Southeast Real Estate Awards Presented May 7 in Greenville

The inaugural Southeast Real Estate Awards were presented May 7, 2026, at a gala event at Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville. The awards were the culmination of the second annual Southeast Real Estate Expo, a daylong event focusing on commercial and residential real estate, held May 6, 2026.

The awards were presented to individuals and companies for their outstanding work on real estate projects around the region.

The winners are:

Dealmaker of the Year – Upstate: Trey Pennington. A vice chairman at CBRE, Pennington delivered nearly 6 million square feet and $363 million in transactions in 2025.

Dealmaker of the Year – Midlands: Chuck Salley. With 45+ years and nearly 2,000 deals, Salley closed 58 transactions totaling $233.7 million in 2025.

Dealmaker of the Year – Land Transaction: Mark Masaschi. Masaschi led the complex 1,250-acre Anderson Farm & Reservoir deal.

Dealmaker of the Year – Lowcountry: Matthew Bradford. Bradford dominated the Lowcountry market with $24 million in sales and a 22 percent market share — more than double his nearest competitor.

Developer of the Year: John Darby – The Beach Company. Darby continues an 80-year legacy of transformative development, driving innovation, scale, and community impact across the Southeast.

Executive of the Year – Multifamily: Dan Doyle. Doyle has expanded The Beach Company’s multifamily presence across 25+ markets with a vision rooted in growth and community.

Executive of the Year – Industrial: Randall Bentley. With 3,500+ transactions totaling $3 billion, Bentley’s influence and leadership have shaped the Upstate industrial market.

Rising Star: Bennett Mahon. At 22, Mahon has already closed $6.7 million in a single quarter — signaling a strong future in the industry.

Excellence in Architecture & Design: John Darby – The Charles. The Charles sets a new benchmark for luxury waterfront living with timeless design, sustainability, and seamless community integration.

Excellence in Construction & Engineering: Mark Hylton – Gulf Stream Construction. Hylton led the 5,000-foot Lower Battery Seawall restoration — delivering critical resilience through engineering innovation.

Creative Thinker Award: Steve Navarro. Navarro is recognized for his innovative mindset and ability to approach real estate challenges with creativity and vision.

Top Expansion Project: Becknell Industrial, BMW Expansion – Phase 2. This Class A industrial facility supports BMW’s ongoing operational and logistics needs within Plant Spartanburg. This Class A addition enhances BMW’s logistics and production ecosystem at Freeman Farms, supporting continued growth in one of the Southeast’s most competitive industrial markets.

Residential Project: Dunean Capital Management for Anderson Lake. Key players are Gaston Albergotti, chief executive officer, and Chris Harrison, president. Anderson Lake is a 1,250-acre generational asset defined by both history and future potential. Guided by a long-term vision, this project emphasizes thoughtful growth, environmental stewardship, and community alignment.

Top Project: Edens for Ashley Landing. Key players are Jodie McLean, chief executive officer; Herbert Ames, managing director, Southeast Regional Head; Mary Katherine Phillips, senior director, investments; Mike Schwarz, residential partner, Woodfield Development LLC; and Alex Chalmers, residential partner, Material Capital Partners. Ashley Landing represents one of the most significant reinvestments in Charleston’s West Ashley community in decades. This 35-acre redevelopment transforms an underutilized site into a vibrant, walkable destination with housing, retail, green space, and critical infrastructure improvements

Multifamily Project: Orange Capital Advisors for Evado Nova Pax. Key players are McFaddin Blanding, president, Orange Capital Advisors; Sheldon Lovelace, project architect, PDI Architecture; John Dangerfield, civil engineer, Dangerfield Engineering & Surveying; David Summers, president, CF Evans Construction. Evado Nova Pax redefines modern living with a 309-unit, wellness-focused community designed for connection, productivity, and balance. Delivered with strong leasing momentum, the project blends innovative amenities with thoughtful design.

Religious Project: Cooper Construction for NewSpring Church Aiken Campus. Key players are Zach Cooper, senior vice president, Cooper Construction; Barry Agnew, senior founding principal/CEO, Adeptus Architecture. The NewSpring Church Aiken Campus is a 40,000-square-foot multi-use facility designed to serve both congregation and community. Its flexible, cost-efficient design supports worship, education, recreation, and outreach.

Multifamily Rentals Project: Material Capital Partners for Indigo Cove. Key players are Alex Chalmers, managing partner, Material Capital Partners; Khrista Villegas, head of asset management/designer, Material Capital Partners. This build-to-rent townhome community introduces a forward-thinking solution to today’s housing needs. Bridging the gap between apartments and single-family homes, it offers flexibility, accessibility, and a lifestyle-driven approach.

Industrial Project: Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg for 1204 S. Batesville Road. Key players are Randall Bentley, lead broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg; Jordan Skellie, lead broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg; and Andrew Harrill, senior vice president/supporting broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg. The 1204 S. Batesville Road project exemplifies next-generation industrial design, tailored to a specialized user with features like drive-through bays, expansive truck parking, and a large laydown yard.

Expansion Deal: Colliers for EFP Expansion – Bishopville. Key players are Thomas Beard, broker/vice president, Colliers; Chuck Salley, broker/managing director, Colliers; John Peebles, broker/vice president, Colliers. The EFP expansion in Bishopville adds 200,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space, creating jobs and strengthening regional supply chains. Delivered on an accelerated timeline, it highlights the power of collaboration and economic investment.

Top Deal: Colliers for Sandy Run Industrial Park Phase II. Key players are Thomas Beard, broker/vice president, Colliers; Chuck Salley, broker/managing director, Colliers; John Peebles, broker/vice president, Colliers. Sandy Run Industrial Park Phase II meets growing demand with a 500,000+-square-foot speculative facility. Delivered and leased at record pace, it reflects strong market confidence and sets a new standard for scale and speed in industrial development.

North Carolina Deal: Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg for 169 Auction Drive. Key players are Jordan Skellie, lead broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg; and Andrew Harrill, senior vice president/supporting broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg. The sale of 169 Auction Drive underscores the strength of the industrial investment market. With a long-term tenant and modern design, this asset offers stability and growth potential.

Institutional Investment Deal: Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg for 6 Shelter Drive. Key players are Randall Bentley, lead broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg; Micah Williams, senior associate broker, Lee & Associates Greenville Spartanburg. The 6 Shelter Drive project represents a premier institutional-quality asset in a highly competitive logistics corridor. Fully leased and strategically positioned, the transaction reflects precision execution and strong investor demand.

Design Center Deal: Beach Commercial for CR Design Center – Mount Pleasant. Key players are Carmichael Harrison, senior brokerage associate, Beach Commercial. The CR Design Center transforms a former grocery store into a 45,000-square-foot hub for design and retail. By reimagining existing space into an immersive, multi-use destination, the project brings new energy and purpose to an established market.