A unique four-storey apartment development in Adelaide’s CBD and a luxurious multi-level retirement complex in the eastern suburbs have triumphed at last night’s Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) National Awards for Excellence at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Vespa Apartments by Forme Projex and On Statenborough a joint venture between Simon Chappel and David Smallacombe outclassed Australia’s top developers to take home the prestigious awards during a Gala Dinner and ceremony.
The awards consisted of nine categories, with Vespa Apartments named the national winner for the Affordable Development category and On Statenborough winning the Seniors Living award.
UDIA (SA) Executive Director Terry Walsh said to win the awards among such a high calibre list of national entrants is a significant achievement for South Australian developers. “It demonstrates they’re a leader in urban development while addressing critical social and environmental issues such as affordable housing and seniors’ accommodation,” Mr Walsh said. “The winning developers are to be congratulated for this significant achievement and industry recognition,” he said.
The national UDIA judging panel earmarked both Vespa Apartments and On Statenborough as prime examples for other developers to learn from and produce similar projects. “Forme Projex is to be highly commended for creating seven beautifully finished and functional apartments on a mere 151sq m site with only a five metre frontage in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD,” the judges said. “Each apartment has an abundance of natural light and ventilation with high level sound proofing and is priced from $295,000. Forme Projex has not only demonstrated their skill in this market segment but has produced a fully commercial and affordable product that is a notable leader within the industry.” The unique design of Vespa Apartments on Storr Street includes a central staircase servicing the four-storey building instead of a lift installation.
The high recognition of achievement and strong praise extended to On Statenborough, one of Adelaide’s first multi-level retirement complexes on Coopers Avenue at Leabrook. “Seniors Living developments need to be more than a housing development and sell a complete lifestyle, and Simon Chappel and David Smallacombe have gone that extra mile in presenting a development offers a fully catered restaurant, pool, gym, games room and a chauffeured limousine which transports residents anywhere within a 10 kilometre radius,” the judges said.
The 17000sq/m site was formerly the Coopers Brewery and had been in the Cooper family for 120 years, and today now consists of 124 apartments catering for residents aged over 55 who are not working full-time. Mr Walsh said the accolades are a strong indicator South Australia is at the forefront in innovative thinking and urban development. “Both projects were triumphant at the UDIA state awards last year and the national recognition is further proof that SA is producing developers who are not only thinking outside the square but can compete on a national scale,” Mr Walsh said. UDIA is the State’s peak property development industry body, comprising 300 members. UDIA is a leading source of knowledge on urban development for developers, builders, consultants, government and the community.
UDIA National Awards for Excellence 2012 Winners – Nine Categories:
Masterplanned Development
Varsity Lakes – Lend Lease, Queensland
Residential Development
Port Coogee – Australand, Western Australia
Medium Density Development
The Garden House – Piccolo Developments Pty Ltd, Victoria
High Density Development
SW/1 – Property Solutions, Queensland
Urban Renewal
Flinders Street Redevelopment – Townsville City Council, Queensland
Environmental Excellence
Port Coogee – Australand, Western Australia
Affordable Development
Vespa Apartments– Forme Projex, South Australia
Seniors Living
On Statenborough – Simon Chappel and David Smallacombe Joint Venture, South Australia
Presidents Award
The Garden House – Piccolo Developments Pty Ltd, Victoria
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