The winners of the 2017 Michelmores Property Awards are revealed

The winners of the 15^th annual Michelmores Property Awards have been announced, celebrating outstanding property and construction projects in Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset and Cornwall, across ten categories.

The University of Exeter’s Living Systems Institute was a double winner on the night – taking home the Awards’ most prestigious accolade, Building of the Year, as well as the award for Education Project of the Year. The Institute represents the single largest investment in the sciences by the University, providing state-of-the-art facilities for research into some of humanity’s most severe diseases.

Three Bristol-based projects were also triumphant, with The General, a mixed-use development at the former Bristol General Hospital being named Heritage Project of the Year. Wapping Wharf – Phase 1, on Bristol’s harbourside, won Residential Project of the Year 41 Units and Over.

Meanwhile, the refurbishment of Bristol’s Grade II* listed City Hall took home the award for Public Project of the Year. The remodelling of City Hall is central to Bristol City Council’s efficiency strategy and has generated savings in excess of £72m.

One Research Way, the gateway building to the Plymouth Science Park campus which opened in 1995, was awarded Commercial Project of the Year. The building provides flexible accommodation and facilities for science and technology businesses and was designed to foster collaboration, encouraging users to interact and share ideas.

In addition, the Seaton Jurassic visitor centre was named Leisure & Hospitality Project of the Year. The community-led centre brings to life the evolution of the Jurassic Coast, England’s first Natural World Heritage Site, through various specially adapted internal and external exhibitions.

The John Laurence Special Contribution Award, which spotlights outstanding property and construction professionals in the region, was awarded to Exeter-based Ralph Collison of Alder King for his significant contribution to the property landscape of the South West.

Other winning projects for 2017 include Cedar Court in Rockbeare, near Exeter, awarded Residential Project of the Year 40 Units and Under, alongside the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre (CERC) in St Dennis, which was awarded Sustainable Project of the Year.

Emma Honey, Head of Real Estate at Michelmores, said:

“Once again, the standard of entries we received for this year’s Property Awards was outstanding. From a complex heritage project in Bristol to highly energy efficient residential projects on Dartmoor, the range and breadth of projects has been fantastic and has demonstrated the excellence of the property and construction sector in our region. My congratulations go to all of our winners and to all those shortlisted.”

Now in their fifteenth year, the annual Awards, which are sponsored by accountancy, investment management and tax group Smith & Williamson, showcase and celebrate the best of the South West’s property and construction industry.

The winners were announced at an Awards Dinner on Thursday 15 June at the University of Exeter, hosted by comedian and actor Marcus Brigstocke.

The 2017 Michelmores Property Awards winning projects in full:

Commercial Project of the Year, sponsored by Smith and Williamson

• One Research Way, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth – submitted by HLM Architects and BAM Construct UK

Public Project of the Year, sponsored by Ravenslade

• City Hall, Bristol – submitted by Alec French Architects

Education Project of the Year, sponsored by Atkins

• Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter – submitted by BAM Construct UK

Leisure & Hospitality Project of the Year, sponsored by The Samphire Club 

• Seaton Jurassic, Seaton – submitted by East Devon District Council

Heritage Project of the Year, sponsored by Kier

• The General, Bristol – submitted by Hydrock

Sustainable Project of the Year, sponsored by Midas

• Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre, St Dennis – submitted by Cornwall Energy Recovery

Residential Project of the Year 41 Units and Over, sponsored by GVA

• Wapping Wharf – Phase 1, Bristol – submitted by Alec French Architects

Residential Project of the Year 40 Units and Under, sponsored by NatWest

• Cedar Court, Rockbeare, Exeter – submitted by Jameson Homes

The John Laurence Special Contribution Award, sponsored by Interserve

• Ralph Collison, Alder King

Building of the Year, sponsored by Girling Jones

• Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter – submitted by BAM Construct UK

Click here to view the shortlist in full

Click here to view photos of the evening