High quality work to improve Scotland’s urban environment has been recognised at the 7th annual Scottish Property Awards with winners revealed at a sold-out event held in Edinburgh last night (Thursday).
820 guests gathered from across Scotland to applaud 18 winners announced at the property industry’s largest annual celebration of commercial and public property.
Drum Property Group collected the coveted Property Company of the Year award sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland for the second consecutive year. They were recognised for their pursuit of opportunity and ability to deliver large scale projects in a variety of locations including Buchanan Wharf, one of Glasgow’s largest urban regeneration schemes.
The ultimate individual award, the Business Leadership Award sponsored by Bank of Scotland was presented to one of Scotland’s most respected advisers to the property industry. Eric M Young MRICS, Director of Orinsen, was commended in recognition of his 45- year career as founder and Chairman of Eric Young and Co. In December, Young left the firm and joined Orinsen, a new commercial property agency working alongside four former colleagues. Thanking the judging panel of 21 industry representatives who nominated him, he commented;
“It is a real honour to be recognised by a judging panel of peers in the property and business communities for this Award. I would like to thank them and also Bank of Scotland as the sponsor. I find it hard to believe that it really was 45 years ago that I was setting out in my property career, but I am pleased to say that it is not over yet! To run a successful business in the property industry has not been without challenges, and particularly in the last decade or so it has been very tough as markets have restricted everywhere, but the sector and its people have evolved and I remain proud of all that my colleagues and I achieved. Congratulations to all other Award recipients, it was a great evening which seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all.”
Other awards presented on the night included the Development of the Year (Commercial) which was presented to The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA). The development was specifically recognised for its environmental and sustainability credentials including the use of local materials in creating what the judges praised as a world-class building.
The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, designed by Ryder Architecture, was also recognised in both the Healthcare Development of the Year and Innovation in Design categories. The Glasgow-based hospice is designed to put families and patients first and its design reflects the importance of therapeutic benefits of the landscape and surroundings of the building.
The popular Deal of the Year category, sponsored by PMP, was selected by the judging panel from a shortlist of 6 significant transactions noted for complexity, size, risk and value. The award was presented to the deal team of Osborne + Co, Scotsbridge Holdings, Savills, JLL, DLA Piper and Shepherd and Wedderburn for the JP Morgan Chase Technology Hub in Glasgow.
Fiona Morton, Chair of the Judging Panel, commented;
“On behalf of the judging panel, I congratulate all the finalists and winners in this, the 7th annual Scottish Property Awards. Judging in the awards is a huge privilege for everyone involved and I would like to express thanks to the judging panel for their valuable contribution in assessing the entries and in selecting this year’s winners. I hope that all our worthy winners take further time acknowledge their colleagues and to celebrate their achievements.”
Chris Peace, Managing Director, Peace Recruitment commented;
“The Scottish Property Awards is by far the biggest celebration on the real estate calendar in Scotland. We are proud to have supported many of the companies involved with everything from headhunting a Chief Executive to securing a labourer for a day and everything in between. We are thrilled to support the awards for the fifth consecutive year and extend our congratulations to all of the finalists and winners.”