East Yorkshire’s excellence in the built environment has been celebrated with a hat-trick of awards in the capital.
The spotlight shone on three businesses behind major developments in the region.
At the National Building and Construction Awards, Caruso Architects was named Architectural Practice of the Year, with Iguana Developments taking the Residential Developer accolade, while across the city Wykeland Beal was celebrated for its Fruit Market transformation at WhatHouse? Awards.
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Alessandro Caruso Architects was launched in January 2014, and is now a team of 10.
While principal Alessandro has the profession in his blood, following his father’s footsteps, it was six months spent in hospital following a near fatal motorcycle accident that laid the foundations for a healthcare specialism.
That led to the Allam Diabetes Centre’s realisation in Hull and subsequent addition of the twin Allam Endoscopy Clinic in Cottingham by the Beverley practice.
Mr Caruso, joined at the helm by wife Amelia, heads up a 10-strong team, and they were actually at the Hull Live Business Awards, having been shortlisted there, when the win was announced in London.
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“It was great to get the win to strengthen the reputation nationally, it was amazing,” he said.
“We attract talent from all over to come and work with us, and it is important to promote our area as one that has a lot to offer.”
Despite childhood memories of playing on construction sites, it was his six months in an unfit Palermo hospital in the mid-Nineties that proved inspirational.
Mrs Caruso said: “It was a poor environment for recovery, and while in there he promised himself if he would work again he would design better buildings for other people. It cured him physically, but the mental health and wellbeing side wasn’t being served.
“Wellbeing is at the fore of what we do, and we can deliver it with anything. Our background is healthcare and we have a fundamental understanding of what works and what makes us feel well.”
Iguana shared the stage at London’s Hilton Wembley, with passion for their place shining through.
Managing director of Iguana, Jason Coleman, said: “We are delighted to have received this national accolade. Over the last four years we have delivered 164 apartments across three developments in Hull city centre and the Old Town. We always wanted to bring something special to Hull, having been further inspired by 海角视频 City of Culture.
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“As we approach full occupancy at our third and final development, The Glass House in Queen’s Gardens, this national award reinforces the fact that Hull does deserve the best.
“The awards included two winners from Hull; us and Alessandro Caruso for the design of the Allam Diabetes Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary. I feel this is a fantastic opportunity for our city to shine and I am proud of the amazing projects that are happening here right now."
Iguana has converted commercial office buildings into apartments; Essex House on Manor Street, Liberty House on Liberty Lane and The Glass House.
“We are all proud of the fact that we have attracted hundreds of people to live in Hull city centre, people who spend their time and money in the local shops, cafes, bars and restaurants,” Mr Coleman said. “I hope we have created a legacy and that by believing and investing in our great city, this will encourage other developers and businesses to choose Hull as their home to invest and enhance employment opportunities.”
At Grosvenor House Hotel the Wykeland Beal joint venture won Best Mixed-Use Development, whole taking a silver in the Best Regeneration Scheme Category. Both were for the Fruit Market, recognising the transformation from near-dereliction into a thriving urban village.
The £80 million regeneration programme, delivered in partnership with Hull City Council, has created a residential, commercial, creative and cultural quarter.
Judges hailed the Fruit Market as an “excellent example of inner city regeneration” that had given “a once-forgotten area of Hull a new lease of life”, while the new homes are “fully integrated into a new, vibrant and truly mixed-use destination”.
Beal chief executive Richard Beal said: “Our work in the Fruit Market has claimed several regional awards and we’re proud it has now gained recognition on a national level.
“We’re particularly delighted that Hull’s leading regeneration scheme has been judged to be outstanding against developments up and down the country.
“The transformation of the Fruit Market shows what can be achieved by local companies who understand the history and heritage of the area and have a vision for bringing it back to life through sympathetic development.
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“We’ve reinvented the Fruit Market through strategic investment and innovation, including through the creation of a unique residential community enjoying all the benefits of city living in Hull’s most vibrant and attractive location.”
Wykeland managing director Dominic Gibbons said: “The regeneration of the Fruit Market is an outstanding example of a mixed-use development providing transformative and long-lasting benefits.
“We developed our regeneration vision for the Fruit Market with Beal Homes back in 2010 and it’s been exciting to see it become reality, with further investment still to come.”
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