Congratulations to Stockland for having been chosen the MasterPlanned Development winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

MasterPlanned Development
Highlands at Craigieburn is the premier estate of Melbourne’s northern growth corridor. Developed by Stockland over a period of some 10 years, the project combines a range of allotment and dwelling products, a retirement village, neighbourhood shopping centre, schools, high performance sporting facilities, parks and water courses.
The project impressed the judges with its range of allotment sizes (212m2 – 796 m2) and the extensive inclusion of medium density housing product around the neighbourhood centre, specifically aimed at delivering an affordable housing option. The seamless integration of a retirement village into the estate utilising open fencing to provide security but visual linkage with its surrounds has been particularly well done.
Negotiation of acceptable outcomes with authorities to protect the infamous golden sun moth habitat, including the purchase of external offsets, was well handled, as was the attraction of AFL interest to the site with the establishment of the Richmond (and now North Melbourne) training facility. Bringing forward the shared investment in the Global Learning Centre has been a bonus for the community of 10,000.
The strong sales activity and financial performance of the project is testimony to its success. Distinguishing itself from its neighbouring developments, Highlands has established itself as the aspirational choice of the region.

Congratulations to Piccolo Developments for Garden House for having been chosen the Medium Density and President Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Medium Density and President Award

This 3 and 5 level development takes optimal advantage of its world heritage view. It represents a high quality architectural solution to a site layered with planning constraints. The project is a reward for the developer who was forced to work through numerous obstacles that were produced at the outset and during a protracted development approvals process.
The urban form was derived following the Council’s decision to introduce a heritage overlay after purchase of the former building which necessitated subsequent negotiations and legal hearings. This reduced a potential 10 storey envelope to 5 storeys.
The commitment and vision of the developer to the project was highly evident. The attention to detail is first class and has resulted in an outstanding project.

Congratulations to Gillon Group and Abacus Group for Edgecliff at the beach for having been chosen the Medium Density Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Medium Density Award

Situated in the prestigious bayside suburb of Hampton, Edgecliff is an impressive low-rise residential complex which adds light and style to Beach Road. There are 70 luxury apartments including penthouses and six luxury townhouses on an 11,248 square metre site, with 57 different layouts, Apartments vary from two, three and four bedroom dwellings and facilities include underground parking, storage areas,a swimming pool, spa and gym.

Congratulations to Villawood Properties and ISPT for Alamanda for having been chosen the Residential Development Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Residential Development Award
Alamanda by Villawood Properties and ISPT

Alamanda is a green field project west of Melbourne developed with enthusiam and flair by Villawood Properties.  Villawood's vision for Alamanda was t o create a development that encourages people to get out of their homes and interact with one another by providing attractive and safe places for walking, cycling and recreational activities.  The development is a culmination of a multitude of initiatives that create a real sense of place and community through an attitude of delivery upfront.  An iconic residents club, 100 MPBS optical fibre, community internet, contemporary architecture and sculptures, sustainable practices and unique and diverse parklands have culminated in the extraordinary sales rate achieved.

Congratulations to Woods Bagot and NHArchitecture for MCEC for having been chosen the Enviromental Excellence Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Environmental Excellence Award
MCEC by Woods Bagot/NHArchitecture

Joint venture architects Wood Bagot and NHArchitecture were part of a successful plenary consortium who have now completed the design and delivery of a $500 million public/private partnership project for the Victorian Government.  The building reveals a number of design ideas which makes it a leading project in contemporary world architecture and it's the first convention centre in the world to be awarded a 6 star environmental rating and thus setting a global benchmark in environmental design.  In the judges view an outstanding project that will vision and innovation has achieved both environmental and design excellence in a very complimentary manner.

Congratulations to Kayrope Developments Pty Ltd for Richfield Reitirement Village for having been chosen as the Senior Living Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Senior LIving Award
Richfield Retirement Village by Kayrope Development Pty Ltd

The project is a purpose built retirement village for over 55's.  A diversity of housing types have been developed for this site including independent living units and a range of apartment types which are in the central community centre.  Overall there are 228 dwellings on the site.  Site planning and built forms are well articulated, modern and innovative, yet comparatively affordable to purchase and maintain.  The project has enjoyed positive sales and the early development of s strong community is evident.

Congratulations to VicUrban and Tenterfield for having been chosen the Affordable Development Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

Affordable Development
Tenterfield by VicUrban

Tenterfield is a 108ha masterplanned development and when completed will provide homes for some 3000 people. Land prices are said to be 10 to 15% below the average for this area with 80% of sales being within the lower price quartile.
 

Congratulations to Buxton Group and Delgany for having been chosen the President's Award winner at this year's National Awards for Excellence.

President's Award
Delgany by Buxton Group Pty Ltd

Although nominated in the ‘Medium Density’ category the National Judges agree Delgany exhibits innovation and best practice in a broader context and is therefore well deserved of the President’s award.
Delgany was a castle built on a hilltop in Portsea, set in landscaped grounds. Once a private residence, it was renovated several times to suit school then hotel uses. The Buxton Group sought and obtained heritage listing, then in a sensitive fashion integrated new product of 18 quality apartments, nine multi-level townhouses and six houses, which are scattered around the eight hectares of restored gardens.
Technical difficulties such as restrictions with heritage and its surrounding gardens were overcome- in particular, with the underground car park which adjoined the existing castle. Further challenges were found with the internal design which was complicated by finding underground structures which had not been recorded. Inserting various stairways and creating visible common areas resulted in no two apartments being the same.
The developers decision to create the development at well below the permitted yield and restore the heritage has resulted in a very special outcome that gives a new life to the castle.