The winners of the Insider Property Awards North West included representatives of the built environment from all across the region
EXCELLENCE IN PROPERTYThe winners of the Insider Property Awards North West included representatives of the built environment from all across the region
Next year's property awards will include a special award for the developer which manages to construct the 2,000-seater venue that can comfortably accommodate and cater for the best in property the region has to offer.
There were 714 people crammed into the ballroom of the Palace Hotel. The temperature certainly climbed high - and that was just the excitement of the evening. And the bars were crammed until the wee small hours.
The atmosphere was superb, the compere on the night, Adrienne Lawler, was class and the quality of the entries this year surpassed those of previous years. We were pleased to see a span of work stretching right across the region, from the bits of our readership area that dip into North Wales and Staffordshire, to Liverpool, through Lancashire and Cheshire and the outskirts of Manchester and into the centre of our region's biggest city.
To say we're delighted is a massive understatement. It was great too to see that the property industry in the region has embraced and acknowledged the contribution of Argent - a worthy winner - just as Allied London was acclaimed in previous years for its work in Spinningfields.
As for the winners - treat yourself over the next few pages to the best that the region has to offer. It's a great story.
PROPERTY DEAL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Linden
WINNER
BRUNTWOOD FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PICCADILLY PLAZA
The judges commended this entry to the awards because it was gutsy, brilliantly timed and executed rapidly - in true entrepreneurial style.
It was a high-quality submission, based on an audacious deal that was completed in a remarkable timescale of just three weeks.
Great things can now be expected of Piccadilly Plaza after this £365m off-market transaction.
PUBLIC SECTOR PROPERTY AWARD
Sponsored by Dunlop Heywood Lorenz
WINNER LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL
This marks another well-deserved award for the Capital of Culture 2008. The judges applauded the range of schemes in Duke Street, City Square and Paradise Street, as well as the creative investment of £3140m in the property market during the last 12 months. A clear sign of success already achieved - and a firm platform for future growth.
Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "We are delighted to receive this award. The city council has been working with its partners to create a business-friendly city, encouraging new investment, growth and jobs, and the award is evidence that we are making great progress in achieving these aims.
"Our entry looked at three very different scheme - the Grosvenor development in Paradise Street, the office development at City Square and the Townscape Heritage project in Ropewalks.
"We worked in different ways on these schemes and partnership is the way we are successfully regenerating Liverpool."
OFFICE AGENTS AWARD
Sponsored by Bruntwood
WINNER LAMBERT SMITH HAMPTON
The judges chose Lambert Smith Hampton because of its use of creativity which was innovative and effective. They were also impressed by its outstanding mix of clients, instructions and deals.
Peter Skelton's reaction: "The award was a ringing endorsement of all the hard work my team and I have put in over the last 12 months. It's great to continue a run that has seen us win awards for five out of the last six years and, as the Insider awards become ever more prestigious, good to know that we continue to be seen as the best office agency team in Manchester."
PROPERTY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Argent
WINNER DLA
This category was a very tough one to decide on, as all our shortlisted firms clearly had huge depth throughout the market. Eventually, however, the winner was chosen because its submission demonstrated how it had created added value for their clients.
DLA's Anita Weightman said: "This is a tremendous achievement for DLA's North West practice and a credit to the entire team. It has been a privilege to be involved in so many of the North West's most noteworthy transactions and to play such a key role in the development and regeneration of the region."
Her colleague Mark Beardwood added: "We were so proud to collect the award in front of so many influential members of the North West property industry."
ARCHITECTS PRACTICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Allied London Properties
WINNER STEPHENSON BELL
Stephenson Bell was run close in this category by BDP and both were front-runners from early on because of their profound, environment-enhancing projects.
But Stephenson Bell snatched the honours with a slight margin because of the specific projects it delivered this year. Its commitment to the quality of design, as well as the restoration and redevelopment of the Free Trade Hall - into the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Manchester - helped tip the balance.
REGENERATION AWARD
Sponsored by Addleshaw Goddard
WINNER ARGENT
Argent made a real statement by delivering something that the people who work and live in Manchester could benefit from. It has been a catalyst for the regeneration of Piccadilly, an area capable of changing perceptions. Remember what was there before?
David Partridge, deputy chief executive, Argent, said: "We're absolutely delighted to receive the award as it reinforces everything we work for. We've been in Manchester since 1999 and this accolade proves that people believe we're here for the long term. After all, regeneration's a long-term process that doesn't happen overnight. People are finally recognising the opportunity that Piccadilly represents and the investment that's been put in there."
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Halliwells
WINNER BRUNTWOOD
This was an extremely difficult choice for the judges, but Bruntwood's development and disposal of Citycube in the Northern Quarter, and its acquisition of Piccadilly Plaza were such significant transactions for the future development of the area that they determined a double win for Bruntwood.
CREATIVE LAND DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Sponsored by Your Communications
WINNER URBAN SPLASH
Urban Splash won because of its individuality, creativity, innovation and design, as well as for its ability to overcome adversity in town planning and technical constraints, especially in Altrincham with the Budenberg HAUS Projekte.
Commenting on the award for the Budenberg HAUS Projekte, Tom Bloxham MBE, chairman, Urban Splash, said: "Urban Splash's Budenberg HAUS Projekte at Altrincham is the conversion of the old Budenberg Gauge Works into loft-style apartments alongside two stunning new buildings designed by world-famous architect Lord Foster. It was a brave move to bring Foster and Partners to the North West for the first time but it is great that the quality of our scheme has been recognised with this award."
INDUSTRiAL/BUSINESS SPACE AGENTS AWARD
Sponsored by Heath Lambert
WINNER LAMONT COMMERCIAL
The judging panel was impressed by the team's ability to sell land to Prologis, then secure a new relationship with it for further work. Lamont Commercial showed great enthusiasm for deals in 2003, winning new clients against national competition.
Neil Lamont, managing director, said: "It's nice to get recognised by the property industry especially when we were up against such tough competition. We're pleased with the quality of clients we've got and the tenacity of the team we have here.
"We're like a dog with a bone on some deals we've had this year. Once we get hold, we won't let go."
INVESTMENT AGENTS AWARD
Sponsored by Maple Grove
WINNER JONES LANG LASALLE
Two years in a row for Jones Lang LaSalle but once again a very close decision between two of the finalists. Jones Lang LaSalle was eventually chosen because it demonstrated not only a good depth and spread of instructions but also a deep understanding of the various property sectors. The judges were "spellbound" by its capacity to drive the off-market sale of the second part of Barbirolli Square.
Mark Jagger, regional director, said: "We're delighted to have won the investments agents award for the second year running. It demonstrates the talent, hard work and client focus of the team at Jones Lang LaSalle in Manchester. These awards are a significant indicator of success within the North West property market and Jones Lang Lasalle continues to differentiate in a competitive environment.
"I continue to be extremely impressed by the calibre of professionals within Jones Lang LaSalle Manchester and the excellent results we achieve for clients. It's been a great year for us so far and I am committed to developing the Manchester business, adding to the team and building a sustainable presence for Jones Lang LaSalle at the leading edge of the North West market," he added.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPER/HOUSE BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by EC Harris
WINNER MORRIS HOMES
Morris Homes was nominated for the high level of its brownfield developments and the mix of development types. It's shown a great commitment to the North West and caters to all sectors of the market in terms of price. A nice trophy to crown a great year for a team that has just completed its management buyout.
Mike Gaskell, group managing director, Morris Homes, said: "It's great to be recognised in our own region. The North West is where we built our reputation, base our headquarters and still have some of the most interesting and challenging sites. We are very proud to be a North West-based company and thrilled to receive this award. We work very hard to achieve the highest standards of workmanship and create quality developments and this contributes greatly to our continued success in what is a very competitive marketplace."
Pictured: Clare Crowther receives award from Jonathan Moore.
RETAIL AGENTS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Peel
WINNER GVA GRIMLEY
Tough though the competition was, GVA Grimley stood out in this category because of its strength in acting for both occupiers and developers, skilfully linking pre-letting deals with investment transactions whether in-town or out of town.
Richard Lucas, partner at GVA Grimley and head of the retail department, was delighted that his team had received recognition for its hard work. He said: "We have had a very busy but satisfying year and it's fantastic for our success to be acknowledged with this award. The North West continues to be a very active market and it is very rewarding for our peers to recognise our efforts in this way."
PROPERTY PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Lambert Smith Hampton
WINNER TOM BLOXHAM
Bloxham is chairman of Urban Splash and arguably one of the most high-profile faces of urban regeneration in the country. The Urban Splash stardust has worked in this region in Manchester and Liverpool but the company also has some spectacular plans to make Morecambe the Brighton of the north.
His company has a strong brand image throughout the North West, and, having already won tonight, has demonstrated delivery and credibility in the commercial property sector - not just in Manchester, but further afield too.
Bloxham said: "It was great to be honoured with this, the last award of the night, particularly as it is voted for by the readers of Insider. What intelligence, integrity and good sense of judgement your readers must have! But in all seriousness, with such a strong line-up of people, I never expected to win and I had a great night."