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TOBY Awards

What are the TOBY Awards?

Annually, the TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) Award celebrates exceptional achievements in property management, building operations, and service. As the pinnacle of industry recognition, it honors high-performing teams. Local winners progress to regional contests, aiming for the prestigious International TOBY Award at the BOMA International Conference and Expo. Review the TOBY criteria to determine how to best position your building for the awards. Watch the TOBY video to learn more.

BOMA 360: 

This universal recognition program serves as the industry standard for innovative best practices for properties that excel in building management. The program helps shape high performance buildings by providing an opportunity to educate property management professionals, reinforce team building, and increase asset value and tenant retention. BOMA 360 is required to submit for the TOBY Awards at the Regional level. You must complete your 360 before January 15, 2026 to compete in the regional competition.


TOBY Committee Meetings:

Get involved, make an impact, and help shape the success of the TOBY Awards! By attending the TOBY meetings, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with industry peers, gain valuable insights into the awards process, and contribute to recognizing excellence in building management. Whether you're interested in judging, learning best practices, or supporting our local applicants as they advance to Regionals and beyond, your participation is essential. Join us to stay informed, share ideas, and play a key role in elevating our industry’s top performers! 

Register Today!

Steps to Submission: 

  • Step 1: Review TOBY Criteria to Determine Eligibility & Category
    Read the 2026 TOBY Criteria to confirm your building's eligibility. Once you've determined you’re eligible and ready to participate in the TOBY Awards, notify AOBA via email about your submission plans. Need assistance identifying your category or clarifying your eligibility? Reach out to  Brandy White for guidance. 

  • Step 2: Register Your Building and Prepare Your Submission
    Start entering your building’s details in the online portal, where you can save your progress and make updates until the submission deadline. A $200 local application fee applies and will be invoiced after submission. Participation in the TOBY Meetings is strongly encouraged, as the TOBY Committee is dedicated to supporting your success.

  • Step 3: Submit your online entry.
    Once you’re completely satisfied with your submission, click the "submit" button in the online portal. Be aware, submitting is final, and no further edits will be possible. After submission, AOBA will issue an invoice for the $200 fee.

  • Step 4: Judging Process.
    Judges, composed of AOBA members, will review your online submission and conduct a tour of your property. To prepare for this building tour, refer to the Building Inspection Form which outlines the evaluation criteria.​

  • Step 5: Winners Revealed!
    TOBY Award winners will remain confidential until the Commercial Awards Celebration. Once the local competition concludes at the event, your submission will be reopened for edits in preparation for  the Regional and International TOBY competitions. There is a $450 fee to apply at the regional/international level. 

AOBA is here to help you fully understand the process at all levels, and encourage your entry to be the best it can be.
For more information, please contact Brandy White.

Apply for TOBY Award

Current Timeline

 

  • May 1, 2025: BOMA's TOBY Portal opens
  • December 15, 2025: Deadline to submit for TOBY Awards
  • January 5, 2026 - February 9, 2026: Local Judging 
  • January 15, 2026: 360 Application due for Regionals
  • February 12 or 19, 2026: Commercial Awards Celebration
  • March 2, 2026: Regional submissions due
  • March 4 - 20, 2026: Regional judging 
  • April 2026: BOMA MAC Conference 
  • Late June - Early July: BOMA Conference and International TOBY Awards

Past TOBY Winners

2024 Washington Metro Local TOBY Award Recipients

Life Science Building Category: 9605 Medical Center Drive, managed by Alexandria Real Estate Equities
Earth Category: 655 New York Avenue, managed by Brookfield Properties Operated by CBRE
100,000-249,000 sq. ft Category: 1200 17th Street, managed by Akridge
250,000-499,000 sq. ft Category: 1201 Eye Street, managed by Piedmont Office Realty Trust
500,000-1 Million sq. ft Category: 4201 Wilson Blvd, Ballston Exchange, managed by Jamestown Urban Management, L.P.
Grand TOBY: 1200 17th Street, managed by Akridge

2023 Washington Metro Local TOBY Award Recipients

Earth Category: Victor Building, 750 9th Street, managed by Brookfield Properties
250,000 - 499,999 sq. ft Category: 1101 K Street, managed by Lincoln Property Company 
500,000 - 1 Million sq. ft Category: District Center, 555 12th Street NW, managed by JLL
Grand TOBY: District Center, 555 12th Street NW, managed by JLL

2021 Washington Metro Local TOBY Award Recipients

100,000 – 249,000 sq. ft Category: 1501 M Street, managed by Heyday Properties
250,000 – 499,999 s. ft Category: 2001 M Street, managed by Brookfield Properties
Earth Category: 799 9th Street, managed by Brookfield Properties
Grand TOBY: 799 9th Street, managed by Brookfield Properties

View photos from the 2021 Commercial Awards Celebration


2018 Washington Metro Local TOBY Award Recipients

Fairview Park, managed by CBRE, Inc.
One Metro Center, managed by Lincoln Property Company
100,000 – 249,999 Sq Ft Building: 1800 K Street, NW, managed by Transwestern - Local Winner
250,000 – 499,999 Sq Ft Building Category: *Wisconsin Place, managed by Boston Properties  - Grand Local Winner

2017 Washington Metro Local TOBY Award Recipients

100,000 – 249,999 Square Foot Building: Center for Strategic & International Studies, managed by CBRE
250,000 – 499,999 Square Foot Building: Crystal Gateway North, managed by Vornado/Charles E. Smith
GRAND LOCAL REGIONAL TOBY Winner: Over 1 Million Square Feet - U.S. Department of Transportation - managed by JBG SMITH
Renovated Building: Silverline Center, managed by Washington REIT
Historical Building: 1101 17th Street, managed by JBG SMITH

View photos from the 2017 TOBY Award Celebration 


2016 Washington Metro Local Award Category Winners:

Grand Local Winner: Suburban Office Park, Low-Rise: Atlantic Corporate Park – managed by First Potomac Realty Trust, LP 
100,000 – 249,999 Sq Ft Building: 1750 H Street – managed by First Potomac Realty Trust, LP
250,000 – 499,999 Sq FT Building: 800 17th Street – managed by JLL 
Renovated Building: Bethesda Crossing – managed by MRP Realty