Melbourne property leaders discuss sustainable urban growth at PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards launch

Asia Connect: Melbourne 2026 brings together industry professionals to talk market trends as the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) expands with new categories

MELBOURNE, Australia — Property leaders gathered at the Asia Connect: Melbourne 2026, the Victoria leg of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) launch, bringing together industry professionals in development and design to discuss market trends shaping the future of urban development.

The event, organised by PropertyGuru, Southeast Asia’s leading proptech company, in association with the Australia Malaysia Business Council – Victoria, was held at the Savills Melbourne headquarters. The gathering featured insights from property experts and was welcomed by Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, who joined developers, design professionals, and industry associations to discuss the sustainable urban growth of Australia’s fastest-growing major city.

The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) returns for its ninth edition in 2026 with an expanded roster of categories reflecting evolving market dynamics across the country, from Melbourne to Brisbane and Sydney. The gala dinner and awards presentation will be held on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Shangri-La Sydney, leading to the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in December 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, where country winners from across Asia Pacific will compete with peers for the title of the region’s ‘Best of the Best’.

Key dates for the 2026 edition are:

• Now – Entries open
• 10 July 2026 – Entries close
• 28-31 July 2026 – Site Inspections
• 4 September 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Sydney, Australia
• 11 December 2026 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand

Complex dynamics

Asia Connect: Melbourne brought together industry leaders to examine the complex dynamics shaping Victoria’s property market, from the resurgence of foreign capital to the challenge of balancing housing demand with population growth, and evolving consumer design preferences. Alongside the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards spokespersons and judges, who shared insights on the Australian market, the event also featured expert speakers including Michael Lang, state director for residential projects in Melbourne at Savills Victoria, and content creator and filmmaker Colin Chee, creative director and founder of the popular Melbourne-based platform Never Too Small.

Addressing leaders at Asia Connect: Melbourne, Lord Mayor Reece shared his vision for the globally renowned city, which continues to grow and attract students, investors, visitors, and property seekers from across Asia Pacific, citing Melbourne’s liveability, affordability, culture, and appeal to younger generations.

New benchmarks

The 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) promises to fuel innovation and raise real estate standards with newly introduced categories including Best Condo Developer, Best Housing Developer, Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, Best Landmark Development, Best Sales Gallery Interior Design, and Best Landmark Design.

Related: Evolving Sydney market sets stage for the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia)

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “We open the 2026 edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) programme with a call for sustainability and innovation in Melbourne. As one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne has shown us a flight to quality and a fascinating paradox, characterised by price growth against headwinds. Such a divergence underscores the need to spotlight resilience, from the resurgence of Asian capital to the student accommodation boom, as we contribute to a market that continues to showcase Australia’s best real estate.”

Ivan Lam, chairperson of the independent judging panel and executive director for international business at Charter Keck Cramer, said: “Launching the 2026 Awards in Melbourne invites appreciation of a market defined by its contradictions. For us as judges, the projects that merit recognition are those delivering resilience and innovation amid volatility, such as developments that attract capital now pivoting to Australia while addressing issues that demand urgent solutions. With impressive growth forecasted for the city, we expect a resilient market defined by emerging luxury enclaves and an enduring, inherent appeal to Asian property seekers as well as local buyers. The calibre of this year’s entries will surely reflect the dynamism of this market.”

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading proptech company, the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) is brought to you by official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; supporting associations Australasia Property Advisory Association (APAA), Australia Malaysia Business Council – QLD (AMBCQ), Australia Malaysia Business Council – Victoria (AMBC-Vic), and Australian Property Developers Association (APDA); media partners Australian Property Investor Magazine, Fang.com.au, Inside Queensland Daily, PhilTimes.com.au, The Property Tribune, and Your Investment Property; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.