A pioneering project to transform a 1980s Bristol office development into contemporary commercial workspace has won an inaugural regional property award.
The Neighbourhood North scheme, pictured, which has replaced the former Quayside development on Temple Way, last night topped the Regeneration Project of the Year category at Michelmores Property Awards.
The category was introduced this year, the prestigious award scheme’s 21st, to recognise the growing number of refurbishment schemes taking place across the South West.
Formerly the headquarters insurance and legal group DAS, Neighbourhood North is part of a three-building development bought by L&G in 2019 for £27.75m.
L&G appointed the Bristol office of real estate consultancies and city-headquartered architects Stride Treglown, to the project.
Adopting the ‘reuse over rebuild’ approach, they transformed North Quay House into a 34,000 sq ft headquarters building with a BREEAM outstanding rating, demonstrating, said the awards judges, that retrofit and delivery of state-of-the-art office space is both compatible and commercially attractive.
The regeneration created a less cluttered façade and contemporary appearance, while retaining a large portion of the building’s original brickwork and glazing. 
This resulted in approximately 163 tonnes of CO2 savings, achieving 31% lower embodied carbon than the RIBA 2030 target and 28% lower upfront carbon.
The awards ceremony and gala dinner at Exeter’s Sandy Park Conference Centre last night brought together all those who contribute to the region’s exciting property, real estate and construction sectors.
The awards have long championed sustainability and innovation, and place environmental and socio-economic values at the heart of its judging criteria.
Michelmores head of property Emma Honey said: “We are so proud to continue to host this exciting event that celebrates outstanding property and construction projects across the South West.
“The last few years have brought with them a flurry of innovation in the sector, with industry leaders showing creativity to rethink and reimagine a better future for the industry, and our communities.
“The popularity of our new category, Regeneration Project of the Year, demonstrates this and shows just how much interest there is in the sector in supporting a low carbon future.”
The evening was hosted by comedian Lucy Porter, with the 11 categories celebrating outstanding property and construction projects across the South West.
Bristol Business News will carry full details of all the winners plus photos from the awards ceremony next week.
