Winners of the Michelmores Property Awards 2021 revealed

The 19th Michelmores Property Awards were held on Thursday 4 November with a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter. The evening was hosted by former Exeter Chiefs rugby player, Chris Bentley and celebrated outstanding property and construction projects in Bristol, Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire across ten categories.

The Box in Plymouth took home the coveted Building of the Year award as well as the prize for Leisure and Tourism Project of the year. The exciting and much-lauded project restored and transformed three listed buildings in Plymouth to provide an innovative visitor attraction and a sustainable home for at risk collections and artefacts. Its inspirational and accessible exhibitions successfully connect the people of Plymouth with their world-class heritage.

Market Hall, also in Plymouth won Heritage Project of the Year. The highly successful project saw the part-restoration, part-new development of an abandoned building in Devonport. The scheme embraces the old and the cutting edge whilst keeping the needs of the community at its heart. Alongside co-working spaces, the Hall is home to a 15-metre diameter immersive technology dome – the first of its kind in Europe.

The new Deaf Academy, built on the site of a former educational facility in Exmouth was awarded Project of the Year (over £5m). It was applauded for successfully meeting the complex needs of its occupants. The project has regenerated and revitalised part of the town, creating jobs and re-energising an abandoned building. The judges commented on the team’s ability to create an accessible and welcoming space with demanding user interpretations to create a building of merit.

Langarth Garden Village on the edge of Truro in Cornwall won in the Masterplanning for the Future category. The scheme was praised for its ambitious, place-making vision to create a brand-new community of 10,000 people in a vibrant and inclusive environment.

Sandpit Road in Calne, impressed with its highly commendable ‘hub’ house approach which gives residents the freedom to adapt their home over time, to suit their changing needs. The internal layout of the homes facilitates this whilst retaining formal and informal entrances and adaptable storage. Praise was also given for the scheme’s bespoke nature and the finish of the external design.

This year’s John Laurence Special Contribution Award, which recognises and celebrates outstanding property and construction professionals and organisations in the region, was given to Andrew Maynard for his instrumental role in championing the commercial and residential property sectors, in Exeter, the SW and beyond. Andrew is widely regarded in the business community as being a tour de force for the sector. He has led the way with his commitment, energy and ambition for all things property, as well as being an exemplar in bringing people together, fostering and nurturing relationships through networking, and providing excellent client care.

The other winning projects for 2021 include: the Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College in Devon – Education Project of the Year; Sideshore in Exmouth, Devon – Project of the Year (under £5m); and Wapping Wharf Living (Phase 2) in Bristol – Residential Project of the Year (36 units and over).

Of this year’s Awards, Emma Honey, Head of Property at Michelmores LLP said:

“It was fantastic to bring together members of the South West property and construction industry to celebrate the winners of the Michelmores Property Awards 2021. Despite challenging conditions, the sector has continued to thrive and shown itself to be a robust and innovative part of the region’s economy. My congratulations to our winners on their Awards which are thoroughly well deserved. My thanks to our panel of esteemed judges for their ongoing support and to our sponsors without whom, this event would not happen.”

This year’s winning projects:

Specially Commended Projects

NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol – submitted by Kier Regional Building

NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter – submitted by BAM Construction

Plymouth Lighthouse Labs – Kier Regional Building and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust