The spectacular restoration of one of Sydney’s most loved sandstone buildings, 5 Martin Place, has taken out the RLB Australian Development of the Year for 2017.
Dexus and Cbus Property were presented with the development industry’s most coveted prize at the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards in Sydney on Friday 5 May.
“This significant heritage restoration project has delivered one of the most inspired and innovative commercial workspaces in Australia,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive Ken Morrison.
Built in 1913 as the headquarters of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 5 Martin Place was among the first in the world to use an advanced structural steel frame in its construction.
Protecting the building’s heritage required clever design solutions, including a cantilever over the existing building which supports the new tower above.
“5 Martin Place’s 5 Star Green Star rating demonstrates how older buildings can be upgraded to meet new sustainability standards. And by breathing new life into the streetscape below, and investing in public art, Dexus and Cbus Property have enhanced one of Australia’s most important gathering places.”
5 Martin Place also took home the SAS International Award for Best Office Development and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings.
Mr Morrison says the quality of entries for this year’s awards was “astounding” and reflect the industry’s commitment to “pushing the innovation envelope”.
Another heritage project, the $80 million restoration of Western Australia’s State Buildings Perth, won the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development.
With a history spanning more than 140 years, the three interconnected buildings had been vacant for almost 20 years before they were purchased by FJM Property and transformed into vibrant hospitality and retail precinct, and the home of luxury 48-suite hotel COMO: The Treasury.
“This project has restored an important part of Western Australia’s history, returning it to the people of Perth and creating a world-class destination,” Mr Morrison says.
Meanwhile, Little National Hotel in Canberra was presented with the KONE Award for Development Innovation, and Mr Morrison says developer and owner Doma Group “presents a new business model that offers a smart solution to the luxury and affordability equation”.
Another Canberra hotel, the Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport, won the Brain & Poulter Award for Best Tourism and Leisure Development for its “combination of modern, innovative design, architectural quality and place-making potential,” says NSW Managing Director of RLB Matt Harris.
Built’s sustainability manager Joe Karten won the du Chateau Chun Award for Future Leader of the Year.
Mr Karten has worked on high-profile projects including fitouts for Apple and ANZ, as well as the refurbishment and construction of 20 Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD.
“A passionate sustainability specialist, Joe has cultivated an excitement for leading green building practices during his four years with Built, and the result is better outcomes for people, businesses and the environment,” Mr Harris says.
Stockland’s Aura development on the Sunshine Coast was presented with the Frasers Property Australia Award for Project Innovation for an engagement excellence program that has changed the way the industry considers community consultation.
“Stockland’s idea leverages in-kind support and external funding to enhance the experience for people at Aura,” Mr Morrison explains.
The Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, owned by the City of Greater Geelong, beat four other contenders to win the Woods Bagot Award for Best Public Building.
The eight-level library – with an extraordinary design which has been described as a golf ball or an igloo – is a highly efficient, environmentally-sensitive building with one of the first Green Star ratings for a public building in Australia.
“The building took years of planning and collaboration, but the result has reimagined the library as a meeting place and learning incubator,” Mr Harris says.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.
The 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 5 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
A full list of winners is available online: www.propertycouncilawards.com.au
Media contact: Karen Jamal | E [email protected]
2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards
National Awards Winners
Award |
Name of Development |
State |
Owner |
Nominator |
RLB Australian Development of the Year |
5 Martin Place |
NSW |
Dexus / |
Dexus |
LJ Hooker Commercial Award for Best Business or Industrial Park |
1 Thomas Holt Drive |
NSW |
AMP Capital Investors |
AMP Capital Investors |
SAS International Award for Best Office Development |
5 Martin Place |
NSW |
Dexus / |
Dexus |
Solid Construct Australia Award for Best Residential Development |
Era Chatswood |
NSW |
Mirvac Projects |
Mirvac |
MRI Software Award for Best Mixed Use Development |
PACIFIC Bondi Beach |
NSW |
Rebel Property Group / |
PTW Architects |
Yardi Award for Best Shopping Centre Development |
The Ponds Shopping Centre |
NSW |
ISPT |
Frasers Property Australia |
Brain & Poulter Award for Best Tourism and Leisure Development |
Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport |
ACT |
Capital Property Group |
Capital Airport Group |
du Chateau Chun Award for Future Leader of the Year |
Joe Karten |
NSW |
Built |
Built |
S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development |
State Buildings, Perth |
WA |
FJM Property |
Built |
HillPDA Award for Government Leadership |
Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings (CUVRB) |
VIC |
VicTrack |
VicTrack |
GHD Woodhead Award for Best Retirement Living Development |
The Village Coorparoo |
QLD |
The Village at Coorparoo |
The Village Retirement Group |
EPM Projects Award for Best Master Planned Community |
North Lakes |
QLD |
Stockland |
Stockland |
Woods Bagot Award for |
Geelong Library & Heritage Centre |
VIC |
City of Greater Geelong |
Kane Constructions |
GOUGH Recruitment Award for Best Affordable Housing Development
|
The Village, Townsville |
QLD |
Economic Development Queensland |
Economic Development Queensland |
WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings |
Floth 69 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley |
QLD |
69 Robertson Street Pty Limited |
Floth Pty Limited ATF George |
Clean Energy Finance Corporation Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings |
5 Martin Place |
NSW |
Dexus / |
Dexus |
Eagle Lighting Australia Award for Best Workplace Project |
Westpac Barangaroo |
NSW |
Lendlease |
Lendlease |
KONE Award for Development Innovation |
Little National Hotel |
ACT |
Doma Group |
Doma Group |
Frasers Property Australia Award for |
Aura Engagement Excellence Program |
QLD |
Stockland |
Stockland |
PwC Award for Diversity < 250 Employees |
Capstone Recruitment |
n/a |
Capstone Recruitment |
Capstone Recruitment |
Moulis Legal Award for Diversity > 250 Employees |
Crown Resorts |
n/a |
Crown Resorts |
Crown Resorts |