Transformed Piece Hall picks up ‘Project of the Year’ title

Halifax’s transformed Piece Hall and state-of-the-art Central Library have taken home Yorkshire & Humber Project of the Year title at the 2018 RICS Awards.

More than 45 of the region’s most impressive and community beneficial property schemes battled it out for top honours at the awards which celebrate inspirational initiatives in the region’s land, property and construction sectors across eight categories.

The Piece Hall and Central Library won the Regeneration category award before being named the overall Project of the Year.

RICS Judges said The Piece Hall and Central Library was a stand-out winner and praised the project team behind it – including Calderdale Council, LDN Architects, Gleeds and Graham Construction – for creating a vibrant new cultural and commercial centre that has attracted eateries, boutique and unique shops, and an array of events including contemporary and classical music concerts.

The judges also recognised the project for attracting significant public and private sector funding, and for successfully combining both new build and the significant restoration of heritage assets to an “exceptional standard”.

Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, Yorkshire & Humber, Rob Hindle of White Hindle & Partners (WHP), said: “It’s fantastic to see The Piece Hall brought back to life and transformed into such a spectacular cultural venue that Halifax residents and visitors are rightly very proud of. The project exemplifies culture-led regeneration and I’m delighted the team behind it have been recognised for realising the true potential of The Piece Hall.”

He added: “The project is already attracting significant footfall and new business activity to the area, whilst also having a positive impact on businesses within the town centre, making The Piece Hall and Central Library a highly deserving Project of the Year winner and a valuable asset to Halifax.”

The winners of all eight individual categories – announced by host and veteran Look North TV presenter, Clare Frisby in front of 350 local property professionals – are as follows:

Building Conservation – Eshton Hall, Gargrave – Re-roofing and Repair Works, Skipton
Commercial – Number One, Kirkstall Forge, Leeds
Community Benefit – Temple Learning Academy, Leeds
Design through Innovation – Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, Leeds
Infrastructure – Willerby and Derringham Flood Alleviation Scheme, Beverley
Regeneration – The Piece Hall and Central Library, Halifax
Residential – Fern House, Bingley
Tourism & Leisure – William’s Den, North Cave

A number of highly commended certificates were also handed out on the night to Oswaldkirk Hall – Alterations & Extension, Oswaldkirk (Building Conservation), Contour House, Barnsley (Design through Innovation), Hull New Theatre Refurbishment, Hull(Regeneration), Nelson’s Yard, York (Residential) and Rudding Park Spa, Harrogate (Tourism & Leisure).

Hindle said: “These winning projects are testament to the successful collaboration of the talented teams and surveyors behind them. Together, their complimentary skills and exceptional vision has not only created some remarkable built schemes which Yorkshire and Humber can be immensely proud of, but they are also having a profoundly positive impact on their local communities.”

All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on 2 November 2018 in London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.