Hillsborough buildings shortlisted for prestigious awards


Hillsborough Castle, which has been shortlisted for an RICS Award.	Graham Construction's Headquarters off the A1.

TWO Hillsborough building projects have been shortlisted for Northern Ireland's most prestigious awards for excellence in the built environment. The refurbishment of facilities in Hillsborough Castle with improved public access to the grounds, and the development of a sustainable and innovative Headquarters for Graham Construction are among 25 entries in the running for the RIGS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Northern Ireland Awards.

Other projects in the running include the Merchant Hotel, Belfast; the Old Courthouse in Antrim and the conservation of buildings at the Laundry Yard, Florence Court, Enniskillen.

The projects are competing for four category prizes - Regeneration, . Sustainability, Community Benefit and Building Conservation - with an overall winner then selected.

The four Northern Ireland category winners go forward to the RICS Awards to compete against projects from across the UK and internationally.

The shortlist of impressive projects from across Northern Ireland highlights the outstanding standard of work produced by local building professionals, according to RIGS Northern Ireland Director, Ben Collins.

He said: "The diverse range reflects the wide reaching impact of construction professionals in the economy and in local communities. In challenging economic conditions, it is encouraging to see visionary construction projects being undertaken to such high quality."

Judging for the awards will take place during the spring with the Awards ceremony taking place in May. The grand final ceremony will take place in London in October

Ulster Star
18/03/2011