, Chairman and Founder of The Related Group, “Our greatest pride is to contribute to the development of 24-hour cities where the moderate-income earner can work, live, and be entertained. It’s a great feeling to provide that kind of opportunity to people and to be recognized for doing that which we love.”
The Honor Award is given annually by the Museum, and each recipient is chosen from a list of nominees by the Board of Trustees. “Cities across the country have been transformed by Related,” said National Building Museum executive director Chase Rynd. “The company’s support of extraordinary architecture along with its contributions toward urban revitalization have resulted in tremendous economic, cultural, and civic benefits for our society. The Museum recognizes Related’s significant achievements in improving our built environment.”
An expected crowd of more than –1,000 guests will attend the June award ceremony. Paying tribute to Related will be New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel L. Doctoroff, Time Warner Center architect David M. Childs, FAIA, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, and Bernardo Fort-Brescia, architect and principal of Arquitectonica. Robert A.M. Stern of Robert A.M. Stern Architects will also pay tribute as a trustee of the National Building Museum and architect of several Related projects.
The National Building Museum, created by an act of Congress in 1980, is a private, nonprofit institution that examines and interprets achievements in building through exhibitions, education programs, and publications. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. The National Building Museum’s Honor Award was instituted in 1986 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made important contributions to our nation’s built environment. Annually, recipients are selected from a wide variety of backgrounds to call attention to the many factors that determine the form and quality of our built world. Additional information about the Honor Award can be found at www.nbm.org/honoraward.html.
Heralded as one of the most prolific and visionary developers in the country, Related is a fully integrated real estate firm with divisions specializing in development, acquisitions, finance, property management, and sales. Founded in 1972, Related has grown to include offices and major developments in New York, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston, overseen by a team of more than 2,000 professionals. For more about Related, please visit www.Related.com or www.Relatedgroup.com.
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