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Melbourne’s iconic St Kilda Pier has just picked up one of the country’s top urban design accolades, with the newly redeveloped waterfront landmark named a winner at the 2026 Australian Urban Design Awards.
Established in 1996, the national awards celebrate projects that make Australian cities more liveable, thoughtful and people-focused. This year’s program attracted more than 80 entries across four categories, with 12 winners ultimately recognised for shaping better urban environments.
St Kilda Pier took out one of three awards in the Built Outcomes category, alongside Balam Balam Place in Brunswick and the Campbelltown Station Commuter Carpark in Sydney. The redevelopment – delivered by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, Site Office Landscape Architecture and AW Maritime – was praised by the jury as “a major piece of civic engineering… that is both resilient and whimsical.”
For context, the project involved transforming the historic pier into a more robust piece of coastal infrastructure, while also making it a more appealing destination for locals and visitors. Some of the new features are a swanky curved walkway, increased capacity for more people, better views of the surrounding bay and city skyline, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, new and improved toilets and tiered seating.
Plus, there's an improved viewing platform for the beloved Little Penguins, as the number of visitors to see these cuties has swelled in recent years.
According to the jury, the redevelopment builds on decades of master planning for the area, ultimately delivering “a vital component of enhanced public realm and consolidated coastal infrastructure”.
RELATED READ: St Kilda Pier scored a new elevated penguin viewing platform
Chair of the Australian Urban Design Awards steering committee Katherine Sundermann said this year’s winners marked a shift from the big-ticket planning and infrastructure projects that have dominated in recent years.
“This year’s winners reflect a gentler approach to urban transformation,” she said. “Projects rooted in Indigenous and community leadership, ecological landscapes and the creation of places for people to gather.”
The Australian Urban Design Awards are jointly convened by the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia, recognising the projects, policies and people helping shape the future of Australian cities. You can check out the full list of this year’s winners over here.
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