With an increase in apartment builds in recent times in Australia, it was no surprise to see 11 out of 17 awards announced at the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards 2019 going to apartment buildings.
Leading the way with the Development of the Year award was the 40 level York & George, developed by Fife Capital in Sydney.
The unanimous decision was handed down due to the innovative mix of uses on the site, with a 7 storey podium on top of retail and commercial uses including a WeWork office. Special commendation was also given to the building’s difficult construction phase. With active rail tunnels below light rail works above on George Street and heritage buildings to protect on either side, the architectural challenge was high. The development was, however, completed on time and achieved excellent sales during its marketing stage.
Peter Poulet, Jury Chair and Commissioner Central City District, Greater Sydney Commission, said “The weave pattern of the façade creates an interesting and elegant thin tower hovering over George Street. The podium is respectful of the building’s neighbours and the mixture of uses demonstrates how cities of today need multiple facets. The York & George building is a very worthy winner of Development of the Year for 2019.”
The High Rise City Apartment award went to another highly praised development — Omnia, Kings Cross.
Designed by Durback Block Jaggers Architects, the building reimagined the old Crest Hotel into a new iconic gateway to Kings Cross. An impressive 60 per cent of the former Crest Hotel structure was retained in the new building.
The medium-rise city apartments category was won by the Heysen by Aqualand Australia in Turramurra, North Sydney. The site included some 100-year-old gum trees similar to the ones painted by Australian artist Hans Heysen.
The mixed-use development category went to Chatswood Place by Platino Properties and Dunnet Properties with its five residential buildings, an active retail area, a restaurant precinct and community facilities including childcare.
Affordable housing was also a winner with a 67-unit apartment building in Westmead by SGCH. Built for the NSW Government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund, The building provides 67 new homes for social and affordable housing families.
See the full list of winners below:
Development of the Year – York and George, Fife Capital (Sydney CBD)
Highly Commended Medium Rise – Sheffield Quarter by Urban Property Group (Penrith)
Sustainable Development – Trinity House and Harbour Place by Lendlease (Darling Harbour)
Affordable Housing – 148 Great Western Highway, Westmead by SGCH
Urban Renewal Development – West Village Stage 1 by Sekisui House (Brisbane)
Medium Rise Metro Apartments – Marina Square Wentworth Point by Bilbergia Group
Medium Rise City Apartments – The Heyson by Aqualand Australia (Turramurra)
High Rise City Apartments – Omnia, Kings Cross by Greenland
Mixed-Use Development – Chatswood Place by Platino Properties & Dunnet Properties
Highly Commended Adaptive Re-Use – 100 Balmain, by Leda and GrowthBuilt
Adaptive Re-Use Development – IDA, Potts Point by IPM Property
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(Hero image credit: Fife Capital)
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