The Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets recognised 12 pioneering real estate developments at a ceremony held in Dubai yesterday (October 9).

Hundreds of industry professionals and VIPs attended the event at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, which revealed the winners selected among 27 shortlisted projects from 11 countries.

GCC winners included the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) for the Louvre, Abu Dhabi for Best Community and Culture (Future) development, while both sustainability awards were snapped up by regional projects – Siemens Middle East Headquarters in Masdar, Abu Dhabi won Best Sustainability (Built) project and Msheireb, Downtown Doha  won Best Sustainability (Future) project.

The One AIA Financial Center in China won the Best Commercial and Mixed (Built) Development; Quasar Istanbul for Best Commercial and Mixed (Future) Development; Hotel Indigo in Hong Kong for Best Leisure and Tourism (Built) project; and Ahyaa Amman Boutique Hotel in Jordan for Best Leisure and Tourism (Future).

Other winners included the National Institute of Fashion Design in India for Best Community and Culture Project (Built); Qatar Foundation’s Male and Female Student Housing for Best Residential Project (Built); Windchants for Best Residential Project (Future); Akbati Shopping Mall for Best Retail Project (Built); and Hang Lung Properties’ Olympia 66 for Best Retail Project (Future).

Wouter Molman, exhibition director, said: “The awards this year attracted a total of 283 nominations from across the world, with only the finest 27 chosen to move forward to the final judging day this week.  The quality of the nominations this year was incredibly high, and it’s great to see such a diverse range of projects celebrated on a global stage.” - TradeArabia News Service