Placemaking Award Recipients Take Center Stage at BDA’s 52nd Annual Celebration

Downtown Bellevue’s continued evolution was on full display at the 52nd BDA Annual Celebration on February 12, where over 450 civic and business leaders gathered to celebrate the projects, organizations and community experiences over the past year.  

This year’s Placemaking Awards honored four standout contributions that are strengthening Downtown Bellevue’s vibrancy, cultural life and economic vitality. 

CommonWealth Partners was recognized for the transformative renovation of City Center Plaza. Completed in 2025, the project reimagined the property with modernized workspaces, new amenities, dining options, and a redesigned public plaza that is as inviting as it is aesthetically pleasing. 

Silverstein Properties received an award for Avenue Bellevue, a mixed-use development that has reshaped the downtown experience by seamlessly blending residential living, retail and hospitality. Opened in 2024, the project introduced hundreds of new homes, street-level retail and the Pacific Northwest debut of the InterContinental, helping position Bellevue as a more dynamic and globally connected destination. 

Ascend Hospitality Group and AHG Cares were honored for creating the Bellevue New Year’s Eve Night Market, a free, family-friendly celebration that has quickly become a beloved community tradition. Since launching in 2022, the event has transformed downtown streets into a lively festival featuring local vendors, live music and immersive experiences that bring together thousands each year. 

Wintergrass Music Festival was recognized for its long-standing cultural impact in Downtown Bellevue. Since relocating to Bellevue in 2010, the annual festival has transformed the Hyatt Regency Bellevue into a four-day celebration of bluegrass, Americana and global roots music, drawing visitors, supporting local businesses and strengthening the city’s cultural foundation.  

Together, these honorees reflect the energy, leadership and collaboration that continue to propel Downtown Bellevue forward as a destination that people want to gather, work and return to experience it all over again.