Wollongong Central Development wins two prizesThe GPT Group’s Wollongong Central Development won over judges and captured thousands of public votes to take out the Popular Choice and Juror’s Choice awards in the Shopping Centre category of the Architizer A+ Awards. The global awards program run by New York-based design publication Architizer, received more than 3,000 entries from 80 countries. The six-level building, completed last October, beat four other finalists from Norway, Indonesia, China and the United Arab Emirates.Reflecting on the recognition from Architizer, Anthony McNulty, The GPT Group’s Head of Development – Retail & Major Projects, said that the GPT group was extremely proud that Wollongong Central had been recognized as a leader in international design.”From the outset, GPT sought to deliver a city centre destination that responds to the needs of the local community while celebrating the unique traditions and cultures of the region within which it sits,” Mr McNulty said. Designed by HDR I Rice Daubney, Principal architect Susanne Pini, who grew up in Wollongong, based the design on her interpretation of the city’s natural beauty, and industrial heritage. Ms Pini describes Wollongong as exquisitely beautiful and brutal, raw and primal. ”It is not a building the city deserved, but rather a building deserving of the city,” she said.GPT Development Manager Steven Turner said it was rare to win such a well-respected international award, and hoped the double recognition would help put Wollongong on the map within the international creative and design world.The awards were presented to the team at a formal gala in New York on 14 May 2015.
Home Property Australia Wollongong Central Development wins two prizes