All around Houston last year, major construction projects were completed — from downtown trophy towers and huge industrial projects to gorgeous parks and a new barn for the zoo’s elephants.

The Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Awards recognize these impressive real estate projects that are making a significant impression on the Houston landscape and improve the look, feel and image of the city. Our panel of judges narrowed down the finalists to 54 projects in 16 categories for this year’s awards.

Projects are recognized for excellence in land planning, design, construction, economics, marketing and management. Nominations were open to all real estate projects completed in the greater Houston area from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017.

Entries were judged on impact to Houston, such as job creation, innovation, best use of land, site plan, development of surrounding neighborhoods, visual plan, amenities and being environmentally friendly.

This year’s judges were Catherine Callaway, senior associate at Kirksey; Doug Coenen, principal at Walter P Moore; Douglas Demiano, senior vice president at PMRG; Susan Hill, senior managing director at HFF; James E. Springer, vice president at Gilbane Inc.; and Ann Taylor, senior vice president at Midway Cos.

The finalists were selected in these categories:

• Community Impact
• Educational Facility
• Headquarters Move
• Industrial
• Medical
• Mixed-Use
• Multifamily
• Office Building or Campus
• Project Lease
• Public Assembly
• Public-Private Partnership
• Rehabilitation/Renovation
• Restaurant
• Retail
• Special Project
• Workplace Interior

Source: 2018 Landmark Awards finalists: These are the top commercial real estate projects in Houston