CIM's Kulas Hall wins award at 2026 NAIOP Awards of Excellence

Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Institute of Music was recognized for its recent renovations, as it was awarded the NAIOP Northern Ohio Chapter’s Construction or Renovation Project of the Year Award. 

The National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) is the leading organization for developers, owners, and related professionals in office, industrial, and mixed-use real estate. Each year, the organization recognizes the best projects, developments, real estate transactions, and individual contributions in Northern Ohio's commercial real estate industry at an awards ceremony. 

The Awards of Excellence, presented by NAIOP Northern Ohio Chapter, took place on May 13 at the TRUSS Event Center. More than 300 of the area’s top commercial real estate professionals attended the event, celebrating the design, development, and construction successes on various projects completed in 2025. 

The awards program featured 14 categories, including Construction Renovation Project of the Year. Jack Kellogg, project executive with Turner Construction Company, nominated the Kulas Hall renovation project for the award. 

Renovation of Kulas Hall began in May 2024 and concluded last September. The $22 million project was designed by Cleveland-based J. KURTZ Architects with national consultants Threshold Acoustics and Theatre Projects. Work was completed on time and on budget by Turner Construction.  

Kulas Hall is the historic heart of CIM and one of the most prominent concert spaces in Northeast Ohio. It opened in 1961, along with the current CIM building, and is home to the CIM Orchestra, CIM Opera Theater and other student ensembles. Kulas Hall is also regularly used by visiting artists and local groups, including Apollo’s Fire and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. 

Kellogg previously said that if Kulas Hall had an edge at the awards ceremony, it was in the nature of the work itself. 

The project was unusual as it entailed installing a high-performance acoustic space inside an existing structure, and took place in a facility where noise is particularly problematic, Kellogg previously said. It required the company to exercise special care with a new product (wood terrazzo), work at odd hours, and complete as much as possible off-site. 

“The competition was strong this year, as there were many noteworthy projects nominated, including several corporate headquarters, a private country club, and an architect’s office, so to win this award really speaks to the high level of finishes and systems on the project,” Kellogg said. “The award also recognizes the positive impact of this project on our community.”