AIA Greenville Chapter awards Judson Mill 2025 Honor Award in Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation
December 9, 2025
AIA Greenville selected Judson Mill for the prestigious 2025 Honor Award in Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation in recognition of professional excellence in design and construction. The chapter presented the award at a ceremony on the Judson Mill District campus Nov. 6.
Impressed by the remarkable transformation of the 800,000-square-foot historic mill reborn through thoughtful design and adaptive reuse, the jury said the 10-year project, comprised of four phases and 30 individual renovations, demonstrated both vision and technical expertise.
The project aligns with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, being carefully scaled, contextually aware, and transformative in its impact.
Earlier this year, Judson Mill received the Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award from the Greenville Chamber and the AIA South Carolina Merit Award.
The Honor Award, the highest recognition an AIA chapter can bestow on a project, recognizes Judson Mill’s role in revitalizing a historically distressed neighborhood in Greenville County through a comprehensive redevelopment that has invested over $160 million into the community.
Once the largest textile mill in Greenville County, Judson Mill’s rebirth into a vibrant mixed-use destination, spearheaded by Belmont Sayre with Taft Family Ventures, is home to over 1,000 residents, workers, and visitors.
“It’s been a tremendous journey,” said Project Manager Anthony Tiberia, principal at McMillan Pazdan Smith, the Architect of Record for the project. “I’m thankful to everyone who touched this project, and grateful that we got to be a part of something this impactful to our local community.”
Construction was completed by Triangle Construction Co., PR 3, and Caldwell Construction during various phases. SeamonWhiteside (Civil), Britt Peters and Associates (Structural) and Crenshaw Consulting Engineers (MEP) were involved for the project’s duration.
“We couldn’t be more honored,” said Ken Reiter, co-developer of Judson Mill District and president of Belmont Sayre. “This award represents years of dedication, creative problem-solving, and true partnership. To see Judson Mill recognized at this level is incredibly meaningful, and I’m grateful to Taft Family Ventures and our partners who contributed to bringing new life to such an important piece of our community’s history.”
The Judson Mill District’s success stems from a deeply collaborative approach, with developers and the project team engaging local stakeholders to address core community needs, including access to affordable, healthy food; housing, and support for minority and women-owned businesses.
For more information about Judson Mill District, visit www.judsonmilldistrict.com.
About Judson Mill District
Judson Mill District is a sustainable and vibrant mixed-use community offering soulful city living in Greenville, SC. Once the largest textile mill in Greenville County and an integral part of Greenville’s Mill Crescent wrapping the city’s west side, Judson Mill District is now home to office, restaurant, retail, entertainment, and residential spaces. In 2019, Taft Family Ventures, a distinguished real estate investment and development firm based in Greenville, NC, joined with Belmont Sayre, a privately held real estate investment and development company based in Chapel Hill, NC, to transform the historic 800,000-square-foot textile mill that closed in 2015. While maintaining its vision to preserve the soul, spirit, and features of the historic mill, Judson Mill District utilizes a sustainable approach in revitalizing its 36-acre campus, which now fosters a vibrant and affordable community where people live, work, and play. For more information on Judson Mill District, visit www.judsonmilldistrict.com.
