Oxford: Westgate wins Project of the Year in RICS Awards
Westgate in Oxford has been named the Project of the Year at the RICS Awards 2019, South East, which celebrate the top, community-led built projects from across the region and the talent behind them.
Westgate, a large shopping centre made up of four individual retail blocks, tied together by public spaces, operating as a single entity, beat over 40 of the region’s most inspiring property projects to win the Commercial category, before being named the overall Project of the Year, South East. The highly acclaimed title is presented to the category winner that demonstrates outstanding best practice and commitment to adding value to its local area.
Of the project, RICS judges said the commercially successful centre cleverly integrated a development of large magnitude into an area of much smaller properties.
Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, South East, Terry Adsett commented: “The centre ensures public spaces link with surrounding streets, recreating routes of former streets. Innovative features include the collaboration of five major architectural firms, the successful emphasis on sustainable design, and a large, well landscaped roof terrace with extensive views over the city.”
Other winners included the Lexicon, Bracknell, which took the Regeneration title, Quebec Park, Bordon which won the Residential category and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership Kitchen, Brighton for Community Benefit.
The RICS Awards 2019, South East were held at Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Botley Road, Southampton.
Adsett added: “A diverse range of innovative projects, of all sizes and budgets, made the shortlist this year and the winners are truly representative of the South East most innovative built projects which have a significant positive impact on their communities. The teams behind the all shortlisted entries have created exceptional projects.”
All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final on October 4 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, for the chance to be crowned the overall UK winner in their respective category.
