HILLSBOROUGH Castle and Gardens has been named as project of the year in the inaugural social impact Northern Ireland awards run by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
Some 33 construction projects, celebrating the role of property professionals in transforming communities and the everyday lives of people in the north, were short-listed in February.
Eight of the projects were declared as category winners, with the judges' overall accolade going to the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens restoration project, which they deemed an exemplary display of traditional skills and workmanship working alongside modern surveying and delivery techniques.
The judges added: "With extensive collaborative working with stakeholders and local community groups the project has revealed a once hidden treasure and for the first made its heritage accessible to all and secured for future generations the economic viability of the visitor attraction as well as the surrounding area."
Hillsborough Castle and gardens opened to daily visitors for the first time in March last year following a five-year £20 million investment by Historic Royal Palaces to transform the elegant Georgian house, which is the official UK government residence in Northern Ireland and also of the secretary of state and royal family.
The other award winners, which were announced in a digital ceremony, are:
:: Commercial: Project FLEX at Allen & Overy offices, Belfast.
:: Education: Strabane Academy phase one.
:: Healthcare: The Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre (AMHIC), Belfast.
:: Heritage: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens visitor facilities.
:: Infrastructure: Ormeau Avenue sewerage improvement scheme, Belfast.
:: Leisure: leisure transformation programme, Belfast.
:: Residential: Old Mill Court, Sion Mills.
:: Student accommodation: 123 York Street, Belfast.
RICS Social Impact Awards regional head judge Michael Hannaway said: “The Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Restoration project is an exemplary display of traditional skills and workmanship working alongside modern surveying and delivery techniques. With extensive collaborative working with stakeholders and local community groups the project has revealed a once hidden treasure and for the first made its heritage accessible to all and secured for future generations the economic viability of the visitor attraction as well as the surrounding area.”
He continued: “The built environment is an integral part of the Northern Ireland economy but also makes a positive impact on our everyday lives. In these challenging times, it is warming to reflect on these winning projects, and how they are not only a demonstration of the breadth of talent within the profession, but showcase how buildings can make towns and cities more inclusive and deliver communities which people can be proud of.”
