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Expected among the familiar faces at NAIOP New Jersey’s 2024 Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala is former CEO Michael McGuiness, who this year returns as an honoree.

The commercial real estate development association recently announced the honorees for its 37th annual recognition event. The party takes place May 16 in Somerset.

McGuiness retired from NAIOP NJ in July 2023 after 26-plus years of service. Read on to learn more about the 2024 recipients.

Meet the honorees

Steven Denholtz, CEO, Denholtz Properties – Charles Klatskin Lifetime Achievement Award

Paying tribute to an individual who has had a distinguished record in service to the industry and community

Michael McGuinness, retired CEO, NAIOP NJ – Industry Service Award

Recognizing considerable contributions in support of the industry’s goals

Bethann Rooney, port director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; CSG Law – Impact Award

Recognizes firms and individuals that have had a significant impact on New Jersey’s commercial and industrial real estate development industry

Mayor Daniel Reiman, Borough of Carteret – Caren S. Franzini Public Partner Award

Honors champions of economic development that inspire and transform communities

Big deal

In addition to those honors, the 2024 gala will include awards for the year’s biggest transactions. The winners are drawn from three categories: Industrial Deal of the Year, Office Deal of the Year and Mixed-Use Deal of the Year.

Office winner – Bank of America lease at Newport Tower, Jersey City

With strategic foresight and a multimillion-dollar reinvestment, Newport Tower in Jersey City was transformed to support a return-to-the-office strategy and secure a blockbuster tenant, illustrating the future direction and viability of the sector. Bank of America’s commitment represents New Jersey’s only renewal/expansion lease over 500,000 square feet in the past decade.

Involved in the deal: Cushman & Wakefield, BentallGreenOak and Caryl Communications

Mixed-Use winner – Harborside Portfolio $524 million sale, Jersey City

As Exchange Place’s centerpiece, Harborside 1-2-3-4-6 garnered a collective $524 million in three separate sales transactions that set the district’s reactivation into motion. Poised to realize its full potential as the Jersey City Waterfront’s newest, most-dynamic live-work-play neighborhood, Harborside’s premier assemblage presented one of the most exceptional repositioning opportunities nationwide.

Involved in the deal: Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE Inc., Veris Residential Inc., American Equity Partners LLC, Panepinto Properties and Related Cos.

Industrial finalist – CenterPoint at Linden, Linden

CenterPoint at Linden is a unique, in-fill redevelopment success story that transformed the former site of a functionally obsolete retail power center, into a modern 321,675-square-foot industrial distribution center. The project met environmental, sustainability, and community goals while also delivering all the amenities that today’s logistics tenants demand.

Involved in the deal: CenterPoint Properties, Cushman & Wakefield, KSS, Langan, Property Solutions, KBS Advisors, CSG Law, RC Anderson, and City of Linden

Industrial finalist – Central 9 Logistics Park, Old Bridge

Central 9 Logistics Park in Old Bridge is a state-of-the-art industrial park spanning 800 acres and creating more than 2,000 jobs while enhancing the regional economy. The park fosters innovation, commerce, and sustainable growth, epitomizing forward-thinking development. In 2023, Paragon Packaging, an innovative woman-owned business, signed the inaugural lease.

Involved in the deal: 2020 Acquisitions, Cushman & Wakefield, Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, Bohler Engineering, Alston Construction, and M+H Architects

Industrial finalist – Seagis Newark Airport Logistics Center, Newark

United Airlines re-evaluated its Newark portfolio and determined a relocation from Newark Airport was required. The carrier needed a creative solution due to zero availability of Class A buildings near the airport. CBRE identified an off-market build-to-suit opportunity with Seagis, and in collaboration with local officials, United Airlines was able to relocate its Newark operations.

Involved in the deal: Seagis Property Group LP, Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, North Star Construction Management Inc., Cole Schotz, Ecolsciences Inc., VRH Construction, Alliance Architecture, SM Design & Consulting PC, Dolan and Dean Consulting Engineers, Melick-Tully & Associates, GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc., Dynamic Survey LLC, Pearlman & Miranda LLC, Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP and ELIACA

More information about the gala, including how to attend or sponsor, is available here.