\nThe calibre of nominees is a testament to Myanmar every-improving real estate industry<\/p>\n
With such formidable contenders coming from various segments of the local property sector, the second annual Myanmar Property Awards has this year exceeded even the expectations of the judging panel.
\nOne of the leading corporations in the country, Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd is a clear front-runner for many of 2016\u2019s biggest gongs after being shortlisted in the condominium, office, retail and hotel categories. The company picked up a total of six nominations, double the honours received by runners-up Capital Development Ltd, Keppel Land International, and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar Co Ltd.
\nFollowing on from a hugely successful inaugural ceremony last year that was attended by more than 250 guests, the Myanmar Property Awards welcomed submissions from the country\u2019s top and emerging real estate firms, including last year\u2019s champion Yoma Strategic Holdings, a two-time nominee this year with one nod going to its acclaimed Galaxy Towers at Star City Phase I.
\nThe final shortlist was revealed on 3 June in a well-attended press conference at the prestigious Sule Shangri-La Yangon, official hotel venue of the Myanmar Property Awards.<\/p>\n
It had been nearly a six-month wait since the launch of the 2016 Awards. In the last few weeks all eligible entries underwent a fair and transparent judging process.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve received very high quality entries across the board. Many different types of companies and projects have entered. And all of them are very high standard in 2016 in terms of actual developments, so we\u2019re quite happy with all the finalists,\u201d says Richard Emerson, formerly country manager of Savills Myanmar and the chairman of the independent panel of judges.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s fair to say that we got a lot of entries from very large-scale projects this year, which were missing from last year\u2019s lineup. This gives the Myanmar Property Awards breadth,\u201d he adds.
\nThe winners are set to be revealed on Thursday, 30 June, in an exclusive, black-tie gala dinner at the Sule Shangri-La Yangon.
\nMore: Myanmar to grow the fastest in Asia-Pacific this year
\nWith the country\u2019s historic general election in 2015 \u2013 widely considered the country\u2019s first free election in 25 years \u2013 behind it, Myanmar is on the brink of welcoming a steady surge in demand for various types of outstanding property developments, as well as world-class renovation projects.
\nEmerson says two new categories are being added to the awards programme this year as it continues to grow in popularity among developers and real estate consumers alike. \u201cThere\u2019s a special category regarding renovation projects, which is very topical, so we look forward to presenting that. We\u2019ve also included a category for Best Boutique Developer, which is great.\u201d
\nRichard Emerson, chairman of the judges of the Myanmar Property Awards
\nMeanwhile, BDO, one of the world\u2019s largest accounting firms, joins the Myanmar Property Awards for the first time as official awards supervisor, extending the company\u2019s decade-long partnership with the 11-year-old Asia Property Awards programme.
\n\u201cBDO is excited to be involved in the supervision of the Myanmar Property Awards this year,\u201d says Paul Ashburn, co-managing partner of BDO. \u201cThe awards are a showcase of the exciting developments currently underway in Myanmar. The enthusiasm shown by the entrants is very encouraging and a healthy sign for the potential of the country\u2019s real estate market.\u201d
\nAlso debuting on the same day is the Property Report Congress Myanmar 2016, a high-level conference featuring top regional executives and local experts who will discuss the most important issues today in Myanmar real estate. The whole-day conference, which features keynote speeches and panel discussions on online marketing, mortgage planning and property management, will take place right before the awards ceremony.
\nMore:\u00a0Top real estate conference coming to Yangon
\nCovering a range of segments, including condominium, housing, hotel, resort, serviced, renovated, office and retail, the Myanmar Property Awards will give away 17 trophies in 2016, including one for the Real Estate Personality of the Year, a special, non-compete award chosen by the editors of Asia\u2019s industry-leading Property Report magazine to recognise an individual who has changed Myanmar\u2019s property landscape.
\n\u201cIt is our honour to return for a second year in Myanmar, which is riding high on recent reforms, robust tourism, remarkable economic growth, and even more commendable real estate projects that are worthy of representing Myanmar at the grand finals in Singapore at the South East Asia Property Awards in November,\u201d says Terry Blackburn, founder and managing director of the Asia Property Awards.
\n\u201cThe Myanmar Property Awards exists to highlight the achievements and reward the successes of the finest real estate in the country. Seeing it grow to include more segments of the industry is only adding to its credibility.\u201d
\nPropertyGuru, Asia\u2019s leading online property group, is the organiser of the Asia Property Awards.
\nMore information on the Myanmar Property Awards\u00a0are available on the\u00a0official website.\u00a0Early bird tickets for the event are offered until 10 June.
\nBelow is the full shortlist for the Myanmar Property Awards 2016:
\nDEVELOPMENT
\nBest Condo Development<\/p>\n
Crystal Residences by Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd
\nGems Garden Condominium by Capital Development Ltd
\nGalaxy Towers at Star City Phase I by Thanlyin Estate Development Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Yoma Strategic Holdings
\nRosehill Residences by Soilbuild Group Holdings Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Housing Development<\/p>\n
Lotus Canal View Villas, Lotus Garden, Pun Hlaing Golf Estate by Yoma Development Group<\/p>\n
Best Serviced Apartment Development<\/p>\n
Clover Suites Royal Lake by Clover Hotels Group
\nGreen Vision Kokkine Residence by Green Vision Construction Company Limited<\/p>\n
Best Office Development<\/p>\n
Junction City Tower by City Square Office Co Ltd (a member of Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd)
\nMyanmar Centre Tower by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar Co Ltd
\nSule Square, Yangon by Traders Square Company Limited<\/p>\n
Best Retail Development<\/p>\n
Junction City Shopping Centre by City Square Commercial Co Ltd (a member of Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd)
\nMyanmar Plaza by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Development<\/p>\n
MELIA Hotel by Hoang Anh Gia Lai Myanmar Co Ltd
\nPan Pacific Yangon, Junction City by City Square Hotel Co Ltd (a member of Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd)
\nSedona Hotel Yangon (Inya Wing) by Keppel Land International<\/p>\n
Special Recognition for Renovated Property <\/p>\n
491-501 Merchant Street by Turqouise Mountain
\nScott @ 31st Street by Haven Development Co Ltd<\/p>\n
DESIGN
\nBest Residential Architectural Design<\/p>\n
68 Residence by United GP Development Co Ltd
\nGems Garden Condominium by Capital Development Ltd
\nRosehill Residences by Soilbuild Group Holdings Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Residential Interior Design<\/p>\n
Gems Garden Condominium by Capital Development Ltd
\nKabaraye Executive Residence (KER) by Living Square Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Retail Architectural Design<\/p>\n
Junction City Shopping Centre by City Square Commercial Co Ltd (a member of Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Architectural Design<\/p>\n
Pan Pacific Yangon, Junction City by City Square Hotel Co Ltd (a member of Shwe Taung Development Co Ltd)
\nSedona Hotel Yangon (Inya Wing) by Keppel Land International<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Interior Design<\/p>\n
Sedona Hotel Yangon (Inya Wing) by Keppel Land International
\nScott @ 31st Street by Haven Development Co Ltd<\/p>\n