As this latest edition, organised jointly by LuxReal and Paperjam, approaches, the chair of the Real Estate Awards jury, who is also a partner at Baker & McKenzie, 
This year’s Real Estate Awards take place against a backdrop of transformation in the property market. What positive messages or signs would you like to highlight this year?
Jean-François Trapp. – “Before I answer your question about this year’s objectives, I’d like to point out that last year we were very much in a celebratory mood. In a challenging market, we wanted to highlight everything that had been achieved over the past 30 years in the Luxembourg property sector. The idea was certainly not to turn a blind eye, but to lift spirits by recognising projects that were emblematic of their respective decades.
This year, we are returning to a more traditional format, focusing more on achievements over the past three years as well as awards such as Developer of the Year. However, we want to maintain this spirit of encouragement and support for the property market.
The Real Estate Awards will provide a welcome respite from what can sometimes be a challenging climate.
The Real Estate Awards will provide a welcome respite in what is at times a challenging climate: a moment to take the time to recognise and celebrate all that has been achieved despite the difficulties, whether they be specific to Luxembourg or global in nature. The overarching theme, therefore, remains that of resilience and the sector’s ability to continue delivering outstanding projects.
The Real Estate Awards recognise excellence and innovation. In a rapidly changing sector, what criteria are now making the difference to the judging panel?
“It is our policy not to disclose the jury’s specific evaluation criteria. However, several themes naturally emerge from the entries we have reviewed. Sustainability, of course, has become essential in today’s world. We also pay particular attention to the reuse of buildings and their ability to serve multiple purposes. This focus on reuse and adaptability is becoming increasingly important.
Retirement homes, co-living schemes or any other type of accommodation designed to promote communal living – these trends are set to grow significantly in Luxembourg.
The well-being of occupants has also become a key priority. Buildings are no longer merely functional structures; they must now offer a genuine quality of life. This also applies to what we now refer to as ‘collectively shared housing’: retirement homes, co-living schemes and all those new spaces designed around the concept of communal living. Objectively speaking, these are trends that will continue to grow significantly in Luxembourg.
Beyond the awards themselves, what role do the Real Estate Awards play today in fostering networking and promoting the real estate sector in Luxembourg and the Greater Region?
“We are increasingly trying to open up the event to an international audience. Originally, the Real Estate Awards were very much a Luxembourg affair. Today, we want to attract more foreign investors and participants, particularly from the Benelux countries, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The aim is to continue opening the country up to the outside world and to raise its profile among European investors.
When it comes to networking, the Real Estate Awards hold a special place. The property community regularly comes together at various events organised throughout the year, but this event attracts almost twice as many participants as our usual gatherings. It is truly the moment when all industry players come together in one place, regardless of their profession, role or background.
We tend to think of ourselves as too small, yet the quality of Luxembourg’s achievements more than holds its own against those of other capitals.
If you had to sum up the aim of the Real Estate Awards in a message to the entire sector, what would it be?
“I believe the main idea would be to emphasise the pride and enjoyment of working together in this industry. The Real Estate Awards are a time when we can take a step back and remember everything that the Luxembourg real estate ecosystem achieves collectively. There is still work to be done, but what has already been achieved is no small feat! We sometimes tend to think of ourselves as too small, when in reality the quality of Luxembourg’s achievements more than rivals that of other European capitals, and sometimes even surpasses it.
The Real Estate Awards serve to highlight this excellence, this ability to reinvent oneself, and a shared determination to keep moving forward despite the challenges of the market. The deadline for submissions is 12 June, and the awards ceremony will take place on 1 October 2026, honouring the winners of: Best Office Project, Best Residential Project, Best Living Together Project, Investor of the Year, Promoter/Developer of the Year, Fund of the Year and, finally, Personality of the Year. We look forward to seeing the industry again next October at the Casino 2000 in Mondorf-les-Bains.”
