COAA Announces The Pearl as 2026 Gold Project Leadership Award Winner
Charlotte's Innovation District Recognized for Outstanding Owner Leadership, Collaboration, and Project Delivery
SAVANNAH, GA — November 5, 2026 The Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) is pleased to announce The Pearl: Charlotte's Innovation District – Phase 1A as the recipient of the 2026 Gold Project Leadership Award (PLA), the program's highest honor. The award was presented during the COAA Connect™ Fall Conference in Savannah, Georgia.
Developed through a partnership involving Wexford Science & Technology and Atrium Health, The Pearl is a transformative innovation district in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together medical education, research, healthcare innovation, and community engagement.
The project's first phase includes the 15-story Howard R. Levine Center for Education, home to Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte, and the 11-story 905 Pearl Park Way research building, along with parking facilities, public gathering spaces, and extensive infrastructure improvements.
“From the beginning, we knew The Pearl would require more than traditional project management. With so many partners, stakeholders, and moving parts, our success depended on working as one team and continually asking, ‘What's best for the project?’ That shared commitment helped us navigate challenges, make timely decisions, and deliver something truly meaningful for Charlotte. We're incredibly proud of what this team accomplished together.” - Daniel Lucenti, Wexford Science + Technology.
Recognizing Exceptional Project Leadership
The Project Leadership Awards recognize projects that demonstrate outstanding Owner leadership, effective project management, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to The COAA Way.
The Pearl distinguished itself through its extraordinary complexity, involving multiple institutional partners, specialized facilities, public and private funding sources, and significant infrastructure challenges.
Throughout the project, the Owner and delivery teams embraced a shared philosophy: What's best for the project? This collaborative approach encouraged early problem-solving, transparent communication, and collective accountability for schedule, budget, quality, and project success.
Despite evolving end-user requirements, complex construction sequencing, and lingering supply-chain challenges, the team maintained its commitment to delivering the facilities in time to welcome the inaugural class of medical students in 2025.
Beyond its buildings, The Pearl also honors the history of Charlotte's Brooklyn neighborhood through its Purposeful Walk, incorporating storytelling, public art, and community spaces that recognize the neighborhood's legacy.
Looking Ahead: Small But Mighty in 2027
During the Awards Luncheon, Michele Eagan of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) announced the Gold Award recipient and introduced an exciting addition to the 2027 Project Leadership Awards program: the Small But Mighty category.
This new category will expand opportunities for recognition by highlighting smaller-scale projects that demonstrate exceptional Owner leadership, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and meaningful impact.
The message is simple: Great project leadership isn't measured by project size or budget.
COAA also extends its appreciation to Sylvia Bowman of Certifloor for sponsoring the Awards Luncheon and supporting the recognition of excellence in project leadership.
About the Project Leadership Awards
COAA's Project Leadership Awards recognize the important role Owners play in achieving successful project outcomes. The program celebrates projects that exemplify effective leadership, collaboration, sound project management, and the principles of The COAA Way.
About COAA
The Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) is a national organization dedicated to supporting construction Owners through education, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices. Through its programs, resources, and professional community, COAA helps develop better Owners, stronger teams, and better projects.
Visit the Project Leadership Awards page for more information.
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Construction Owners Association of America
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