Property Council Award for Victoria on the River

The judges felt the Victoria on the River project delivered significant value to the Waikato community. Photo / Supplied

Hamilton's Victoria on the River park has won the coveted Veros Property Judges' Choice Award at the property industry 2018 We are Waikato Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the built environment.

The award for amphitheatre-style park in central Hamilton overlooking the Waikato River, is shared between Hamilton City Council as property owner and manager on behalf of the community, and architecture firm Edwards White Architects, which designed the park.

The award category is not open for submissions or nominations but can be presented to a team or individual.

"The judges felt the Victoria on the River project delivered significant value to the Waikato community, crafting a space for people to gather and enjoy the river and surrounds in the Heart of Hamilton City," Property Council Waikato branch president Brian Squair said at the awards.

"It has been a successful project in terms of connecting the cityscape back to the Waikato River. More than that it represents a fresh way of thinking about urban design in Hamilton City," he said.

The judges said the park is unique in its conception and execution and the city has an asset it can be immensely proud of.

The award was collected by Edwards White principal Brian White, who said the project had been very satisfying.

"So often, as architects, you complete a project and don't get to see people use it or interact with it. With a project such a this, we have been able to observe people interacting with it. To see and hear the public excited and positive as they discover it for the first time has been hugely rewarding," he said.

The Council's parks and recreation manager, Maria Barrie, said the design and construction of Victoria on the River saw a car park and challenging slope transformed into a world-class park Hamiltonians and visitors are enjoying.

"Edwards White's design responded to some very difficult terrain, and also our desire to link the park with our popular network of river paths," she said.

"We delighted to get recognition from the local property sector."