New South Wales projects, teams and individuals have won 11 of the 19 national categories at the 2026 Property Council of Australia Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.
The awards recognise property projects and industry achievements across areas including affordable housing, offices, mixed-use development, sustainability, student accommodation, public art, workplace design and development innovation.
Martin Place Precinct Takes Top Award
The Martin Place Integrated Station Development, delivered by Macquarie Group, was named both Australian Development of the Year and NSW Development of the Year.
The precinct also won Best Mixed Use Development and Best Sustainable Development – Commercial.
The development integrates the new Martin Place Metro station with two commercial towers, retail and public space in central Sydney.
According to the award submission, the project involved more than 10 million hours of work by over 10,000 people across six years of construction and delivers around 92,000 square metres of premium office space.
The precinct has also achieved a 6 Star Green Star Design rating.
Housing and Student Accommodation Recognised
Midtown by the Park at Midtown MacPark, developed by Frasers Property Australia, won Best Affordable Housing Development.
The project forms part of the broader Midtown MacPark precinct and combines private, community and affordable housing within one development.
UniLodge Kensington by Cedar Pacific received the award for Best Purpose Built Student Accommodation Development, recognising its medium-rise student housing model and shared amenity spaces.
Meanwhile, Indi Sydney by Investa won Best Sustainable Development – Residential.
Located above Gadigal Station, the Build-to-Rent development includes 234 apartments, with apartments achieving 7 Star NatHERS ratings and the project receiving a 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built rating.
Sydney Metro Public Art Wins National Award
The Sydney Metro City Stations Public Art Program received the award for Best Public Art Project.
The program incorporates commissioned artworks across Sydney Metro City stations, with individual works designed to reflect local identity, natural environments, First Nations culture and Sydney’s history.
The award adds to broader recognition of the Metro City project following the opening of the city section in 2024 and the Southwest extension in October 2026.
Bradfield First Building Recognised for Innovation
The First Building at Bradfield City won the award for Development Innovation.
The building is the first completed facility within Bradfield City, the new development precinct near Western Sydney International Airport.
It is intended to support advanced manufacturing, research and technology businesses as the wider Bradfield precinct develops.
Other NSW Winners
Other NSW award recipients included:
- 1 Elizabeth, Sydney – Macquarie Group, Best Office Development
- 1 Elizabeth Macquarie Group Workplace, Best Workplace Fitout or Design
- Pre-sale Finance Guarantee – NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Team of the Year
- Eilish McNab – Hayball, Future Leader of the Year.
The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program was recognised for its work bringing government, lenders, builders and developers together to address financing barriers affecting residential projects.
The national Innovation & Excellence Awards have operated since 1982 and recognise property projects and industry professionals from across Australia.