The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and its Real Estate & Development Committee today announced the honorees for its annual signature real estate event, Building Brooklyn Awards™.  The 2009 event, scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, will celebrate renowned architect Richard Meier and Joanne M. Oplustil of CAMBA.

In addition to recognizing construction projects that enrich the borough, Building Brooklyn Awards (BBA) honors two individuals – one from the private sector and one from the public/ nonprofit sector – who have made significant contributions toward enhancing the business conditions and economic climate of Brooklyn.  The 2009 BBA judging committee, made up of architects, developers, planners, government officials, economic development experts and business leaders, convened in April to select this year’s twelve winning projects from a slate of nominated submissions.

“This year’s honorees truly highlight the best of Brooklyn.  As exemplified by our private sector honoree, we are a borough that can compete with world-class cities on every level, including in the quality of our architecture and our ability to draw those attracted to the highest levels of design to live and work here.  Our non-profit honoree portrays another side of Brooklyn’s best, in which we care for those less fortunate by providing affordable, well-designed supportive housing where it is needed most,” said Carl Hum, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber’s Building Brooklyn Awards is delighted to celebrate our distinguished honorees – the internationally accomplished architect Richard Meier for bringing his brand of architectural excellence to his first Brooklyn project, and Brooklyn’s own CAMBA and their executive director, Joanne Oplustil, for navigating that organization through its exponential growth to serve thousands of people in Brooklyn and throughout the city.  We are looking forward to thanking them for their contributions to Brooklyn’s quality of life,” said Chris Havens, co-chair of the Chamber’s Real Estate and Development (RED) Committee and president of Creative Real Estate Group.

Richard Meier of Richard Meier & Partners Architects, LLP will receive this year’s private sector award in recognition of his first project in Brooklyn, On Prospect Park, a luxury 102-unit condominium apartment building in Prospect Heights.  Completed in 2008, the 15-story structure, representing Mr. Meier’s internationally recognized modern style, is located on Eastern Parkway anchored by the Grand Army Plaza Arch, the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library Branch, the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  Mr. Meier is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and the American Institute of Arts and Sciences and has designed numerous award-winning projects in major cities around the world.

During her 30-year tenure, Executive Director Joanne M. Oplustil has overseen CAMBA’s growth from a merchants association into the major economic development and social services agency it is today.  Based in Flatbush, Brooklyn with multiple locations citywide, CAMBA provides business development, education and training, housing, family support and other social services to individuals and families for the past 32 years.  In addition to its prior work in providing supportive services within affordable housing and management of homeless shelters, in 2007 CAMBA Housing Ventures became an affordable housing developer, having completed two projects last year including Morris Manor, this year’s affordable housing winner.

The Building Brooklyn Awards ceremony and cocktail reception attracts a cross-section of 400 real estate professionals from the tri-state area, including brokers, developers, banking & finance, architecture & design, small business development, construction, government and other related industries.  Trade tables will be made available to select companies at the event to showcase their products and services.

For more information about the 2009 Building Brooklyn Awards™, including tickets, trade tables or sponsorships, please visit http://www.buildingbrooklynawards.com/ or contact Real Estate & Development Director Lori Raphael at lraphael@brooklynchamber.com or (718) 875-1000 ext. 140.