The world-first ‘U City’ tower in the Adelaide CBD has taken top honours at Australia’s most prestigious property awards.
Designed by Woods Bagot for Uniting Communities, U City won the ‘InfraBuild Award for Best Mixed Use Development’ at the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards in Sydney this evening.
Completed in 2019, the 20-storey vertical village brings together retirement living, specialist short and long stay disability apartments, function centre, commercial, retail and hospitality outlets, and social services suites. It is recognised as one of Australia’s ‘greenest’ buildings and has achieved 6-Star Green Star Design and As Built Ratings.
Property Council of Australia Chief Executive, Ken Morrison, said this was a particularly important year for the Awards to recognise the people, projects and pioneering innovation in Australian property development.
“After an incredibly challenging year, it has been an absolute pleasure to come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements in our industry,” Mr Morrison said.
“U City’s pioneering vision for integrated and inclusive community infrastructure has been exceptionally executed and will no doubt inspire the way community services are accommodated around the world.”
Property Council of Australia SA Executive Director, Daniel Gannon, said the inclusive, mixed-use vertical village brings together residential, social, commercial and community services to the heart of the city.
“U City is a showpiece for how our industry is advancing inclusivity and diversity through pioneering design and innovation,” Mr Gannon said. “It tells a compelling story about the way communities can, and should, be created with accessibility and sustainability at the forefront, and with facilities allowing people of all ages and abilities to flourish.”
RLB has partnered with the Property Council to present the awards program for the past 39 years.
RLB Managing Director, John Drillis, commended the vision of Uniting Communities and Woods Bagot in creating the world-first vertical village.
“This development showcases tremendous design innovation and inclusivity to deliver purpose-built community infrastructure for today, and the future,” Mr Drillis said. “It encapsulates what we can achieve as an industry – as a community – when we celebrate diversity and design with inclusivity.”
Uniting Communities is a not-for-profit organisation working alongside more than 80,000 South Australians each year as they strive for bright futures and great lives.
For media enquiries contact: Sarah Dixon | Urbaine Communications | P 0418 748 892 | E [email protected]
2021 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards Winners
| Category | State | Entry/Name of Development | Company |
| Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year | VIC | Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre | Frasers Property Australia |
| Landcom Award for Best Sustainable Development – New Buildings | VIC | Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre | Frasers Property Australia |
| Hames Sharley Award for Best Shopping Centre Development | VIC | Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre | Frasers Property Australia |
| Procore Award for Development Innovation | ACT | Australian Embassy Development | Global Project Solutions Pty Ltd |
| Woods Bagot Award for Best Public Building | VIC | State Library Victoria Vision 2020 Redevelopment | Built |
| S4B Award for Best Heritage Development | VIC | State Library Victoria | Development Victoria |
| Colliers Award for Best Office Development | NSW | Sixty Martin Place | Investa Office Development |
| Shape Award for Best Tourism & Leisure Development | NSW | CommBank Stadium | Venues NSW |
| GHDWoodhead Award for Best Workplace Project | NSW | Axle, South Eveleigh | Mirvac |
| Suburban Land Agency Award for Best Affordable Housing Development | NSW | Pacific Gateway, Glendale NSW | Pacific Link Housing Limited |
| InfraBuild Award for Best Mixed Use Development | SA | U City | Woods Bagot |
| LJ Hooker Commercial Award for Best Business or Industrial Park | NSW | Sydney Business Park | Sydney Business Park |
| RCP Award for Government Leadership | QLD | COHORT | Economic Development Queensland (Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning) |
| EPM Projects Award for Best Master Planned Community | NSW | Fairwater | Frasers Property Australia |
| PEXA Award for Project Innovation | NSW | BindiMaps | Stockland |
| KONE Award for Best Sustainable Development – Existing Buildings | ACT | Greenway Views | FDC Construction & Fitout (ACT) Pty Ltd |
| Parkview Award for Best Residential Development | VIC | Lt. Miller & Nightingale Brunswick East | ClarkeHopkinsClarke |
| Bridge 42 Award for Future Leader of the Year | QLD | Lisa Hinde | GBCA |
| Rork Projects Award for Diversity < 250 Employees | NSW | Roberts Co | Roberts Co |
| FDC Award for Diversity > 250 Employees | VIC | GJK Facility Services & GJK Indigenous Solutions | GJK Facility Services & GJK Indigenous Solutions |
For more information visit www.propertycouncilawards.com.au
