The countdown to The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2023 is underway, with just two weeks’ to go until this year’s winners are announced at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow.

The event, on Thursday, 28 September in Doubletree by Hilton, will be attended by some of the most significant figures in Scotland’s property industry, as well as by niche builders, members of the house sales and letting sectors and by the sponsors who have added their weight to the most significant awards of their kind in the country.

It will be an evening for celebration and networking, and a recognition of the role that a vibrant property industry contributes to Scotland as a whole.

The demand for high quality housing continues to grow, while a new understanding has emerged about how good design can enhance lives and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, to the benefit of the environment. As a result, developers are rolling out new products, updating traditional methods of building and pushing themselves to achieve ever-higher standards of energy efficiency in the homes that they deliver.

The scope of what is now on offer is reflected across the 20 categories of awards, which this year will recognise homes with the highest green credentials, family-friendly designs for living and affordable developments.

Over the summer the judges, made up of leading members of Scotland’s property industry, have been on the road, visiting every single house, apartment, one-off dream home and development with multiple units that has been entered into this year’s awards.

They’ve scrutinised layouts and locations, cast a professional eye over designs and finishes and left no stone unturned in their efforts to select the very best of what’s on offer.

Tom Barclay, Chair of the judging panel, said: “This has been a special year for me, taking over as chair, and what a year it has been. The panel has travelled far and wide to assess the incredible diversity of talent that exists in the Scottish property sector, with our shortlisted finalists being testimony to the quality, creativity and customer-focus that makes them stand out as the best in the business.

“Even though they are all winners, I would like to wish every one of our finalists the very best of luck for awards night itself as they look to take the top prize.”

The Green Housing Award, new for this year, has been sponsored by Lowther, part of the Wheatley Group, and Frank McCafferty, Wheatley Group Director of Repairs and Assets, said: “As one of Scotland’s leading developers, letting agents and property-management specialists, we are proud to once again support the Herald Property Awards. There is an amazing range of outstanding shortlisted entries in all the categories and we look forward to hearing the winners announced on the night.”

Other sponsors include DAW Signs and Vision Spaces, sponsors of the Best Show Home and Best Family Home (Large) Awards, while Dionne Wilson Sim, Associate Director of New Business at Ross & Liddell, who are sponsors of the Best Luxury Home Award, said: “After another year of outstanding submissions, Ross & Liddell are enthusiastically looking forward to the Herald Property Awards due to take place in September this year.

“This ceremony is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the finest work in the industry and we thank all of those who submitted entries this year. We wish the very best of luck to all the finalists.”

However it’s not just bricks and mortar, but people too  that will be recognised on the evening and Mike Smith, Head of SafeDeposits Scotland, who are sponsors of the Residential Lettings Team of the Year, said: “We are looking forward to meeting and celebrating with people from across the property sector on 28 September. We are delighted to see familiar names on the shortlist for awards, and wish everyone the best of luck ahead of the night.”

And Lorna Kerr, Business Development Director, Landmark Scotland, who are sponsors of the Estate Agency of the Year category, said: “Landmark Scotland is excited to once again be participating in this year’s Herald Property awards, the pinnacle event in the sector’s calendar! The Estate Agency of the Year finalists represent the most progressive estate agencies in Scotland, and we wish all of the finalists in all categories the very best of luck. We look forward to meeting with entrants and sponsors in September in what is sure to be another fantastic evening”.

There are still a few seats available at the awards ceremony and full details can be found at https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/