Join us in honoring Omar Blaik and the student winners of DesignPhiladelphia’s 2026 Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards.

Born to Lebanese parents in Cairo, Omar Blaik has built a career at the intersection of culture, community, and place-making. From 1996 to 2006, he served as Senior Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate at the University of Pennsylvania, where he led a transformative period of campus and neighborhood development that reshaped Penn and strengthened its relationship with West Philadelphia. This work shaped his enduring belief in the role of anchor institutions as catalysts for equitable and sustainable urban growth.

As CEO of U3 Advisors, Omar has applied this philosophy nationwide, leading collaborative efforts to reanimate and reimagine communities across North America. Notable projects include Midtown Detroit Inc., developed in partnership with the Kresge Foundation and local anchor institutions; the Terrapin Development Company in College Park, Maryland; Hazelwood Green and the Cultural District of Pittsburgh; the Memphis Medical District; and the San Diego Civic Center. A founding member of ULI’s University Development and Innovation Council, Omar is a frequent commentator on the future of urban and economic development and resides in West Philadelphia, where U3 Advisors is headquartered.

The 2026 competition invites students to focus on the former University of the Sciences campus in West Philadelphia, a rare and transformative opportunity for urban redevelopment. Founded in 1821 as the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, USciences was the first institution of its kind in the nation and played a critical role in shaping the fields of pharmacy, science, and healthcare for more than two centuries. Woven into the fabric of the Spruce Hill, Clark Park, and Kingsessing neighborhoods, the campus served as an important cultural anchor for West Philadelphia.

Following the 2022 merger of USciences with Saint Joseph’s University and the decision to sell the University City campus, the site now stands at a pivotal moment. With multiple properties placed on the market beginning in 2025, students are invited to propose bold yet sustainable redevelopment strategies that respond to Philadelphia’s economic, social, and environmental needs. 

The ceremony will be followed by a coffee + dessert reception for all in attendance.

With the purchase of a VIP ticket, we invite you to join the award winner and us before the ceremony at 5:30 PM for our VIP Reception which features hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, and music. In attendance will be Omar Blaik, local dignitaries, and our built-environment-focused sponsors, without whom this program would not be possible.

Click here for sponsorship opportunities. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors