In another sign that Southern California's real estate market has regained strength and national prominence, 20 of the area's top brokers, developers, builders, and architects were honored last week by the Los Angeles Business Journal for having record years or creating buildings of outstanding distinction.

In a special presentation during the annual "Los Angeles Business Journal's Real Estate Awards" dinner at the Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan delivered the newspaper's first-ever Leadership Award to Eli Broad, chairman and CEO of SunAmerica Inc. Broad was recognized for his lifetime accomplishments in real estate and finance, as well as for his leadership, service, and initiatives to improve the quality of life in Southern California.

"The Los Angeles Business Journal, the leading source of business news in the Los Angeles area, is pleased to honor the individuals and companies that have been instrumental in bringing Southern California's real estate market back to its strongest position ever,'' said Mark Lacter, editor of the Los Angeles Business Journal. "Real estate is one of the hottest industries right now, and these honorees represent the best and most successful in their field."

"Los Angeles' real estate business is back," Riordan said. "Prices for property are up, and vacancies are down. These are terrific indicators that my business-friendly approach to economic development is working. Altogether, the quality of jobs and the quality of life for Angelenos are improving."

The Los Angeles Business Journal this year expanded its annual real estate awards to recognize all sectors of the industry. Awards added this year included those for architecture, interior design, commercial builders, and residential development. Awards were for 1997 performance.

Winners in broker categories were judged for either having the largest volume of real estate transactions, or brokering the greatest amount of real estate investment. Architectural firms were honored for having the best designs or the greatest number of new contracts.

Builders were honored for building the biggest projects, securing the largest investments, being the most active, or having the best-selling residential development. The interior design award went to the individual or firm with the largest total billings in 1997.

The Los Angeles Business Journal Leadership Award will be given annually to the business leader who has "gone the extra mile in the community," Lacter said. "These are people who make a difference not only on the bottom line, but for overall quality of life."

Below are the list of winners announced during Wednesday night's program:

"Los Angeles Business Journal Leadership Award" -- Eli Broad, SunAmerica

"Architectural Firm of the Year/Best Design in L.A. County" (a tie) -- R.L. Binder for the UCLA Ackerman Student Union, and Eric Owen Moss Architects for the Samitaur Building in Culver City

"Architectural Firm of the Year/Best Design Outside of L.A. County" -- Barton Myers Associates for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center

"Architectural Firm of the Year/Total Amount of New Contracts" -- Daniel Mann Johnson & Mendenhall

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Commercial Investment" -- Jay Borzi and Steve Silk, Cushman & Wakefield

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Office Tenant" -- John Cushman III, Cushman Realty

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Industrial" -- David Hasbrouck, Cushman & Wakefield

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Multifamily Investment" -- Perky Apperson, CB Commercial

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Office Landlord" -- Todd Doney, Cushman Realty

"Commercial Broker of the Year/Retail" -- Ron Stockdale, Soboroff Partners

"Residential Broker of the Year/Largest Number of Deals" -- Leo Nordine, Leo Nordine Realtors

"Residential Broker of the Year/Highest Volume" -- Ron De Salvo, Coldwell Banker-Jon Douglas

"Residential Developer of the Year/Largest Project" -- Davidon Homes for the Canyon Heights Development in Santa Clarita

"Residential Developer of the Year/Best Selling Project" -- William Lyon Co. for Lyon Traditions in La Mirada

"Commercial Builder of the Year/Biggest Office Project" -- Pacten Partners for the Glendale Plaza

"Commercial Builder of the Year/Biggest Industrial Project" -- Fremont Properties for the Harbor Gateway Commerce Center

"Commercial Builder of the Year/Most Active Developer" -- Fremont Properties

"Commercial Builder of the Year/Largest Investor" -- Arden Realty

"Interior Designer of the Year/Total Billings" -- Gensler

In addition to Mayor Riordan, presenters for awards included Steve Soboroff, managing partner of Soboroff Partners; Richard Ziman, chief executive of Arden Realty; Robert Osbrink, senior vice president and regional manager for Grubb & Ellis; George Mihlsten, partner in Lathem and Watkins; Lou Horn, executive vice president and regional manager for CB Commercial Real Estate; Robert Maguire, managing partner in Maguire Thomas Partners; and Ed Roski, president and chief executive of Majestic Realty.

Led by President and Publisher Matthew A. Toledo, the Los Angeles Business Journal is ranked the second-largest business journal in the country.

Published: March 16, 1998

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