Robina Group’s $200 million Riverwalk at Robina was listed as a finalist in the masterplanned development category of the prestigious UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence, held on Friday in Brisbane.

The seven hectare community features 398 homes and apartments across 12 individual residential projects, plus 6,345sqm of commercial space.

Construction commenced on Riverwalk at Robina in 2004 and the community sold out in 2011.

One of Robina’s biggest success stories, Riverwalk at Robina remains a sought after residential address, with vacancy rates sitting at just 1.9 per cent.

Robina Group Director Tony Tippett said the pioneering nature of the Riverwalk at Robina masterplan had paved the way for higher density development in the heart of Robina.

“Riverwalk has been integral in developing the Robina that exists today,” he said.

“Our vision was always to create an urban centre that benefited from a direct pedestrian link to Robina Town Centre and a location adjoining a wealth of other amenities, including the train station, commercial hub, health precinct, library and community centre.

“We saw an opportunity to create a true ‘walkable’ lifestyle and that has resonated with buyers and residents, with resales and vacancy rates within the masterplan remaining extremely low.

“Being listed as a finalist among other standout industry peers is a welcome nod to all those involved in delivering such an innovative masterplan.”

Mr Tippett said Riverwalk had diversified the housing choice in Robina, which had, until that point, been predominately traditional house and land.

“Riverwalk opened Robina to whole new demographic,” he said.

“The first project released was a series of 14 luxury waterfront duplex homes, each on their own freehold title, meaning they weren’t part of a body corporate.

“This was a completely new concept for Gold Coast City at the time and really created the market for that style of living in the city.”

Mr Tippett said as Riverwalk at Robina developed, more choices were delivered, with the community now home to every property type from the luxury waterfront homes to compact, low maintenance one bedroom apartments.

“This mix has led to a real diversity of residents, with the community attracting young students right up to empty nesters and elderly retirees, who have the option of living in a community where they don’t need a car,” he said.

“There is a range of shopping, dining, services, transport, entertainment, health practitioners, community facilities, study options and everything else you could imagine at the doorstep in easy walking distance.

“It is a lifestyle that is rarely offered.”

Mr Tippett said the success of the Riverwalk masterplan had led to a string of other medium density developments in CBDRobina.

“The concept has had such wide appeal that we have used it as inspiration for a range of other projects including Paddington Terraces, Riverlily town homes and our CityVillage community,” he said.

“It is very exciting to see an iconic development like Riverwalk, which paved the way for new styles of living not just in Robina but further afield, be recognised against such strong competition.”