Sydney Harbour YHA has won the Ryan Lawyers Award for Best Tourism & Leisure Development and the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage & Adaptive Reuse at the 2011 Property Council of Australia/ Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The Sydney Harbour YHA and Big Dig development by the not for profit YHA Ltd has set a new benchmark within the backpacking industry for its standard of accommodation and service, location on a significant heritage site, environmentally sustainable design, superlative views of Sydney Harbour, incorporation of educational facilities and overall guest experience.
The 354 bed property is the only backpacker accommodation in The Rocks and combines 5 star AAA Tourism rated facilities with stunning harbour and Opera House views. The development incorporated sustainable design principles and provides a heritage experience for Australian and international visitors, having been built above the archaeological remains of colonial Sydney that date back to 1795.
Property Council of Australia CEO Peter Verwer announced the Innovation and Excellence Awards winners at the Gala Awards dinner, held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 14th May 2011.
Mr Verwer said, “Sydney Harbour YHA, and the associated Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre, is the largest urban archaeology development ever undertaken in Australia. The successful outcome of this challenging project is a testament to the outstanding perseverance of the developer and is a prime example of the superior results our industry can produce.”
The development was chosen from a field of seven world-class category finalists from across the country.
The Innovation and Excellence Awards provides an opportunity for the property industry to acknowledge and showcase excellence in the built environment, whilst heralding the achievements of its key professionals.
“The Awards program spans landmark projects over 14 separate categories in addition to nine future leaders. The calibre of this year’s Awards winners is a true testament to the resilience of the Australian property industry and our key stakeholders,” Mr Verwer added.
Bob Richardson, NSW Managing Director of Rider Levett Bucknall commented, “Given the many challenges of building on an archaeology site, a unique building design was required. The architect, Tzannes Associates, designed a light-weight, modern building suspended over the archaeological remnants below.”
“The unique design allows this important archaeology site to be adaptively re-used as budget accommodation whilst delivering ongoing preservation of the heritage elements as well as improved public access and interpretation of the remnants,” he said.
Some key facts:
Owner: Sydney Harbour YHA
Developed and nominated by: YHA Ltd
Architect: Tzannes Associates Architecture Urban Design
Builder: Built
Size: 106 room youth hostel and two-classroom education centre located in The Rocks, Sydney
For further information, please contact: Ken Morrison, Chief Operating Officer, Property Council of Australia on 02 9033 1919 or 0412 233 715
