Following on the success of winning the RICS award for Best Regeneration Project in N.I’.at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors NI awards in May 2017, the Association is delighted to announce the continued success of our North Queen Street development.
On Thursday, 12th October 2017, our new homes, which were completed in Jan. 2017, achieved ‘Best Social Housing Project for N.I’ at the Construction Employers Federation Awards . This award acknowledges the high standards of delivery by Donaghmore Construction and is a recognition of the strong partnerships, which have been built by the Association and our development agent Apex Housing.
Judges Comment:
“The North Queen Street scheme is an excellent example of a well-designed regeneration development that has provided 26 high quality social housing units on a site that was a former police station. With sustainability at its core, it has successfully responded to its context with the inclusion of a strong terrace along the frontage of the site providing an attractive streetscape and outlook.
It has also fully respected its historical setting adjacent to the Grade A Listed Clifton House and Local Landscape Policy Area. What made this development stand out was the way in which the numerous complex challenges were tackled in such a positive way (including the site’s location adjacent to a listed building, the Westlink and a busy arterial road not to mention the contamination issues and underpinning requirements) whilst still maintaining a clear focus on excellent place making and design.
The panel was particularly impressed with the positive feedback regarding the scheme, the sense of pride of place which they witnessed and the way in which this development plays a pivotal role in fostering an overall sense of community. The high-quality finishes, landscaping and attention to detail add to the quality of this development and provide a distinctive sense of place.
This ‘secured by design’ scheme, which was delivered on time and on budget, is an excellent example of collaborative working and provides an insight into what could be achieved in future housing developments that seek to provide well designed, quality and safe residential environments which ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there”.
