NOMINATIONS are now open for The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2018 in association with SP Energy Networks and nominations have been flooding in. Companies, housing associations, property professionals and associated organisations have until Friday, June 1 to submit their applications and the deadline for team entries is Thursday, July 19.
At stake are the most prestigious property awards in Scotland and ones that have real impact for the winners in terms of profile, customer awareness and professional standing within the industry.
There are 15 categories this year, ranging from Development of the Year, sponsored by Rettie & Co to Estate Agency of the Year, sponsored by Scullion Law.
The results will be announced at a glittering awards dinner on Thursday, September 27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow and eight months on from their successes, last year’s winners are still reaping the rewards.
Louise Caldwell, Sales Director for Miller Homes Scotland West, says: “We were thrilled to win Best Apartment for our beautiful Dundonald home at Doonholm Meadows.
“We are extremely proud of the apartments at our Alloway development and it’s great to be recognised in this category.
“To win such a prestigious award, against such stiff competition, is a true testament to the outstanding design and finish of the apartment, and a credit to the whole Miller Homes team.”
While Liz Mallon, Sales and Marketing Director, Cruden Homes (West) says: “Cruden Homes were once again honoured to be recognised by The Herald Property Awards 2017 for the well designed and well priced Oak family home.
“Receiving an award is a token to Cruden Homes as a company but it’s also an affirmation; it means that people and most importantly, our customers, like our product. We don’t set out to win awards when we design our homes, however the criteria, standards and recognition that The Herald Property Awards bring motivates us as a company to continually improve our service and designs for good quality, affordable family homes.”
This year’s sponsors all have a vested interest in seeing Scotland’s property industry flourish and Graham Campbell, Director of SP Distribution at SP Energy Networks and sponsors of both the Affordable Housing Development of the Year and the Commercial Project of the Year categories, says: “There are some fantastic examples of innovative developments in this year’s nominations.
“Innovation is something which resonates with us at SP Energy Networks as we work to develop and deliver new technologies that improve the way our network operates.”
Keith Denholm, director with Allied Surveyors, sponsors of Best Family Home category for builders creating fewer than 50 units a year, says: “Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in the Scottish property market.”
Brian Fulton, Director, Ross & Liddell, adds: “This year’s Herald Property Awards offers builders and property professionals, the opportunity to show off their considerable expertise and Ross & Liddell are delighted to sponsor the Best Luxury Home category.”
Close Brothers Property Finance are sponsors of the Best Renovation/ Conversion category and James McHugh, (Director, Scotland), says: “As every project poses a unique set of challenges, a collaborative approach across the professional team is often required and these awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the people that make these developments possible.”
Paul Alexander, Head of Business Development at Scottish Building Society, which is backing the Individual New Build or Small Development award, says: “As one of the few providers of mortgages for self-build projects in Scotland, we are delighted to be supporting the award for best individual build or small development for a second year. Self-builders frequently demonstrate the best examples of contemporary house design, making this a really exciting category.”
The Herald Property Awards don’t just recognise excellence in bricks and mortar, but in the people who make it happen too and Keith Benzie, Client Partner at Space & Time Media, which is sponsoring the Property Team of the Year category says: “It’s important to nurture the talent and expertise that is so vital to the continued success of the new build property sector.
“Everyone works so hard within this most competitive of sectors and The Herald’s Property Awards for Scotland is the perfect platform for everyone involved, allowing them the chance to celebrate their success.”
This year the Development of the Year category is being sponsored by Rettie & Co and Rettie’s Calum Miller says the firm is happy to be able to play a part in in recognising the excellent work of developers and housebuilders across the country and that the staff benefit from taking part in the awards process. He says: “Our new homes team really enjoy the opportunity to work on some of these exciting projects.”
Lowther Homes is part of the Wheatley Group and Lowther Managing Director Karen Durnian is looking forward to having the chance to see the entries in the Best Apartment of the Year category.
She says: “The Herald Property Awards showcase achievement and innovation in home building and regeneration in Scotland. We’ve had a great year at Lowther as we’ve grown our own portfolio and we know there have been lots of exciting developments going on across the country.”
And Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, which is backing the Best Regeneration Project award is looking forward to seeing innovative approaches to regeneration.
He says: “Towns and Cities in the future will need more folks living in the spaces above the shops, in decanted banks,bookmakers and vacant sites/ We also need new solutions for start and end of life generations, so revolutionary thinking around the provision of homes is required.
“The Herald Property Awards helps to showcase these innovations.”
THIS YEAR’S CATEGORIES
BEST SHOW HOME SPONSORED BY DAW SIGNS
Judges will be looking for a design scheme which enhances the home’s interior space. Style, colour, fabrics, fixtures and fittings and unusual features are some of the qualities being rewarded.
BEST LUXURY HOME FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR SPONSORED BY ROSS AND LIDDELL
This category rewards spacious and stylish properties at the top end of the market. Design, quality of finish, landscaping, fixtures and fittings and location will be combined to create a spacious and well-designed home in the ideal location.
BEST FAMILY HOME FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR SPONSORED BY DAW KITCHENS
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.
BEST FAMILY HOME FOR DEVELOPERS BUILDING LESS THAN 50 UNITS PER YEAR SPONSORED BY ALLIED SURVEYORS
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.
BEST APARTMENT SPONSORED BY LOWTHER HOMES, PART OF WHEATLEY GROUP
This category will reward a single, one-off building or scheme comprising apartments. Judges will consider the layout, design, storage, built-in features and interior specification and target market. The apartment should offer flexible living and convenience and successfully meet the needs of the target market.
BEST RENOVATION/CONVERSION SPONSORED BY CLOSE BROTHERS PROPERTY FINANCE
This recognises enterprising development or sympathetic conversation of a dated or derelict property which retains the best features of the original building while creating a modern home appropriate to 21st century living. Judges will consider the exterior and interior appearance as well as interesting adaptation of original features.
INDIVIDUAL NEW BUILD OR SMALL DEVELOPMENT SPONSORED BY SCOTTISH BUILDING SOCIETY
An individual new build property or small development (maximum of 10 units) in any style and setting will be rewarded in this category. Entries will be judged on the quality of design, layout, location, features and specification and energy efficiency.
BEST REGENERATION PROJECT SPONSORED BY SCOTLAND’S TOWNS PARTNERSHIP
Open to projects of all sizes and scales. An example of such projects could include the regeneration of dilapidated buildings, housing schemes or town centres. Entries should show innovative use of brown field sites as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. The project should also demonstrate value for money and the way in which the area has been revitalised for those who live and work there.
PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY SPACE AND TIME MEDIA
This category will reward an outstanding team supporting the delivery of homes through supply of materials or services, management of construction sales or marketing. This is open to those either providing services as employees or external consultants.
ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR (SMALL-MEDIUM/LARGE) SPONSORED BY SCULLION LAW
This award will recognise an Estate Agency that go the extra mile for their clients and are leading the way in Scotland. The judges will be looking for an agency who are innovative in their approach to customer service methods, business trends and marketing. Also how the agency has established themselves as the go to company for their area.
RESIDENTIAL SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR
This category will reward an outstanding sales team in the residential market. Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to buyers, sellers and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success, and; how their performance is regarded by others.
RESIDENTIAL LETTING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Judges will be looking for evidence of the added value the team has brought to landlords, tenants and the sector; what has clearly distinguished the team from others undertaking similar activities; how the team have measured their success; how the team have adapted to the impact of regulation in the sector, and; how their performance is regarded by others.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY SP ENERGY NETWORKS
This category is open to registered social housing providers, charity, trust or public body in partnership with a local authority and/or a developer for rent will be looking for evidence of how the development has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and contributed towards the regeneration of the area.
COMMERCIAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY SP ENERGY NETWORKS
The aim of this category is to recognise a commercial property which meets the needs of its target market. This could be a new build, renovation or fit out project. Entries should show innovative use of materials and building techniques as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY RETTIE & CO
Site layout, design, range of house types and local amenities are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for a development which has been carefully planned to make the most of its location, resulting in a pleasant and desirable place to live. In order to qualify for entry in this category, entries must be received in one of the other categories.