Others to win awards included a new build-to-rent project at the site of an old brickworks, and a new affordable housing project in inner-city Sydney.
Wunderlich Lane has become a particularly busy part of the new Surry Hills Village precinct. Image: TOGA
TOGA Group’s Surry Hills Village has been named Urban Taskforce Australia’s 2026 development of the year, taking top honours at the organisation’s annual Development Excellence Awards.
Delivered across an entire Sydney city block, the project is a collection of seven distinct “villages” on the site of the former Redfern Mall, comprising residential apartments, a premium hotel, commercial workplaces, retail and dining. Including Wunderlich Lane, this buzzing precinct has successfully attracted a crowd since opening, with the area constantly a hive of activity around its dining, retail and commercial offerings and open public space.
Designed by SJB with landscape architecture by Aspect Studio and engineering by WSP and Arup, the precinct combines adaptive reuse of heritage materials and a design that speaks to the local architecture, such as brickwork that complements the adjacent NSW Mounted Police headquarters. In addition, the pre-existing Victorian era facade of the former Bank of NSW building that also occupied the expansive site has been strengthened and preserved within the new village.
Urban Taskforce Australia CEO Tom Forrest particularly called out the project’s ability to deal “sympathetically with the significant heritage overlay,” while enhancing and celebrating it.
He said Surry Hills Village could be looked at as an example of a project that “redefines urban regeneration” through its social leadership and delivery of new residential housing, while also providing strong commercial outcomes.
Across the other categories, many other new developments stand out.
LIV Albert, developed by Mirvac, won best build-to-rent development, recognised as a vibrant new neighbourhood in Melbourne’s trendy Brunswick neighbourhood, delivering 498 apartments alongside generous communal amenities and park‑side living.
The judges noted Mirvac’s successful navigation of complex site constraints – it's built at the location of a former landfill and brickworks, which posed geotechnical challenges.
Mirvac navigated complex geotechnical issues to bring its new built-to-rent project, LIV Albert, to life. Image: Mirvac
The Waterfront, by Urban Property Group, took out the award for best regional high-rise development. It was recognised for rehabilitating a stalled Gosford project and delivering it ahead of program, meeting owner‑occupier demand.
In Sydney’s Hills District, Lumia and Lumia Lux, developed by Sekisui House Australia, won best metro high rise development, praised for harnessing modern methods of construction like prefabricated bathroom pods, as well as its strong alignment with long‑term apartment living demand in the area.
In the same area, Norwest Quarter Stage 1, developed by Mulpha, took home best mixed-use development, recognised for its transit‑oriented design, public ground plane and strong market performance aligned with the Norwest Metro.
Newmarket Randwick Stage 2, by Cbus Property, was named best master-planned development, delivering a design‑led neighbourhood extension that sensitively integrates heritage, public life and a multi‑architect approach.
Abbie’s Lane in Sydney’s Inner West developed by Ceerose, took out best mid‑rise development, recognised for reconciling heritage character with contemporary mixed‑use living along a major urban renewal corridor.
17–31 Cowper Street and 2A–2D Wentworth Park Road, delivered by Homes NSW, won in the category of social/affordable development for providing 75 new, high‑quality social homes in Glebe with strong sustainability and community outcomes.
Anden, by Central Element, received best low‑rise development for its boutique Coogee project combining restored art deco heritage with contemporary apartments focused on resident wellbeing.
Anden by Central Element preserves the art deco facade of a classic Coogee building. Image: Central Element
Meanwhile, the expansive refurbishment of an iconic Sydney office tower at 33 Alfred Street by Dexus and Mirvac received the award for best heritage development. Serving as an example of adaptive reuse, this reimagining of what is known as “Sydney’s first skyscraper” had lots of attention on it, as it transformed into a future‑fit premium commercial building while preserving its architectural legacy.
MADE Marrickville, developed by TOGA Group, won Industrial Development of the year for pioneering a strata‑based vertical industrial model that supports inner‑city employment land while enhancing connectivity and community amenity.
The Lands by Capella, by Land Group and Built, received the award for best adaptive reuse development for transforming Sydney’s heritage‑listed Department of Lands building into luxury retail, dining, co‑working and event spaces, including a subterranean tunnel linking to Capella Hotel Sydney.
Parkline Place, developed by Ivesta, won best commercial development for its 39‑storey premium‑grade tower integrated with Sydney Metro’s Gadigal Station, setting benchmarks for sustainability with a 6‑Star Green Star rating and net‑zero operations.
Sydney Outlet Village, by Gazcorp, claimed best retail development for delivering a $100 million open‑air luxury precinct featuring architectural innovation and carbon‑net‑neutral operations.
Hyegrove Willoughby, developed by Hyecorp, won for best seniors living development, setting new benchmarks in luxury retirement living with an integrated care model and sustainability targets.
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