PropertyGuru launches ninth Asia Property Awards edition with eight new categories recognizing excellence across Australian urban real estate markets.
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The Asia Property Awards Programme is an initiative by the PropertyGuru Group to acknowledge and celebrate the growing real estate sector in Australia. The announcement of the expansion of this year’s Awards Programme was made at two successful launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, where many people from the property and related industries discussed the rapidly changing market conditions influencing Australia’s real estate awards and the market.
Why is the awards programme expanding now?
There are now eight additional categories in this year’s Awards Programme: Best Condo Developer; Best Housing Developer; Best First Home Development; Best Wellness Hospitality Development; Best Marina Development; Best Landmark Development; Best Sales Gallery Interior Design; and Best Landmark Design. The gala event celebrating the winners of this year’s Awards will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Shangri-La Sydney.
The expansion of the awards programme is consistent with PropertyGuru’s strategic plan for Australia to be an emerging cross-border investment destination, particularly for investors from Southeast Asia. Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards & Events, said that Sydney is being positioned to be a national leader in growth through the city’s future airport expansion and other mega infrastructure strategies. "This complex market demands the capital and innovation that Asia's investors, seeking stability beyond traditional markets, are uniquely positioned to provide," Kay stated.
Could Melbourne become a stronger investment hub?
With Melbourne's inclusion into the program, this demonstrates a continued support for excellence up and down multiple metropolitan areas. Throughout the past decade, Melbourne has continued to show resilience through price growth and an ongoing migration to quality. Kay notes, "Melbourne is one of the most livable cities in the world and the current market dynamics will provide both challenges and opportunities for developers and investors alike.”
What signals are industry leaders watching?
The launch program kicked off with Asia Connect: Sydney on 13 March at the Four Seasons Hotel with the support of the City of Sydney Council, via Councilor Robert Kok. The event brought together market experts as well as award-winning developers such as Eterno Property Group (Melbourne) and Skyland Group (Sydney). Following this was Asia Connect: Melbourne on 17 March at the head office of Savills, hosted by Melbourne's Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece. The event then proceeded into discussions about sustainable urban growth on behalf of design professionals and industry associations.
Ivan Lam, chairperson of the independent judging panel and executive director for international business at Charter Keck Cramer, expressed confidence in the market outlook. He highlighted blue-chip suburbs across Sydney and public works promising value creation throughout New South Wales, while noting the westward transformation of Sydney as presenting "a generational opportunity for astute investors and developers alike."
Who is backing the programme’s regional ambitions?
The initiative is supported by the Australia Malaysia Business Council in New South Wales and Victoria, the Malaysian Developers Council of Australia, and Savills Australia. PropertyGuru's official magazine, Property Report by PropertyGuru, and official supervisor HLB Mann Judd provide additional backing for the programme, reinforcing the awards' credibility within the regional property sector.
Business Honor is of the view that PropertyGuru's expanded Asia Property Awards programme represents a strategic initiative strengthening recognition standards and market competitiveness across Australian real estate.
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