The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence 2026 Winners Revealed

The 2026 awards recognised winners from more than 200 finalists across 26 categories, showcasing projects from adaptive reuse of landmark commercial buildings and AI-powered planning platforms to major mixed-use precincts, residential, community infrastructure and emerging models of urban renewal.

The Urban Developer chief executive and founder Adam Di Marco said the ambition for the awards “has always been to make these the industry’s most respected and independently judged awards program”.

“Every winner ... has earned that recognition through a rigorous assessment conducted by the 40 independent industry leaders—our judges,” Di Marco told the capacity crowd at The Star, Gold Coast on Friday night.

“They represent vision, courage, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to creating better places for people.”

Congratulations to all our winners.

The Urban Developer Awards for Excellence

Excellence in Sustainability

And the winner is

33 Alfred Street

Nominated by Mirvac & Dexus

Sydney’s first skyscraper has been transformed into one of Australia’s most sustainable commercial buildings through a decade-long adaptive reuse journey.

By retaining much of the existing structure, the project saved more than 23,000 tonnes of embodied carbon while delivering market-leading environmental outcomes. A sophisticated façade upgrade also resolved long-standing heritage challenges without compromising the building’s iconic identity.

The judges selected 33 Alfred for its outstanding adaptive reuse, balancing heritage retention, sustainability and commercial renewal to deliver a benchmark project with lasting city-shaping impact.

Excellence in Industry Leadership

And the winner is

Local: Impact Housing x Build-to-Rent Model

Nominated by Local: Residential

Melbourne-based Local: Residential embedded affordable housing into its business model from the outset, treating social impact as a commercial objective rather than a compliance exercise.

The company established an independent not-for-profit housing provider while delivering homes for vulnerable groups, demonstrating that private-sector investment can generate meaningful and scalable social outcomes without government subsidy reliance.

Special Commendation

Adaptive Reuse City Housing Initiative (ARCHI)

Nominated by City of Adelaide

The City of Adelaide’s ARCHI program is helping unlock housing supply by converting vacant buildings into homes.

Combining policy reform, financial incentives and expert guidance, the initiative has created a scalable model that reduces waste, preserves heritage assets and mobilises private investment while addressing housing shortages in established urban centres.

The judges praised both projects for setting new benchmarks in industry leadership, recognising scalable, innovative models that deliver measurable sustainability, social impact and long-term value beyond individual projects.

Excellence in Design Innovation

And the winner is

Parkline Place

Nominated by Investa & Foster + Partners

Parkline Place has established a benchmark for integrated urban development, delivering a premium office tower directly above Gadigal Station.

The innovative one-core, three-tower design optimises views, floorplates and sustainability outcomes while overcoming extraordinary engineering complexity.

Fully electrified and powered by renewable energy, it demonstrates how commercial development can seamlessly integrate with public infrastructure.

Parkland Place was unanimously recognised for combining design excellence, sustainability, transport integration and commercial success, delivering an exceptional workplace while creating lasting public benefits for the city.

Excellence in Community Engagement

And the winner is

Charmhaven Community Engagement

Nominated by Third.i Group

Third.i transformed traditional consultation processes by shifting engagement to the earliest stages of development planning.

Through AI-enabled platforms, QR-code campaigns and extensive stakeholder outreach, more than 3000 community members participated before plans were formally lodged.

The initiative established a new benchmark for transparent engagement that builds trust while reducing project delivery risks.

Charmhaven set a benchmark for community engagement through innovative technology, authentic consultation and proactive stakeholder participation, demonstrating how meaningful engagement can improve project outcomes and community trust.

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Excellence in Commercial Innovation

And the winner is

Estilo on the Park

Nominated by Gardner Vaughan Group

Faced with unprecedented cost escalation during the Covid era, Gardner Vaughan Group made a defining commitment to deliver every apartment without passing additional costs onto buyers.

The decision required significant organisational resilience but ultimately strengthened the business, demonstrating how transparency, trust and disciplined leadership can become powerful commercial differentiators.

The winning project impressed judges with a scalable, practical approach that delivered measurable construction and operational improvements, demonstrating innovation that can be readily adopted across the broader industry.

Excellence in Construction Innovation

And the winner is

The Queensbridge Building

Nominated by Hickory & Time&Place

Hickory delivered an industry-first offsite podium façade system that reimagined how complex CBD projects can be constructed.

Fully completed façade panels were manufactured offsite and installed in a single lift, reducing crane time, labour requirements and safety risks.

The innovative approach accelerated delivery while creating a distinctive architectural statement.

The judges recognised a highly scalable construction approach with benefits extending beyond the project, praising its broader impact while demonstrating practical innovation that can be widely adopted.

Best New PropTech

And the winner is

Inertia LandAI

Nominated by Inertia Engineering

Inertia LandAI is using artificial intelligence to dramatically accelerate land development processes.

The platform can complete grading and earthworks design up to 100 times faster than traditional methods, reducing costs and helping bring additional housing supply to market sooner.

Early project outcomes indicate substantial savings for developers and communities alike.

Inertia Land AI stood out for its innovative engineering applications, scalable technology and ability to simplify complex planning and environmental analysis, delivering practical value for developers and industry professionals.

Excellence in Marketing Innovation

And the winner is

Lowe Living 10 Year Campaign

Nominated by Lowe Living

Lowe Living leveraged its 10-year milestone to reposition its brand without relying on traditional paid advertising.

Instead, a partner-led advocacy strategy expanded its market reach, strengthened industry relationships and generated significant future pipeline growth.

The campaign demonstrated the growing value of credibility and authentic storytelling in challenging market conditions.

The winning campaign distinguished itself through a highly strategic, data-driven approach, combining creativity with measurable market impact and demonstrating exceptional differentiation in a highly competitive environment.

Excellence in Project Marketing

And the winner is

An Icon Takes Flight

Nominated by Theola

Theola rewrote the premium apartment launch playbook with a disciplined campaign that built demand long before public listings commenced.

Grounded in detailed audience research and strategic sequencing, the campaign generated more than $300 million in reservations and secured approximately half of all residences within weeks of launch.

Judges unanimously selected An Icon Takes Flight as the winner, praising its standout response to the brief, polished presentation, strong marketing execution and clear alignment with the judging criteria.

Development of the Year Awards

Development of the Year – Social Infrastructure

And the winner

Rhodes Recreation Centre

Nominated by Billbergia & City of Canada Bay

Rhodes Recreation Centre demonstrates how public-private partnerships can deliver significant community infrastructure.

The $80-million facility integrates recreation, health, childcare, retail and community uses under one roof while forming part of a broader mixed-use precinct.

Strong collaboration between council, architect and developer helped overcome complex construction and subdivision challenges.

Judges selected Rhodes as the winner, recognising its nation-leading community infrastructure, voluntary developer commitment, broad resident benefits and successful integration of civic space within high-density renewal.

Special Commendation

Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 + Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Nominated by Billard Leece Partnership

This transformative healthcare project combines treatment, research and family-centred design into a single integrated destination.

Co-designed with clinicians, children and families, the precinct prioritises dignity, comfort and connection while advancing medical outcomes.

The result is a benchmark for healthcare infrastructure that will benefit generations of Australian families.

The judges praised the Sydney Children’s Hospital for its patient-centred precinct design, Indigenous storytelling, research integration and complex delivery.

Development of the Year – Retirement, Aged Care and Seniors Living

And the winner is

Hyegrove and HyeCare Willoughby

Nominated by Hyecorp

Hyegrove introduces a new model for luxury retirement living by combining premium residences with integrated healthcare services.

Residents can access nursing support around the clock while maintaining independence through flexible care options that evolve over time.

Extensive green spaces, sustainability commitments and strong market demand have further differentiated the project.

Highgrove was a standout, impressing judges with exceptional resident amenity, quality design and a comprehensive submission that demonstrated excellence across every assessment criterion.

Development of the Year – Mixed-Use

And the winner is

Surry Hills Village

Nominated by TOGA Group

Surry Hills Village transformed a highly constrained inner-city site into a thriving mixed-use neighbourhood.

A public realm-led approach reconnects fragmented streets while blending residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and hotel uses.

Sustainable construction methods and strong architectural diversity have created a precinct that will remain active throughout the day and evening.

Judges praised Surry Hills Village as a true mixed-use development, highlighting heritage restoration, CLT construction, public park investment and strong community integration.

Special Commendation

Rhodes Central Town Centre

Nominated by Billbergia & SJB

Rhodes Central Town Centre has established a new benchmark for high-density living integrated with community infrastructure.

The development combines hundreds of apartments with the Rhodes Recreation Centre and strong public amenity, generating exceptional sales and leasing outcomes while overcoming significant engineering and subdivision complexity.

Rhodes Central Town Centre was recognised for transforming an established centre into a thriving mixed-use precinct through strong community activation, sustainability outcomes and outstanding commercial performance.

Development of the Year – Commercial

And the winner is

Parkline Place

Nominated by Investa, Oxford Properties Group & Mitsubishi Estate Asia

Parkline Place is one of Sydney’s most ambitious integrated station developments.

Delivered above Gadigal Station, the tower combines sustainability leadership, innovative financing and architectural excellence.

Strong tenant demand saw the building substantially leased before opening, reinforcing its position as a future-focused workplace destination.

Parkland Place excelled across every criterion, combining design, sustainability, transport integration and commercial success while delivering meaningful public domain improvements and outstanding financial performance.

Development of the Year – Industrial

And the winner is

Vermont Inc.

Nominated by Ledlin Group

Vermont Inc. challenges traditional industrial development through a design-led approach that appeals to modern businesses.

Premium office warehouses, basement flex spaces and elevated workplace environments generated immediate market demand, with the majority of stock selling within minutes of release and the entire project sold before completion.

Judges recognised the project’s exceptional market acceptance, rapid sell-out, full occupancy and leading sustainability outcomes, including significant construction waste diversion and early environmental integration.

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Special Commendation

Karthina Lane

Nominated by Frank Developments

Karthina Lane reimagines industrial spaces for owner-occupiers, creatives and small businesses.

Passive design principles, abundant natural light and thoughtful landscaping create workplaces that prioritise wellbeing alongside functionality.

Strong sales performance reinforced the growing demand for more sophisticated industrial environments.

Kathina Lane impressed judges through innovative industrial design, strong commercial returns and meaningful community contributions, demonstrating how industrial projects can achieve broader social and economic outcomes.

Development of the Year – Urban Regeneration

And the winner is

Seafarers, 1 Hotel & Homes

Nominated by Riverlee

Seafarers has transformed one of Melbourne’s last undeveloped riverfront sites into a globally significant destination.

Anchored by heritage restoration and Australia’s first 1 Hotel & Homes, the precinct reconnects the city with its waterfront while blending luxury accommodation, residences, hospitality venues and public open space.

The winning project demonstrated exceptional urban regeneration by successfully transforming its site through thoughtful planning, strong sustainability outcomes and lasting benefits for the surrounding community.

Development of the Year – New Communities

And the winner is

Woodlea Estate

Nominated by Woodlea, Mirvac & Victoria Investments & Properties

Woodlea has become one of Melbourne’s most successful masterplanned communities by prioritising infrastructure delivery from the outset.

Schools, parks, retail and transport connections were established early, creating a genuine sense of place that continues to drive strong buyer demand and resident satisfaction.

Woodlea Estate stood out for its comprehensive submission, strong response to the judging criteria and exceptional delivery of a connected, sustainable and highly liveable masterplanned community.

Development of the Year – Retail

And the winner is

New Sydney Fish Market

Nominated by Placemaking NSW

The New Sydney Fish Market has quickly become one of the city’s most significant public destinations.

Combining seafood retailing, dining experiences and vibrant public spaces, the waterfront precinct celebrates

Sydney’s diverse food culture while creating a major attraction for both locals and visitors.

Sydney Fish Markets impressed across every assessment criterion, combining environmental innovation, outstanding commercial performance and significant tourism and community benefits to create a world-class destination.

Development of the Year – Hotels and Accommodation

And the winner is

The Mondrian Gold Coast

Nominated by The Mondrian Gold Coast

The Mondrian Gold Coast established a new benchmark for branded residences in Australia.

Strong architectural identity, exceptional sales performance and a diversified hospitality model have created a resilient long-term asset that combines luxury accommodation with substantial food and beverage offerings.

Mondrian was the clear winner, delivering exceptional design, premium guest experience and outstanding execution to establish a new benchmark for luxury hotel development.

Development of the Year – Build-to-Rent and PBSA

And the winner is

LIV Albert Nominated by Mirvac

LIV Albert transformed a fragmented Brunswick site into a vibrant build-to-rent neighbourhood comprising almost 500 homes.

Strong sustainability credentials, thoughtful public spaces and exceptional leasing momentum demonstrate the growing maturity of Australia’s institutional rental sector.

LIV Albert impressed judges with its resident-focused build-to-rent model, sustainability leadership, strong community amenities, parkland integration and innovative approach to long-term rental living.

Special Commendation

The Archive, Melbourne

Nominated by CDL Australia

The Archive successfully combined disciplined delivery with a strong resident proposition. Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, the fully electric build-to-rent development quickly attracted tenants through carefully curated communal spaces and a distinctive brand identity.

The Archive was noted for its thoughtful design response, high-quality execution and well-rounded submission demonstrating excellence across all judging criteria in this hotly contested category.

Development of the Year – Small-Scale Residential (1-3)

And the winner is

Rocabella Mermaid Beach

Nominated by GRAYA

Rocabella elevates medium-density coastal living through extraordinary attention to design detail.

Vertical gardens, rooftop pools and sculptural interiors create highly distinctive residences that have redefined luxury expectations while setting new pricing benchmarks for the area.

Rockabella impressed judges with its coastal lifestyle offering, refined design, resort-style amenity, premium residences and strong connection to Mermaid Beach’s character.

Special Commendation

Arbour

Nominated by Oviss

Arbour blends wellness, sustainability and family living into a highly differentiated residential offering.

Green roofs, premium materials and dedicated wellness facilities create a luxurious home that remains deeply connected to its surrounding neighbourhood.

Arbor by Ovis impressed judges with its strong project delivery, high-quality construction and comprehensive submission, demonstrating excellence in both development execution and finished product.

Development of the Year – Small-Scale Residential (4-10)

And the winner is

Avoca

Nominated by Prime Edition

Avoca transformed a dormant, partially completed structure into a collection of highly refined residences.

Adaptive reuse principles reduced waste while exceptional architecture and landscape design delivered strong market acceptance and record pricing outcomes.

Avoca stood out through exceptional design resolution, strong sustainability credentials and robust project data, delivering a highly considered and exemplary development outcome.

Development of the Year – Small-Scale Residential (11-20+)

And the winner is

Della ROSA

Nominated by Frank Developments & Signature Property Partners

Della ROSA demonstrates how small-scale developments can achieve significant impact through heritage sensitivity and thoughtful design.

Delivered on a constrained site, the project established new pricing benchmarks while celebrating local history through its architectural expression.

Della ROSA impressed judges with its boutique scale, timeless design, craftsmanship, premium finishes, rooftop amenities, landscaped setting and strong connection to New Farm’s character. 

Development of the Year – Medium-Density Residential (Under 40)

And the winner is

One Saint Stephens

Nominated by Countrywide Residences & Experiences By Coopers

One Saint Stephens delivered luxury apartment living at a scale rarely seen in contemporary residential projects.

Strong sales performance, extensive wellbeing initiatives and world-leading wellness accreditation helped distinguish the project within a highly competitive market.

One Saint Stephens impressed judges with its refined medium-density design, quality craftsmanship, strong resident amenity, thoughtful planning and contribution to its surrounding community.

Development of the Year – Medium-Density Residential (40+)

And the winner is

Piccolo House

Gore Street Nominated by Piccolo House

Piccolo House presents a contemporary interpretation of Fitzroy’s industrial and heritage character.

 High-quality design, enduring materials and strong architectural collaboration have created a boutique project intended to remain relevant for decades.

Piccolo House’s strong financial performance, innovative engineering and planning outcomes were praised by the judges.

Special Commendation

Cotton Tree by Mosaic

Nominated by Mosaic Property Group

Cotton Tree balanced commercial success with genuine respect for local character.

Clever planning solutions transformed site constraints into strengths while generating strong sales outcomes and long-term value for residents.

Cotton Tree by Mosaic for its refined coastal design, exceptional craftsmanship, boutique scale, strong amenity, sustainability focus and sensitive response to its location were cited by the judges.

Development of the Year – High-Density Residential (Under 200)

And the winner is

Norwest Quarter

Nominated by Mulpha

Norwest Quarter is helping redefine apartment living through net zero-ready design principles and extensive public amenity.

The multi-stage precinct places sustainability at its core while creating stronger connections between residents and the broader community.

Norwest Quarter was unanimously selected for creating a genuinely community-focused neighbourhood, delivering a high-quality residential environment that successfully prioritises liveability, connection and long-term resident wellbeing.

Development of the Year – High-Density Residential (200+)

And the winner is

Monarch Residences

Nominated by Consolidated Properties Group

Monarch Residences transformed a long-troubled riverfront site into a highly successful owner-occupier development.

Strong public realm outcomes, exceptional sales performance and early project completion demonstrate how complex sites can be successfully reimagined.

Monarch impressed judges with outstanding architecture, generous public realm, activated riverfront and strong commercial performance, successfully delivering an owner-occupier-focused development with enduring community value.