The annual awards have become known as the region’s property Oscars and this year schemes of all sizes and budgets from across Northern Ireland are in with a chance of gaining industry recognition along with the teams behind them.
A wide variety of projects have been shortlisted across eight categories – Building Conservation sponsored by Michele Atkinson Surveying; Commercial property sponsored by Sika; Community Benefit sponsored by Kingspan; Design through Innovation sponsored by Forbo; Infrastructure, Regeneration sponsored by WYG; Residential, and Tourism & Leisure.
Girdwood Community Hub, a shared, vibrant and safe space contributing to peace and reconciliation in north Belfast and Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry-Londonderry are both shortlisted in four categories, including Regeneration.
The Waterfront Hall, which has recently reopened after a refurbishment doubling its event space, has been shortlisted in the Commercial and Tourism and Leisure categories while the redeveloped IFA National Football Stadium at Windsor Park has been shortlisted in the same two categories. The Manor House refurbishment on Rathlin Island is also up for two awards.
In the Design Through Innovation category, managed cloud provider, Novosco’s new office fit out at Catalyst Inc and Queen’s University’s refurbishment of two 1960’s buildings – the Main Site Tower and Peter Froggatt Centre – are both in the running for the top title.
In the Community Benefit category, the Northern Ireland Hospice’s new purpose-built, dementia friendly, modern adult hospice has been shortlisted.
Churches including Sacred Heart in Omagh and St Tida’s in Bellaghy, residential schemes including Rathgill in Bangor and The Gallery in Belfast and healthcare providers including the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service’s divisional headquarters in Ballymena and Banbridge Health and Social Care Centre also feature on this year’s shortlist.
In County Fermanagh Lisnaskea Library and Enniskillen Castle Museums have both been shortlisted.
The 2017 RICS Awards, Northern Ireland will be presented at The La Mon Hotel & Spa, Belfast on May 25.
All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2017, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
The winners of each category will also be in with a chance of winning the top prize, the highly esteemed Project of the Year title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.
Michael Hannaway, Chair of the RICS Awards Northern Ireland judging panel, said, “These awards showcase our region’s top built environment projects, along with the talent and skills of the teams behind them.
“Every year I wonder how we’re going to top last year’s shortlist, but I’m never disappointed; many of this year’s nominees are truly unique and pioneering, and have transformed local communities. It just goes to show, our region is home to some of the most inspiring built environment projects.
“The judging process will no doubt prove extremely tough, but as part of the next phase of judging, the panel and I are looking forward to finding out more about the positive impact each of these shortlisted schemes is having on their local areas.”
For further information on the RICS Awards, contact Susan Mason at RICS, e-mail smason@rics.org, telephone 028 9032 2877 or go to www.rics.org/awards
Shortlist for the RICS Awards 2017, Northern Ireland.
BUILDING CONSERVATION
– Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry-Londonderry
– Enniskillen Castle Museums
– John Bell House, Belfast
– St. Tida’s, Bellaghy
– Sacred Heart Church, Omagh
COMMERCIAL
– Belfast Waterfront Hall
– Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry-Londonderry
– NI National Football Stadium, Belfast
– Bloc Blinds, Magherafelt
– 9 Adelaide Street, Belfast
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
– Arvalee Special School, Omagh
– Banbridge Health and Care Centre
– Government services office, Strabane
– Girdwood Community Hub
– Lisnaskea Library, Fermanagh
– New Adult Hospice for Northern Ireland, Belfast
– NI Ambulance Service, Divisional HQ & Regional Station, Ballymena
– Brooke Park, Derry-Londonderry
– The Junction, Dungannon
– Valley Park V36 Project, Newtownabbey
DESIGN THROUGH INNOVATION
– Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast
– Main Site Tower & Peter Froggatt Centre, Queen’s University, Belfast
– Novosco office, Belfast
INFRASTRUCTURE
– A2 Shore Road, Carrickfergus
– Banbridge Health and Care Centre
– Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast
– Stoneyford Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW)
REGENERATION
– Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry-Londonderry
– Bloc Blind Campus, Magherafelt
– Felden, Newtownabbey
– Forthriver Innovation Factory, Belfast
– Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast
– North Queen Street, Belfast
– Manor House, Rathlin Island
– Brooke Park, Derry-Londonderry
RESIDENTIAL
– English Street, Downpatrick
– Meadowvale Court, Lisburn
– The Gallery, Belfast
– Rathgill, Bangor, County Down
TOURISM AND LEISURE
– Belfast Waterfront Hall
– Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry-Londonderry
– Enniskillen Castle Museums
– Manor House, Rathlin Island
– NI National Football Stadium, Belfast
– Portrush West Bay Promenade
