Four UAE property developments have won internationally acclaimed awards at the International Property Awards.
Etihad Towers on the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Akoya by Damac on the outskirts of Dubai were among those recognised by the IPA in a set of awards for the best architecture on the globe.
Dubai property developer Al Barari also scooped an award for the best single home for a villa on its luxurious The Reserve scheme at Al Barari, a US$6.4 billion mixed use scheme in Dubailand.
And architect Aedas won an award for Best International Office Architecture for its work designing the twin 29 storey super-green Abu Dhabi Investment Council headquarters Al Bahr Towers on Salam Street in Abu Dhabi.
At a gala dinner at London’s Grosvenor Hotel earlier this month the IPA awarded Etihad Towers, the Dh2.5 billion complex of five curved towers by Sheikh Suroor Projects Department, the prize for the best commercial high rise development.
The 5.8 million square feet project was completed in 2011. Earlier this year Etihad Tower 2 was named as the world's ninth tallest residential building by building skyscraper database Emporis.
Also at the awards Dubai developer Damac’s 28 million square feet project for luxury condominiums around an 18 hole golf course was given the prize for the best international golf development.
The project, which is currently under development will include mansions, spas and hotels built around a Donald Trump branded 7,205 yard par 71 golf course located next to Dubai Properties Group's Mudon project.
The IPA are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. The awards are split into regional awards. Companies selected as winners are automatically entered into the overall International Awards to compete against schemes from all over the world.
Etihad Towers won five awards at the Arabian regional competition of the IPA in October; Best Residential High-rise Development in Arabia, Best Commercial High-rise Development Arabia, Best Residential High-rise Development in Abu Dhabi, Best Commercial High-rise Development Abu Dhabi and Best Mixed-use Development Abu Dhabi.
Judging is carried out by a panel of over 70 experts from the property industry. These include Andrew Panting, the director of operations for the British Property Federation and Peter Bolton King, the global residential director of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
lbarnard@thenational.ae