City of Charlotte Announces 2026 Urbies Winners
Published on October 30, 2026
The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center (UDC) hosted the sixth annual Urban Design Awards, known as the Urbies, in a special ceremony held on Thursday. The event commemorated outstanding achievements in urban design and celebrated the people and places shaping Charlotte’s landscape.
The Urbies recognize exceptional urban design work throughout the Queen City while fostering ongoing community dialogue about the qualities that make places thrive. A diverse jury of 10 urban design professionals selected the winners from a strong field of public nominations. Hosted at the Charlotte Urban Design Center, the awards ceremony celebrated emerging and established projects that exemplify excellence in design.
2026 Urban Design Award Recipients
- Great Development Near Transit – The Station at LoSo
- Great Walkable Neighborhood - Elizabeth
- Great New Life for an Old Place – Common Market Oakwold
- Great Public Space – Pearl Street Park
- Great Placemaking – Thrift Pony
- Great Mobility Project – The Braille Trail by Lions Services
- Great Urban Architecture – Linea
- Great Urban Design Champion – Chris Thomas
- Great Neighborhood Champion – Mattie Marshall
- Great Student Project – Transformative Structures
- Great Suburban Design – Apex SouthPark
- People’s Choice Award for Great Urban Design – Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden/McGill Rose Garden
“Urban design sets the tone for our city by creating beautiful spaces for all Charlotte residents to enjoy and connect,” said Monica Holmes, director of the Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department. “The Urbies celebrate the vision and intentionality that bring these life-giving areas to fruition in our communities. These unique places add character to Charlotte neighborhoods and enrich the quality of life and sense of belonging that makes residents and visitors truly feel at home.”
Visit the
Urban Design Center website and its
People Make Cities blog for more information on the Charlotte Urban Design Awards and how the UDC is accomplishing its mission of increasing public awareness around the significance of urban design.