Development awards reflect vision for Perth’s future

The State Government in Western Australia has a vision for a more compact and connected Perth.  They hope to realise that vision through a range of planning and policy mechanisms, such as setting urban infill targets for local government areas under the Perth and Peel @ 3.5 million frameworks.

Major infrastructure programs such as rolling out the METRONET public transport network are also part of that vision.

Of course, a vision for the growth of a city cannot be realised without the support of multiple stakeholders, not least, private industry.

Here in WA, the development industry is supporting the vision for a more compact and connected city through the quality projects that are being delivered in a range of areas in Perth and the regions. 

The recent UDIA WA Awards for Excellence were a showcase of the evolution of Perth’s growth in recent years, with nearly all the winning projects featuring a mix of housing types, in particular townhouse and apartment projects in existing areas of Perth. 

These projects are designed to complement and enhance the neighbourhoods that they are built within, many of which have been embraced by local residents who benefit from greater housing choice and the vibrancy and activation that these projects bring to their area.

The big winner at the Awards for Excellence this year, was ONE Subiaco by Blackburne Property Group. The iconic project that is leading the reinvigoration of Subiaco more broadly, won in both the Apartment (High Rise) category and the overall Russel Perry Award for Urban Development Excellence.

The Russel Perry Award is chosen out of all the winners on the night and the winning project reflects the very best urban development for 2023.

ONE Subiaco is a luxury apartment development located on the former Pavilion Market site that offers a mix of apartment living and mixed-use commercial tenancies, including the already popular Subi Continental on the ground floor.

The three luxury residential buildings atop the podium level, reflect a stunning and thoughtful design and accommodate a mix of different sized, immaculately finished apartments that have attracted many owner occupiers from the local area.

The project is a fantastic example of how quality infill development can bring enhanced amenities to local communities and provide options for locals to downsize within the area that they are familiar with and have ongoing connections with.

Another big winner on the night, Victoria House by Hesperia, won the Excellence in Design Award and the Medium Density category.

This adaptation of a state heritage listed building has resulted in a stand-out centrepiece for the broader Montario Quarter precinct in the inner ring suburb of Shenton Park.

The site of Perth’s first infectious diseases hospital is now home to 81 residential apartments, a range of health services focused on children and young adults and a commercial café that utilises materials salvaged from the original hospital.

Victoria House comprises a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences across three boutique buildings, Ochre, Umber and Siena, meaning there is a diversity of options for homeowners.

Montario Quarter itself is a redevelopment project led by DevelopmentWA and the precinct won in the Urban Renewal category. The precinct is delivering a thriving community and a diverse mix of housing options into the existing Shenton Park area.

Significant retention of existing trees and parklands along with delivering new parks and facilities, constructed using re-furbished materials from the demolition of the existing buildings, provides fantastic amenity for residents.

Another project that overcame initial local resistance to become a market success, is NOMA Residences by Parcel Property, located in Mosman Park.

NOMA won in the Apartments (Mid Rise) category and received a Judges Commendation in the Design category.

Located in the heart of Mosman Park, NOMA Residences is a superbly designed apartment project that offers luxury living in a well-connected context that complements the town centre with active community amenity on the ground floor.

The judging panel noted that the focus on sensitively integrating a contemporary apartment building into an established residential area in the face of community opposition warranted special recognition. The award was particularly prescient given one initial opponent to the project is now a resident, which is a true testament to the ability of the project team to turn opposition into advocacy.

The complex features a rooftop lounge and attractive gardens along with larger size apartments that have appealed to a range of buyers including downsizers, young professional couples and families.

In a further reflection of how Perth development is evolving, Exchange at Curtin University won in the Masterplanned Communities category, recognised for showcasing how a university can meaningfully integrate with the local community and provide a diverse range of uses, including student teaching facilities, hotel, student accommodation, commercial enterprises, retail, social and sporting facilities all within a bustling transit-oriented development site.

The judges were particularly impressed with the energy and vibe of the precinct with students, businesspeople and community members alike, all using the public spaces, recreating or buying their weekly groceries.

It is great to see such a range of projects being recognised for their positive impact on the growth of Perth as a more compact and connected city.

Delivering housing choice in a range of areas is critical for thriving, sustainable communities for the future.