Leicester regeneration shines in awards

Restoring an Art Deco architectural gem, regenerating a railway sidings and improving the public realm of Leicester’s old town are all finalists in the Regeneration category of this year’s ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards.

Competing for the prize are the Code development on Leicester’s Upperton Road, the City Hall on Charles Street and the Connecting Leicester project’s work on the attractiveness of city streets and squares.

The category, sponsored by EME Installations, is one of six in this year’s ProCon Awards. The ProCon Awards’ overall sponsors are Gateley Plc, Salus Approved Inspectors, Unique Window Systems and Westleigh Partnerships. The Leicester Mercury is the Awards’ media partner.

The Regeneration Scheme of the Year finalists are:

CODE Upperton Road mixed use development, Leicester, submitted by rg+p and Code Students

A site assembly of three acres of former railway sidings along Upperton Road and a former wagon repair shed (for the Great Central Railway) have been regenerated into a mix of student accommodation, retail and leisure uses.

Within the new build element of the scheme, 536 student bedrooms were constructed incorporating a 20,000 sqft Lidl store on the ground floor and 110 car parking spaces.

Leicester City Hall, submitted by Willmott Dixon Construction

Leicester City Council’s 1930’s headquarters on Charles Street, City Hall, has been restored to its former Art Deco glory.

Formerly named Attenborough House, the 75 year old building was refurbished after the Council’s decision to vacate its former headquarters, New Walk Centre.

Connecting Leicester – Old Town, submitted by Leicester City Council

The Connecting Leicester – Old Town regeneration is a series of linked schemes to transform the public realm to encourage access and enhance the character and quality of the buildings.

The project seeks to create the conditions which make an area attractive to visitors, residents, businesses, shoppers and investors. The Old Town area contains a wealth of historic and heritage assets.

Steve Dempsey, operations director of EME Installations, said: “As a Leicester-based business owned and run by Leicestershire-based directors we are very pleased to be supporting the ProCon Awards and, in particular, the Regeneration category.

“We’ve worked on a previous winning project of this award and it is great when derelict buildings or sites are brought back to life. We’re all enjoying massive changes for the better in Leicester and the county and these finalists all deserve our congratulations.

“We look forward to the ceremony, which is always a great celebration and a chance to catch up with everyone in the industry.”

The winner will be announced at a November ceremony at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.

The other five awards are:

• Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Infrastructure Investment
• Large Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Infrastructure Investment
• Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Danaher & Walsh
• Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Danaher & Walsh

Sustainable Development of the Year, sponsored by Willmott Dixon