June 19, 2013
This year’s OAS Development Awards ceremony was attended by nearly 240 senior industry professionals at the Victoria Park Plaza, London. Guests representing116 companies, up from 85 companies the previous year, enjoyed a sumptuous meal and entertainment from well known TV news reader Kate Silverton.
Entries were up this year with the number and quality of the submissions far in excess of those received previously and it is clear from the submissions that every party involved had taken the time to investigate and research every minor detail.
Eight main categories were presented at the lunch where Kate Silverton hosted the awards assisted by Mike Phillips, Acting Editor, Property Week.
The sponsors and partners of the 2013 awards were: Savills, CBRE, DE&J Levy, Irwin Mitchell,Cushman & Wakefield, Novaloca, and Goodman, Savills, Office Agents Society, West End Agents Society, City Agents Club and media partner Property Week.
2013 Winners:
Best Development Outside Central London. (Sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield)
Winner: English Cities Fund – Wakefield One
Judges comments………. English Cities Fund & Wakefield Council Judge’s comments: ‘A superb combination of creative and effective design which enhances the historic urban context this building sits within. The overall feel is one of an efficient, light and motivational workplace delivered at outstanding value’.
Best Deal Outside Central London. (Sponsored by NovaLoca)
Winner: Drum Property Group, Prime Four Business Park – Aberdeen
Deals included Apache North Sea, Transocean UK drilling & Nexen Petrolium UK
Judges comments……….Congratulations to Drum Property for deal of the year – Prime Four Business Park: ‘A hugely impressive string of pre-lets totalling over 300,000 sq ft at increasingly impressive rents and lease lengths with minimal incentives. This has in effect led to the creation of a new office district for Aberdeen’.
*Highly Commended in this category was the Aker deal at Building 6 Chiswick Park
Judge’s commented, ‘Blackstone’s decision to speculatively develop building 6 at 215,000 sq ft was rewarded by securing an exceptional deal early in the construction process on the entire building at a record rent. This further enhances the continued success of Chiswick Park’.
West End Deal of the Year
Winner: Derwent London
Letting to Burberry at 1 Page Street
Judges comments: “This transaction was the largest traditional pre-let deal in the West End during the course of 2012 and re-emphasises Burberry’s commitment to Westminster following their headquarters move there in 2007. The building will not only provide sustainable office space but is being designed to meet the bespoke requirements of a major international fashion brand. For that reason the judges felt it was a deserved winner”
West End Development of the Year (Sponsored by DE&J Levy)
The Crown Estate & Stanhope
AirW1
The Judges commented: ‘Air W1 provides 180,000 sq ft of high quality and sustainable office space, together with a significant improvement of the surrounding public real. Along with the sustainability credentials, and the quality of the space provided, it was this significant transformation of the streetscape, local area and improved local amenities that convinced the judges that Air W1 was the winner of an extremely closely run category’.
City Deal of the Year (Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell)
Winner: Minerva
St Botolph’s Building letting to JLT
Judges comment : “Size does matter…. and the sheer scale and size made this the city deal of the Year. A superb result which has kick started a number of subsequent transactions in a difficult market place. A phenomenal result all round”.
City Development of the Year
Derwent London
4-10 Pentonville Road
The Judges comment: ‘they have done it again, simple but very effective attention to detail and the building has been transformed into a product that proved to be just the Ticket!’
Sustainable Achievement (Sponsored by CBRE)
Goodman
British Gas HQ – Oxford Business Park
Judge’s comments: ‘This building leads the field in showcasing an impressive range of market leading technologies and considered passive measures. A great example of developer and occupier working together closely with a long-term view on sustainability’.
Overall Developer of the Year (Sponsored by Savills)
The Crown Estate & Stanhope
AirW1
Judges comments……….’Air W1 has built on the Art Deco features of the original building, enhanced them and combined that look and feel with modern office accommodation. Offering 180,000 sq ft. of high quality, sustainable office space, together with a significant offering in terms of retail and restaurant space.
The pedestrianisation of Glasshouse Street has ensured a superb approach to the building. As previously highlighted it was the significant transformation of the street scape, local area and improved local amenities that convinced the judges that AirW1 was the overall winner.
Congratulations to all involved a superb development and worthy winner of the Overall Developer 2013’.
Finally a special award was given to Luke Hacking for his services to the OAS. Luke has spent the last five or so years devoting a lot of time, energy and passion into continuing to make these awards a success. He has experienced the highs and lows and has now re-established the awards. Luke served as Chair of the OAS from 2009 through to this year and todays award marks the passing of the baton from Luke to Tom Leeming from Cushman & Wakefield who takes up the role of OAS Development Awards Chairman.
