Jerry Merriman, MAA’s President and Founder, was honored with a Visionary Award at the 16th Annual Topping Out Awards program alongside Dan Noble of HKS, Michael Bennett of Bennett Benner Partners, and Scott Ruch of Corgan. Visionary Awards are presented to distinguished individuals whose work in the A/E/C industry have positively impacted the community they serve and beyond. With this award, Topping Out recognizes the recipients’ vision, strong leadership and pioneering actions as having paved the way for future growth. Jerry began MAA 32 years ago, and the firm now comprises over 80 employees. MAA has been integral in the design of 30 Downtown Dallas projects over the past 18 years, including the renovation and restoration of more than 20 downtown historic buildings and can be credited with redesigning a large portion of downtown Dallas’ skyline.
MAA’s Cambria Dallas project received a Topping Out Top Ten award. These awards are given to ten projects that have positively impacted the Dallas-Fort Worth community. Cambria Dallas, previously known as Tower Petroleum, is a 1931 art deco historic building that was converted to a 177-room hotel including a restaurant and bar, fitness center, and meeting space. Previous awards for Cambria Dallas include 2019 D CEO Commercial Real Estate Award – Best Redevelopment, 2019 Preservation Texas Honor Award, 2018 Gold Key Finalist – Best Midscale Guestroom, and 2018 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award.
Topping Out raises funds to educate our future leaders as well as grow and prepare necessary talent for the A/E/C industry and allied fields. Proceeds from Topping Out benefit the Architecture Chapter of the UT Arlington Alumni Association, a non-profit, to fund UTA College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) student scholarships and programs.