U City, a one-of-a-kind vertical village in the heart of Adelaide, has taken out South Australia’s top property award.
Uniting Communities was presented with the Rider Levett Bucknall South Australian Development of the Year award today.
‘This world-first, mixed-use development tells a compelling story about how communities can be created by bringing together a diversity of uses into one building,’ says the Property Council’s South Australian Executive Director Daniel Gannon.
Opened in August 2019, the $100 million, 20-storey development on Franklin Street combines uses that might otherwise be considered incompatible.
There is retirement living, specialist short and long-stay disability apartments, commercial office space and a 400-person capacity function centre. Retail and hospitality outlets rest alongside social services suites offering a range of crisis intervention and wellbeing supports.
‘Since U City opened its doors, it has created a vibrant, integrated community in the heart of the city, and has really transformed the traditional idea of retirement living,’ Mr Gannon says.
Residents enjoy access to a dedicated club lounge, gym facilities and fitness classes, as well as the energy and activity from the commercial activity in the CBD.
‘U City demonstrates how intelligent, innovative projects drive investment, growth and productivity in our state,’ Mr Gannon adds.
The RLB South Australian Development of the Year award is part of the 2020 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards program.
U City is now competing at the national awards, which will be held in virtually on Thursday 22 October from 3-5pm.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council to present the awards program since its inception in 1982.
‘Property is Australia’s largest industry, contributing 13 per cent of the nation’s GDP and employing 1.4 million people. Innovative projects like U City showcase the smart solutions that create jobs, growth and opportunities for South Australians,’ concludes RLB Director John Drillis.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
