Bond Companies Honored with Prestigious 2006 Los Angeles Architectural Awards; Bond's Sunset+Vine Development Recognized for Innovative Development, Enhancing the Urban Fabric of Los Angeles.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Bond Companies, a real estate development firm focused on smart growth and revitalizing urban communities, was honored today with two Los Angeles Architectural Awards for its Sunset+Vine mixed-use development.

The 750,000-square-foot development in Hollywood, Calif., received the organization's Fremont Investment and Loan Mixed-Use Award and the G & C Equipment Landscaping Award at a ceremony hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC).

The 36th annual awards ceremony brought together world renowned architects, contractors and developers to acknowledge and celebrate the most laudable new projects in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles Architectural Awards are presented to the project teams whose contributions improve the quality of architecture and enhance the urban fabric of Los Angeles.

"By honoring these project teams today our goal is to illuminate the most outstanding and important projects in our region. Each of the award-winning projects demonstrates a powerful respect and appreciation for structures and spaces that create a higher quality of life for us all," said Brad Cox, chairman of the Los Angeles Business Council and principal of Trammell Crow Company.

According to the council, the Sunset+Vine design concept "creates an urban district plan providing street-oriented retail shops along Sunset and Vine with four levels of residential units above and a corner tower serving as a civic icon for the famous intersection." In addition, the council says, "This project represents a perfect mixture of hardscape and landscape in a serene and comfortable setting."

The development is owned by Bond Companies. The architect is Nakada & Associates, Inc., the landscape architect is Melendrez, and the contractor is Charles Pankow Builders.

"We are delighted to receive these two prestigious awards," according to Larry Bond, chairman of Bond Companies. "To be selected for these awards by our peers is a huge honor."

Adds Rob Bond, president of Bond Companies, "These awards are particularly significant because we believe strongly in fortifying urban communities. It validates that what we do is important and makes a difference."

The Los Angeles Architectural Awards are presented by the Los Angeles Business Council, a nonprofit association of more than 300 businesses, agencies and individuals working to address critical issues and concerns that impact the business climate and economic health of Los Angeles.

Awards were selected by a nine-member jury of distinguished peers including architects, contractors and developers. To receive an award, projects had to be located within Los Angeles County and completed during 2004 or 2005 ("unbuilt" category exempt).

The Bond Companies has received more than two dozen national awards, including Best Mixed-Use Development in the U.S., for the Sunset+Vine development.

Bond Companies is an award-winning real estate development company focused on bringing positive change in urban communities needing economic revitalization. Focusing on urban, mixed-use and infill projects, Bond Companies is a national development firm with offices in Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif.

Last year, Bond Companies was selected as one of the top three multi-family developers in the U.S. by the National Assn. of Home builders (NAHB). The Los Angeles Business Journal named Bond Companies as 2004's residential developer of the year in Los Angeles.

For more information about Bond Companies, visit www.bondcompanies.com. More information on the Los Angeles Business Council and the Los Angeles Architectural Awards is available at: http://www.labusinesscouncil.org.