City development’s two huge awards beat the rest of Australia’s housing projects

This huge apartment complex was one of the only developments to win two awards at one of the nation’s leading property events.

Two prestige Queensland developments have won three national awards at one of the country’s biggest awards shows for property.

The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) National Awards for Excellence 2025 was hosted on Wednesday night, and saw projects by both Aria Property Group and Maidment Group take home some of the evening’s biggest honours.

Two awards went to Upper House by Aria Property Group: Best High-Rise Apartment Building and Best Sustainable Building in Australia.

Upper House by Aria won two awards at the UDIA National Awards for Excellence, 2025. Picture: Mark Nilon

The project won both Best High-Rise Apartment Building and Best Sustainable Building in Australia. Picture: Mark Nilon

Upper House, found in Hope St South Brisbane, is a 33-storey complex that houses 188 apartments.

It’s best known for its star rooftop with a striking design by renowned architect Koichi Takada, featuring a timber pergola that frames the sky-high view of the city.

Aria has now won Best High-Rise Apartment Building six times since 2017. Upper House was also one of only two developments to win two awards on the night.

Aria development director Michael Hurley said his team was “extremely proud” to win both awards while being celebrated with the country’s “best of the best”.

“It is the culmination of twenty years of hard work for everyone at Aria,” he said. “Design excellence and sustainability are key pillars of Aria, and we strive to build world class buildings that we are proud to walk our families past for generations to come.”

Stage 1 of Marina Residences by Maidment Group won the UDIA National Award for Excellence for a Boutique Development.

Aside from the two hit developments, Queensland also saw Riye Arai-Coupe of Bluebird Property Partners share a win in the Women in Leadership award.

Meanwhile, stage 1 of Marina Residences by Maidment Group won Best Boutique Development.

The $65 million development consists of 18 luxury apartments, located at the end of Mariner’s Peninsula in Townsville City. The award was given to the eight waterfront homes in the first stage of the project.

Managing director Glen Maidment said it was designed to meet the demand for luxury property in a region that was lacking in supply.

“We bought the site some years ago and have planned meticulously to deliver a project that will set a new benchmark for North Queensland,” he said.

Aria development director Michael Hurley said Upper House was a culmination of twenty years of work for his team. Picture: David Kelly.

UDIA National President Col Dutton said the winners exemplified the special qualities of new property developments across the country.

Finally, Riye Arai-Coupe of Bluebird Property Partners saw a joint Women in Leadership win with Emma Colombera in the Department of Treasury, WA.

Overall, Parramatta Square by Walker Corporation in NSW won the 2025 award for Excellence, Project of the Year.

UDIA National President Col Dutton said he was “delighted” to congratulate the winners for “their extraordinary efforts and exceptional achievements”.

“All our finalists demonstrated the attributes of what is special about new development,” he said.

Originally published as City development’s two huge awards beat the rest of Australia’s housing projects