Eleven Houston-area architectural and renewal projects are the finalists in the Urban Land Institute Houston's eighth annual Development of Distinction Awards.

“The development of distinction awards is unique in that projects must be complete, from design, to management, to market success, to be considered” Carleton Riser, ULI Houston chair, said in a statement.

“Ultimately, the winning projects must make a positive impact on their surroundings and the larger community, and our hope is that developers will learn from these projects and incorporate their best practices into their developments.”

 "Our hope is that developers will learn from these projects and incorporate their best practices into their developments.” 

Three finalists are in the running in the for-profit category, four finalists for not-for-profit category and two finalists in the heritage category. In addition, two projects will receive an honorable mention.

For-profit nominees are Braeburn Village by Midway in partnership with AAI Affordable Housing, Hanover Rice Village by The Hanover Co. and Towne Lake Master Plan by Caldwell Communities.

The Bagby Street Reconstruction by Midtown Redevelopment Authority is a finalist in the not-for-project category, as are Bethel Church Park by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Monarch Institute Campus by The Monarch School and New Hope Housing at Rittenhouse by New Hope Housing Inc.

Finalists in the heritage category are Pennzoil Place developed by Gerald D. Hines Interests (1975) and owned by Metropolis and managed by Transwestern and San Jacinto College Lee Davis Library by San Jacinto College.

Honorable mentions are Lone Star College on the CyFair Campus by Lone Star College and Sylvan Beach Pavilion by Harris County Precinct Two, Jack Morman, commissioner.

The 2015 winners will be honored on Jan. 27 at a gala awards dinner in the Rice Crystal Ballroom.