The best new buildings compete for awards

The finalists for the 2023 ProCon Leicestershire Property and Construction Awards have been announced, with the best new buildings, extensions and infrastructure up for eight prestigious prizes.

The winners of the 20th ProCon Awards will be announced in November. The ProCon Awards’ overall sponsors are Freeths, Salus Approved Inspectors and Unique Window Systems. The Leicester Mercury is the Awards’ media partner.

Several projects are in the running for multiple awards. St Margaret’s Bus Station in Leicester could bag three trophies, as could elements of the University of Leicester’s Freemen’s Common redevelopment.

ProCon chair Umesh Desai said: “We’ve got incredible projects competing for our awards in their milestone 20th year. They range from a £30,000 extension to a family home up to a £150 million masterplan.

“It will be fascinating to see which projects win, but the quality and breadth of our finalists shows how our sector is thriving as it creates and improves the built environment across Leicestershire and Rutland.”

The finalists are:

Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by Keepmoat Homes:

• Freemen's Common Student Village Masterplan, submitted by University of Leicester
• Hotel Brooklyn, Leicester, submitted by Commercial Development Projects
• St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester, submitted by Leicester City Council

Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:

• Nanhill, Woodhouse Eves, submitted by Diamond Wood and Shaw
• Tara's House, Leicester, submitted by Walters Architects
• The Garden Cottage, Hinckley, submitted by Hayward Architects

Medium Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Lovell Partnerships:

• Botts Lane, Appleby Magna, submitted by David Granger Architectural Design
• Main Street and Green Lane, Wilson, submitted by David Granger Architectural Design
• Talbot Street, Whitwick, submitted by David Granger Architectural Design

Large Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by MORRO:

• Freemen's Common Student Village, submitted by University of Leicester
• Mitchian Grand Union, Leicester, submitted by Mitchian Group
• The Aspen, Leicester, submitted by rg+p

Infrastructure Project of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:

• M1 Junction 23 and A512 Improvement Scheme, submitted by Leicestershire County Council
• St George Street Public Realm, Leicester, submitted by Danaher & Walsh and Leicester City Council
• St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester, submitted by Leicester City Council

Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Gateley:

• 70 Commercial Square, Leicester, submitted by Scope Construction
• Ibstock House, Ibstock, submitted by SKM Design
• Lutterworth Museum, submitted by JMS Engineers and Tim Adams Architects

Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Gateley:

• Leicester Endoscopy Decontamination Unit, Glenfield Hospital, submitted by Galliford Try Construction
• Marlborough Drive, Fleckney, submitted by Wilten Construction
• SportPark, Loughborough University, submitted by Gleeds and Henry Brothers

Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework and Compliance Chain:

• Sir Bob Burgess Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Leicester, submitted by University of Leicester
• Hotel Brooklyn, Leicester, submitted by Commercial Development Projects
• St Margaret’s Bus Station, Leicester, submitted by Leicester City Council

Lisa Gilligan, Leicester Office Managing Partner at corporate sponsor Freeths, said: “Freeths are delighted to offer our support as a corporate sponsor for the 2023 ProCon Leicestershire Awards.

“We are particularly proud of our strength and expertise within the property and construction market and welcome the opportunity to play our part in this long-standing celebration of the built environment.”

Paul Meadows, director at corporate sponsor Salus Approved Inspectors, said: “At Salus we’re looking forward to celebrating the 20th ProCon Leicestershire Awards, especially as Salus is this year celebrating our own 20th anniversary.

“We have been supporting ProCon for almost all of those two decades and we are proud and pleased to once more be a sponsor of this great celebration of our industry.”

Sunil Patel, director at corporate sponsor Unique Window Systems, said: “Unique Window Systems is delighted to continue its long-standing support of the Leicestershire ProCon Awards.

“The construction industry across Leicestershire is constantly delivering innovative and high-quality projects that are shaping the region’s built environment, and we look forward to the awards ceremony where we will have the opportunity to celebrate the individuals and companies who are constructing these excellent developments.”

All the contenders will be in the spotlight at a Finalist Showcase, sponsored by Magma Chartered Accountants, at Winstanley House in Leicester from 6pm on Wednesday October 11.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on November 9.