03/17/2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC 2/22/16 - Gina Merritt, Principal, Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures, has been selected as part of the leadership team on development projects that are site winners by The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. This accolade is for her work as Development Manager on The Nannie Helen at 4800 and as Development Manager/Owner's Representative on the John and Jill Ker Conway Residence.
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF), a national education and research 501(c) 3 non-profit organization has begun the second version of Built By Women (BxW), its competition for structures and environments led by women working in architecture, landscape, engineering, and construction. With over 110 unique nominations, the jury selected 36 sites.
In 2015, Built By Women highlighted sites in New York City, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the 9/11 Museum Pavilion. The second iteration of BxW highlights women-built sites in Washington, D.C. There will be a formal launch and celebration of BxW followed by an exhibit at the National Building Museum, of which BWAF Founder Beverly Willis is a Founding Board Member, in March 2016 to coincide with Women's History Month. Walking and audio tours are in the planning stages, as well as panel discussions and pop-ups at some of the winning sites.
The BxW DC jury was composed of professionals in architecture, landscape, engineering and construction, including: Sylvia Smith, Signe Nielsen, Erleen Hatfield, Gretchen Pfaehler, Martin Moeller, Nancy Owens and Sarah Caples. The jury was advised by last year's jurors and winners in conjunction with the BWAF's Executive Director, Carol Shapiro.
The founding vision for Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures, LLC was for the firm to facilitate real estate development in communities where there was a lack of technical expertise to support community-based projects. Gina Merritt believed she could achieve this by enabling and supporting the efforts of community groups/non-profits and land owners in maintaining control of both their property and their vision, without having to turn their projects over to larger private development companies to execute.
"This is challenging work we do, and rarely does someone recognize a woman in leadership roles in this male dominated field. Having worked alongside the women on the team of the Nannie Helen at 4800 and the team on the John and Jill Ker Conway Residence project which has many more women in leadership positions than most - has been and continues to be an empowering experience. I am grateful to be among this group of women who are being recognized in this way for developing Affordable Housing residences that are so greatly needed" said Gina Merritt.
Gina Merritt is currently managing over $400 million in development projects and some of her notable achievements are - DCNOMA's 2016 Developer of The Year Award Winner, 2014 Enterprising Women of The Year Award Winner, 2014 Brava! Award Winner, 2013 AAREP of DC Affordable Housing Award for the Nannie Helen at 4800, 2013 Top 100 MBE Award Winner just to name a few.
