A BELFAST construction firm has won an award for its work on Mount Stewart, the historic 18th century house in Co Down.
H&J Martin, part of Lagan Construction Group, picked up the Building Conservation accolade at this year’s RICS Grand Final in London.
The award was for work carried out as part of a three-year £8 million refurbishment.
Located near Newtownards and owned by the National Trust since 1977, Mount Stewart reopened last year after the refurbishment was complete.
Judges said the project used "highly innovative" techniques to "repair serious structural defects throughout the property".
"We were impressed by the highly innovative solution to strengthen floors and beams by tensioning, using standard components and having minimum impact on the historic floor structure and services," they said.
"Judges were further impressed by the clear collaboration in pioneering the approach of undertaking the works whilst maintaining the building open to the public with the highly successful outcome of increasing visitor numbers and visitor experience."
Mount Stewart won the award ahead of competition from projects in Britain including Cardigan Castle in Wales and the Garden Building at Oxford University.
Visitors to the 18th Century residence over the years have included Winston Churchill and William Butler Yeats.
Other winners included the Space People's Park in Portadown – a £5.5m project to refurbish Portadown People's Park and Tunnel Area.
It claimed a Highly Commended accolade in the Community Benefit category.
