Cape Fear CREW Announces Category Finalists and Achievement Award Winners for 7th Annual Awards of Excellence on March 13, 2025
Wilmington, NC, March 14, 2025– Cape Fear CREW is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 7th Annual Awards of Excellence, held yesterday at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center. The awards, which focus on the rapidly growing Cape Fear Region commercial real estate sector, recognize excellence and leadership in commercial real estate. The event was led by Cape Fear CREW President Cheryl Moody of Atlantic Shores Environmental Services, Ltd., who said, "Congratulations to the 2025 Cape Fear CREW Award of Excellence winners! Your hard work and dedication have earned you this well-deserved recognition in an incredibly competitive year!”
Influential Woman in Commercial Real Estate Award
Terry Espy, Momentum Companies
Terry Espy's 30-year career in commercial real estate is bejeweled with a multitude of honors. Her unique fusion of skills and expertise helped shape the redevelopment of South Front Street and helped promote Wilmington on the national stage as a food destination. Terry blends innovation and substance and is a sought-after voice from renowned influential publications. Terry has shared her expertise with community organizations as a leader on the Downtown Business Alliance, the Wilmington Historic Preservation Foundation, Thalian Hall, and as a member of Cape Fear CREW. A champion of the arts, Terry is a member of the all-female band The Hot Flashes and has earned local acclaim for her vocal rendition of Hound Dog while playing the keys.
Best Design Award
Live Oak Bank Building Four
Live Oak Bank Building Four embodies biophilic design as the region's first building constructed with a 100% mass timber structural system. Though requiring substantial coordination to allow for an exposed structural system using off-site prefabricated materials, the building's design team masterfully conquered the unique challenges of the design. The exposed wood features, floor-to-ceiling windows, and metal accents not only demonstrate artistic design choices, but also act as a natural evolution from the aesthetics of adjacent buildings. Additionally, the building's unique design creates an inviting work environment that is further enhanced by multiple-scale rooms, flexible workspaces, and significant sound attenuation. Beyond aesthetic appeal and functionality, the dynamic design also promotes sustainability with beneficial carbon sequestering and targeted LEED Silver certification.
Community Enhancement Award
Share the Table – Community Food Pantry New Facility
Share the Table has grown prolifically over the past 14 years, evolving from a fledgling church-based group to a 1,000-meals-a-week provider. Share the Table’s expansion to their new 10,000-square-foot building came to life through a strategic plan in 2021 that raised more than $1.3 million. The facility massively enhanced services, from space for client-choice shopping, Sunday night meals, year-round school backpack programs, expanded table-and-seating area, and a shower room. Share the Table’s impact is seen in the faces of those who come for a meal and find a new friend, those who come to access food to keep themselves and their families healthy, and for those we don’t see but who are not starving because of Share the Table’s efforts.
Project Excellence – Multifamily, Mixed-Use, and Retail Award
The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk
The Metropolitan at the Riverwalk is a transformative mixed-use development in downtown Wilmington, blending 293 residential units, retail space, and a 488-space parking garage. Overlooking the Cape Fear River, the property boasts unparalleled views and access to the vibrant Riverwalk and downtown amenities. Its two parcels are connected by an open-air sky bridge, anchoring the Northern Waterfront District and marking the entrance to Riverfront Park, a hub for concerts and events. The project revitalized a former brownfield site, overcoming complex foundation challenges and coordinating construction alongside active park operations. Featuring premium retail, waterfront living, and concert viewing from a sixth-floor terrace, The Metropolitan sets a new standard for urban multifamily excellence.
Project Excellence – Industrial and Office
New Hanover County Government Center
The New Hanover County Government Center redevelopment encompasses 130,000 square feet of new construction, including 105,000 square feet of office space and 25,000 square feet dedicated to the 911 Center, EOC, and Hub. The project reimagines the County's civic infrastructure, consolidating nineteen county departments into a modern four-story building. An adjacent building includes a two-story, hardened structure that houses the 911/EOC/Hub, incorporating mechanical and electrical systems to ensure operational resilience in emergencies. The redevelopment included the construction of a 7,500-square-foot Board of Elections building that features a large canopy for curbside voting and a secure environment. The development was done through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), vital in navigating the complexities of financing and ensuring the project was delivered on time and under budget.
Beth Quinn Excellence Award
Karen Widmayer, KW Communications LLC
Karen Widmayer is a marketing communications expert with over three decades of experience, specializing in commercial real estate. With a career that spans from Washington, DC, to running her own successful business since 2006, Karen is an industry leader. Her expertise shines in public and media relations across all sectors of commercial real estate. Karen has been a driving force within Cape Fear CREW after moving here in 2017 and after 15 years with CREW DC. She has led the Communications Committee and the Awards of Excellence Steering Committee and served as Cape Fear CREW Chapter President in 2022. A familiar and smiling face at our events, Karen takes the time to connect with every member, offering her support and building relationships along the way.
Impact Award Winner
Live Oak Bank
Live Oak Bank is setting a high standard for both design and community impact, with an investment of $150 million to date in five state-of-the-art buildings for their expanding headquarters. Their architectural excellence blends employee feedback, local culture, and cutting-edge technology, earning numerous accolades. The latest addition, a mass timber structure, highlights their commitment to sustainable construction. Beyond their campus, Live Oak actively supports the community through business and philanthropic efforts. They recently added a commercial banking team to support small businesses in the Cape Fear region and have invested over $1.5 million in grants for local nonprofits. Additionally, they made an $8.4 million investment in affordable housing at Estrella Landing in Wilmington. Live Oak does far more than build amazing buildings. They are focused on building a brighter and stronger community.
In addition to the Cape Fear CREW Awards, the organization was joined by The Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina to present the following awards:
• RCASENC Member of the Year: David Branton, Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate
• RCASENC Real Estate Rockstar: Lannin Braddock, The Braddock Group
• RCASENC Lifetime Achievement Award: Patrick “PJ” Doherty, Carolina Commercial Investment Properties
Cape Fear CREW extends its appreciation to our panel of judges:
• Cliff Pyron, Jr. - Wilmington Business Development
• Denise Q. Southerland - TCREW member - Jackson Builders Inc
• Samuel B. Franck - Ward and Smith, P.A.
• Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi - UNCW - Economics Department
• John Murray - Bowman Murray Hemingway Architects
Thank you to our committed Partners for 2025!
Presenting Partner
Live Oak Bank
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Platinum Partner
Copycat Print Shop, a division of Duncan Parnell
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Award Partners
Salt Air Heating, Cooling and Electrical
The Braddock Group
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Networking Partner
First Citizens Bank
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Technology Partner
Old Republic Title
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Parking Partner
Wade Associates
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Gold Partners
Atlantic Shores Environmental Services, Ltd
Baker Roofing
Cameron Management
Cline Donaldson Law Firm
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
Momentum Companies
Monteith Construction
Realtors Commercial Alliance
Sun Coast Partners Commercial
Theory & Practice Productions
Wilmington Business Development
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Silver Partners
Capital Design Inc
Clancy & Theys Construction Company
Clarendon Properties
ECS Southeast, LLP
Fidelity National Title
KW Communications, LLC
LS3P
Magnolia Title
Maus Warwick Matthews & Company
Page Productions
Patriot Roofing
Terracon
Trask Land
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About Cape Fear CREW and CREW Network
The Cape Fear chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) is one of over 80+ chapters or global affiliate groups of CREW Network. CREW Network is the international association that represents over 14,000 women and men in commercial real estate globally. For more information on the Cape Fear chapter, including membership and partnership information, visit the Cape Fear CREW website at cape-fear/crewnetwork.org and follow us on Facebook @CapeFearCrew, Instagram @cape_fear_crew and LinkedIn.
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IMAGE OF THE 2025 AWARD WINNERS COURTESY CAPE FEAR CREW. PHOTO CREDIT: PAGE PRODUCTIONS
