Shortlist for top builds
RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has announced the shortlist for the top buildings in Wales, including five in North Wales.
Twenty-three of Wales’s most innovative and community beneficial property projects have captured the hearts of RICS judges and will compete in eight categories at the awards ceremony in May.
Among the projects from North Wales is the new Conwy council offices in Colwyn Bay, which have been criticised for their cost, and the Menai Science Park on Anglesey. The eight categories are; Building Conservation, Commercial, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential and Tourism & Leisure.
All category winners go forth for the acclaimed Wales Project of the Year title, awarded to the scheme that demonstrates outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. Last year saw Swansea University led consortium SPECIFIC’s Active Classroom win the esteemed title.
The shortlisted projects from North Wales are: ● Menai Science Park, Anglesey (Commercial and Design Through Innovation categories) ● Maes y Dderwen residential development in Wrexham (Residential) ● Coed Pella – Conwy County Borough Council Civic Offices, Colwyn Bay (Design Through Innovation and Regeneration categories) ● West End Medical Centre, Colwyn Bay (Regeneration) ● Coed y Bleiddiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog (Tourism and Leisure)
Chair of the RICS Awards 2019, Wales judging panel Geraint Evans said: “What’s great about the RICS Awards is that they celebrate and recognise the community impact that these shortlisted projects are having on their local communities, as well as the talent and collaboration of the teams behind them.
“Some of the shortlisted projects have helped to attract more visitors and inward investment, whilst others have provided much needed housing or vital services and infrastructure to their communities. The teams behind them should be extremely proud as many were delivered on time and within budget, and with sustainability at the heart, to ensure they are as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.”
All Wales winners go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category. The RICS Awards 2019, Wales, are on May 1st at The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff. Tickets can be booked online at www.rics. org/walesawards.