Victorian developments perform well at national property awards

Victorian developments have done well at a national property awards ceremony. 

The 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards bestowed honours upon the refurbishment of the former Caulfield Rifle Range and the Caribbean Park business park.

The Hill PDA Award for Government Leadership was presented to VicTrack for its redevelopment of the Bang Bang Rifle Club at 294 Glenhuntly Road in Elsternwick (pictured above).

“The former rifle range building, which had laid vacant for 15 years, presented a range of development challenges – including legacy contamination and heritage protections,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive, Ken Morrison.

In association with Glen Eira City Council, VicTrack integrated the restored building into Elsternwick Station plaza and the club is now a Indochine-inspired café and bar.

“By collaborating with the private sector and local government, VicTrack has transformed an underused heritage asset into a high-quality retail offering with broader community benefits,” Morrison says.

Caribbean Park (pictured below), owned by the Caribbean Group, took home the LJ Hooker Commercial Award for Best Business or Industrial Park.

In Melbourne’s south-east, the site encompasses industrial, logistics and commercial spaces overlooking a 15-hectare lake. Caribbean Group has held the land since 1942.

“The open spaces and water vistas overlooking Lake Caribbean create a unique setting for business,” says RLB’s Managing Director NSW, Matthew Harris.

Under a comprehensive masterplan, 40 three-to-five storey office towers are in the pipeline, which will ultimately provide more than 230,000 square metrs of office space.

“Incorporating a fresh produce market, Wi-Fi enabled parkland and transport connectivity, the latest phase of Caribbean Park is innovative, adaptable and sustainable,” Harris says.