In an acknowledgment to Asian’s high quality property developments, the prestigious FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2015 was dominated by Asian developments, notably those from Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Out of 12 World Gold award winners, nine representing three-quarters hail from Asia, while nine out of 13 Silver award winners were Asian companies. The non-Asian winners came from just four countries – the US, Germany, Australia and quite surprisingly, Hungary which swept four Silver awards, being the only non-Asian winner in that category.
More than 46 judges comprising top industry leaders from all over the world deliberated on the projects before returning their verdict. Since most of the world’s property developments are concentrated in Asia, it came as no surprise that a majority of the winners were also from this part of the world. That they have achieved world class standard is testimony of how far ahead developments in Asia have reached.
Held at One World Hotel in Kuala Lumpur at the end of May, the glittering awards ceremony was attended by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the guest of honour and most of the top industry leaders from the host country. Over 1,000 guests turned up, some of whom are congress delegates who come from 48 countries.
Among the winners were BKP’s VERVE® Suites Mont’Kiara which reputedly is the first ever development to bring home Gold for Malaysia in the high rise residential category since the award’s introduction 24 years ago. Within the same category, the silver went to Singapore’s premier luxury residential development, Marina Bay Suites. The iconic development is owned by a consortium comprising Cheung Kong (Holdings), Hongkong Land and Keppel Land.
The awards ceremony was the highlight of the FIABCI 66 th World Real Estate Congress which featured eminent industry leaders including the irrepressible Malaysian-born Maha Sinnathamby who is now a property tycoon in Australia; the controversial Pakistani-born Shan Saeed; Jason Hu, the former Mayor of Taichung City, Taiwan and Belinda Yuen, a senior research fellow from the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at Singapore’s University of Technology and Design.
FIABCI is the French acronym for International Real Estate Federation and is regarded as the most respected real estate industry organisation worldwide
