We are pleased to announce the winners of ENR Southwest’s annual Best Projects competition. 

For more than 25 years, the regional publication has recognized the best in design and construction in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, and this year is no exception. A panel of industry judges reviewed around 80 entries in a variety of categories, examining factors such as safety, innovation, craft quality, and community or industry benefit. Judges could select a Best Project, a market category winner, and an Award of Merit if warranted.

Thank you to our main category judges, listed below in alphabetical order:

  • Sergio Carrasco, Project Architect, Holly Street Studio
  • Dan Clevenger, Principal and Global Cultural+Performing Arts Leader, DLR Group
  • Michael D'Andrea, Vice President of Development and Construction, GCON Inc.
  • Boe Evanson, Project Executive, Layton Construction
  • Kai Kaoni, Associate Professor of Practice, Northern Arizona University School of Construction Management
  • Robert Lemke, Jr., Principal – Transportation, Stantec
  • Ryan O'Donnell, Operations Director, Balfour Beatty
  • Cassie Saba Robertson, SW Regional Prefab Leader, DPR Construction
  • James Trahan, Partner | Principal, 180 Degrees Design + Build

ENR Southwest also enlisted separate panels for two special awards, Excellence in Sustainability and Excellence in Safety, both of which will be announced at a later date. 

In addition to selecting category winners, judges have also chosen several finalists for ENR Southwest Project of the Year, with the winner to be announced at the regional Best Projects event in October. We will preview the finalists in another blog leading up to the event.

All winning project teams (both for Best Project and Award of Merit winners) will be recognized in Phoenix at a luncheon on Oct. 31 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The submitting firm (or their designate) will have the opportunity to provide 1 minute acceptance remarks. Click here for more info about the event and to register

At that event, ENR Southwest will also recognize several other award winners this year: Owner of the Year University of Arizona; Design Firm of the Year Architekton; Contractor of the Year Willmeng Construction; and Specialty Contractor of the Year Commercial Roofers Inc. 

We will also recognize the 2023 Legacy Award winner: Suntec Concrete’s Jerry Barnier. 


Congratulations to this year's Best Projects winners, listed below by category: 


Airport/Transit

Best Project: Atlantic Aviation Scottsdale Hangar, located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Submitted by JE Dunn Construction

Cultural/Worship

Best Project: The Beverly Theater, located in Las Vegas, Nev. Submitted by Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects


Energy/Industrial

Best Project: Arrow Canyon Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project, located in Moapa, Nev. Submitted by McCarthy Building Cos.

Government/Public Building

Best Project: Operation Allies Welcome, located in Alamogordo, N.M. Submitted by Fluor

Award of Merit: Goodyear Civic Square at GSQ, located in Goodyear, Ariz. Submitted by Ryan Cos. US Inc.

 

Health Care

Best Project: Mayo Clinic East Expansion, located in Phoenix. Submitted by McCarthy Building Cos., Inc.

Award of Merit: Durango Health Center, located in Las Vegas. Submitted by The PENTA Building Group

 

Higher Education/Research

Best Project: University of Arizona Applied Research Building, located in Tucson, Ariz. Submitted by McCarthy Building Cos. Inc.

 

Highway/Bridge

Best Project: SR 24: Gateway to the Southeast Valley, located in Maricopa and Pinal County, Arizona. Submitted by Stanley Consultants

Award of Merit: Lemmon Drive Diverging Diamond Interchange, located in Reno, Nev. Submitted by Q&D Construction LLC

 

Interior/Tenant Improvement

Best Project: Mortenson Arizona Office, located in Tempe, Ariz. Submitted by Mortenson

Award of Merit: Red Rock Lotus of Siam, located in Las Vegas. Submitted by Helix Electric

Award of Merit: Insight Headquarters, located in Chandler, Ariz. Submitted by Gensler

 

K-12 Education

Best Project: New Procter R. Hug High School, located in Sparks, Nev. Submitted by PK Electrical

 

Landscape/Urban Development

Best Project: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, located in Scottsdale, Ariz.. Submitted by Willmeng Construction

 

Manufacturing

Best Project: Landing 4 - ElectraMeccanica, located in Mesa, Ariz. Submitted by Willmeng Construction

 

Office/Retail/Mixed-Use

Best Project: The Beam on Farmer, located in Tempe, Ariz. Submitted by Mortenson

Award of Merit: 63 Las Vegas, located in Las Vegas. Submitted by The PENTA Building Group

Award of Merit: Culture Kings at The Forum Shops at Caesars, located in Las Vegas. Submitted by Shawmut Design and Construction

 

Renovation/Restoration

Best Project: University of Arizona Chemistry Building Renovations and Additions, located in Tucson, Ariz. Submitted by Sundt Construction, Inc.

Award of Merit: Tucson Convention Center Capital Improvements, located in Tucson, Ariz. Submitted by Sundt Construction, Inc.

 

Residential/Hospitality

Best Project: Gila River Santan Mountain Casino, located in Phoenix, Ariz. Submitted by The PENTA Building Group

 

Small Project

Best Project: West Central Route 66 Visitor Center, located in Albuquerque, N.M. Submitted by Mullen Heller Architecture PC

Award of Merit: The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research, located in Tucson, Ariz. Submitted by Kitchell

 

Specialty Construction

Best Project: MSG Collar at Venetian, located in Las Vegas. Submitted by KHS&S

Award of Merit: I-17 ITS Infrastructure, located in Camp Verde, Ariz. Submitted by Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.

 

Sports/Entertainment

Best Project: Las Cruces Recreational Aquatic Center Community Competition Pool, located in Las Cruces, N.M. Submitted by HB Construction, Inc.

Award of Merit: Bell94 Sports Complex, located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Submitted by Valley Rain Construction Corp.

 

Water/Environment

Best Project: City of Phoenix 23rd Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant Grit Basin Replacement, located in Phoenix. Submitted by McCarthy Building Cos., Inc.

Award of Merit: Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project San Juan Lateral Block 4C-8, located in Gallup, N.M. Submitted by Southland Holdings

Award of Merit: Tucson Boulevard Diversion Structure, located in Tucson, Ariz. Submitted by Hunter Contracting Co.