The data center development in Port Washington earned the Judge’s Choice for Deal of the Year Wednesday night from the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin (CARW) at the trade group’s annual Deal of the Year awards ceremony.

The winning team included Rebecca Gries of Milwaukee 7 and Jeff Hoffman, Chad Vande Zande, Nick Unger, Lindsey Coakley, Caitlin Wilde and Gao Lu Moua of Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke, who were recognized for helping Vantage Data Centers secure more than 1,600 acres of land for what will become OpenAI’s Stargate capacity expansion in the Midwest. OpenAI, Oracle and Vantage plan to spend more than $15 billion on the project.

The announcements were presented to an audience of more than 300 commercial real estate professionals in attendance at the Deal of the Year Awards and Annual Meeting at The Grain Exchange in downtown Milwaukee.

“Commercial real estate professionals have once again proven that creativity and collaboration are driving forces in advancing our economy,” said Tracy Johnson, CARW president and CEO. “The diversity and caliber of this year’s nominees and recipients truly highlight the significant impact our members have across the entire state of Wisconsin.”

CARW also presented its Impact Award to the City of Kenosha for the Kenosha Innovation Center, a newly opened facility anchoring the broader Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood. The redevelopment sits on the former Chrysler plant site in Kenosha.

Development Deal of the Year: Carmen Schools-Ascension Clinic redevelopment

The top development award went to Carmen Schools of Science & Technology for its $55 million high school project at 2005 W. Oklahoma Ave. on Milwaukee’s south side. The 120,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open next year. Marianne Burish of Transwestern and Brian Gingrass of Streamline Commercial Real Estate were recognized for their contributions.

Runner-up: The new Topgolf in Madison, completed by Dan Cohen and Tony Colvin of Mid-America Real Estate.

Industrial Deal of the Year: Palermo’s Pizza expansion

Palermo Villa Inc. opened its new 202,000-square-foot production facility earlier this year, adding 70 employees at 3900 W. Lincoln Ave. in West Milwaukee. The project was brokered by Sam Dickman Sr. and Sam Dickman Jr. of The Dickman Co. Inc.

Runner-up: The Ridgewood Industrial Center redevelopment, led by Stewart Wangard and Burton Metz of Wangard Partners with Bob Flood of Founders 3.

Investment Deal of the Year: Sale of former Stellantis Mopar plant

Phoenix Investors, a Milwaukee-based investment firm, purchased the former Stellantis Mopar parts distribution center, which spans more than 1 million square feet, in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood. The sale was brokered by Jeff Hoffman of Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke, with additional credit to Chad Vande Zande, Nick Unger, Lindsey Coakley, Steve Styza, Cody Ziegler, and Terence McMahon.

Runner-up: The ABB New Berlin sale-leaseback transaction by Stephen Provancher of Newmark and Stewart Wangard of Wangard Partners.

Office Deal of the Year: Enerpac headquarters move

Enerpac Tool Group relocated from Menomonee Falls to a newly remodeled downtown Milwaukee office this spring. The company occupies the entire fourth floor, or about 56,000 square feet, of what was formerly the ASQ Center, now renamed the Enerpac Center.

The deal involved William Bonifas, Matthew Cariello, Kenzie Kiefer, Liz Anderson, and Nick Cieslik of CBRE; Jenna Maguire and Mike Wanezek of Colliers; and Jim Cavanaugh and Katie Brueske of Cushman & Wakefield | Boerke.

Runner-up: Northwestern Mutual’s lease at Research One in the Milwaukee County Research Park, brokered by Matt Hunter of Hunter Real Estate.

Retail Deal of the Year: Target Brown Deer

Target Corp. closed on a $7 million purchase of 9.5 acres in Brown Deer earlier this year, paving the way for a new store to open as early as next year as part of a mixed-use project that could include retail, dining and an apartment building. Dan Cohen of Mid-America Real Estate led the deal.

Runner-up: The Fond du Lac retail corridor revitalization, credited to Michael Fitzgerald and Fred Stallé of Mid-America Real Estate.