DOWN Council’s new administrative headquarters and the Cedar Court supporting living building in Downpatrick have won major awards.
Both were highly commended in their respective categories at the recent Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Northern Ireland awards ceremony held at the Culloden Hotel.
The Downshire received its award in the building conservation category, with Cedar Court’s accolade secured in the regeneration category.
The transformation of part of the former Downshire Hospital psychiatric complex created new offices and civic facilities, with the major transformation blending old and new architecture.
Awards judges described it as an “excellent example” of the conservation and sustainable regeneration of an historic Grade 2 listed building.
The imposing Downshire Civic Centre fought off competition from other projects including Lisburn Cathedral and the tea rooms in Ballylagan, Ballyclare. It was pipped to the winners’ post by the restoration of the SS Nomadic.
Cedar Court was completely regenerated into a landmark development providing quality accommodation for residents with dementia, showing an understanding of the needs of the service users, resulting in an outstanding residential development.
Other shortlisted entries in the regeneration category included the Newry public realm project and Caffrey Hill in Belfast. The Station Square environmental improvement scheme in Portrush claimed the overall award.