From new land estates to apartments, the very best development projects in Western Australia were recognised on Friday night at the prestigious Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA WA) Awards for Excellence.
UDIA WA CEO, Tanya Steinbeck, said there was a common theme among the award winners, with many having a significant focus on high levels of social amenity that benefit residents and the surrounding local community.
“High-quality development can have a fantastic impact on a local area by not only delivering new housing but by providing greater access to shops, cafes, playgrounds and other public open spaces in close proximity to where people are living,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“It is a strong desire for new home buyers and existing residents alike to have a range of services and amenities within their local catchment area and that is what many of these projects are doing at the very highest level.”
The winner of the major award and the highest honour on the night, the Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence, is a case in point.
“Amberton Coastal Precinct by Stockland is a fantastic example of a project that provides the local community with a much-needed place to meet, play and socialise that goes far beyond your average park,” Ms Steinbeck commented.
The project took home the top prize as well as winning in the category of Excellence in Social and Community Infrastructure.
“The judges were blown away by the commitment of the developer to provide a community precinct that they are calling a jewel in the crown for the northern coastal strip,” Ms Steinbeck shared.
The $5 million Amberton Beach Coastal Precinct incorporates high-quality amenity including the Amberton Beach Bar & Kitchen, the multi-functional Lighthouse Park and seamlessly integrates public spaces, community amenity, gathering places and leisure infrastructure.
“All of these features are already proving extremely popular with residents and visitors alike and the project also provides safe access to a beautiful section of WA’s pristine coastline,” Ms Steinbeck added.
An iconic location in the CBD, The Towers at Elizabeth Quay won in the Residential Development category, the first high-density development to win in this category since the awards program was launched over 20 years ago.
Ms Steinbeck believes that The Towers sets an extremely high standard in Elizabeth Quay for future developments in such a world-class location.
“Far East Consortium and architects Cottee Parker have delivered aesthetically stunning buildings that provide added value to the surrounding area with their understated, elegant luxury,” she said.
Looking a little further afield, the winner of the Masterplanned Development category, Banksia Grove by LWP Group, Department of Communities and Banksia Grove Development Nominees is a lesson in how to deliver a project over the long term that features neighbourhoods that are great places to live, work and play.
“Since 2007, LWP’s project team has worked in partnership with the local government to ensure the estate delivers high-quality streetscape, community facilities, signature parklands, artworks and landscaping,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“They have also retained large tracts of native vegetation that will provide benefits to the community for years to come.”
An emerging icon for the southern corridor, Rockingham Foreshore entered by Place Laboratory and TABEC won in the Urban Renewal category with the project becoming a centrepiece for Rockingham which has reinvigorated the local economy and vibrancy of the area.
“The Rockingham Foreshore project required a collaborative approach between the City of Rockingham and the project team with a focus on extensive community engagement to achieve a shared vision early in the planning process,” Ms Steinbeck noted.
“That commitment to a shared vision has ensured that Rockingham Foreshore is now a location befitting our Premier’s local area.”
Turning to the high-density category winner, Essence Claremont by Blackburne, the judges were impressed by the seamless integration between the new buildings and its long-established local context.
Keeping with the community benefit theme that has been witnessed throughout this awards program, Ms Steinbeck said Essence has delivered fantastic commercial amenities and an attractive exterior design which complements the heritage of Claremont.
Emerging as an entry statement for a revitalised South Perth, Echelon by Giorgi won in the Medium Density category for the elegance and vibrancy it provides to the area.
The landmark building provides 12 luxury residences, office space and a ground-floor restaurant and also showcases innovative construction methods.
Turning to environmental credentials, Bushmead by Cedar Woods continues as a leader in environmental excellence and sustainability.
“As the winner in our Environmental Excellence category, Bushmead features an unrivalled level of retained bushland in an urban area,” Ms Steinbeck said.
The project features 188 hectares of retained bushland incorporating 41 hectares of revegetation sites, conservation trails and Kadina Brook.
The winner in the Affordability category, with house and land packages priced under $450,000 just 11 kilometres from the city, SugarGum Estate by the Department of Communities also features impressive sustainability features.
“SugarGum Estate is not just about the upfront cost of purchasing a new home, it is about the ongoing reduction in cost of living, including reduced water use and lower energy costs,” Ms Steinbeck added.
Both Bushmead and SugarGum Estate are also UDIA WA EnviroDevelopment accredited projects.
Other winners on the night included The Gallery by Satterley for Excellence in Marketing. The project features great design, enticing artwork and cutting-edge technology which has created an attractive, affordable estate that has outsold competitors in the area.
Karingal Green Health and Aged Care Community entered by Hall & Prior and HASSELL won in the Excellence in Seniors Living category providing residents an excellent quality lifestyle given the outstanding facilities.
Hamptons Edge Mariners Cove by Cedar Woods and The Precinct by Norup and Wilson also received special recognition, receiving the two ‘Judges Awards’ for particular aspects of their projects.
“A huge congratulations goes to all these very worthy award-winning projects,” Ms Steinbeck said. “These awards showcase excellence across our industry and provide leadership in quality and innovation that sets an example for all in the industry.”
The full list of Finalists and Winners in the 2020 UDIA WA Awards for Excellence can be found below:
RUSSEL PERRY AWARD FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE
Amberton Coastal Precinct by Stockland
JUDGES AWARDS
The Precinct by Norup + Wilson
Hamptons Edge at Mariners Cove by Cedar Woods
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Towers at Elizabeth Quay by Far East Consortium and Cottee Parker Architects
Finalists:
Illuma Private Estate by Mirvac
Calleya by Stockland
Ariella Private Estate by Cedar Woods
Oasis Baldivis by Jardim Property
Living Edge in Wellard by Parcel Property & Brown-Neaves Investments
Heron Park Estate by Satterley
The Hales Estate by Satterley
MASTERPLANNED DEVELOPMENT
Banksia Grove by LWP Group
Finalists:
The Rivergums by Cedar Woods
Newhaven by Stockland
AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT
SugarGum Estate by Department of Communities
Finalists:
Nicheliving Hammond Park by Nicheliving
Wintergreen Two Storey’s by Stockland
Arcana Lane by TERRACE Homes
HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
Essence Claremont by Blackburne
Finalists:
The Precinct by Norup + Wilson
The Vic Quarter by Fowler Group Properties and Celsius Property Group
The Towers at Elizabeth Quay by Cottee Parker Architects & Far East Consortium
Vantage Apartments by Edge Visionary Living
Sabina Apartments by Finbar
The Beach Shack by Norup + Wilson
MEDIUM DENSITY DEVELOPMENT
Echelon by Giorgi
Finalists:
Henley on Park by Fini Developments
Palmyra Apartments Estate by Finbar
Evolve Duncraig by Parcel Property
The Terraces at Calleya by Stockland
Nicheliving Willetton by Nicheliving
26 on Charles by Stirling Capital
Arcana Lane by TERRACE Homes
Mode by Fini Developments
URBAN RENEWAL
Rockingham Foreshore by Place Laboratory and TABEC
Finalists:
Parkside Walk by Development WA
Palmyra Apartments Estate by Finbar
Sabina Apartments by Finbar
ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE
Bushmead by Cedar Woods
Finalists:
The Precinct by Norup + Wilson
Dalyellup Beach by Satterley
Montario Quarter by Development WA
Oasis Baldivis by Jardim Property
The Beach Shack by Norup + Wilson
Living Edge in Wellard by Parcel Property
SENIORS LIVING
Karingal Health and Aged Care Community by Hall & Prior and HASSELL
Finalist:
Aspire by Stockland
EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Amberton Coastal Precinct by Stockland
Finalists:
Shorehaven at Alkimos by Peet
Eden Beach by Satterley
Waabiny Park by Department of Communities
Subiaco Oval Redevelopment by Development WA
Illuma Private Estate by Mirvac
EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING
Gallery Estate by Satterley
Finalists:
Hamptons Edge at Mariners Cove by Cedar Woods
Brightwood by Parcel Property & Brown-Neaves Investments
Nicheliving Willetton by Nicheliving
UDIA STOCKLAND YOUNG DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL AWARD
Fenualla O’Brien, Parcel Property
Finalists:
Naden Scarfone, Hames Sharley
Joshua Leigh, Stockland
Cameron Hayes, Cardno
Monique Thompson, CDP Town Planning & Urban Design
Sophie Bond, HASSELL Studio
Michael Arena, Tabec
UDIA WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Tamara Smith, 360 Environmental
Highly Commended:
Natalie Busch, HASSEL Studio
Finalists:
Julie Palich, 360 Environmental
Felicia Brady, FTB Design & Consult
Rebecca Spencer, Hames Sharley
Lucy King, Megara
Anna Broughton, NS Projects