A billion dollar Abu Dhabi development designed by Queensland architects DBI Design has trumped major projects in cities like Paris, Hong Kong and London to be named ‘World’s Leading New Hotel’ in the World Travel Awards.

The Jumeirah at Etihad Towers was chosen ahead of Mandarin Oriental Paris, The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, The Park Hyderabad, Hotel Missoni Edinburgh and W Hotel London to take out the coveted title at the awards, held in Qatar recently.

DBI Design is the firm behind FKP’s $210 million The Milton in Brisbane, which is set to be the city’s first major integrated Transit Oriented Development (TOD), with construction scheduled to commence in mid-2012.

DBI Design managing director Warren Coyle said the award was recognition of the skill that existed in Queensland.

“The development’s design went up against some of the world’s best and won,” he said.

“The vast majority of our architectural design and engineering work was done right here in Brisbane, so it really does show the talent we have in Queensland.We can design projects that truly are world-leading.”

Coyle said the company had been awarded the commission to design, engineer and fit-out the five tower development, worth US$1 billion, after an international competition.

“A representative for one of the major UAE developers had purchased an apartment in Ultra in Broadbeach, a development that we designed, and was so impressed with the project that he invited us to take part in the competition,” he said.

“We went up against six major firms, including some of the world’s largest architectural firms from, USA, United Kingdom and Singapore.

“We were delighted to be chosen to undertake the project against such high calibre competition, so for the development to win this award, and a number of others, is great recognition of the quality of the design.”

Construction started in 2006 and the five towers, which included the 400 room Jumeirah hotel and 200 serviced apartments, was finished in November 2011.

The three residential buildings, housing roughly 800 apartments, a commercial office tower, and convention centre and retail space were also completed in November 2011.

The World Travel Awards winners were announced at a Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on January 11, 2012.