Boston, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Damien Chaviano, Co-President of Samuels & Associates, is honored with the Real Estate Development Leadership Award for his impactful community-driven projects. Recognized for transformative contributions to Boston’s urban landscape, Chaviano’s work includes notable developments like Pierce Boston and the Trio project in Newton. He will be celebrated at the Excellence Awards Gala on September 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel, highlighting his commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.
Boston
Boston real estate leader Damien Chaviano named recipient of 2025 Real Estate Development Leadership Award
Damien Chaviano, Co‑President and Principal at Samuels & Associates, will receive the 2025 Real Estate Development Leadership Award from the Boston Real Estate Times. The award recognizes leaders who transform communities and shape Boston’s urban landscape. The recipient will be honored at the Excellence Awards Gala on September 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel.
What earned the award
The award recognizes Chaviano’s record of community‑focused development, leadership across large mixed‑use projects, and sustained impact on neighborhood vitality. His portfolio includes major projects such as Pierce Boston, Van Ness, Landmark Center, and Lyrik Back Bay. These developments are described by his team as destination‑oriented places that prioritize public space, sustainability, and long‑term community benefit rather than single-purpose buildings.
Immediate supporting details
Chaviano’s career spans multiple facets of real estate development, including capital sourcing, underwriting, permitting, design, marketing, and investor relations. He has previously overseen more than $1 billion in development projects while at Mark Development and has promoted innovative mixed‑use spaces that combine housing, retail, and civic infrastructure.
After a period away, he recently returned to Samuels & Associates in a leadership role focused on community‑centered development. Under his leadership, the firm emphasizes transforming neighborhoods into vibrant and inclusive places through partnerships with local organizations and responsive project design.
Notable projects and community impact
The Lyrik Back Bay project is highlighted as an example of integrating public space, sustainability measures, and infrastructure improvements into an urban residential development. The project includes elements intended to serve the public realm and enhance neighborhood connectivity.
The Trio project in Newton serves as an example of overcoming community resistance and regulatory hurdles to complete a transformative project. That approval process required 22 hearings before proceeding. Once completed, Trio added housing, retail options, and new civic energy to a previously underused area, receiving local recognition for revitalizing the site.
Career origins and leadership approach
Chaviano’s path into real estate began with early entrepreneurial activity and family influences that shaped his work ethic. His father left Cuba as a teenager after Castro’s rise to power; family stories of sacrifice and the value of education are noted as formative. As a high school student, Chaviano started a car detailing business, signaling an early interest in entrepreneurship. A later interest in the business world was sparked by mainstream media exposure to competitive business programming, which led him to pursue an internship with a Boston developer and eventual full‑time roles in the field.
Throughout his career, Chaviano has emphasized a balance between effective project management and enhancing community experiences through development. He places priority on stakeholder engagement, partnerships with local organizations, and designs that respond to neighborhood needs rather than imposing one‑size‑fits‑all solutions.
Challenges and outcomes
Chaviano’s projects have encountered typical industry challenges, including community opposition and complex permitting processes. The lengthy review for the Trio project illustrates how extended public hearings and negotiations were used to address concerns and ultimately achieve a project that added housing and retail while revitalizing a neglected area.
His leadership style is characterized by combining ambition for large projects with a focus on community engagement. The Real Estate Development Leadership Award acknowledges both his professional accomplishments and his approach to development that seeks community benefit.
Context and significance
The Boston real estate market is frequently transactional and fast moving. The award highlights a developer who is recognized for prioritizing community outcomes in addition to financial and design goals. Observers of Boston’s development landscape note that community‑oriented projects can influence long‑term urban fabric and neighborhood quality of life.
Chaviano’s career trajectory—from early entrepreneurship to overseeing major mixed‑use projects—illustrates a sustained focus on vision, partnership, and practical execution. The upcoming Excellence Awards Gala will formally present the 2025 Real Estate Development Leadership Award and place Chaviano among peers recognized for significant contributions to the region’s built environment.
FAQ
Who is receiving the award?
Damien Chaviano, Co‑President and Principal at Samuels & Associates, is the 2025 recipient of the Real Estate Development Leadership Award.
Who is presenting the award?
The award is presented by the organization that administers the Excellence Awards Gala in Boston.
When and where is the award being presented?
The Excellence Awards Gala is scheduled for September 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel.
What projects are cited in recognition of the award?
Notable projects referenced include Pierce Boston, Van Ness, Landmark Center, Lyrik Back Bay, and the Trio project in Newton.
Why was the award given?
The award recognizes leadership in development that transforms communities, emphasizes public benefit, and advances projects that combine housing, retail, infrastructure, and public space.
What are some challenges the recipient faced?
Examples include extended public review processes and community resistance, such as the 22 hearings required to secure approval for the Trio project.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Damien Chaviano, Co‑President and Principal at Samuels & Associates |
| Award | 2025 Real Estate Development Leadership Award |
| Event date | September 11, 2025 |
| Event location | Burlington Marriott Hotel |
| Notable projects | Pierce Boston; Van Ness; Landmark Center; Lyrik Back Bay; Trio (Newton) |
| Career highlights | Oversaw more than $1 billion in projects at Mark Development; returned to Samuels & Associates in a leadership role focused on community development |
| Key themes | Community‑focused development, public space integration, sustainability, partnerships with local organizations |
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Additional Resources
- Boston Real Estate Times
- Boston.com
- NBC Boston
- Boston Globe
- Boston.com
- Wikipedia: Boston
- Google Search: Boston real estate news
- Google Scholar: Boston real estate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
- Google News: Boston housing market
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