The Grain in Delafield Named 2026 BOMA Wisconsin TOBY Award Winner for Best Mixed-Use Property
Hendricks Commercial Properties is proud to announce that The Grain in Delafield, Wisconsin, has been recognized with the 2026 BOMA TOBY Award for Best Mixed Use Property of the Year.
The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Awards recognize excellence in commercial building management and operations, making the honor especially meaningful to the Real Estate Operations team responsible for The Grain each day.
At the center of that effort are Melanie Thorne, Real Estate Manager; Joel Frank, Facilities Manager; and Ryan Schmidt, Facilities Technician III (pictured from right to left). Together, they oversee the tenant experience, building operations and ongoing care that help The Grain perform at a high level while serving as a distinctive mixed-use destination in downtown Delafield.
A Different Approach to Mixed-Use Development
Opened in 2024 following a $25 million investment, The Grain transformed a long-vacant, one-acre site into two four-story buildings at 705 Genesee St. and 525 Main St., totaling approximately 80,000 square feet. The development includes approximately 60,000 square feet of Class A office space and 18,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, along with underground parking.
The Grain also marked two firsts: Delafield’s first mass timber development and Hendricks Commercial Properties’ first mass timber project. Exposed timber columns, beams and ceilings are paired with a brick exterior that complements downtown Delafield, while expansive windows, natural light, outdoor gathering areas and modern common spaces create an environment designed around how people use commercial spaces today.
That combination has helped create a diverse tenant ecosystem spanning professional services, health and wellness, flexible workspace, restaurants and retail. The property’s tenant mix includes RBC Wealth Management, Midwest Insurance Group, LiveFree Health, RAIC Labs, Irontek, Voodoo Brewing Co., Brunch, Downtown Natural Pet and NONA Nutrition.
For tenants, that mix provides more than convenience. Shared outdoor areas, walkable access to downtown businesses and common spaces designed for interaction create opportunities for collaboration, cross-promotion and community engagement across uses.
Where Great Real Estate Meets Great Operations
A successful mixed-use property requires careful coordinate behind the scenes. Office, retail and hospitality tenants bring different operational needs, customer patterns and expectations to the same property. Maintaining an environment that works well for all of them requires consistent attention to building performance, safety, accessibility and the tenant experience.
The Grain’s operations include a building automation system designed to maximize efficiency, high-quality rooftop units, 24/7 monitoring of life-safety systems, secured tenant access, security camera coverage and routine inspections and testing. Sustainability is also integrating into the property through its mass timber construction, prefabricated timber components, abundant daylight and other measures intended to reduce waste, energy use and embodied carbon.
Those systems are supported by people who know the property and its tenants.
Melanie played a leading role in developing The Grain’s TOBY nomination and representing the property during the award interview process, while her ongoing management helps shape the experience tenants have every day. Joel and Ryan provide the facilities expertise and hands-on attention necessary to keep a complex mixed-use property operating and presenting at its best.
“This recognition means a great deal because it reflects the work that happens at The Grain every day,” said Melanie Thorne, Real Estate Manager, Hendricks Commercial Properties. “Creating a great experience for our tenants takes collaboration across property management and facilities, and Joel and Ryan bring an incredible amount of care and pride to this building. We’re proud of what The Grain has become for our tenants and the Delafield community.”
A Property Built to Contribute to Its Community
The Grain’s impact extends beyond its buildings. The development revitalized a previously vacant and underutilized downtown parcel, created approximately 300 construction jobs during development and is expected to support approximately 625 permanent jobs through its office, retail and restaurant tenants. Its walkable location also connects tenants and visitors directly with the restaurants, shopping and services of downtown Delafield.
The 2026 BOMA TOBY Award for Best Mixed Use Property of the Year recognized the many elements that come together to make The Grain successful – its mass timber architecture and diverse mix of uses to the systems, service and daily attention required to operate the property.
Congratulations to Melanie Thorne, Joel Frank, Ryan Schmidt and the entire Delafield team on this recognition and on the work they continue to put into The Grain every day.
To learn more about The Grain, please visit www.graindelafield.com.