WASHINGTON, DC - Modera Sedici in Washington, D.C., was named Multifamily Community of the Year, and Crescent Communities in Charlotte, N.C., was named Multifamily Development Firm of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards for 2019.
On the grounds of the former neo-Renaissance style Italian Embassy commissioned by Benito Mussolini in 1923, Modera Sedici, overlooks the District’s renowned 16th Street (“Sedici” meaning “16” in Italian). The original embassy, completed by the prominent architects of New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Whitney Warren and Charles D. Wetmore, and builders the James Stewart Company, was long a destination for global luminaries, but had floundered for the better part of two decades before falling into disrepair.
Mill Creek transformed the nationally registered historic landmark into 134 modern apartment homes, including 22 individually customized floor plans in the redeveloped original embassy building, and 112 homes in a newly constructed nine-story high-rise. Consultants included historical experts, engineers and architects to ensure preservation, authenticity and the aesthetic of the original architecture. Each building reflects the original design and rooms have maintained their Italian names from the original permit drawings but offer modern Italian features and amenities.
“Modera Sedici’s redevelopment was no small feat. Working with the Historical Preservation Review Board and the local neighborhood commission helped champion the project and led to much of its success,” said Gary Campbell, CEO of Gilbert G. Campbell Real Estate in Lowell, Mass., and chairman of NAHB's Multifamily Council. “The amenities at Modera Sedici evoke its heritage and the appeal of the original embassy.”
Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer and operator of multifamily and commercial mixed-use communities in many of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. Southeast and Southwest. Since 1963, the company’s development portfolio has included more than 57 multifamily communities, 20 million square feet of commercial space and 60 single-family master-planned communities. Its multifamily communities are branded NOVEL by Crescent Communities.
“Crescent Communities designs and develops their projects to blend within the characters of their surroundings and works toward a company mission to ‘Build Community. Better People’s Lives,’” said Campbell, noting that many of its developments are situated with direct access to light rail systems and other mass transit.
A panel of multifamily development and design experts also selected winners in categories ranging from excellence in building and marketing to individual and corporate achievement. Winners from all categories were recognized at a ceremony held during the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. To see a complete list of winners, visit: www.nahb.org/pillars