Property development is the engine of any free-market-driven economy and this crucial area of expertise will be honoured by SAPOA’s (South African Property Owners Association) Awards for Innovative Excellence in Property Development, sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance.

“Property developments represent a major investment in South Africa. These fiercely contested awards serve to acknowledge and foster tangible examples of innovation and excellence and honour those who have contributed significantly to the enhancement of the industry,” says SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal.

An impressive total of 27 development projects have been submitted as examples of excellence in 10 different categories.

Awards will be given for office, retail, industrial and residential developments, as well as refurbishments, mixed-use, international developments and social/environmental impact projects.

The category of ‘other’ developments includes hotels, leisure and dealership developments. An award for the most innovative solution to a property challenge will also be presented.

In addition, two overall awards will also be presented for green building and, for the first time in 2011, transformation.

“The property sector is committed to transformation and we believe that it is important to acknowledge exceptional achievements in furthering this important goal,” says John Truter, chairman of the SAPOA Excellence Awards Committee.

Continuing its reign as the most competitive category is office developments, which has again attracted the most entries while the ‘other’ developments category has also proven popular with entrants.

These coveted awards are adjudicated by a multi-disciplinary panel of 17 judges comprising leaders in their fields. The panel for the 2011 awards includes Hashim Bham - BTKM;  Barend de Loor  -  ERIS Property Group; Corne de Leeuw  - DeQS;  John Truter  - WSP;  Pieter Engelbrecht – Growthpoint Properties; Beata Kaleta - DSA Architects; Chris Lawrence.

Chris Lawrence; Ken Reynolds-  Nedbank; Wessel van Dyk - B+P; Rudolf Nieman - JHI; Anthony Orelowitz - Paragon Architects; Sam Silwamba - OMP; Richard Cottrill – Abland; John Williamson - MDS Architects; Panos Zagaretos – PIC; Zinon Marinakos - DSA Architects and Alex Phakathi - Head: Strategy Planning & Business Engagement ABSA.                    

Frank Berkeley, MD of awards sponsor Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, notes that acknowledging excellence in property development across the industry and the country is integral to nurturing continued innovation.

“The awards provide a superb showcase of the exceptional quality of our property developments as well as the world-class originality and relevance of property developments in the South African context,” says Berkeley.

Adopting a holistic approach, the awards look beyond architectural appeal to the development’s economic viability, whether it satisfies the needs of both the investor and the user, its aesthetic appeal and if it enhances the locality in which it is situated.

“In acknowledging excellence in property development, we must deepen our appreciation and understanding of the urban challenge and the opportunities that exist for solving problems, thereby enriching the quality of life in our cities and urban areas,” says Truter.

Finalists and category winners will be announced at the 43rd annual SAPOA International Convention and Property Exhibition that will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from the 11 to 13 May 2011.