\nA stellar mix of boutique and large-scale luxury projects comprise this year\u2019s official shortlist<\/p>\n
MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation, Minor International and boutique firm Lucky Living Properties are just a few of the top contenders in the biggest real estate awards programme in the Kingdom, the 11th Thailand Property Awards 2016, presented by Hansgrohe and organised by PropertyGuru Group, Asia\u2019s leading online property group.
\nMore than 200 developments have entered this year \u2013 up 32 percent from 2015 \u2013 and now the independent panel of judges have whittled down the list to 36 companies who will compete in 33 award categories.
\nLeading with nine nominations is MQDC, which was Highly Commended in the Best Developer category in 2015, the landmark 10th anniversary of the Awards. This year, MQDC is competing in the expanded luxury condominium categories, including Best Ultra Luxury Condo Development (Bangkok) for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Best Luxury Condo Development (Bangkok) for Magnolias Waterfront Residences at ICONSIAM.
\nWith a healthy demand from Thai super prime buyers and Asia-based foreign investors, the upscale residential segment remains one of the most active in the industry. Last year\u2019s Best Developer winner SC Asset is also competing in the luxury\/high-end categories, along with big names such as Sansiri, Major Development and Menam Residences, for projects located in the Chao Phraya River, Wireless Road, Saladaeng, Phrom Phong and Ladprao areas.
\nMore: Luxury condo demand in Bangkok in tip-top shape
\nIn addition to the revamped condo awards, the best low-rise and high-rise condo developments in the capital will be recognised in separate categories for the high-end and affordable segments. There is also a new award waiting for the Best Community Retail Development in the country.
\nElsewhere in the Kingdom, emerging and established developers are competing in the residential\/housing\/villa categories in the popular holiday destinations of Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Samui, Phang Nga\/Krabi, and the Eastern Seaboard.
\n\u201c2016 has been the most challenging year since I joined the central judging panel in 2014,\u201d according to Suphin Mechuchep, managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle (Thailand), and chairperson of the judges. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a total of 214 of entries, a significant increase from only 163 last year. All of the judges spent a lot more time and effort than previous years on entry reviews and site visits. But it has also been a great experience as we have had excellent opportunities to meet with many interesting property developers as well as designers and architects who are involved in these projects.\u201d
\nIn the awards programme\u2019s 11-year history, the Thailand Property Awards have gathered the top experts in the fields of real estate development, advisory, consultancy, management, architecture and design to sit on the esteemed judging panel. Presiding the jurors this year is returning judge Dr Manop Bongsadadt, renowned professor of architecture at Bangkok\u2019s Chulalongkorn University and president of the 2016 judging panel.
\nMore: Thailand\u2019s most illustrious real estate event returns for the 11th year
\n\u201cThe judging criteria covers many other major aspects such a locational advantage, design concept, marketing success, sustainability and value for money for customers. So we had a clear parameter to decide which developments deserve an award,\u201d notes Suphin. \u201cIt is amazing to see the number of high-profile developers investing in key resort locations across the country and not just in Bangkok.\u201d
\nTo ensure fairness and transparency for which the Thailand Property Awards is known, BDO, one of the world\u2019s largest accounting and auditing firms, supervised the entire nomination period, site visits, and the meticulous judging process up until the judges\u2019 final deliberations last week.<\/p>\n
Winners will be revealed during the exclusive, black-tie gala dinner on Thursday, 22 September, at the prestigious Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien hotel. An estimated 600 industry-leading figures and top real estate executives are expected to join the event, which will be graced by VIP guest Khun Suwat Liptapanlop, former Deputy Prime Minister and executive director of Proud Real Estate.
\nFinalists in the Development section will seek to win in their respective categories in order to qualify for the Best of the Best awards \u2013 including Best Housing Development (Thailand), Best Condo Development (Thailand) and Best Commercial Development (Thailand) \u2013 that will allow them to move on to the ASEAN grand finale and represent Thailand at the 6th South East Asia Property Awards in Singapore this November.
\nMore: Land prices to rise with Bangkok\u2019s new mass transit lines
\n\u201cAfter a slightly improved performance during the first semester especially in the luxury segment, the domestic real estate sector wishes to continue its streak at the industry\u2019s biggest annual event, the Thailand Property Awards, which now enters its second decade\u201d says Terry Blackburn, founder and managing director of the Asia Property Awards.
\n\u201cAs always we are delighted to welcome the finest boutique and up-and-coming developers in Thailand to the awards programme along with the Kingdom\u2019s biggest and established developers, who have returned to the competition to get the industry\u2019s stamp of approval for the 11th year,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a fantastic judging panel and a roster of outstanding finalists that symbolise the Thai property sector\u2019s resilience. For developers to stay competitive, the quality of their projects has gotten better year after year amidst the economic and socio-political challenges facing the industry. We received a lot more entries in the design categories than previous years, and it\u2019s quite exciting to see who will shine during the awards ceremony.\u201d
\nAside from the 33 shortlist categories, the Thailand Property Awards will recognise an individual who has contributed significantly to the local property sector in the past year. Presented by the editors of industry-leading Property Report magazine, the Real Estate Personality of Year accolade will be the only award not selected by the independent judging panel. The previous recipient of this honour was Minor International\u2019s founder and CEO William \u201cBill\u201d E. Heinecke, who accepted his award during the 10th anniversary gala.
\nMore: Pattaya Today strengthens ties with Thailand Property Awards
\nThe 11th Thailand Property Awards 2016 will boosted by the support of title sponsor Hansgrohe, gold sponsors Teka and JLL Thailand, official media partner Property Report \u2013 the host of the high-level real estate networking conference Property Report Congress Thailand 2016, which debuts in Bangkok right before the annual Gala Dinner \u2013 and the country\u2019s top media and business associations, as well as the network of 16 million real estate consumers of the PropertyGuru Group, including Thailand\u2019s No. 1 property portal, DDproperty.com.
\nEarly bird tickets to Thailand\u2019s premier real estate event are offered until 1 September only. For tickets and more information, contact info@asiapropertyawards.com or visit the official website.
\nThe full shortlist of official nominees in the 11th Thailand Property Awards 2016:
\nDEVELOPER
\nBest Boutique Developer<\/p>\n
Global Top Group Co Ltd
\nLucky Living Properties Co Ltd
\nSiamese Asset Co Ltd<\/p>\n
DEVELOPMENT
\nBest Ultra Luxury Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
98 Wireless by Sansiri PLC
\nMarque Sukhumvit by Major Residences Company Limited
\nThe Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation<\/p>\n
Best Luxury Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
Magnolias Waterfront Residences at ICONSIAM by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
\nSaladeang One by SC Asset Corporation PLC<\/p>\n
Best Low-Rise High End Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
LIV@49 by Lucky Living Properties Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best High-Rise High End Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
Menam Residences by Menam Residences Co Ltd
\nWhizdom Avenue Ratchada \u2013 Ladprao by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation<\/p>\n
Best Low-Rise Affordable Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
Proud III Condominium by Tri Property Co Ltd
\nVilla Lasalle Sukhumvit 105 by Origin Property Public Company Limited<\/p>\n
Best High-Rise Affordable Condo Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
Knightsbridge Sky River Ocean by Origin Property Public Company Limited
\nThe Stage Taopoon Interchange by Real Asset Development Co Ltd
\nWhizdom Station Ratchada \u2013 Thapra by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited<\/p>\n
Best Housing Development (Bangkok)<\/p>\n
749 Residence by Pannaphat Development Co Ltd
\nSetthasiri Charan \u2013 Pinklao by Sansiri PLC
\nVILLAZZO 10 by A-List Development<\/p>\n
Best Condo Development (Phuket)<\/p>\n
Saturdays Residence by Two Villa Tara Co Ltd
\nThe Beachfront Oceanfront Condos and Villas by The Beachfront Oceanfront Condos and Villas
\nTwinpalms Residences MontAzure by MontAzure<\/p>\n
Best Residential Development (Phang Nga\/Krabi )<\/p>\n
Phu Dahla Residences by Phu Petra Development Co Ltd
\nThe Cleat Condominium by Save Solution Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Villa Development (Eastern Seaboard)<\/p>\n
Baan Dusit by Dusit Group
\nNusa Chivani by Nusasiri<\/p>\n
Best Luxury Condo Development (Eastern Seaboard)<\/p>\n
Aeras Condominium by The Urban Property
\nOne Tower Pratumnak by 1 Group Development
\nThe Riviera Wongamat Beach by The Riviera Group<\/p>\n
Best Affordable Condo Development (Eastern Seaboard)<\/p>\n
Dusit Grand Park by Dusit Group
\nThe Cloud by Global Top Group<\/p>\n
Best Residential Development (Hua Hin)<\/p>\n
La Bua Resort & Residence by Nordic Home Co Ltd
\nFalcon Hill by Falcon Hill Development Limited
\nSmart House Valley Development by Suppagarn Real Estate Service Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Luxury Villa Development (Hua Hin)<\/p>\n
MahaSamutr by PACE Development<\/p>\n
Best Residential Development (Chiang Mai)<\/p>\n
Astra Condo by\u00a0North Home Co Ltd
\nThe Spring Condominium by NTS Property Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Residential Development (Samui)<\/p>\n
Azur by Beach Republic Group
\nUniQue by Q71 Development Co Ltd
\nVilla Karpe Diem by Sea Bright View Limited<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Development<\/p>\n
Avani Riverside Bangkok by Minor International<\/p>\n
Best Community Retail Development<\/p>\n
theCOMMONS by The Commons Co Ltd<\/p>\n
Best Retail Development<\/p>\n
Siam Discovery by Siam Piwat Co Ltd<\/p>\n
DESIGN
\nBest Residential Architectural Design<\/p>\n
Magnolias Waterfront Residences at ICONSIAM by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
\nMahaSamutr by PACE Development
\nThe Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
\nVILLAZZO 10 by A-List Development<\/p>\n
Best Residential Interior Design<\/p>\n
Best Western Premier BayPhere Pattaya by Habitat Group Co Ltd
\nMagnolias Waterfront Residences at ICONSIAM by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
\nThe Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
\nX2 Vibe Pattaya SeaPhere by Fifth Avenue Development Co Ltd (Under Habitat Group Co Ltd)<\/p>\n
Best Landscape Architectural Design<\/p>\n
Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel by Minor Hotels
\nHyde Sukhumvit 11 by Grande Asset Hotels & Property Public Company Limited
\nLIV@49 by Lucky Living Properties Co Ltd
\nVILLAZZO 10 by A-List Development<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Architectural Design<\/p>\n
Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel by Minor Hotels<\/p>\n
Best Hotel Interior Design<\/p>\n
Avani Riverside Bangkok Hotel by Minor Hotels<\/p>\n
Best Retail Architectural Design<\/p>\n
theCOMMONS by The Commons Co Ltd
\nWhizdom 101 by MQDC Magnolia Quality Development Corporation<\/p>\n