The best new construction projects in Leicestershire have been named as the winners of the 2023 ProCon Leicestershire Awards. There were double wins for the University of Leicester and for Leicester City Council at last night’s ceremony, which took place at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. New homes in Hinckley and North West Leicestershire were also recognised.
The annual awards honour the best new residential, non-residential, infrastructure and regeneration projects within the city and county, and more than 600 people attended the black tie ceremony, which included a raffle for local charity The Bridge – Homelessness to Hope.
The 20th ProCon Awards are backed by corporate sponsors Freeths, Salus and Unique Window Systems. The Leicester Mercury is media partner.
Among the categories was the infrastructure project of the year which recognised the work that has been carried out on the St George Street Public Realm – pedestrianising the street in front of the former Leicester Mercury building, close to Leicester Station.
Dan Danaher, of Danaher & Walsh, which was involved in the work, said: “We’re very grateful to Leicester City Council for appointing us to undertake this exciting, local project, which we know is going to make a positive long-term impact on the local community, both in terms of environmental sustainability and connectivity.
“We thank our partners for their excellent work on the project, Pick Everard for their invaluable input and Leicester City Council for their cooperation. Key to the success of this scheme is collaboration. The project team worked together constructively from day one through to delivery – the result is a finished project of which we are all very proud.”
ProCon chair Umesh Desai said: “Congratulations to all our winners and well done too to the other finalists. The breadth and quality of the projects in the spotlight are a huge credit to our industry here in Leicestershire and Rutland.”
The 2023 winners were:
Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by Keepmoat Homes:
St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester, submitted by Leicester City Council
Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:
The Garden Cottage, Hinckley, submitted by Hayward Architects
Medium Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:
Main Street and Green Lane, Wilson, submitted by David Granger Architectural Design
Large Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by MORRO Partnerships:
Freemen's Common Student Village, submitted by University of Leicester
Infrastructure Project of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:
St George Street Public Realm, Leicester, submitted by Danaher & Walsh and Leicester City Council
Small Non-Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Gateley:
Lutterworth Museum, submitted by JMS Engineers and Tim Adams Architects
Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Gateley:
Leicester Endoscopy Decontamination Unit, Glenfield Hospital , submitted by Galliford Try Construction
Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:
Sir Bob Burgess Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Leicester , submitted by University of Leicester
Lisa Gilligan, Leicester office managing partner at corporate sponsor Freeths, said: “Freeths are delighted to offer our support as a corporate sponsor for the 2023 ProCon Leicestershire Awards.”
Paul Meadows, director at corporate sponsor Salus, said: “We have been supporting ProCon for almost all of those two decades and we are proud and pleased to once more be a sponsor of this great celebration of our industry.”
Sunil Patel, director at corporate sponsor Unique Window Systems, said: “Unique Window Systems is delighted to continue its long-standing support of the Leicestershire ProCon Awards.”
The 2023 ProCon winners
Regeneration Project of the Year: St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester:
The new St Margaret’s Bus Station is designed to act as a catalyst for development in a part of the city centre which once felt cut off from other key development sites.
Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, economy and culture, said: “St Margaret’s Bus Station represents an ambitious and important step forward in our efforts to become a climate ready city.
“It shows our commitment to decarbonising our public buildings and builds on our work to promote sustainable transport and improve services for bus passengers in and around the city, through our Leicester Buses Partnership with local operators.
“This impressive landmark building has also made a huge and positive to the important St Margaret’s gateway and I am proud that this ambitious project, the fantastic project team behind it and our funding partners have been recognised with this award.”
Small Residential Scheme of the Year: The Garden Cottage, Hinckley:
The Garden Cottage is a one-bedroomed annexe created from a former flat roofed garage. The reuse of the redundant building at the bottom of the clients’ garden has created living accommodation for a variety of users, including via Airbnb.
Lee Ward, senior chartered architectural technologist and director of Hayward Architects, said: “We are honoured to receive the Small Residential Award for The Garden Cottage. This award reflects the dedication and passion of the team involved and is a testament to their commitment to creating an innovative, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing residential space. We are deeply grateful to our clients, partners, and the ProCon Awards for their support.
“The ProCon Awards are renowned for celebrating exceptional projects and recognising industry leaders who have made significant contributions to the built environment. Winning the Small Residential Award for The Garden Cottage in such a competitive field is a tremendous achievement for the team.
“The Small Residential Award for The Garden Cottage is a significant milestone for Hayward Architects, highlighting our ability to create stunning residential spaces that blend form and function seamlessly.”
Medium Residential Scheme of the Year: Main Street and Green Lane, Wilson:
Five new homes were built on what was the green of the second hole at Breedon Priory Golf Centre.
Mark Smalley, director at David Granger Architectural Design, said: “On behalf of ourselves and the developer, Alexander Bruce Estates, we are delighted to be declared winners of this year’s Medium Residential Award.
“This was a unique site with a number of challenges to overcome, but having worked with Alexander Bruce Estates on a number of projects we knew the build quality and detailing would reflect the design vision. We are honoured with the recognition from our peers in the industry.”
Large Residential Scheme of the Year: Freemen's Common Student Village:
Freemen’s Common Student Village has created 1,164 student rooms for various living styles and budgets. It is already the most popular accommodation option at the University.
Kirsty Woodward, director of estates and campus services at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted our student village has won the Large Residential award. Just over a year since it opened, Freemen’s is proving to be our most popular location for students, with a variety of budgets, wishing to live on campus.
“The development’s overall design has turned what was originally an inward-facing and slightly isolated settlement into a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood which welcomes both students and the local community.
“It includes pleasant open spaces and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, while the Freemen’s Bar and Kitchen provides a relaxing place to eat, drink and socialise right on the doorstep of the accommodation.”
Infrastructure Project of the Year: St George Street Public Realm, Leicester:
Dan Danaher, of Danaher & Walsh, said: “We’re very grateful to Leicester City Council for appointing us to undertake this exciting, local project, which we know is going to make a positive long-term impact on the local community, both in terms of environmental sustainability and connectivity.
“We thank our partners for their excellent work on the project, Pick Everard for their invaluable input and Leicester City Council for their cooperation. Key to the success of this scheme is collaboration. The project team worked together constructively from day one through to delivery – the result is a finished project of which we are all very proud.”
Small Non-Residential Scheme of the Year: Lutterworth Museum:
Mark Weston, of JMS Engineers, said: “I am sincerely honoured to accept the ProCon Small Non-Residential Scheme of the Year Award 2023 on behalf of the remarkable team who worked tirelessly to realise the vision for the new abode of Lutterworth Museum.
“This accolade is not merely a testimony to our architectural innovation but a tribute to the collaborative spirit that emboldened us to meld history with modernity, creating a hub where the past meets the present. Our endeavour was to make history approachable and engaging, and by situating the museum at the heart of the town, we’ve drawn the community closer to the remarkable legacies of Frank Whittle and many others.
“The unique design of the L-shaped edifice, the inviting ambience of the cafe, and the strategically positioned entrance are more than just architectural nuances; they are invitations to explore, learn, and appreciate the rich tapestry of Lutterworth’s heritage. This award fuels our resolve to continue crafting spaces that are not only aesthetically appealing but are woven intricately into the social and historical fabric of the community.”
Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year: Leicester Endoscopy Decontamination Unit, Glenfield Hospital:
Jon Marston, Galliford Try Building East Midlands managing director, said: “The Endoscopy Decontamination Unit is an excellent facility that makes a real difference to the quality of services that patients receive regionally.
“We are delighted to have played our part in creating this new building and it is fantastic to have its success acknowledged in this way as a winner of a ProCon Leicestershire award. I congratulate our team and all the stakeholders involved for their achievement.”
Large Non-Residential Scheme of the Year: Sir Bob Burgess Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Leicester:
Kirsty Woodward, director of estates and campus services at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted our Sir Bob Burgess building has won the Large Non-Residential award. Named after the University’s former late Vice-Chancellor, the building is a fitting tribute to Sir Bob, who presided over one of the University’s most successful periods between 1999 and 2014.
“The building comprises two large lecture theatres, flexible teaching spaces and a state-of-the-art space for staff to work, meet and relax. It also enjoys far-reaching views across the city of Leicester.
“With space for exhibitions and events, the building has been designed to include adaptable spaces, to meet the needs of our students and staff, both today and in the future.”
The other finalists were:
Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by Keepmoat Homes:
· Freemen's Common Student Village Masterplan , submitted by University of Leicester
· Hotel Brooklyn, Leicester , submitted by Commercial Development Projects
Small Residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:
· Nanhill, Woodhouse Eves , submitted by Diamond Wood and Shaw
· Tara's House, Leicester , submitted by Walters Architects
Medium Residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:
· Botts Lane, Appleby Magna , submitted by David Granger Architectural Design
· Talbot Street, Whitwick , submitted by David Granger Architectural Design
Large Residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by MORRO Partnerships:
· Mitchian Grand Union, Leicester , submitted by Mitchian Group
· The Aspen, Leicester , submitted by rg+p
Infrastructure Project of the Year , sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:
· M1 Junction 23 and A512 Improvement Scheme , submitted by Leicestershire County Council
· St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester , submitted by Leicester City Council
Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by Gateley:
· 70 Commercial Square, Leicester , submitted by Scope Construction
· Ibstock House, Ibstock , submitted by SKM Design
Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by Gateley:
· Marlborough Drive, Fleckney , submitted by Wilten Construction
· SportPark, Loughborough University , submitted by Gleeds and Henry Brothers
Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year , sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:
· Hotel Brooklyn, Leicester , submitted by Commercial Development Projects
· St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester , submitted by Leicester City Council
Full details about the Awards are at procon-leicestershire.co.uk/procon-awards
