Each year, AZRE magazine’s RED Awards commemorates the meticulous work accomplished by the teams of companies who shepherd projects of all kinds from initial concept to final delivery. Each category represents the finest the industry has to offer — state-of-the-art education buildings, chic offices spaces, lavish hotels, modern apartments and so much more. Today, take a deeper look at the multifamily project of the year finalists.
The 2026 RED Awards will honor finalists and announce winners in 18 categories on Thursday, March 19 at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale. The year’s top developer, general contractor, architecture firm and subcontractor will also be celebrated.
The RED Awards VIP sponsor is Haydon Companies, the spotlight sponsor is Core Construction, the beverage sponsor is DP Electric, the dessert sponsor is Layton Construction, the step and repeat sponsor is Suntec Concrete, the valet sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction, the giveaway sponsor is Willmeng Construction, the 360 photo booth sponsor is Ironmark Building Company and the floral sponsor is Arizona Escrow.
Tickets for the 2026 RED Awards can be found here.
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Here are the finalists for the Multifamily project category:
Dwell @ 5th and Farmer
- Developer: Holualoa Companies
- General contractor: A.R. Mays Construction
- Architect: WORKSBUREAU
- City: Tempe
- Size: 125,098 square feet
This 129-unit podium-style apartment community integrates work and living environments, with each unit incorporating dedicated office space: whether a separate room, nook desk area or built-in desk depending on the floorplan. The design prioritizes both residential comfort and professional functionality, creating a community where remote work is built into the architecture rather than adapted afterward. The amenity package reflects this work-from-home focus: Zoom rooms and private meeting areas for professional calls, coworking lounges for collaborative work, a 24-hour fitness center, resident lounges, a rooftop lounge, private in-home bike storage, landscaped walkable areas and a private park within the pet-friendly community.
The project site presented dual challenges: limited physical space and an adjacent office building that remained fully operational throughout construction. The sequencing approach accounted for office operations from day one. Construction activity, material staging, equipment placement and trade access all coordinated around maintaining business continuity for the neighboring building.
During site work, conflicts between wet and dry utilities were revealed that didn’t align with existing record drawings. The utility conflicts threatened to delay the podium deck construction, which would have cascaded through the entire schedule. The team strategically rephased site work, designed custom supports, and proceeded with podium construction while utility coordination continued. That decision prevented months of schedule delay and kept the critical path moving forward.
Ascent at The Phoenician
- Developer: Replay Destinations
- General contractor: Layton Construction
- Architect: Nelsen Partners
- City: Scottsdale
- Size: 231,696 square feet
Nestled at the base of iconic Camelback Mountain, Ascent at The Phoenician is a private, gated community redefining resort-style luxury living in the heart of Scottsdale. The approximately 25-acre community features thoughtfully designed golf villas and mountainside condominiums that elevate the Camelback corridor while complementing the adjacent Phoenician Resort.
Constructing a private community at the base of a mountain and alongside a major resort presented unique challenges — from respecting natural topography and local architectural traditions to ensuring privacy within a shared environment. These challenges were met through thoughtful design elements such as expansive terraces, natural materials and multi-slide glass walls, as well as the creation of a distinct social hub and a carefully designed pathway connecting residents to the resort without compromising privacy.
Alto Apartments
- Developer: Roers Companies
- General contractor: Ironmark Building Company
- Architect: Kaas Wilson Architects
- Subcontractors: Iron Horse Companies, 1Twenty Electric, US Carpentry
- City: Maricopa
- Size: 243,234 square feet
Located in Maricopa, Alto Apartments delivers 200 units across 12 residential buildings and was designed to provide attainable housing paired with modern amenities to help meet the region’s growing demand for quality housing. The project presented several notable challenges, including the lack of permanent water service across the site at the start of construction. Additional challenges included procurement issues for critical electrical equipment. However, through proactive planning and cost management, the team mitigated tariff impacts and delivered the project with zero financial impact to the owner.
A phased building turnover strategy was implemented that allowed residential units to be delivered in advance, giving the owner the opportunity to begin leasing earlier and achieve Certificates of Occupancy ahead of the overall schedule. The project was ultimately turned over six weeks ahead of schedule while maintaining a high standard of construction.
Northbend
- Developer: Banyan Residential
- General contractor: McShane Construction Company
- Architect: Todd & Associates
- Owner: Milhaus
- Subcontractors: GD and Sons Construction, Atwater Construction II, CMK Heating and Cooling, CHS Plumbing Arizona, Next Era Electric
- City: Tempe
- Size: 269,739 square feet
This 310-unit luxury community features three four-story wood-frame buildings on 11 acres, transforming a former industrial area into a vibrant residential neighborhood. The property’s standout “Trading Post” amenity allows residents to borrow kayaks, paddleboards, camping gear and coolers at no cost, eliminating equipment investment and storage concerns. This amenity capitalizes on Northbend’s strategic location near Tempe Town Lake, Arizona State University and Indian Bend Wash Path, promoting an explorer lifestyle perfect for Arizona’s year-round outdoor recreation.
Northbend’s contemporary architecture blends stucco, thin brick, metal paneling and wood-like elements, creating a distinctive presence that enhances the neighborhood’s visual appeal. nterior finishes include open-concept floor plans with nine-foot ceilings, large kitchen islands, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, wood-style luxury vinyl flooring, and smart home technology. Units range from studios to four-bedrooms, accommodating diverse resident needs.
Everly at Morrison Ranch
- Developer: P.B. Bell Companies
- General contractor: MT Builders
- Architect: BMA Architecture
- Subcontractors: Offsite Sweeping, Encore Cabinets, RAPI
- City: Gilbert
- Size: 275,738 square feet
P.B. Bell’s highest priority was to honor the integrity of the Morrison Ranch community, so the team took a lot of time planning, researching and making decisions that centered around matching the aesthetic and vibrance of the neighborhood. The team landed on a ranch/agricultural design that pays homage to the farmland history of the area. Elements like lush grassy spaces throughout the community, ranch equipment in the decor, bike racks in the shape of farm animals, and three distinct architectural themes and palettes (ranch, prairie, and craftsman) excellently create this look and feel. With the community made up of mainly 8-plex buildings, with some 16-plex buildings, low-density was maintained, averaging 7.15 units per building.
One challenge the team faced was Elliott Road needed to be widened to support the footprint of the property. This construction uncovered two intersecting waterlines for the well site next door. Although this was time consuming, the team regularly met with the Town of Gilbert and Roosevelt Water Conservation district to work collaboratively to the benefit of all parties involved.
