2015 UDIA (QLD) Winners Announced

The innovative Austin development in Brisbane’s South Bank (pictured), the ever-evolving North Shore master planned community in Townsville, and a premium seniors’ living development on the Gold Coast are just some of the projects to receive accolades in the 2015 UDIA (Qld) Awards for Excellence.

This year marked the 21st anniversary of the UDIA (Qld) Awards for Excellence program and the industry rose to the occasion with projects that set a high benchmark for future years.

The coveted President’s Award, which is awarded to the “best of the best” project that changes the way we think about development, was presented to ARIA Property Group for Austin on Grey Street, South Brisbane.

UDIA (Qld) President Brett Gillan said Austin sets a new benchmark for residential living in the heart of Brisbane’s inner-city.

“Austin brings to life 20 storeys of 140 quality apartments that exceed the well-being expectations of residents with a ground level restaurant, cafe and lane way bar and a private residents’ rooftop club with infinity pool,” he said.

“The apartments have been designed with a focus on open spaces and relaxation, a true feat within the heartbeat of the dense bustling city below.”

“Austin transformed the area surrounding the development, breathing new life into South Brisbane,” Mr Gillan said.

Awards Highlights:

A finalist in a total of five categories, Austin  - designed by ROTHELOWMAN architects - shared the High Density Development Award and was the sole winner of the Retail, Commercial and Public Use Space Award for South Brisbane’s Fish Lane – the project’s retail and dining precinct.

Other projects to receive awards in this year’s program include:

The James Teneriffe

Cavcorp’s The James Teneriffe which tied with Austin as joint winners of the High Density Development Award.

North Shore, Townsville

Stockland’s North Shore development in Townsville took out the Masterplanned Development Award. Already an award-winning community, new enhancements further garnered prestige for this project. North Shore offers a wide range of land for sale in a variety of different villages. With house and land packages to suit a wide spectrum of life stages, the UDIA said this broad, diverse and accommodating project was more than worthy of the Masterplanned Development Award.

Vista Homes' Paloma at Stockland's North Shore development Townsville. Source stockland.com.au[/caption]

Seachange Village Arundel

Seachange Village Arundel by Pradella Property Ventures took out the Seniors’ Living Award. The judges said the well-planned over 50’s lifestyle community was the ultimate in resort living for seniors. A central location and 5-star facilities made Seachange Village Arundel a premium community for seniors, unmatched throughout the state and well-deserving of this winning accolade.

Circa Nundah Village

For Urban Renewal, Arkhefield’s Circa Nundah Village project revitalised the area through creating a true transit oriented development close to major public transport hubs.

Caggara House

The Affordable Housing Award was received by BHC's Caggara House designed by architects Arkhefield, which provides high-quality, modern residences for seniors currently in public housing properties too large for them to maintain. This permits the existing vacated properties to become homes for larger families on the Queensland Government’s housing waitlist.

Caggara House by BHC received The Affordable Housing Award[/caption]Mr Gillan said delivering affordable housing, urban renewal, and thoughtful seniors’ living solutions - all at exceptional standards - were key priorities for the UDIA (Qld) and the residential development industry.

“It’s great to see that while there was a strong focus on innovation and creative design in all of this year’s winning projects, the core values of sustainability, liveability and fundamentally understanding how people want to live, were still at the heart of every development,” he said.

“Creating great communities and meeting the lifestyle aspirations of Queenslanders are what the Awards are all about,” Mr Gillan said.

Launched in the early 1990's, the Awards represent UDIA (Qld)’s commitment to advancing outstanding quality in the industry and to recognise annually the industry’s best ideas and outcomes in Australian developments.

Winners Summary