Top building awards launched

May 7 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

THE North East’s top competition for the construction and development industry is launched today – The Journal’s Landmark Awards.

All that is best about property and building will be celebrated in this fifth year of the awards, which we present in conjunction with Watson Burton LLP law firm.

Last year, the prestigious Landmark of the Year prize was awarded to Northumbria University’s City Campus East, where the architect was Atkins, the contractor was Sir Robert McAlpine and Faber Maunsell was the building services engineer.

The Northumbria project followed in the footsteps of previous winners, including Durham’s Rivergreen Centre and The Sage Gateshead.

Now judges of Landmark, which is also sponsored by Allied Irish Bank (GB), are looking for the best buildings for 2008 – in terms of concept, design and construction – across six categories.

The judges are looking for entries from projects completed – or to be completed – between August 13, 2007, and August 13, 2008, which have enhanced the region.

For each of the six categories there will be one winning project, with the architect, developer and contractor each receiving an award.

The categories are: Retail/Leisure, Office Development, Environmental, Public Sector, Residential Development and the Judges’ Gem – which will recognise smaller developments.

The overall North-East Landmark of the Year Award will be selected from one of the six category winners.

Rob Langley, Watson Burton senior partner, said: “The surprising thing about the Landmark awards is that each year so many buildings and schemes could easily be worthy of Landmark of the Year.

“The quality and choice is as broad now, in its fifth year, as it was in its first.

“We are privileged to have so many excellent designer, developer and contractor teams working in our region.”

Landmark will culminate in a black-tie event at the Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, on Thursday, October 16.

Last year’s sell-out event at the same venue attracted more than 300 members of the region’s property sector.

Richard Freeman-Wallace, head of property at Watson Burton and a judge of the Landmark Awards, added: “What pleases me most is that Landmark shines a light on people who usually have a much lower profile, but who richly deserve recognition.

“The awards and the work of their winning teams both create reasons for celebration in the region. Watson Burton is delighted to help reward the people who create remarkably well-designed, innovative developments.”

Chris Dixon, head of property at Allied Irish Bank (GB) in Newcastle, is taking over from his colleague Paul Tognarelli as a Landmark judge this year. We will hear more about the judges in the weeks to come.

The Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “These awards are about showing off building excellence in the North East and with high-quality entries to consider, the panel of judges always have some very tough decisions to make.

“The awards prove we have an impressive array of design and building talent in the region and The Journal is proud to bring that talent to the fore.”

For an entry form or to book a table at the dinner, which is sponsored by One NorthEast, go to www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-events/building-industry-awards

Alternatively, forms can also be obtained from Kirsty Tarn, Regional Events, The Journal, Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED, tel: (0191) 201-6072. Alternatively, email kirsty.tarn@ncjmedia.co.uk with your full contact name and address details, indicating the number of forms you require.

The closing date is Friday, August 22.

Partnership tribute

THE strength of the construction and property industries in the region is mirrored by the growth of Watson Burton law firm’s legal presence in both sectors.

The Landmark Awards build on the partnerships between property professionals to celebrate specific development successes that contribute to the changing cityscapes of the North East.

Watson Burton’s 41-strong property department completed a record £1.7bn worth of transactions last year, and has built on that even further during a very busy 2008. Offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London provide a strong national presence.

Headed by partner Richard Freeman-Wallace, the property department boasts an impressive list of clients, many involved in high-profile new developments throughout the country.

Recent transactions include Aker Kvaerner’s regional headquarters move to a new-build development, and the sale of its existing site in Stockton to Miller Homes for £8.2m. The firm separately advised Aker on its new-build office scheme, the largest pre-let at Teesside for a decade.

Watson Burton acted for Garlands Call Centres on the acquisition of its new contact centre at South Tyneside, which will create up to 1,000 jobs, and are working on the multi-million pound sale of Fergusons’ headquarter premises at Blyth Riverside Business Park.