A four month search to find the North East’s most inspirational built projects is now on, following the opening of entries for the 2017 RICS Awards, North East.
Known as the region’s property ‘Oscars’, the annual awards celebrate the region’s top initiatives and developments – in land, property, construction and the environment – that provide significant value to the communities they serve. Every year the awards attract hundreds of entries from all over the North East, including small scale pioneering schemes, and large multi-million pound developments.
Chair of the RICS Awards, North East judging panel, Adam Serfontein, Managing Director at Hanro Group said: “Many outstanding property schemes have recently completed, or are due to complete soon in our region, which fully deserve the recognition that winning an RICS Award can bring. So we hope our 2017 RICS Awards, North East will attract a record number of quality nominations.”
There are eight categories to enter in which local property professionals must demonstrate how they have used their skills to develop, regenerate and conserve the environment in which we live and work. These are: Building Conservation, Commercial property, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential, and Tourism & Leisure.
There is also an overall ‘Project of the Year title’ which is awarded to the entry that demonstrates outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. This year, the title went to Teesside University’s new £20m striking teaching facility, known as The Curve, which also won the Design through Innovation and Regeneration accolades. Formerly abrownfield site this unique landmark – glittering in gold – now offers a vibrant and flexible learning space over four floors, complete with a 145-seat theatre, floating auditorium and roof terrace.
All category winners go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
The following winners from the 2016 RICS Awards, North East will compete in this year’s RICS Awards Grand Final on 14 October at The London Hilton: Maling Exchange at Hoults Yard, Newcastle Upon Tyne (Building Conservation and Commercial property), North Durham Academy, Stanley (Community Benefit), The Curve, Middlesbrough (Design through Innovation and Regeneration), Emergency Care Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead (Infrastructure), The Paise, Hexham (Residential property), Crowne Plaza, Newcastle Upon Tyne (Tourism & Leisure).
Adam adds: “These awards give local property professionals working in the land, property and construction sectors the opportunity to showcase their exemplary talent and innovation, whilst raising the profile of our region as a home to some of the most inspirational buildings. I wish this year’s winners of the RICS Awards, North East the best of luck in gaining national recognition at the 2016 RICS Awards Grand Final.”
Entry forms are now available for the 2017 RICS Awards, North East at www.rics.org/awards and the deadline for entries is 16 January. For further information, contact Angela Jepson or Julie Finlaw at RICS e: ajepson@rics.org or jfinlaw@rics.org t:(0)191 221 1515.
The 2017 RICS Awards, North East will be presented at a glittering black-tie ceremony on 21 April at the Civic Centre, Newcastle.