By Joshua Burd
Nearly a dozen transactions and projects will take center stage next week as contenders for NAIOP New Jersey’s Deal of the Year awards, as the organization prepares for what’s poised to be another sellout for its annual Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala.
The chapter, which has sold 90 percent of its tickets for the May 15 event, announced the 10 finalists earlier this spring alongside a slate of high-profile honorees. They’ll compete in four categories, including the newly added “Emerging Markets” segment that spans niches such as government-restricted municipalities, energy, health care, film and cannabis.
Set to begin at 4 p.m., the event will take place at The Palace at Somerset Park in Franklin.
“Our Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala has long been a must-attend for our members and friends, and this 38th annual event will be no exception,” NAIOP New Jersey CEO Dan Kennedy said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating our accomplished honorees and unveiling our Deal of the Year winners. This year’s group of deal finalists — including those in our new ‘Emerging Markets’ category — raises the bar for quality real estate product and illustrates the talent and creativity driving the industry forward in New Jersey.
“It’s going to be a great night. This year, more than ever, support for the gala is needed so we can increase the defense of our interests and get ready for a new governor in 2026.”
This year’s Deal of the Year finalists include:
Mixed use
- Hoboken Connect, Hoboken – Involved in the deal: NJ Transit, City of Hoboken and LCOR
- Monmouth Square, Eatontown – Involved in the deal: Kushner, Rithm Capital Corp., GreenBarn Investment Group and Fortress Investment Group
- Vintage City, Elizabeth – Involved in the deal: MAS Development Group LLC and LeCesse Development Corp.
Industrial
- Bridge Point Perth Amboy, Perth Amboy – Involved in the deal: Bridge Industrial, Colliers, Menlo Engineering Associates, Excel Environmental, Nelson Worldwide, Bob Smith & Associates and the Law Offices of Wanda Chin Monahan
- Kingsland Meadowlands lease with TJX, Lyndhurst – Involved in the deal: Forsgate Industrial Partners and Russo Development
- 907 Pleasant Valley, Mount Laurel – Involved in the deal: Greek Design|Build, RLCold and BGO
Office
- Sanofi flagship at M Station West, Morristown – Involved in the deal: SJP Properties, Sanofi, Scotto Properties, Cushman & Wakefield and Gensler
- Unilever headquarters restructuring, Englewood – Involved in the deal: CBRE, SJP Properties, Savills, JLL and UNLMTD Team
Emerging markets
- 1888 Studios, Bayonne – Involved in the deal: Togus Urban Renewal LLC, Sills Cummis & Gross PC, Gensler, Turner Construction, Pizzutillo Public Affairs LLC, US Title Solutions, Bayonne City, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. LLC, Benecke Economics, Langan, PS&S, SESI Consulting Engineers and Elysian Consulting Group LLC
- MLB Network/Crow Holdings – 25 Market St., Elmwood Park – Involved in the deal: Crow Holdings Development, Atlas Holdings, JLL, CBRE and MLB Network
Meantime, the individual and company honorees for the program will include:
- Jeff Milanaik of Bridge Industrial (Charles Klatskin Lifetime Achievement Award)
- Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (Carin S. Franzini Public Partner Award)
- J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc. (Impact Award)
- PS&S (Impact Award)
- Cole Schotz PC (Industry Service Award)
Milanaik to receive lifetime achievement award as NAIOP honors CRE deals, professionals
