Entry Rules

ENTRIES NOW OPENED!
ENTRIES CLOSE ON 30 JUNE 2026

 

Categories

  1. Commercial Office Development
  2. Corporate Office Development
  3. Industrial Development
  4. Innovative Award
  5. Interiors Award
  6. International Development
  7. Mixed-use Development
  8. Other Developments
  9. Refurbishments
  10. Residential Developments
  11. Retail Developments - Large Regional Mall (More than 25,000m²)
  12. Retail Developments - Small Boutique (Less than 25,000m²)
  13. Rural & Small-town Development
  14. Student Accommodation
Judging Criteria

Judging Criteria

  1. Economic and financial considerations (Weighting: 20)
    Scale
    Score 20 25% 50% 75% 100%
    Yield - (First years income/cost) 20 Return above repo 0% 1% 2% 3%+
    Based on repo at closing date
    Example 7.50% 8.50% 9.50% 10.5%+
    Repo Currently 7.50%
    Commentary
    Margin above cost of capital
    Cost of capital based on repo rate at closing date
  2. Design Concept (Weighting: 15)

    • a) Is there a unique idea and concept (5 points)
    • b) Does the building meet its intended purpose? (5 points)
    • c) Does the building harmonise and improve and enhance its surroundings and environment? (5 points)

  3. Functionality / Fit for Purpose / Impact (Weighting: 7)

    • a) What enhancements are provided to improve the primary use of the building or solution/s. (5 points)
    • b) Is the building future-proofed? (2 points)

  4. Facilities / User Satisfaction (Weighting: 7)

    • a) Maintenance & Repairs (2 points)
    • b) Cleanliness & Hygiene (2 points)
    • c) Safety & Security (1 point)
    • d) Waste Management (1 point)
    • e) Solar & Water Systems (1 point)
    • f) Air Conditioning (1 point)

  5. Tenant Convenance (Weighting: 6)

    • a) Strength of tenants (2 points)
    • b) Type of tenant (2 points)
    • c) Tenant Mix (1 point)
    • d) Lease Duration (1 point)

  6. Environmentally sustainable design (Weighting: 10)

    • *Only one of the below (a-to-e) should be picked, scoring is not incremental
    • a) Minimal/ Not targeted (0-2 points)
    • b) Basic compliance / Early-stage effort (3-4 points)
    • c) Solid, credible sustainability or good practice (Best Practice) (5-6 points)
    • d) High performance / Leading practice (Excellence) (7-8 points)
    • e) Exemplary / Best-in-class / award-winning (World Leadership) (9-10 points)

  7. Social transformation (Weighting: 10)

    • a) Economic Impact: Examination of the economic benefits or opportunities created for marginalized groups (3 points)
    • b) Community Engagement/ Stakeholder involvement: Evaluation of the level of community participation and empowerment in a project (3 points)
    • c) Skills development and contribution to the community: Assessment of how well the initiative promotes social equity and reduces disparities (3 points)
    • d) Subject to demonstrating any of the following (1 point)

      • I. Preservation of local culture
      • II. Cultural Programs
      • III. Community green spaces
      • IV. Sustainability
      • V. Cultural Shifts

  8. Overall impact (Weighting: 25)

    • a) Please enter your concluding remarks.
    • b) What is different about this innovation/ design / solution?
    • c) Please provide points of special merit to be considered by the judges.
    • d) Is this proposal clear and well presented?

  9. Innovation (Weighting: 10)

    • a) What makes the project unique, or what differentiate it from projects that are considered business as usual?
    • b) Is the innovation a first or early adopter/ does it transform the market or solve an environmental concern/impact?
    • c) What specific innovative ideas, technologies, or processes etc. were implemented that improve the project performance, efficiency and/or user experience?
    • d) What innovations were incorporated in the design to push the boundaries on aesthetics, functionality, adaptability, future proofing, resilience etc?
    • e) What challenges were overcome that have advanced the industry by influencing or setting new trends?
    • f) Did the project develop other types of innovations?

    10. Total: 110 points (You do not get penalized for not getting innovation points; rather, you are rewarded.)

Overall Awards

The following overall awards will be evaluated for all entries submitted

Transformation Award

A commercial property may receive a transformation award based on several key factors that demonstrate its significant positive impact or revitalization. These awards are typically given to properties that have undergone major renovations, adaptive reuse, or innovative design changes. While criteria can vary, here are some common elements that often contribute to a commercial property receiving a transformation award:

Heritage Award

A real estate commercial building may be awarded a heritage award based on several defining factors related to its historical, architectural, and cultural significance. These awards recognize buildings that are considered important for preserving the character and history of a community or region. The building should possess unique architectural features that represent the style and construction methods of a specific era or movement. This can include distinctive designs, materials, or construction techniques that are considered valuable in a historical, cultural & social value, preservation & restoration and its impact on urban and architectural landscape context.

Sustainability Award

This award recognises innovation excellence in heritage related development or adaptive reuse projects. The award recognises outstanding conservation projects, adaptive reuse of existing buildings/sites or high-quality infill development within a historic context. This award recognises and rewards innovation and encourages the demonstrated application of sustainability practices that reduce a project or existing building’s eco footprint. The project incorporates sustainable construction methods, energy-efficient designs, or renewable energy sources.

Innovative Award

This award recognises innovation that creates significant advancement and improvement within a development. Innovation can relate to flexibility in design, construction, sustainability, integrating advanced technologies such as automation systems, energy management, and smart appliances.. The innovation must be replicable in a development and of broad benefit to the industry and or the community.

Overall Award

A project will be considered for an overall award based on a range of factors that highlight excellence in design, functionality, sustainability, and impact. These awards are typically granted to projects that excel in several key areas and make a positive contribution to their surrounding environment.

Judges reserve the right to move submissions between categories.

Rules & Regulations

  • The panel of judges will evaluate all submissions in a first-round elimination process to select finalists in each category based on information as submitted via the online submission
  • A second round of judging will be site visits only to identified projects if it is necessary.
  • Major significant re-development or re-furbished projects qualify as projects.
  • The application and submission may be made by any SAPOA member associated with the project and/or system, with the consent of the owner of the property
  • The trophy/trophies and certificate/s will be presented to the SAPOA member applicant or his nominee who have entered the project – only 2 representatives per company will be permitted to accept such at the Annual SAPOA Convention taking place 29 September – 01 Oct 2026 at Sun City.

Winners of the SAPOA Property Awards for Innovative Excellence 2025