Ten of Manchester’s most impressive built schemes are in the running for prestigious property accolades, including the coveted ‘Project of the Year’ title after making it on to the shortlist of the 2015 RICS North West Awards.

One St Peter’s Square has been shortlisted for the Commercial (property) award, along with City Labs; bespoke-built biomedical facilities based at the former Royal Eye Hospital.

City Labs is also in the running for the Design through Innovation accolade, along with the new Birley Campus at Manchester Metropolitan University and a new development at the Manchester School of Art, delivered to provide those on Art and Design courses with more creative work space.

Birley Campus has been shortlisted in the Regeneration category too. The sustainable building brings together the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Health Psychology & Social Care from two completely remote campuses into new state-of-the-art shared facilities.

Also up for the Regeneration award is Cooper House; a 1970s apartment block in Hulme, Manchester which underwent a comprehensive £6.8m renovation project to modernise the homes. Eco improvements were made too, including enhancing the heating system which has reduced tenants’ energy bills by up to 40 percent.

Cooper House is in the running for the Community Benefit award too, along with Lapwing Lane Arcade in West Didsbury after a refurbishment project significantly improved the arcade and re-stored it from being an eye-sore.

Cooper House also made the Residential category shortlist, along with Islington Wharf Mews at Ancoats; a stunning development of canal side houses and apartments, with private outdoor spaces and secluded garden.

A home known as The Quoins will compete for the Residential award too after a family in Chorlton is now living in the home of their dreams following the comprehensive upgrade of their 1920’s bungalow which has transformed it thanks to a striking, ultra-modern redesign.

Lastly, two local built projects have been shortlisted in the Building Conservation category. These are Manchester Cenotaph for its relocation and restoration and the former home of famous author, Elizabeth Gaskell.

The restored historic house underwent a comprehensive restoration and refurbishment programme and is also up for the Tourism & Leisure award.

The categories are: Building Conservation, Commercial (property), Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Regeneration, Residential (property) and Tourism & Leisure. The title of Project of the Year is awarded to the entry judged to have scored the highest across all eight. In 2014, this went to Liverpool Central Library, which also won the Community Benefit award and the Tourism and Leisure accolade.

Winners in four of the categories (Building Conservation, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation and Regeneration) will automatically be entered into the national RICS Awards, where they will compete against other leading projects from across the UK later this year.

Chair of the RICS North West Awards judging panel, Will Rees of Rees Straw Chartered Surveyors in Liverpool said: “The construction market in the region is improving following relatively lean years. The fact that we have a shortlist of 45 built schemes – many of which are of an exceptional standard – is extremely encouraging.

“Each shortlisted project is of quality design and is hugely beneficial to their local community and wider areas. I look forward to joining our region’s property professionals in celebrating and rewarding the talented teams behind the winning schemes at the Awards ceremony.”

Emma Jesson, the popular face of ITV’s Weather in the North of England will host the RICS North West Awards at the The Monastery on Thursday 30 April. Tickets can be booked online at www.rics.org/awards

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