Australia’s premier property awards program has once again highlighted excellence and innovation in the built environment, with the announcement of the 2025 Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) State and Territory Development of the Year winners.
This year’s celebrated projects range from a world-class stadium and a trailblazing sustainable retail precinct to a transformative mental health facility — each setting new benchmarks in design, sustainability, and community impact.
The awards form part of the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards, established in 1982 to honour outstanding achievements across the property sector.
Managed by the Property Council and delivered in partnership with global consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall, the program includes 17 prestigious categories showcasing Australia’s leading developments in design and investment.
Winners gain entry to compete for the program’s highest accolade, the Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year, bestowed annually at a Gala Dinner attended by more than 800 industry professionals.
The 2025 State and Territory winners exemplify visionary thinking and community-focused design:
- New South Wales: Sydney Football Stadium Redevelopment (Infrastructure NSW and John Holland)A world-class venue featuring an iconic cloud-like steel roof and modular construction, completed on time and on budget despite COVID-19 and extreme weather challenges. The stadium aims for a LEED Gold rating and integrates advanced digital infrastructure, while supporting local industry through over $500 million in contracts awarded to NSW businesses.
- Victoria: Burwood Brickworks (Frasers Property Australia)A landmark mixed-use precinct transforming a former quarry into a sustainable urban community. It boasts the world’s first Living Building Challenge® Petal-certified shopping centre and achieved a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating, setting a new standard for regenerative design and inclusive placemaking.
- Queensland: Upper House (Aria Property Group)A 32-storey architectural icon in South Brisbane combining sculptural design with the state’s first 5-Star Green Star As-Built residential certification. Featuring Australia’s first double-storey rooftop club, it revitalises the Fish Lane precinct while delivering exceptional residential value.
- South Australia: Riverlea (Walker Corporation)Adelaide’s largest master-planned community provides vibrant neighbourhood living on the Gawler River floodplain, supported by innovative engineering and sustainability initiatives including affordable housing partnerships and advanced water management.
- Western Australia: One The Esplanade (Brookfield Properties)A 29-level office tower in Perth’s Elizabeth Quay, distinguished by a 6-Star Green Star rating, WELL Core Gold pre-certification, a $450 million green loan, and inclusive design developed with First Nations collaboration that honours the Noongar Six Seasons.
- Tasmania: The Peacock Centre (Tasmanian Department of Health and Xsquared Architects)A pioneering mental health facility in Hobart that embodies the Trieste model of care, blending heritage restoration with a therapeutic, non-institutional environment. The project overcame setbacks including arson during construction, while achieving energy efficiency well above state averages.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas praised the winners, stating: “These awards shine a spotlight on the brilliant projects that are shaping Australia’s future—places that inspire, connect and elevate our communities.
“Congratulations to all the winners.
“Your work sets a benchmark for excellence and innovation in our industry.”
RLB Managing Director Paul Skinner highlighted the transformative role of the developments, stating: “These developments are more than buildings, they’re catalysts for change, driving sustainability, inclusivity and economic growth.
“Each project demonstrates the transformative potential of great design and thoughtful planning.
“We’re proud to have provided cost management and quantity surveying services on both the Sydney Football Stadium and One The Esplanade – two outstanding examples of innovation and excellence in the built environment.”
Notably, there were no nominations for the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory State Development of the Year categories this year.
The 2025 awards continue the tradition of recognising the projects shaping the nation’s built environment with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community impact, cementing Australia’s position at the forefront of property development excellence.
