Queensland's first mass engineered timber commercial building is one of 128 finalists that have been named ahead of the 2020 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards in May.
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The awards program, now in its 38th year in partnership with RLB, showcases innovative projects, pioneering solutions and inspiring leadership in Australia's property industry.
"The property industry is Australia's largest, employing 1.4 million people and generating $202 billion, or 13 per cent, of the nation's GDP," said the Property Council's chief executive, Ken Morrison.
"We are proud to present these awards each year to honour the projects shaping our skylines, our cities and our communities, and to showcase the contribution our industry makes to designing, building and managing great places."
Each finalist tells a story of city-building in their state or territory.
Among those in contention are the Flinders Street Station Administration Building Exterior Restoration in Victoria. This project saved Melbourne's busiest public building by restoring its facade, strengthening its structure and preventing further water damage from roof leaks.
Sydney's York&George, which is competing in three categories, was delivered despite a host of challenges - heavy rail tunnels, multiple heritage buildings, construction of the Light Rail and development over a geological fault zone. The result is a striking new presence on the Sydney skyline.
Brisbane's 25 King, also up for three awards, is the first mass engineered timber commercial building in Queensland and the largest of its scale in Australia. The building saves 74 per cent embodied carbon when compared to an equivalent concrete building and has been embraced by tenants, investors and users.
The ACT's John Gorton Building is also in the spotlight after a seven-year restoration project repositioned the iconic Commonwealth Government landmark for further decades of use.
In the Northern Territory, the Remote Service Centres Program saw a new building transported more than 4000 kilometres across land and sea to Groote Eylandt, enhancing the work environment for local people and instilling community pride.
Among South Australia's finalists is the Adelaide Festival Centre Internal Works Upgrade - the first major refurbishment of the state's principal performing arts venue since it opened in 1973. The reimagined space combines flexibility and functionality to accommodate one million patrons a year.
On the West Coast, a host of impressive projects are in contention, including Perron Group's Belmont Forum Shopping Centre.
