The innovative MACS building in Downpatrick has been shortlisted in two categories in the prestigious RICS Northern Ireland Awards 2017.
The building opened up in 2016 to provide apartments for young care leavers along with support to learn the life skills required to move to more permanent accommodation.
The refurbishment of the Georgian Downpatrick building in 9 English Street is in the running for a top award in the Residential Category of the awards.
The project, completed by Clanmil Housing in partnership with MACS, has brought an important building back into use,
The property, a listed four storey Georgian stone terraced house, dates back to the 1850’s when it was home to the Pattie family. It sits within a terrace of particular architectural interest on the route to the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Companies involved in the project were surveyors Cooke and Kettyle, Harry Rolston Architects and Connolly and Fee.
It joins 31 other projects which have been shortlisted in the RICS Northern Ireland Awards 2017 in eight categories – Building Conservation sponsored by Michele Atkinson Surveying, Commercial property sponsored by Sika, Community Benefit sponsored by Kingspan, Design through Innovation sponsored by Forbo, Infrastructure, Regeneration sponsored by WYG, Residential, and Tourism & Leisure.
The annual awards have become known as the region’s property Oscars and this year schemes of all sizes and budgets from all over Northern Ireland are in with a chance of gaining industry recognition along with the teams behind them.
The 2017 RICS Awards, Northern Ireland will be presented at The La Mon Hotel & Spa, Belfast on 25lxa May.
All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2017, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
The winners of each category will also be in with a chance of winning the top prize, the highly esteemed Project of the Year title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.
Michael Hannaway, Chair of the RICS Awards Northern Ireland judging panel, said: “These awards showcase our region’s top built environment projects, along with the talent and skills of the teams behind them. Every year I wonder how we’re going to top last year’s shortlist, but I’m never disappointed; many of this year’s nominees are truly unique and pioneering, and have transformed local communities. It just goes to show, our region is home to some of the most inspiring built environment projects.
“The judging process will no doubt prove extremely tough, but as part of the next phase of judging, the panel and I are looking forward to finding out more about the positive impact each of these shortlisted schemes is having on their local areas.”
