Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets Put Spotlight on Mid-East’s Ground-Breaking Real Estate Projects

The Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets have recognised 13 of the world’s finest projects in real estate development and architecture at a gala dinner in the Conrad Hotel Dubai last night (Tuesday).

The ceremony rounded off the first day of Cityscape Global, which was visited by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

After years of dominance from Asian projects, the Middle East region stole the show by winning seven of the 13 categories, including three projects located in the UAE.

Mleiha Archaeological Centre, led by the Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq), took home the community, culture and tourism project (built), while two Dubai-based developments won the commercial project (built) and residential high rise project (built) – the Offices at One Central by Hopkins Architects Dubai Ltd., and Binghatti Apartments, by Muhammad Binghatti Aljbori, respectively. 

“We were particularly impressed by the Offices at One Central and their team’s huge scale of ambition shown in the project planning and design which clearly followed best practice principles,” said Christopher Seymour, Regional Development Director & Head of Markets MESA at Mott MacDonald and one of the members of the judging panel. 

The AED8 billion project features open-plan office spaces, ranging in size from approximately 290 to 1,920 square metres per floor, with access to multiple rooftop gardens, is expected to change the face of Dubai World Trade Centre.

“They turned a simple idea into a high quality asset by sound execution of their asset management plan which clearly demonstrated that sustainability was embedded into their business model from its inception,” added Seymour.

Underlining the international scope of the Awards, 39 finalists were shortlisted from markets including Malaysia, India, Turkey, Hong Kong and Pakistan and gathered to await the announcement of the winners chosen by a panel of 16 judges, including academics, chartered surveyors, leading architects and sustainability experts.

Highlighted as an outstanding cultural project that sets a new standard for developments celebrating and conserving regional heritage, Mleiha Archaeological Centre is an archaeological and eco-tourism venture occupying an area of 5,068 square metres located near ancient ruins and burial sites in Sharjah.

“We chose Mleiha Archaeological Centre as an example of a genuinely, contextually lead project that is unique and culturally sensitive to a highly important site,” said Mathew Lamont, Associate Director at AECOM and representative award judge for The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

“This year was especially successful for buildings demonstrating exceptional levels of environmental, social, economic and cultural relevance where the design truly added value to their place. The Awards encourage projects incorporating innovative and sustainable design which resonates with the local context, whether in a rural or an urban setting.”

The Awards honoured projects spanning a wide range of scales and typologies across the following sectors: Commercial, Leisure & Hospitality, Community, Culture & Tourism, Residential, Retail, and Sustainability. 

Among the regional projects applauded for their unique design was T3 Tower, led by PARALX in partnership with Lebanon-based developer ZRE and awarded in the residential high rise project category (future).

“We have no doubt that this thin tower of slabs and glass in Beirut will have an impact in the design of high-rise structures of the entire city in the years to come,” said George Katodrytis, Associate Professor of Architecture at American University of Sharjah.

Set in the new Beirut Digital District (BDD) the project is made of simple open plan units, featuring high ceilings and “mini piazzas” in the form of either a hanging garden or a plunge pool, which extend the green space vertically on the building, wrapped in a dynamic façade.

Other winners included those from India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Mumbai-based developer Shree Cement Ltd won two awards on the night: commercial project (future) for their RESERVOIR in Rajasthan, India and residential low rise project (built) for Studios 18.

The Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets were sponsored by Mansion Global, Facade Lighting and Crystal Gallery, Official Crystal Trophy Supplier.  Now in its 15th edition, Cityscape Global 2016 has attracted 272 international and regional exhibitors announcing their latest property developments and news to entice hungry potential investors across covering 41,000sqm of exhibition space.