Distinguished Building Award

The Distinguished Building Award was established 51 years ago to recognize significant achievements in the planning, design and execution of recent building projects. Projects are eligible if they were completed between January 1, 2001 and May 1, 2006.

Winners | Submissions

  • Winner 111 South Wacker

    • Chicago, IL
    • The John Buck Company
    • Goettsch Partners
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

  • 1748 N. Winchester

    • Chicago, IL
    • Studio Dwell Architects
    • Photo: Marty Peters, Marty Peters Photography

  • 200 Fillmore

    • Denver, CO
    • 4240 Architecture Inc.
    • Photo: Frank Ooms, Frank Ooms Photography

  • 2010–2024 W. Race

    • Chicago, IL
    • Studio Dwell Architects
    • Photo: Marty Peters, Marty Peters Photography

  • 2111 W. Roosevelt Rd. Office Complex - FBI Chicago Field Office

    • Chicago, IL
    • Lohan Anderson LLC
    • Photo: David Seide, Defined Space; Kate Van Zeyl, Lohan Anderson

  • 303 East Main Street / Barrington Centre

    • Barrington, IL
    • Ronald C. Flubacker, AIA
    • Photo: Ronald C. Flubacker AIA, Ronald C. Flubacker AIA / Architect

  • 442 West Belden Avenue Residence

    • Chicago, IL
    • Von Weise Associates
    • Photo: Jeff McNamara, Metropolitan Home

  • 444 North Michigan Avenue

    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: Doug Fogelson, Doug Fogelson Photography

  • Winner 601 Congress Street

    • Boston, MA
    • Manulife Financial
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: Peter Vanderwarker, Peter Vanderwarker Photography

  • 630 Franklin

    • Chicago, IL
    • Brininstool + Lynch, Ltd.
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.; Chris Barrett, Hedrich Blessing

  • Winner 838 West Webster

    • Chicago, IL
    • Avram Lothan/DeStefano and Partners Ltd.
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • 909 West Washington

    • Chicago, IL
    • Hirsch Associates LLC
    • Photo: Anthony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Winner A.E. Stevenson High School Entry and Music Hall Addition

    • Lincolnshire, IL
    • Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography

  • Adams Central Elementary School

    • Monroe, IN
    • Harding Partners
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballog Photography

  • Additions to Lake Zurich High School

    • Lake Zurich, IL
    • Legat Architects, Inc.
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Steinkamp/Ballogg

  • Adventureplex at Marine

    • Manhattan Beach, CA
    • PSA-Dewberry
    • Photo: Benny Chan, Fotoworks

  • Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School

    • Chicago, IL
    • John Ronan Architect
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing; Nathan Kirkman, Nathan Kirkman Photography

  • Arizona State University Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Bldg

    • Tempe, AZ
    • Perkins + Will
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, James Steinkamp Photography

  • Asian Museum

    • [withheld by request]
    • Booth Hansen
    • Photo: Jeff Millies, Hedrich Blessing

  • Avanté Center at Harper College

    • Palatine, IL
    • HOK
    • Photo: Paul Rivera, Arch Photo, Inc.

  • Ball Garden Pavilion

    • West Chicago, IL
    • David Woodhouse Architects LLC
    • Photo: Andy Tinucci, David Woodhouse Architects LLC; Michael McClimon, David Woodhouse Architects LLC; John Ware, Ball Horticultural Company; Jim Nau, Ball Horticultural Company

  • Ball Horticultural

    • West Chicago, IL
    • DLK Civic Design
    • Photo: Russell Lord, DLK Civic Design

  • Beach Park Middle School

    • Beach Park, IL
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: Christopher Barrett and Bob Shimer, Hedrich Blessing; James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballogg

  • Winner Beverly Hills Homestore in Beverly Hills, CA

    • Beverly Hills, CA
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Crate and Barrel – Architecture Dept., Jacques Verlinden
    • Photo: Nick Merrick, Hedrick Blessing, Ltd.

  • Biltmore Towers

    • Phoenix, AZ
    • Optima, Inc.
    • Photo: Bill Timmerman, Bill Timmerman Photography, Inc.

  • Blythewood High School

    • Blythewood
    • Perkins + Will
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, James Steinkamp Photography

  • Borders Bookstore

    • Evanston, IL
    • Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay Penney Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Scott McDonald, Hedrich Blessing

  • Bridgeport Village Homestore

    • Tigard, OR
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Broadview Missionary Baptist Church

    • Broadview
    • Harding Partners
    • Photo: Doug Snower, Doug Snower Photography

  • Byron Station Studios

    • Chicago, IL
    • Ann Temple Architect
    • Photo: John Faier; Bill Kildow

  • Calamos Investments Global Headquarters

    • Naperville, IL
    • Lohan Anderson LLC
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Caliendo Residence

    • Chicago, IL
    • Wilkinson Blender Architecture Inc.
    • Photo: Jamie Padgett / Darris Harris, Padgett and Company

  • Canary Wharf - DS4

    • London, UK
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: H.G. Esch, H.G. Esch Fotografie

  • Canary Wharf - HQ1

    • London, England
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: H.G. Esch, H.G. Esch Fotografie

  • Casa Kirk

    • Chicago, IL
    • Weese Langley Weese Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Leslie Schwartz, Lesley Schwartz Photography

  • Cathedral Place

    • Milwaukee, WI
    • Solomon Cordwell Buenz
    • Photo: David Clifton

  • Cherry Creek Homestore

    • Denver, CO
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Chicago Transit Authority/35th Street Bridge and Station

    • Chicago, IL
    • Gensler
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Chicago West Side Christian School

    • Chicago, IL
    • Thomas Hickey & Associates
    • Photo: Thomas Hickey, Thomas Hickey & Associates

  • City Homes of River Village

    • Chicago, IL
    • Hirsch Associates LLC
    • Photo: Anthony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Claremont Academy

    • Chicago, IL
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography

  • Confidential Financial Services Headquarters

    • Riverwoods, IL
    • Perkins + Will
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

  • Winner Courtyard Translucens House

    • Dallas, TX
    • Robert J. Neylan Architects Ltd.
    • Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay Penney Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Scott McDonald, Hedrich Blessing

  • Davenport Skybridge

    • Davenport, IA
    • Holabird & Root
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Winner Dempster Street Station Restoration and Adaptive Reuse Project

    • Skokie, IL
    • The Taxman Corporation (Developer); Terraco, Inc. (Developer); Village of Skokie
    • Antunovich Associates
    • Photo: Antunovich Associates Architects

  • Domestic Violence Courthouse

    • Chicago, IL
    • Booth Hansen
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Ballogg Photography

  • Endangered Species Carousel

    • Chicago, IL
    • Doyle & Associates
    • Photo: Scott Shigley, Scott Shigley Photography

  • Engravers Lofts at Bank Note Place

    • Chicago, IL
    • SMNG-A Architects
    • Photo: Kenneth Schroeder, Ernie Wong and Jay Gallagher

  • Exelon Pavilions

    • Chicago, IL
    • Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Inc.
    • Photo: Jon Miller, Hedrich Blessing

  • Frankel Residence

    • Wilmette, IL
    • Holbert and Associates Architects
    • Photo: Leslie Schwartz, Leslie Schwartz Photography

  • General Motors Renaissance Center Renovation

    • Detroit, MI
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: Justin Maconochie, Justin Maconochie Photography

  • Genway Tower

    • Suzhou, China
    • Goettsch Partners
    • Photo: Fu Xing, Beijing Fu Xing Guang Sha Photography Co Ltd.

  • Glade House

    • Lake Forest, IL
    • Frederick Phillips & Associates
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Glenside Public Library Addition and Renovation

    • Glendale Heights, IL
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Governors State University Family Development Center

    • University Park, IL
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Grace Church

    • Wheeling, IL
    • Ethos Workshop
    • Photo: Mike Crews, Mike Crew Photography

  • Grand Rapids Dominicans Marywood Center

    • Grand Rapids, MI
    • Perkins Eastman
    • Photo: Christopher Barrett, Hedrich Blessing

  • Hamman Residence

    • Grand Rapids, MI
    • Crandall Ritzu Architects
    • Photo: Kevin Beswick, People, Places, and Things

  • Harley-Davidson Financial Services Call Center

    • Carson City, NV
    • VOA Associates Incorporated
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography Inc.

  • Hayes Park Natatorium

    • Chicago, IL
    • DeStefano and Partners, Ltd.
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Henry Horner Homes - Westhaven Park

    • Chicago, IL
    • Urban Works, Ltd.
    • Photo: Anthony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Highland Park Hospital Central Plant

    • Highland Park, IL
    • Eckenhoff Saunders Architecture
    • Photo: Mariusz Mizera, Mariusz Mizera Photography

  • Winner Highlight Munich Business Towers

    • Munich, Germany
    • Bürozentrum Parkstadt München-Schwabing KG
    • Murphy/Jahn
    • Photo: Rainer Viertlbock

  • Horizons

    • Evanston, IL
    • Optima, Inc.
    • Photo: Jon Miller, Hedrich Blessing

  • Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Travel Pavilions

    • [seven sites]
    • Cordogan, Clark & Associates
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Ballogg Photography

  • Indianapolis International Airport Control Tower

    • Indianapolis, IN
    • Teng & Associates
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Health Care

    • Chicago, IL
    • SMNG-A Architects
    • Photo: Leslie Schwartz, Leslie Schwartz Photography

  • Ingalls Health System Family Care Center

    • Flossmoor, IL
    • Eckenhoff Saunders Architecture
    • Photo: Mariusz Mizera, Mariusz Mizera Photography

  • Inter-Industry Conference of Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) World HQ

    • Hoffman Estates, IL
    • Loebl Schlossman & Hackl
    • Photo: David Clifton

  • James Swenson Science Building at University of Minnesota

    • Duluth, MN
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Kohl Children's Museum

    • Glenview, IL
    • Booth Hansen
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Ballogg Photography

  • Winner Kresge Foundation Headquarters

    • Troy, MI
    • Valerio Dewalt Train Associates, Inc, Farr Associates
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.; Justin Maconochie, Maconochie Photography

  • Winner Lake View Presbyterian Church Exterior Restoration

    • Chicago, IL
    • Holabird & Root
    • Photo: Russell Phillips, Russell Phillips Photography

  • Levy Senior Center

    • Evanston, IL
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Lincoln Park Zoo Flamingo Habitat

    • Chicago, IL
    • Teng & Associates
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Lincoln Park Zoo Regenstein Center for African Apes

    • Chicago, IL
    • Goettsch Partners
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography; McShane Fleming Studios, Chicago

  • Lincoln Wolcott

    • Chicago, IL
    • Wilkinson Blender Architecture Inc.
    • Photo: Marty Peters, Marty Peters Photography

  • Livingston Beach

    • Bridgeman, MI
    • PPKS Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Craig Pryde and David Kennedy, PPKS Architects, Ltd.

  • Loeber Motors

    • Lincolnwood, IL
    • Valerio Dewalt Train Associates, Inc.
    • Photo: James Caulfield, James Caulfield, Ltd.

  • Mannheimer 2 Corporate Headquarters

    • Mannheim, Germany
    • Murphy/Jahn
    • Photo: Roland Halbe, Roland Halbe Fotografie

  • Mayfair Mall Homestore

    • Wauwatosa, WI
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Photo: Marian Kraus, Marian Kraus Photography

  • MB Financial Headquarters

    • Chicago
    • Booth Hansen
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Meadows Museum Southern Methodist University

    • Dallas, TX
    • Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Inc.
    • Photo: Timothy Hursley, Timothy Hursley (Arkansas Office)

  • Methodist Mid-Lake Clinic

    • Gary, IN
    • Johnson & Lee Ltd.
    • Photo: Doug Snower, Doug Snower Photography

  • Millennium Park Bike Station

    • Chicago, IL
    • Muller & Muller Ltd.
    • Photo: Robert Murphy; Nathan Kirkman

  • Montgomery Police Facility

    • Montgomery
    • YAS Architecture, LLC.
    • Photo: Larry Okrent, Okrent Associates

  • Montgomery Ward Shell and Core Renovation

    • Chicago, IL
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: James Steinkamp Steinkamp Photography

  • Motorola Global Software Group

    • Krakow, Poland
    • annex | 5
    • Photo: Christian Richters, Christian Richters - Fotograf

  • Naperville Public Library - 95th Street Facility

    • Naperville, IL
    • PSA-Dewberry
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography

  • Niles Police Station

    • Niles, IL
    • PSA-Dewberry
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography

  • North Grand High School

    • Chicago, IL
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography

  • Oak Park Public Library

    • Oak Park, IL
    • Nagle Hartray Danker Kagan McKay Penney Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Scott McDonald, Hedrich Blessing

  • Winner Oakbrook Homestore in Oak Brook, IL

    • Oak Brook, IL
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Oakton Community College Art, Science and Technology Pavilion

    • Skokie, IL
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Oklahoma City Federal Building

    • Oklahoma City, OK
    • Ross Barney + Jankowski
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Old Plank Road Trail Bridge

    • Frankfort, IL
    • Teng & Associates
    • Photo: Russell Phillips, Russell Phillips Photography

  • Orland Park Public Library

    • Orland Park, IL
    • Lohan Anderson LLC
    • Photo: Craig Dugan, Hedrich Blessing; David Seide, Defined Space; Floyd D. Anderson, AIA, Lohan Anderson

  • Par Venu

    • Chicago, IL
    • Jonathan Splitt Architects Ltd.
    • Photo: Martin Gruby, Grubster Photography

  • Paramus Homestore

    • Paramus, NJ
    • Crate and Barrel
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Winner Passenger Terminal Complex, Suvarnabhumi Airport

    • Bangkok, Thailand
    • New Bangkok International Airport Co., Ltd.
    • Murphy/Jahn
    • Photo: Carl D'Silva

  • Perry Residence

    • Chicago, IL
    • John Ronan Architect
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Picnic Grove Pavilion

    • Chicago, IL
    • Harley Ellis Devereaux
    • Photo: Anthony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Pollack Residence

    • Glencoe, IL
    • Jaffe Architectural Group
    • Photo: Lisa S. Jaffe, Jaffe Architectural Group, Ltd.; Nathan Kirkman, Nathan Kirkman Photographer

  • Port of Entry

    • Raymond, MT
    • Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Inc.
    • Photo: Craig Brandt, Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Inc.

  • Private Residence

    • Chicago, IL
    • Florian Architects
    • Photo: Kate Roth, Kate Roth Photography

  • Private Residence

    • Highland Park, IL
    • Fraerman Associates Architecture, Inc.
    • Photo: Paul Warchol, Paul Warchol Photography, Inc.

  • Private Residence

    • Aspen, CO
    • Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Inc.
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Private Residence

    • Oostberg, WI
    • Tigerman McCurry Architects
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing

  • Quinlan Life Sciences Education & Research Center

    • Chicago, IL
    • Solomon Cordwell Buenz
    • Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing; Tony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Reliance Group Headquarters Building

    • Mumbai, India
    • Perkins + Will
    • Photo: Bipin Mistry, Bipin Mistry Industrial and Commercial Photographers

  • Riverside Water Tower, Exterior Restoration Project

    • Riverside, IL
    • Antunovich Associates
    • Photo: Antunovich Associates Architects

  • Robert Taylor Hope VI Off Site Phase C-1

    • Chicago, IL
    • Johnson & Lee
    • Photo: LiSu Chuang, Johnson & Lee, Architects

  • Roco Ki Sales Center

    • Macao Beach, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic
    • Richard Knorr International, Ltd.
    • Photo: Jim Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

  • Winner S.R. Crown Hall Exterior Restoration

    • Chicago, IL
    • Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture
    • Krueck + Sexton Architects, McClier (preservation architect, now known as Austin AECOM)
    • Photo: Ron Gordon, Ron Gordon Photo; Hedrich Blessing

  • Sawyer Studio

    • Sawyer, MI
    • Frederick Phillips & Associates
    • Photo: Greg Murphey, Murphey Studios

  • Schiller Street Studios

    • Chicago, IL
    • Ann Temple Architect
    • Photo: John Faier, Ken Schroeder

  • Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church

    • Grayslake, IL
    • Harding Partners
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballogg Photography; Craig Dugan, Hedrich Blessing

  • St. Alphonsus Church

    • Prospect Heights, IL
    • Serena Sturm Architects, Ltd.
    • Photo: Howard Kaplan, Howard Kaplan Photography

  • Star Walk Terminal 1, Airport Cologne/Bonn

    • Bonn, Germany
    • Murphy/Jahn
    • Photo: H.G. Esch, H.G. Esch Fotografie

  • State Emergency Operations Center

    • Springfield, IL
    • DeStefano and Partners, Ltd.
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant + Associates, Inc.

  • Stateville Prison Vehicle Maintenance Facility

    • Joliet, IL
    • Muller & Muller Ltd.
    • Photo: Nick Merrick, Hedrich Blessing

  • Winner Sterling Ridge

    • Scottsdale, AZ
    • Optima Inc.
    • Photo: Bill Timmerman, Bill Timmerman Photography, Inc.

  • Summer House

    • Three Oaks, MI
    • Frederick Phillips & Associates
    • Photo: William Kildow, Kildow Photography

  • Tarkington School of Excellence

    • Chicago, IL
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Ballog Photography

  • The Heritage

    • Chicago, IL
    • Solomon Cordwell Buenz
    • Photo: David Seide, Defined Space

  • The Morton Arboretum Visitor Center

    • Lisle, IL
    • David Woodhouse Architects LLC
    • Photo: Greg Murphey, Murphey Studios Inc.; Bill Timmerman, Timmerman Photography Inc.

  • The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

    • Chicago, IL
    • Vinci/Hamp Architects Inc.
    • Photo: Eric Hausman, Eric Hausman Photography

  • The Pritzker Family Children's Zoo - Lincoln Park Zoo

    • Chicago, IL
    • EHDD Architecture
    • Photo: Doug Snower, Doug Snower Photography

  • Tower Palace

    • Seoul, Korea
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: H.G. Esch, H.G. Esch Fotografie; Kiwan Lee

  • Townline Elementary School

    • Vernon Hills, IL
    • Legat Architects, Inc.
    • Photo: Brian Fritz, Brian Fritz Photography

  • Tree Studios at Medinah Temple

    • Chicago, IL
    • Daniel P. Coffey & Associates, Ltd.
    • Photo: Barbara Karant, Karant & Associates, Inc.

  • UIC East Student Recreation Facility

    • Chicago, IL
    • PSA-Dewberry
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Ballogg Photography

  • UIC Sport and Fitness Center, Renovation and Addition

    • Chicago, IL
    • PSA-Dewberry
    • Photo: Mark Ballogg, Ballogg Photography

  • UW Cancer Center at Johnson Creek

    • Johnson Creek, WI
    • OWP/P
    • Photo: Jim Steinkamp, Steinkamp/Ballogg Photography

  • Van Buren Place

    • Naperville, IL
    • Ethos Workshop
    • Photo: Mike Crews, Mike Crews Photography

  • Vernon Hills Village Hall

    • Vernon Hills, IL
    • YAS Architecture, LLC.
    • Photo: Christopher Barrett, Hedrich Blessing

  • Winner Virginia Beach Convention Center

    • Virginia Beach, VA
    • City of Virginia Beach
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

  • Waukegan City Hall

    • Waukegan, IL
    • Legat Architects, Inc.
    • Photo: Jim Steinkamp, Steinkamp/Ballogg

  • Wentworth Commons Apartments

    • Chicago, IL
    • Harley Ellis Devereaux
    • Photo: Anthony May, Anthony May Photography

  • Westhaven Park (Henry Horner Homes)

    • Chicago, IL
    • Cordogan, Clark & Associates
    • Photo: James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

  • Winner Wilson Residence

    • Pound Ridge, NY
    • Dirk Denison Architects
    • Photo: Fuji' iMage, Wayne NT Fuji'i

  • Workforce Development Center at Kankakee Community College

    • Kankakee, IL
    • Legat Architects, Inc.
    • Photo: Jim Steinkamp, Steinkamp/Ballogg

  • Wrigley Field Improvements

    • Chicago, IL
    • HOK Sport
    • Photo: Steve Green, The Chicago Cubs Baseball Club