Regeneration developer of the year

Principled and profitable are the two words that best describe developer Crest Nicholson – and these two words also explain why it was the clear winner of this category. A member of the FTSE4Good index, Crest Nicholson cites wealth creation through urban regeneration, the provision of affordable mixed-tenure residency and the development of sustainable communities as central to its business strategy – and it has the projects to prove it. The regeneration of the 24 ha no-go area in Park Central Birmingham, the redevelopment of a 29 ha brownfield site in Greenhithe, Kent, and a project to provide 2500 homes, 9290 m2 for commercial, community and leisure uses and a 600-berth marina in Portishead are just three outstanding examples of what can be achieved by combining responsible social outlook with an intelligent financial plan.

Park Central in Birmingham: One of Crest Nicholson’s exemplary projects

Runners-up

It’s all very well revamping run-down, neglected city centre areas, but unless you do it in a way that appeals to businesses, as well as shoppers and resident, your project won’t have much of a lasting impact. This is something that Allied London understands all too well, and despite its name has put into practice in projects all across the UK. Take one example: it’s probably no coincidence that Spinningfields development in Manchester, which was driven by Allied London’s ambitious masterplan for the site, is now the city’s prime office location.

NMC Developments

Just because you’re small, and just because you’re local, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference – NMC Developments certainly has. This developer has spent 12 years working in the Antrim Road area of north Belfast, helping to revitalise the area by refurbishing houses that fell into disrepair after they were vacated during the Troubles. The locals have the firm to thank for 30 new or restored properties this year alone and more than 100 in all. Not bad for a seven-man firm.

St George

If you live in London, you will know St George’s work. This developer specialises in mixed-use urban regeneration projects with impact. Its £80m Putney Wharf scheme took a disused 1960s tower and turned it into an award-winning, eco-friendly building, while its Imperial Wharf project to transform 32 acres of brownfield land into an urban village received praise from a Shelter, prime minister Tony Blair, Constructing Excellence and London mayor Ken Livingstone – to name but a few.

Urban Splash

Manchester-based Urban Splash is the company that made regeneration sexy again – and is still leading the way when it comes to innovative and exciting schemes. It believes that it is people who change areas – and it aims to kick-start that process of change by providing opportunity for employment and generating interest and confidence in its developments. (As well as providing fantastic space for people to live, work and play, of course.) You really get the impression that these people want to make a difference – which is no doubt why they succeed.