Martin-Harris Construction honored during NAIOP Spotlight Awards

The house was rockin’ and rollin’ Feb. 28 during NAIOP’s Spotlight Awards 2015 gala.

The formal event loosened up a bit this year at the Hard Rock Hotel, blasting predinner tunes (Yes, they played “Taking Care of Business”) and featuring Steph MacKenzie of rock station KPXT-FM (97.1) as awards hostess.

And the good times rolled when team members gathered onstage to accept a project award for the Strip’s new Harley-Davidson venue. With the way the night was grooving, some wondered out loud why they didn’t ride up on their hogs.

“Receiving the award is very satisfying,” said Brent Cajthaml, chief operating officer of Moser Architecture Studio. “It’s a validation and recognition from NAIOP, our peers, and the community that our team, Moser Architecture, Martin-Harris and Harley-Davidson, put in the long hours and hard work and it’s paid off.

“We worked together for more than two years to design and deliver a project that successfully integrates the iconic branding of Harley-Davidson with the imagery and reputation of the Las Vegas Strip.”

With his farewell tour of the room, Frank Martin was the night’s biggest rock star. The 67-year-old co-founder of Martin-Harris Construction garnered three awards, including the lifetime achievement honor. The other two were Retail Building Project Award for the Harley-Davidson store and General Contracting Firm of the Year.

“Unbelievable,” Martin said of the individual honor. “I was totally 100 percent surprised. When they started talking about the winner, I started looking around the room for the person. Felt dumber than a post. I got surprised in a very, very good way.”

It was his company’s seventh top-contractor honor.

“It was a very good night,” he said. “Because of what’s happened in my life with the sale, it was a really cool way to say that our company still has the touch. Cool deal.”

Project Honor Award Winners

Sustainable/Green Building: Vadatech corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility

Tenant Improvements – Retail/Entertainment: Brooklyn Bowl

Tenant Improvements – Small: Mainor Wirth Injury Lawyers

Tenant Improvements – Medium: McDonald Carano Wilson

Tenant Improvements – Large: Barclaycard Call Center

Public Use/Government: Nevada System of Higher Education, Southern Nevada headquarters

Redevelopment Project: SLS Hotel &Casino Las Vegas

Mixed Use Development: Downtown Container Park

Retail Building: Las Vegas Harley-Davidson

Industrial Building: Carpenters Union International Training Center

Office Building: EVAPS Professional Law Office core &shell