An unprecedented number of multifamily projects have delivered across the D.C. area over the last year. With heated competition for renters and buyers, developers have had to step up their game to build the most appealing and livable communities. Market research firm Delta Associates, at its 21st annual Market Overview and Awards for Excellence event Wednesday, recognized the top multifamily developments throughout the D.C.-Baltimore region.

The first set of awards was given to the apartment communities with the fastest lease-up pace, or the most units leased per month, for projects that had been leasing for at least two quarters as of July 1. The Pace awards are as follows:

Northern Virginia: Central Place, developed and managed by JBG Smith, with an average lease-up pace of 46 units per month.

Washington D.C.: Camden NoMa Phase 2, developed and managed by Camden Property Trust, with a lease-up pace of 29 units per month.

Baltimore: The Elms at Shannon's Glen developed by Elm Street Development and managed by Legend Management Group, with an average lease-up pace of 28 units per month.

Suburban Maryland: Bainbridge Jefferson Place, developed and managed by Bainbridge Cos., with an average lease-up of 26 units per month.

Delta Associates also gave several "best of" awards judged by a panel of researchers who toured each community. The criteria include location, price, leasing pace, design and marketing. These awards are as follows:

Best Washington/Baltimore apartment community: The Hepburn in D.C.'s Kalorama neighborhood. Developed by Lowe Enterprises, managed by Bozzuto and designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and Cecconi Simone Inc.

Best Washington/Baltimore high-rise: Ava NoMa in D.C's NoMa neighborhood. Developed and managed by AvalonBay Communities and designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning and Degen & Degen.

Best Washington mid-rise: The Apollo on D.C.'s H Street Corridor. Developed by Insight Property Group, managed by Bozzuto and designed by SK+I Architecture and Edit Lab.

Best Baltimore mid-rise: Anthem House. Developed by Bozzuto and War Horse Cities, managed by Bozzuto and designed by KTGY Architecture + Planning.

Best Baltimore/Washington low-rise: Evolution at Town Centre Laurel in Laurel, Maryland. Developed and managed by Wood Partners and designed by JDavis Architects.

Several other specialty awards were given to communities that excelled in areas such as environmental sustainability, neighborhood impact and interior design. Each of these were chosen from projects throughout the Washington/Baltimore region.

Best green apartment community: The Pearl in Silver Spring. Developed and managed by Tower Cos. and designed by Design Collective.

Best neighborhood impact apartment community: Remington Row in Baltimore. Developed and managed by Sewall Development Co. and designed by Hord | Coplan | Macht.

Best innovative apartment community: E-lofts in Alexandria. Developed by Novus Residences, managed by Bozuto, designed by Lord Aeck Sargent, Gensler and Carlyn and Co. Interiors + Design.

Best mixed-use apartment community: F1RST in D.C.'s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Developed by Grosvenor Americas and McCaffery Interests, managed by McCaffery and designed by Hickok Cole Architects.

Best renovation apartment community: South Cathedral Mansions in D.C.'s Woodley Park neighborhood. Developed by CAS Riegler, managed by Kettler and designed by Square 134 Architects.

Best high-rise interior design: Parc Meridian in Alexandria. Developed and managed by Paradigm, and designed by Architects Collaborative and Hartman Design Group.

Best mid-rise interior design: Alta Wilde Lake in Columbia, Maryland. Developed and managed by Wood Partners and designed by JDavis Interior Design.

While much of the awards were focused on rental apartments, Delta Associates also recognized four top condo developments. Each category was judged throughout the Baltimore/Washington region:

Best condominium community: Wardman Tower in D.C.'s Woodley Park neighborhood. Developed by JBG Smith and NASH, marketed by McWilliams Ballard and designed by Deborah Berke Partners.

Best boutique condominium community: Helicopter Factory in D.C.'s Columbia Heights neighborhood. Developed by Brook Rose development and Brick Lane Real Estate, marketed by TTR Sotheby's International Realty and designed by Urban Design Group.

Best adaptive reuse condominium community: The Sanctuary in D.C.'s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Developed by Rubin Group, marketed by Urban Pace and designed by Bonstra Haresign Architects.

Best sales pace for a condominium community: Octave 1320 in Silver Spring. Developed by ProMark Real Estate and marketed by Urban Pace.