The Austin Apartment Association announced this week the 10 winners of its 2017 best property awards. Ocotillo, a new complex in Southwest Austin, received the Lease Up 2017 Property of the Year award, and Lamar Union in South Austin received the mid/high rise property of the year award winner. Davis Soco apartments and Whitley were honored as the runners-up in the mid/high rise property category, according to Stephanie Hudson, Lamar Union's community manager. "There are a lot of things it takes to be considered for an award, and a lot of things you have to go through and the property gets looked at by a lot of people," Hudson said. "Anytime a property is nominated or makes the top three, it’s a huge privilege." Awards are divided into categories based on the number of units, the property's age, amenities and occupancy. All eligible properties were then assessed based on three criteria: property marketing efforts and staff expertise, a physical visual inspection and a blind shop of the property performed by a third party. Here are the winners:

1. Lease Up 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Ocotillo, Greystar Affordable and mid/high rise not included in this category. Any property that is less than 18 months old and less than 70% occupied at the time of nomination.

2. Mid/High Rise 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Lamar Union, Greystar Any property that is four stories or more, has interior corridors, elevators, and parking garage. The property may also include commercial components.

3. Emerald 50-299 units 2017 Property of the Year

7East apartments.[/caption] WINNER: 7East, Greystar Properties built between 2010 and 2015 with 50-299 rental units.

4. Emerald 300+ units 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Rise Apartments, Greystar* Properties built between 2010 and 2015 with 300 or more rental units. *As of June 8 Greystar no longer manages Rise Apartments

5. Diamond 50-299 units 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Hudson Miramont, Oden Hughes Management, LLC Properties built between 2000 and 2009 with 50-299 rental units.

6. Diamond 300+ units 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Mosaic at Mueller, Greystar Properties built between 2000 and 2009 with 300 or more rental units.

7. Sapphire 50-299 units 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Somerset Townhomes, Alliance Residential Properties built between 1990 and 1999 with 50-299 rental units.

8. Sapphire 300+ units 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Riata, IMT Residential Properties built between 1990 and 1999 with 300 or more rental units.

9. Affordable Housing 2017 Property of the Year

The Villages at Ben White[/caption] WINNER: The Villages at Ben White, Capstone Real Estate Services Any affordable housing property. Must have income and rent restrictions on greater than 50% of the total number of units; some examples include HTC, AHDP, Bond, HOME, Housing Trust Fund, and COA Smart Housing.

10. Ruby 2017 Property of the Year

WINNER: Balcones Club, Presidium Group Properties built prior to 1989 with 50 or more rental units.