The best new commercial buildings in Scotland have been revealed at the property industry’s largest celebration held in Edinburgh last week.
Following a record high number of entries in the competition, 710 guests gathered for the 4th annual Scottish Property Awards to celebrate the winners in the independent programme for the commercial property sector.
The top award of the night Property Company of the Year sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland went to Glasgow-based HFD Group, the commercial developer and investor which has completed a number of deals which impressed the panel. Also in Glasgow, The Kelvin Hall collected a Judges Award of Merit following its £35m refurbishment which completed in November.
However, it was Edinburgh which took the bulk of the prizes this year. Standard Life Investment and Peveril Securities’ development on the south side of St Andrew’s Square won Commercial Development of the Year. The James Gillespie’s School Campus won two awards for Public Development of the Year and Architectural Excellence for a Public Building. While Artisan Real Estates New Waverley development also collected the award for City Regeneration of the Year. Castlebrae Business Park in Craigmillar won Community Development of the Year.
An Individual Contribution award was presented to Martin Perry, the Director of TH Real Estate who is leading the development of Edinburgh St James. His role in bringing one of the largest multi-use city regenerations in Europe through planning to the commencement of construction last year was recognised by the judging panel as a major milestone for the capital city.
Fiona Morton, Chair of the Scottish Property Awards judging panel, commented;
“Congratulations to all our finalists and winners announced in the 4th annual Scottish Property Awards. Judging the competition is hard work but immensely rewarding for everyone involved as we celebrate all the achievements. I hope all the winners make the most of their win.”
Paul Curran, Chair of the Scottish Property Federation, commented;
“It is fantastic to see such a number and quality of commercial and public property projects and teams as finalists for this year’s awards. The SPF is delighted to support the Awards again this year and it is great to see such a large turnout from the industry. I congratulate all finalists on their success this past year and in particular this evening’s winners who can be justifiably proud of their achievements and industry recognition.”
The Scottish Property Awards, operated by KDMedia, also raised £15,000 for the charity ‘It’s Good 2 Give’ currently building The Ripple Retreat, a luxury residential retreat which will be gifted to families with children who have cancer. The 2800 sq. ft. property, located on the shores of Loch Venacher in the Trossachs National Park, is now nearing completion and expects to welcome the first families in June of this year.