CHICAGO, March 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner recognized 20 years of outstanding real estate achievements and support for the Greater Chicago Food Depository during its annual celebration Wednesday night at the Hilton Chicago. Event founders William Rudnick of DLA Piper and Christopher Kennedy of Merchandise Mart Properties were part of a special 20th anniversary commemoration along with longtime emcee Ron Magers of ABC 7. Award-winning projects included the Center on Halsted (Development of the Year), the CNA building (Redevelopment of the Year) and the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies (Build to Suit Project of the Year).

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A benefit of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, the event raised more than $1.1 million to support hunger-relief programs and has raised more than $9 million in the past 20 years. More than 2,000 brokers, developers, designers and architects were on hand as awards were presented in 16 categories. Crain's Chicago Business and Bank of America were the event's presenting sponsors, and the cocktail hour was hosted by Kayhan International and Haworth. Honorees included:

Architect of the Year

VOA Associates Incorporated

Build-to-Suit Project of the Year

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

U.S. Equities Realty

W.E. O'Neil Construction

Krueck & Sexton Architects

Deal of the Year

Equity Office Properties Chicago Portfolio; HFF and Tishman Speyer

Developer of the Year

Duke Realty Corporation

Development of the Year

Center on Halsted; Bond Companies and Gensler

Industrial Broker of the Year

John Suerth, CB Richard Ellis

Interior Contractor of the Year

Leopardo Construction

Interior Design Firm of the Year

Gensler

Investment Brokers of the Year

Bruce Miller, Jim Postweiler, Peter Harwood; Jones Lang LaSalle

Mortgage Brokers of the Year

Michael A. Kavanau, Timothy J. Joyce, Matthew R. Schoenfeldt; HFF

Office Brokers of the Year

Bill Rogers, Jeff Liljeberg, Steve Steinmeyer, Matt Carolan; Jones Lang LaSalle

Office Property Representatives of the Year

Brian Whiting, Wendy Katz, Dru Shoemaker, Jack McKinney; J.F. McKinney & Associates

Project Managers of the Year

Howard Blair, Randy Bartosh, John Herich; Development Resources, Inc.

Property Management Company of the Year

CB Richard Ellis and Hines (tie)

Redevelopment of the Year

CNA Building, The John Buck Company

Retail Broker of the Year

Richard E. Spinell, Mid-America Asset Management, Inc

Award nominations were reviewed by a Blue Ribbon Panel, co-chaired by Grace Poe and David Reifman of DLA Piper and comprised of representatives from last year's award winners, representatives from real estate associations and several at-large members of the real estate community who are appointed on an annual, rotating basis. The panel selects approximately two to six finalists per category. Finalists are voted on (via secret ballot) by the Executive Committee. Jill Payne of CB Richard Ellis served as chair for this year's dinner, and Robert Six of Zeller Realty Group served as co-chair.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a not-for-profit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to almost a half-million adults and children every year. Last year, the Food Depository distributed more than 40 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of more than 84,000 meals every day. Innovative training programs and initiatives developed by the Food Depository also work to provide men, women and children with the tools necessary to break their individual cycles of poverty. For more information, log onto www.chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.

SOURCE Greater Chicago Food Depository