On Friday, 6 May, the Chapel Road Neighbourhood Centre, the first of five proposed neighbourhood centres in Flat Bush, received the Rider Hunt Excellence Award, the Property Council of New Zealand's top award for retail property.

The Centre received the award for demonstrating excellence in property development in 2005, the year of the built environment, and for its positive contribution to making our city a vibrant place to live, work and play.

The Centre was one of two finalists - the other being Kiwi Income Property Trust's major redevelopment of the Northlands Shopping Centre, a 8.35ha site in Christchurch with five major tenants and 135 speciality retailers.

Property Council of New Zealand Excellence Awards are presented to outstanding property developments in recognition of excellence in the efficient use of capital in property development - maximum investor benefit for investment buildings and maximum community benefit for public buildings. There are eight categories of award, plus the EECA EnergyWise Building Award and the Rider Hunt Supreme Award.

Judging criteria included aspects such as economic and financial factors, design and construction, owner and user satisfaction, efficiency of operation and maintenance, and degree of difficulty.

"This award demonstrates that the Council's expectation of high-quality urban design and amenity outcomes are finally being recognised by the development industry," says Bruce Harland, Manager for Flat Bush Design and Development.

The Centre (photographs attached) was developed by Broadway Developments, who worked closely with Mr Harland to ensure the design integrated well with the vision of people-oriented village centres in Flat Bush.

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