Heritage community redevelopment takes out UDIA SA’s Project of the Year Award
The 2025 Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA) Awards for Excellence shone a spotlight on the state’s finest in urban development, recognising 17 outstanding winners shaping the future of South Australia.
Friday night’s UDIA (SA) Awards for Excellence saw PEET LIMITED take out both the Project of the Year and the Masterplanned Communities Award for its Fort Largs project, a vibrant community development opening doors to 230 new homes.
Fort Largs has redefined Adelaide’s coastal living, blending heritage conservation with innovative urban design.
Located on the Lefevre Peninsula, the development transformed a dormant former military and police training site into a thriving residential, retail and cultural destination. The project overcame complex planning, environmental and heritage challenges to deliver a cohesive, inclusive and sustainable community.
The restored 150-year-old Fort, once inaccessible to the public, is now a dynamic precinct featuring seven commercial tenancies, event spaces and community markets.
UDIA SA chief executive Liam Golding called Fort Largs “a testament to what can be achieved when heritage, design and community come together with vision and care”.
“The transformation of Fort Largs into a coastal destination is driven by a deep respect for its past and an unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable, liveable future,” he said.
The annual UDIA awards recognise innovation and excellence in development across the scope of each project and reflect the industry’s contribution to liveability in this state.
Another double winner at the 2025 awards was UnitingSA, taking home the Medium Density Development Award and Social and Community Housing Award for Uniting on Devonport. The medium-density Prospect development offers enhanced, affordable community living for South Australians on low-to-moderate incomes.
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Judges said the project was “an excellent example of design innovation and sensitive management of social and community housing, while navigating tricky interfaces”.
“With energy-efficient design, modern finishes, and access to UnitingSA’s support services, Uniting on Devonport is more than housing — it’s a community, a pathway and a place to thrive,” Golding said.
“This development delivers 40 architecturally designed homes, including 31 affordable rentals, two specialist disability accommodation apartments, and seven townhouses for first-home buyers. It ticks all the boxes, making it a deserving award winner.”
Cedar Woods was the night’s third double award winner, taking out the Apartments (Mid-rise) Award for its Monarch Apartments and Boutique Development Award for Fletcher’s Slip Townhouses.
Monarch Apartments in Glenside is a stunning, six-storey development of 49 homes, blending modern architecture with heritage charm. “With 53 per cent affordable housing, it promotes inclusivity and diversity, while its premium features deliver true comfort,” Golding said.
“Fletcher’s Slip has redefined waterfront living, turning a historic site into a thriving, multi-generational neighbourhood that celebrates history while embracing the future. An outstanding example of boutique development.”
Walker Corporation continued its winning streak, securing the Marketing Excellence Award for its Riverlea development and Sustainability Award for Festival Tower in Adelaide’s CBD.
Riverlea, spanning 1,300 hectares north of Adelaide sets a new standard for place-led, sustainable development in South Australia, with personalised face-to-face interaction with residents and a people-first approach to community building. “Walker Corporation’s early investment in roads, parks, lakes, and services has allowed residents to enjoy a fully functioning community from day one,” Golding said.
“Festival Tower sets a new benchmark in sustainable design and looks to the human health and wellbeing benefits of working in a sustainable building, setting a high standard for Adelaide’s commercial development sector.”
In the individual categories Annoushka Scharnberg a partner at Mills Oakley, was crowned winner of the Women in Leadership Award for her long-term contributions to the South Australian urban development sector.
“Annoushka has more than 15 years of experience in providing strategic, commercial and innovative legal advice for clients in the property and development sector,” Golding said.
“Leaders like Annoushka elevate the urban development sector – her expertise, dedication and professionalism are truly inspiring, and she serves as an exceptional role model for emerging practitioners in the legal field.”
The Stuart Main – Young Leader Award went to Madeleine Steele, associate director and South Australian studio leader at Hames Sharley. Steele leads a team of 40 multi-disciplinary designers and professionals with a leadership style grounded in empathy and collaboration.
“In just the eight years since graduating from the University of South Australia, Madeleine Steele has forged an exceptional career that exemplifies the values celebrated by the Stuart Main – Young Leader Award,” Golding said.
Winners in the eligible award categories can be put forward as nominees for the National UDIA Awards for Excellence. The national winners will be revealed at the UDIA National Congress, set to take place in Adelaide next year, for the first time in more than a decade.
“These awards provide a fantastic opportunity for our members to showcase how they’re enhancing the liveability of South Australia, while also allowing us to acknowledge the individuals and organisations behind the state’s most impressive development projects,” Golding said.
“The developers and their projects represent excellence in South Australian urban development, with many earning national recognition as a result.
“They’re doing more than just delivering homes – they’re pioneering new approaches to ensure their projects include sustainable design, work harmoniously with both the built and natural environment, and create strong, vibrant communities.”
To see the full list of winners and read more about the UDIA SA Awards for Excellence, visit udiasa.com.au
The awards are supported by the following sponsors:
• Major sponsor – nbn Australia
• Media partner – InDaily
• Category sponsors – Alexander Symonds, Centina, Department for Housing and Urban Development, Finlaysons Lawyers, FYFE, InDaily, Local Government Association, Oliver Hume, Renewal SA, SA Water, Simple Integrated Marketing, Truecore Steel and Whittles
• Print partner – Bowden Printing
