Property Awards 2017

Building on success 12-PAGE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

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ELFAST Telegraph Property Awards just get bigger and better every year and what a celebration the 2017 event turned out to be.

Over 500 guests from right across the industry gathered last Friday in the Crowne Plaza to celebrate the big successes of the past 12 months.

After a sumptuous two course lunch the room reverberated to laughter as local comic Tim McGarry of the Hole in the Wall Gang and The Blame Game took to the stage.

It was then down to the main event as the awards were announced.

A record number of high quality entries poured in this year and the task of selecting the winners and runners up fell to our esteemed judging panel made up of experts from across the industry.

Chaired by Professor Alastair Adair, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Ulster University, also on the panel were Derek Wilson, Chair of UK Finance NI Mortgage Committee and First Trust Bank; Daryl McIntosh of the National Association of Estate Agents; Padraig Venney, National House Building Council; Arleen Elliott, NI Law Society; Nicola McCrudden, Chartered Institute of Housing; Paul Crowe, President, Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Susan Mason, Acting Regional Director, RICS. Speaking at the event Professor Adair said the high standard of entries this year indicated that the property sector could look to the future with great confidence.

Professor Adair also commented: “The judging panel was very impressed by the high calibre and volume of entries and the categories were hotly contested.

“Judging was challenging but, as Chair, I very much appreciated the time, effort and expertise each member put into selecting winners and those highly commended.

“We found strong evidence of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and adding value, yet balanced by the pursuit of high quality, financial and environmental sustainability and social responsibility.”

Belfast Telegraph Managing Director Richard McClean also thanked the judging panel for the difficult job they faced.

THE WINNERS Property Personality of the Year Simon Brien Best Interior Design Fresh Interior Architecture Design Commercial Deveopment of the Year Lacuna Developments Architectural Practice of the Year (Commercial) White Ink Architects Architectural Practice of the Year (Residential) Neil Mathews Architects Property Deal of the Year Lambert Smith Hampton Residential Development of the Year Lotus Homes

The Belfast Telegraph Property Awards judging panel, back, from left, Paul Crowe, President of the Royal Society of Architects, Derek Wilson, Chair of UK Finance NI Mortgage Committee and First Trust Bank and Padraig Venney, National House Building Council.

Front, from left, Arleen Elliott, NI Law Society, Daryl McIntosh, National Association of Estate Agents and Susan Mason, Acting Regional Director, RICS. Inset, top right, Professor Alastair Adair, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Ulster University and (below) Nicola McCrudden of the Chartered Institute of Housing He told the packed room: “I was heartened to hear about the increasing number and calibre of applications this year, the quality of the submissions was truly excellent.

“All we need to consolidate this success is a return to stable government and clarity of vision when it comes to housing and development across Northern Ireland. “ Gail Walker, Editor of the Belfast

Residential Letting Agency of the Year McGuinness Fleck

Telegraph said: “It’s great to see the property market in Northern Ireland on the upturn again and to be able to showcase and recognise the enthusiasm, innovation and professionalism of those working in it here at our Property Awards.

“This is a very successful event, there’s always a great buzz at it and I think that reflects the sector in general these days.”

Young Architect of the Year Niall Magennis (White Ink Architects) Commercial Fit-Out of the Year Philip Rodgers Design

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Commercial Estate Agent of the Year Savills Residential Estate Agency of the Year (Multibranch) CPS Property Residential Estate Agency of the Year (Sole branch) Adams McGillan Richard Kilner, Richard McClean, Gail Walker, Tommy Nolan, Mark Reilly, Karen McGarvey and Stuart Blair (above) pictured at the Belfast Telegraph Property Awards 2017.

Right, Mr McClean makes his speech

ONE of the biggest names in comedy in Northern Ireland, Tim McGarry, had the audience in stitches with his sharp wit.

The local comic took to the stage after lunch and took no prisoners as the property market found itself on the receiving end of his caustic humour.

Young Agent of the Year (Residential) Lana Banford Young Agent of the Year (Commercial) Lynn Taylor Cover details: The award winning team from CPS who scooped Residential Estate Agency of the Year (Multi Branch)

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Property Personality of the Year winner Simon Brien goes up to collect his award (above, right), before celebrating with daughter Tiffany

Property Personality of the Year WINNER Simon Brien

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NE of the best known names in estate agency in Northern Ireland, Simon Brien was named Property Personality of the Year.

Simon has been active in the property market in Northern Ireland for over 35 years and runs his own chain of estate agents, Simon Brien Residential.

He has been involved in many of the province’s largest land and property transactions in the residential property sector, and his business has experienced significant growth in the past three years.

His agency now employs 52 mem-

bers of staff in four offices across Belfast and North Down, including the recently opened branch in Newtownards.

His key principle values of customer care, experience, professionalism and personal service permeates his business, placing his company at the forefront of the NI property industry.

Delighted and surprised to be named Property Personality of the Year, Simon said: “Overall it was a great surprise. As I sat through the different categories being announced I didn’t contemplate it at all and it is a great honour.”

Simon started in the property market in his late teens. He was also well known as a talented sailor and competed with the Irish Sailing Team.

His first job was with Dowling Jackson-Stops in Chichester Street in Belfast.

Throughout his twenties he enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of well-known local companies.

By the age of 29 he was area director for McQuitty Ross — one of the big two estate agency chains of that time.

The company was bought over by Royal Life Estates and the industry

underwent a period of change for the next four years.

Simon recalls: “It was a changing period in the industry and some of the changes they tried to implement really weren’t the way I wanted to do business.

“To me it just didn’t work in Northern Ireland where the business needs to be very personable.

“After three to four years their way of operating fizzled out and the companies returned to being privately owned again.”

He was approached by Eric Cairns to join him in a new company in 2003.

After helping to build up the Eric Cairns Partnership, the estate agency was integrated into BTW Shiells

Property Personality of the Year winner Simon Brien, with Belfast Telegraph Managing Director Richard McClean and Belfast Telegraph Editor Gail Walker in 2007 — the year of the economic downturn.

He says: “We had very good relationships and everyone worked well together in what became a very difficult market place.

“We just had to re-eingeer the business during that difficult period, doing a lot more auction work and property management as there was very little in the way of new homes being built at all.”

The opportunity arose in 2014 for Simon to take the residential side of the business on as his own and he rebranded as Simon Brien Residential with the same management team and senior staff, a team with over 30 years’ experience that has delivered over 20,000 house sales in Northern Ireland and £1/2bn in land sales.

Today he is optimistic about the market and says huge lessons have

been learned from the property crash: “Thankfully the negative period of repossessions seems to have been flushed through and we are now into a much more positive environment with more new houses being built and new people entering the sector.

“Being adaptable was the key, as the business branched out into rentals, management and professional services, instead of house sale volume alone.

“I think it made everybody more thoughtful and careful in terms of business development.”

The key to success however is, he says, a simple one: “It is about people first and foremost and I always tell new people in the industry that they need to have an understanding of people and look after people on a personal basis and that’s very much at the heart of our business.”

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Best Interior Design of the Year Sponsored by Hayburn & Co WINNER Fresh Interior Architecture Design HIGHLY COMMENDED Atelier Interior Design

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REATING the wow factor in a small space was the challenge which Best Interior Design Award winners Fresh Interior Architecture Design rose to with its work on The Friend at Hand whiskey shop in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

The judges chose the firm for the award — sponsored by Hayburn & Co — for the fantastic standard of the design under challenging conditions.

Chair of the judging panel Professor Adair said the project had “lots of wow factor” in the creation of “an original, innovative and very high quality solution to a small space challenge”. He added: “In total it represents an outstanding high quality interior design solution.”

Fellow judge Paul Crowe said the project was clearly challenging and described the shop as “both nostalgic and recognisable yet innovatively crafted using traditional materials with every piece of horizontal and vertical space utilised”.

Commercial Development of the Year Sponsored by Carson McDowell WINNER Lacuna Developments HIGHLY COMMENDED Silverwood Business Park Limited FINALISTS Straidorn Properties Ltd

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AMILY run development and Investment Company Lacuna Developments picked up the award for Commercial Development of the Year, sponsored by Carson McDowell for the second year in a row.

The company was singled out for its work on the Botanic Studios — an £8m development of new purpose-built student accommodation on Belfast’s Dublin Road.

Managing director of the firm Anthony Best took to the stage to pick up the award from Emma Cooper, partner at Carson McDowell.

He said: “We are delighted to win for the second year in a row. Real cred-

The Crossgar-based team is led by principal interior designer Michael McKervey who took to the stage in the Crowne Plaza Hotel to pick up the award from Lynda Hayburn, creative director of Hayburn & Co. Michael, who has over 18 years experience as an interior architect, said: “We are over the moon to get the award. The shop was created as a tribute to my clients Willie and Joanne Jack’s longterm friend and business partner, Bruce Kirk, who passed away last year.

“Picking up the award was really in honour of Bruce.”

The multi awardwinning Fresh Interior Architecture Design has established itself for its fresh approach to design.

Commissions have included a diverse range of schemes from well-known bars, such as The Harp Bar, the Potted Hen and The Dark Horse, to office spaces for rural businesses.

The stand-out scheme which saw the company pick up our award was the first shop of its kind in Ireland selling only whiskey.

It also has a mini museum upstairs which pays homage to the history of distilling in Belfast.

Set with the task of turning a small sandwich shop into a traditional Victorian style Irish Off Sales to showcase some of the finest Irish whiskeys, Michael was given a very tall order.

Allowing his imagination to run free, he created a place of nostalgic beauty which is a feast for the eyes for anyone who appreciates a glass of whiskey.

The wow factor is immediate from the main frontage, where the existing shop front has been stripped away and replaced with a traditional red Belfast brick facade with black metal grills over the windows to blend with the existing street scape in Belfast’s Hill Street.

A very distinctive copper clad door with brass ironmongery sets the tone as you press the buzzer and walk into a magical world of whiskey where there is row upon row of glass cabinets carefully cosseting the many bottles of infamous Irish whiskey.

Every bit of space within the shop has been

it must be given to colleagues and the professional teams around us.”

The company bought the old Willis Insurance building on the Dublin Road in 2015. It was a secondary office building beyond its economic lifespan and had been vacant for two years.

The existing building was demolished and in its place the company built a vibrant, modern eight storey student accommodation with 156 studios.

Chair of the judges Professor Alastair Adair said of the scheme: “Construction and planning challenges, in particular effective engagement with neighbouring residential communities, were successfully addressed, producing an aesthetically pleasing building in 17 months, meeting investment and occupancy targets.”

The first new build private student accommodation scheme in Belfast, Botanic Studios houses an active ground floor with common room, cinema room and games room as well as an outside courtyard and kitchen, giving students a safe and comfortable space to meet and socialise.

One of the biggest challenges facing the company was the planning process.

With the ongoing issues with students in the Holylands district many local residents around the site did not want to see student accommodation in the area.

Through meetings with the residents and taking them to other similar schemes built by the company, as well as agreeing protocols with Belfast City Council, planning permission was granted.

The company continued to meet and engage with local residents during the construction process, showing them around the development.

At a recent meeting residents commended the company on how well the

Pamela Ballantine with Lynda Hayburn, creative director of Hayburn & Co, as she presents Michael McKervey of Fresh Interior Architecture Design with his award for Best Interior Design of the Year cleverly used with a feature display cabinet even built into the underside of a staircase.

To further enhance the “traditional Irish offsales” look, Michael also used vintage pieces from owner, publican Willie Jack’s own personal antique collection.

With a modest budget of around £160,000, Fresh Interiors Design was able to create a space which takes people back in time and provide a five star quality showpiece which will keep customers coming back for more, if only for the experience.

FINALISTS Atelier Interior Design in Belfast was Highly Commended for its sensitive renovation of a rundown Georgian townhouse which now serves as the base for its design studio and home store.

The company was formed in 2014 by interior design and architect duo Victor Branco and James Fairley who have spent the last three years on a restoration project to bring the 1832 property back to life.

development looked and was managed to date.

All students arrived and filled their rooms with no impact on the residents.

Family-owned Lacuna Developments is one of Northern Ireland’s leading development and investment companies.

Established in 1991 by David Best, it is now run by his son Anthony.

Lacuna has grown steadily over the last two decades to become involved in property development and investment throughout the UK and has experience in a wide range of property markets including private housing, high street retail and offices.

It has currently over 1,000 student beds either under construction or in for planning in Belfast.

It also has several mixed use schemes in the pipeline which will start on site in the next two years.

Anthony has been managing director of Lacuna since 2015 and is a chartered surveyor. He is the second generation to run the Lacuna business.

His current focus is on moving the business forward within the development sector. The company currently has around £100m end value of development schemes, either under construction or in for planning.

FINALISTS Silverwood Business Park was Highly Commended for its work on delivering a new head office and distribution warehouse for Bunzl Ireland.

The scheme was built on a six acre brownfield site which was the location of the former Drumsill House Hotel in Armagh.

The new facility which includes 70,000 sq ft of warehousing and 15,000 sq ft of office accommodation will house the various Bunzl businesses that were previously spread across Northern Ireland

Pamela Ballantine, Emma Cooper, partner at Carson McDowell, and winner, Anthony Best, Lacuna Developments

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HE winner of the Commercial Architectural Practice of the Year Award sponsored by Savills went to Belfast-based White Ink Architects.

The judges were impressed by the company’s overall submission and in particular its commitment to innovative initiatives.

Ben Turtle, head of Savills Northern Ireland, presented the award to Associate Aine Glackin.

Aine said: “The Commercial Architectural Practice of the Year award is testament to the collaboration, hard work and dedication of the White Ink team and everyone we have worked with over the last 16 years. A big thank you to our staff, to our clients and wider project teams.

“This award celebrates and reinforces White Ink’s team culture and values which are embedded in all aspects of our work. We are grateful for our clients’ continual confidence in us to deliver increasingly valuable contracts — currently ranging from £1.9m to £57m — and in return we consistently look for and optimise opportunities for our clients to obtain the best value for their investments.

White Ink Architects has grown significantly since it was first set up in 2001 by Claude Maguire, Joan McCoy and Sean Tunney.

Today it provides architectural, interior design and consultancy services to private clients, developers and contractors throughout the UK. The team’s expertise lies in a wide range of buildings in the residential and commercial sectors including hotels, offices, education, health and industrial.

Contract values at present range from £1.9m to £57m, with bids currently valued at over £100m.

Since January 2016 the company has increased its turnover from

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ELFAST-based Neil Mathews Architects picked up the Residential Architectural Practice of the Year Award sponsored

by Savills.

Ben Turtle, head of Savills Northern Ireland, presented the award to Neil at the Crowne Plaza last Friday.

A delighted Neil said: “We are absolutely delighted to win Best Architect of the Year. The Belfast Telegraph Property Awards have grown from strength to strength over the years and we are very pleased to be part of what has become a great institution.”

The firm has enjoyed a year of considerable growth and success in the residential sector.

They have just received approval for a spectacular modern house in Gleno, are on site with a 300sq ft eco house in Islandmagee, which has sparked interest from the makers of top TV series Grand Designs, Home by the Sea, and are also designing a 7,500sq ft bespoke home on another exposed coastal location.

During the past year the company has won several other commissions which has seen expansion of the office in terms of technology, staff and equipment.

The company prides itself on offering a broad range of services to both individual residential clients and a select group of medium volume developers.

Mostly focused on highly tailored design solutions to very specific needs, they also enjoy the occasional commission of volume house building.

The company’s reach extends beyond Northern Ireland and they are currently working on several commissions in the residential sector in London.

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The company believes this success is down to client confidence in their ability to create design excellence and adding value, enabling them to deliver financially viable professional service to clients.

Our judge Paul Crowe said of them: “This was an exemplary submission

by White Ink Architects, which conveys excellence in all criteria.

“In addition to the outstanding and challenging portfolio of project work, the judges were particularly impressed by the commitment to innovative initiatives in both technology and the investment in ‘Future Generations’ as a teaching practice.”

Since 2013 the company has been investing heavily in software, hardware and training to be at the forefront of BIM — Building Information Modelling, which has recently revolutionised the construction industry.

They pride themselves on offering a cutting-edge approach to design that eliminates waste from both the design and construction processes allowing them to deliver an information-rich building model to clients for easy future maintenance of their buildings.

A reputation for delivering projects to budget, brief and timescale has been achieved through an intelligent, clinical approach to architecture that adds efficiency and value at every stage.

Pamela Ballantine with Ben Turtle, head of Savills Northern Ireland, who presented Aine Glackin and Claude Maguire, from White Ink Architects, with their award for Commercial Architectural Practice of the Year £1.26m to £1.86m, with 84.3% of its projects now outside of Northern Ireland.

Its success is further evident in the growth of project contract values from

typically around £25m two years ago to over £50m.

Since 2016 the firm has increased its workforce from 24 to 30 to meet this growth.

FINALISTS Award winning Belfast based Doherty Architects was Highly Commended in the Commercial Architectural Practice of the Year category.

The company has built a reputation for design excellence through a wide range of projects and scales, including multi-use, residential, cultural and commercial schemes.

Our judging panel was impressed by the wide variety of expertise demonstrated in the company’s submission.

Judge Paul Crowe said of the firm: “The work of Neil Mathews Architects is highly detailed and sensitive to its context whether the project is a contemporary intervention to a historical property; a remodelling of urban terraces or a rural new build.

There was clear evidence of not only complying with a brief but in exceeding client expectations.”

The company also demonstrated its commitment to innovation with their clever use of a cantilevered stainless steel roof over the porch at the front of a house in Sea Park Road.

In so doing they were able to prove that a glass corner can actually support a tiny part of the weight of the roof, while concealing the main structure that held the roof up in the frames of the door.

FINALISTS Shortlisted in the Residential Architectural Practice of the Year category was Belfast firm 9yards Architecture.

The company, which was set up in 2004, undertakes a complete range of residential and commercial design with a focus on fast response times and local knowledge.

Regular residential projects include housing developments, one off new-build bespoke homes, extensions and refurbishments.

Clients range from individual home owners and developers to national property investment companies.

From concept to detailed design, the team will deal with planning, building control and project management.

Architectural Practice of the Year (Commercial) Sponsored by Savills WINNER White Ink Architects HIGHLY COMMENDED Doherty Architects FINALISTS 9yards Architecture Neil Mathews Architects

Architectural Practice of the Year (Residential) Sponsored by Savills Pamela Ballantine with Ben Turtle, head of Savills Northern Ireland, who presented Neil Mathews, of Neil Mathews Architects, with his award for Residential Architectural Practice of the Year The company has enjoyed continued growth with turnover increasing by 35% since January 2016.

The judges were impressed by details of a recent project when the company identified significant issues with the site

of a bespoke home in Cove Bay, Groomsport.

Identifying the problem at an early stage allowed them to overcome it to achieve an exceptional design solution within tight timescales.

WINNER Neil Matthews Architects SHORTLISTED 9yards Architecture

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HE award for Property Deal of the Year sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt was presented for the second year in a row to Lambert Smith Hampton for the acquisition of Cloghan Point Oil Terminal for the LCC Group.

Property Deal of the Year Sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors WINNER Lambert Smith Hampton HIGHLY COMMENDED Lisney SHORTLISTED Lambert Smith Hampton

Neil Logan, partner at Wilson Nesbitt, presented the award to Ian Harbinson, associate director on behalf of director Stuart Draffin.

Commenting on the success, Stuart Draffin, head of agency at Lambert Smith Hampton in Belfast, said: “We are delighted to have won Deal of the Year for advising on the successful acquisition of Cloghan Point Oil Terminal for LCC Group, one of Northern Ireland’s leading family-owned companies.

“The terminal is an important, strategic, core infrastructure asset for Northern and Southern Ireland and this is the first time it has been owned by a Northern Irish Company. The purchase and subsequent investment has the potential to alter energy costs for Northern and Southern Ireland.

“This is the second year in a row that we have won the Deal of the Year award, with last year’s recognition for the sale of Ballykelly Army Barracks.”

Lambert Smith Hampton has worked for the family-run Cookstownbased LCC Group for six years.

Initially set up to provide coal to the domestic market, the Group now supplies coal, oil, electricity, natural gas and logistical freight services to homes across the UK and industry worldwide.

Because of its long standing relationship with the company and its in-depth knowledge of their business, Lambert Smith Hampton identified the opportunity to purchase the Cloghan Point Oil Terminal off-market and approached the Group with the idea.

Cloghan Point Oil Terminal on the shores of Belfast Lough, near Carrickfergus, was originally opened in the 1980s by Northern Ireland Electricity to supply Kilroot and Ballylumford Power Stations. It was later refurbished by AES in 2011.

Belfast Telegraph l NOVEMBER 23 2017

The facility has a jetty which stretches 1,225 metres into Belfast Lough with a depth of 17 metres water draft.

LCC plan to invest £15m to enhance the facility, after which it will be the only commercial terminal in Ireland able to facilitate the docking of 120,000 tonne tankers.

Currently most tankers docking in Irish ports are no larger than 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes.

Lambert Smith Hampton negotiated terms on an off-market basis, co-ordinated the exchange and delivered completion within five days.

LCC hope that being able to dock larger vessels will bring significant benefits to consumers and industry in the long run, as the increase in supply Pamela Ballantine with Neil Logan, Partner in Wilson Nesbitt who presented logistics and efficiencies lead to a reduction in price that can be passed on Ian Harbinson, Associate Director of Lambert Smith Hampton with the Property Deal of the Year Award to the end user.

Lambert Smith Hampton had the across every sector both private and associated with breathing new life back into foresight to bring the deal to the compublic. They are involved in all areas the historical buildings. pany after recognising the potential of commercial property, from capital Derek Wilson of our judging panel said: opportunity it could provide to grow markets and construction consultancy, “The judges were impressed by the sale on LCC’s business. to management of the most complex a number of fronts. It involves the sale of an The judges described the deal as im- property portfolios. extensive irregular Brownfield site of culturpressive, with Derek Wilson commental and heritage importance but which has ing: “The unique physical attributes of many challenges, having been derelict for the site will, on further development, some years in poor condition. allow for the importation and storage FINALISTS “This is exacerbated by the fact that of larger capacity oil deliveries than Belfast Company Lisney was Highly Commany of the buildings on the site retain listare currently possible elsewhere. mended in the Property Deal of the Year ed status and the area suffers from heavy “This gives access to supply sources category for its work on the sale of Hilden levels of contamination. and world markets not presently servMill to the St Francis Group.

“The ‘added value’ approach to the deal ing Northern Ireland.

Established more than 80 years ago, Lis- will allow for complete refurbishment as “The investment should benefit the ney is the largest independent firm of propa mixed-use river front scheme which will local economy, not just in job creaerty consultants in Ireland. greatly enhance the local community.” tion but also potentially cheaper fuel In May 2017, the firm secured the sale Winners of the category Lambert Smith prices. The judges were particularly of the iconic Hilden Mill complex in Lisburn Hampton received their award for the impressed that the transaction was to English-based Development Company St acquisition of Cloughan Point Oil Terminal concluded in five days.”

Francis Group for a price seven times great- and were also shortlisted for their work in Lambert Smith Hampton is the larg- er than the initial off-market bids. the complex sale of a portfolio of mixed use est commercial property consultancy The successful sale of the long vacant properties in East London for £35m. Also in Northern Ireland offering a naproperty was deemed significant, not only shortlisted twice were Savills for the sale tionwide service. The company works as a boost for the local economy, but for of CastleCourt Shopping Complex and hanwith investors, developers and tenants the wider cultural and heritage importance dling the letting of Erskine House.

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Residential Development of the Year Sponsored by First Trust Bank WINNER Lotus Homes HIGHLY COMMENDED Richland Group SHORTLISTED Olympian Homes Fraser Houses NI Davcrow Ltd

HE winner of the Residential Development of the Year award sponsored by First Trust Bank was Lotus Homes for its Mill Meadows development on the Millvale Road in Bessbrook.

Derek Wilson, head of mortgage strategy & distribution at First Trust Bank, presented the award to Paul O’Rourke, residential development director of Lotus Homes.

It is the third year the company has picked up the award and a delighted Mr O’Rourke said: “We recognise there was very strong competition this year and Lotus Homes is delighted to win with our Mill Meadows site.

It was a great day.”

Centred around Bessbrook River and nestled within a woodland on the once overgrown site of a derelict mill, the development of detached and semi-detached houses has regenerated this part of Bessbrook.

Lotus Homes was delighted to obtain the land and saw it as an opportunity to address the issues of housing need as laid out in the Newry, Mourne and Down Housing Investment Plan, 2015.

With a growing population in the area, demand far outweighed supply and many local people wanted to own their own home.

Mill Meadows offered the ideal solution for first time buyers to get on the property ladder with house prices starting at £129,950 for a spacious three bedroomed semi-detached house with private driveway and gardens, completed to a turnkey finish.

Each home owner was invited to make their own selection of finishes to ensure their home fully met their needs and reflected their personal tastes.

The residential layout on the site was set out to fully respect the river, with houses overlooking this natural

Judge Padraig Venney commented: “This is a builder who engaged early with all interested parties, archaeologists and the Environment Agency to ensure every consideration was given to the scheme.

“Lotus has a brilliant product that lends itself to modern family living.

They have continued in their quest to be one of the best residential developers.”

Pamela Ballantine with Derek Wilson, First Trust head of mortgage strategy & distribution, as he presents Samantha Shannon and Paul O’Rourke, from Lotus Homes (UK) Ltd, with their award for Residential Development of the Year

feature to create a sense of place.

Due to its instability the mill was carefully demolished but not completely removed to ensure a physical visual link to the site’s history.

The lowered walls now provide an attractive enclosure to two of the sites.

The trees within the woodland and the development site are protected and due care and attention were tak-

en to ensure that they were not damaged during construction.

The company also planted new indigenous species of trees in common areas and in hedges along with shrubbery to further enhance the site.

The judges noted that the development went some way to meeting the housing needs in the area as well as the challenges facing Lotus working in a tricky archaeological site.

FINALISTS The Richland Group’s Belfast apartment scheme The Gallery was Highly Commended.

It had been a vision of The Richland Group to develop the international model of compact living and over the past three years the design team realised this with The Gallery on the Dublin Road.

The inner-city site allowed the company to target the market for people who want to live right in the heart of the city centre.

This principle was used to maximise the potential of the site using a typical 400 sq ft apartment footprint allowing 58 apartments as opposed to 40 at 600 sq ft. The high density solution is the first example in Northern Ireland and it will enable city centre living to become much more affordable.

Take up exceeded all expectations with all 58 apartments sold.

Judge Nicola McCrudden commented: “This development is a check list of how to do city centre living – creating stylish apartment living complimented by retail space and a cafe while bringing regeneration to the area. “ Shortlisted in this category were Olympian Homes for the redevelopment of Great Patrick Street, Fraser Houses NI LTD for Rivenwood housing development in Newtownards and Davcrow Ltd for Cultra Station housing development.

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cGUINNESS Fleck won the Residential Lettings Agency of the Year Award sponsored

by TLT. Director Steven McGuinness was presented with the award by Sarah Ewing, Legal Director at TLT. He said: “We were absolutely delighted to win Residential Lettings Agency of the Year award.

“It is fantastic for the team to be recognised for the hard work they put in to manage hundreds of properties on behalf of our landlords across Northern Ireland.

“We take this responsibility very seriously and are proud to have received this award and also to be highly commended in the Residential Estate Agency Sole Agency category.”

The company’s entry encompassed its lettings, management and block management departments.

The judges were impressed by the firm’s growth over the years and the high standard of service it provides to clients.

Judge Daryl McIntosh commented: “The extraordinary level of service provided to their clients’ needs has been evidenced.

“Investment in the staff by regular training and qualification in a currently unregulated sector is praiseworthy as is the management’s commitment to having a hands on approach to all the day to day issues within the agency.”

The philosophy at McGuinness Fleck is one of marginal gains. It is a concept used in many elite sports with incredible success and one which the firm believes in passionately.

It is about ensuring that every single aspect of the business and its service is as good as it possibly can be.

It is the company’s belief and experience that tiny improvements in a great many areas add up to significant improvement in overall performance.

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HE award for Young Architect of the Year sponsored by RTU went to Niall Magennis of White Ink Architects.

Niall was presented with his award

by David McIlroy and Daniel McIlroy, Directors of RTU. Niall said: “I am delighted to have been awarded Young Architect of the Year 2017.

“It is very rewarding to have my hard work and dedication to both the practice and profession recognised with this prestigious accolade — undoubtedly it is a highlight of my career to date.

“I have already been congratulated by a number of clients and project teams involved in the projects I am working on in GB. This has given me a huge boost of confidence and I am very proud to be an ambassador for the NI construction and property industry both in NI and further afield.

“I am indebted to White Ink Architects for their continued support and the opportunity to lead a number of fantastic projects across the UK. “This award is testament to their approach and dedication to mentoring and teaching the students and young architects within the practice, helping them fulfil their potential as architects, and in turn ensuring that through knowledge transfer and continual professional development, the practice can continue to deliver an excellent service and ultimately, fantastic projects.”

Niall has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the profession since starting with the company in 2010 as a student on placement while studying for a First Class Honours Degree in Architecture at Queen’s University.

Over the next four years he continued to study for a Masters which he passed with distinction and a Certif-

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2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with

Law Commission to bring in guidelines on Multi Unit Developments for conveyancing solicitors.

Alex Fleck is widely recognised as the authoritative voice of Block Managements in Northern Ireland.

The company’s business model concentrates on managing large blocks and it manages most of the large developments in Belfast, including Victoria Square, Queen’s Square, Bass Buildings, St John’s Wharf and Stranmillis Wharf among many others.

Pamela Ballantine is pictured with Sarah Ewing, Legal Director at TLT who presented Steven McGuinness from McGuinness Fleck with the Residential Lettings Agency of the Year Award Ensuring staff buy into the philosophy is key to its success and to this end there are clear and regular communications from directors and heads of departments reinforcing it and what it is designed to achieve.

Team bonding activities are a regular occurrence and as part of the company’s policy on working as a team, everyone in the office included directors and heads of department, commits to answering the phone within three rings.

The Lettings department has enjoyed impressive growth over the last year with letting fees in the year to date increased by 127% on previous years.

The company’s focus was on gener-

icate of Professional Practice, which he achieved in 2014, all the while continuing to make significant advances in his career working on numerous projects across the UK. Schemes included hotel, credentials, office, mixed use and commercial ranging in value from between £1.2m and £55m.

Niall was involved in every stage from inception through to completion of the projects.

It was also a busy time in his personal life — he got engaged and married in April 2015, followed by the arrival of his first child in late 2016, just as he completed the purchase of his first home.

As the number of schemes taken on by the company has risen dramatically, Niall’s role has also changed from assisting to leading projects and presenting directly to clients.

Major schemes he has worked on include a £49m mixed use development in Bournemouth, a new £14.6m Maldron Hotel in Cardiff City Centre, the £1.2m refit of the VIP suites and Electric Lounge in the Odyssey Arena and many more.

Niall has also proved himself as an innovator and a team player, bringing much to the company.

Judge Paul Crowe commented: “Niall is a product of the innovative teaching provided to young architects at White Ink. “He has worked on a wide variety of significant projects in hospitality and residential sectors with increasing levels of responsibility, which has seen his early career blossom.

“He is now acting in a mentoring role within the practice in assisting other students and young architects.

He is an excellent ambassador, not just for White Ink but for the architectural profession.”

ating new business and figures show that over the year 52% of properties were let for new landlords.

The management department is the bread and butter of the business and the consistent long term income it generates allows the firm to make investments with confidence.

Impressive figures show that 722 properties were managed with an average £38,564 billing every month over the last year — a 27% increase on the previous year’s average.

In the area of Block Management, McGuinness Fleck is an industry leader. The company was at the forefront of driving change in the industry by first assisting the Alliance Party in the Assembly and later liaising with the

FINALISTS Highly Commended went to Quinn Estate Agents.

Quinn Estate Agents is a local, independent, multi branch company set up in 2010 with offices in Ballynahinch, Downpatrick and Banbridge.

Training of its 11 full time staff members is a priority and this was recently recognised when the company was presented with a Business Award for Commitment to Training at the Eastern Regional College.

The judging panel was impressed by how this emphasis on staff training had contributed to the company’s success.

Judge, Susan Mason also said a stand-out element of the Quinn submission was the fact that they do not charge tenant application fees.

Fellow judge Daryl McIntosh also commented: “An innovative agency which has introduced new systems and procedures to make it a smoother experience for both landlords and tenants.

“They are committed to ensuring their staff are trained and qualified to a high standard and their ethical approach of not charging tenant fees has to be appreciated.

“This practice has not had any detrimental effect to the business as they have evidenced excellent year on year growth.”

Also shortlisted in this category were Fetherston Clements and John Minnis Estate Agents.

Residential Letting Agency of the Year Sponsored by TLT WINNER McGuinness Fleck HIGHLY COMMENDED Quinn Estate Agents SHORTLISTED Fetherston Clements John Minnis Estate Agents

Young Architect of the year Sponsored by RTU

RTU directors, David and Daniel McIlroy, present Niall Magennis, of White Ink Architects, (centre) with the Young Architect of the Year Award

WINNER Niall Magennis (White Ink Architects)

8 | 2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with

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Commercial Fit-Out of the Year Sponsored by RPP Architects WINNER Philip Rodgers Design HIGHLY COMMENDED The Martin Group SHORTLISTED Graham Interior Fit-Out ALD Fit-Out

HILIP Rodgers Design picked up the award for best Commercial Fit-Out sponsored by RPP Architects for its work on the landmark Lincoln Building in Belfast.

Harry McConnell, managing director of RPP Architects, presented the award to associate Ronan Donaghy.

Mr Donaghy said: “We are delighted to have won the Commercial Fitout of the year category for the Lincoln Building at the Belfast Telegraph property awards.

“This was only made possible by the combination of a forward thinking client, great tenants and the right design team to deliver the project.

“Congratulations to all involved — our client Andras House, Rajesh Rana, Barrett Contracts, who were responsible for the fit-out, Axiom Law, Deloitte, Johnston Houston and Caldwell Consultants.”

The project which saw the old neglected building completely gutted and transformed into modern office space involved creating designs for a range of exacting clients.

The judges commented on the company’s innovative approach to re-establishing the former prominence of the building as well as the high standard of modern finishes which complemented the existing structure.

The panel was also impressed by how the firm made the well-being of employees and clients foremost in the design.

Judge Padraig Veeney was particularly impressed by the excellent space created and the fact that each client was dealt with individually.

The company which has offices in Belfast and Dungannon is a leading chartered interior design firm specialising in high end projects within the hotel, bar, restaurant, retail and corporate worlds.

As well as a number of iconic schemes in Northern Ireland the firm has completed many significant projects internationally.

Its modernisation of the 20 year old Hilton Prague saw the hotel pick up The Best Hotel in the Czech Republic Award at the TIG Travel award four years in a row.

Closer to home and Philip Rodger Design is currently redesigning all the front of house interiors in the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Other well-known schemes include the lower ground wedding room with grand staircase entry at the Old Inn Crawfordsburn, the refurbishment of the auditorium and bar of The Grand Opera House in Belfast as well as creating the stylish design for Green’s Restaurant & Wine Bar in the Linen Green in Moygashel, to name but a few.

The company’s latest undertaking, for which it was recognised at our awards, involved the complete strip out of the 60,000 sq ft Lincoln Building in Great Victoria Street which they then transformed into state of the art office spaces.

The £5m scheme involved bespoke fit-out requirements for each client.

The offices were designed with both employees and their clients in mind and to this end the company set out to create a positive working environment.

Desk layouts were focused on natural daylight with quiet workspaces as well as inspiring social spaces.

Micro kitchens were incorporated in the design to encourage staff members in larger organisations to connect with each other.

A major change was the access to the building. The existing geography meant that all client and staff accessed from the side street.

The designers felt it was important

Belfast Telegraph l NOVEMBER 23 2017

Peter McGirr, of RPP Architects, (left) presents Ronan Donaghy and Stephen Barrett, of Philip Rodgers Design, with the Commercial Fit-Out of the Year Award to re-establish the Lincoln Building within Great Victoria Street and moving the entrance involved significant and highly complex internal structural works to realign the primary stair core with the new entrance.

The new lobby emphasises the landmark quality of the building within Belfast.

FINALISTS Londonderry based The Martin Group was highly commended for its work on Lombard House in Lombard Street in Belfast.

The building which dates back to 1874 was completely redesigned and refurbished by the company whose brief was to design and deliver a bespoke Grade A office and wellbeing centre for Northern Ireland’s largest mental health charity

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Commercial Estate Agent of the Year Sponsored by A&L Goodbody WINNER Savills HIGHLY COMMENDED Lambert Smith Hampton SHORTLISTED Osborne King Colliers International

AVILLS picked up the title of Commercial Estate Agency of the Year sponsored by A&L Goodbody.

Tracey Schofield, partner at A&L Goodbody, presented the award to Director Ben Turtle.

Mr Turtle said: “After a year when we acted on a whole host of major deals with the highlights being the largest ever property transaction for CastleCourt and the largest ever office pre let for Erskine House we are delighted this award gives our team due recognition for all their efforts.”

Judges were impressed by the fact that the company, which was shortlisted in the category last year, started 2017 by carrying out extensive client research to discover both where they excelled and areas that needed improved.

The outcome of this independent research has helped improve the firm’s business offering so much so that they have now committed to carrying out the same exercise every 12-18 months.

Savills is a full service real estate advisory firm. As Ireland’s largest property consultancy, the firm is able to offer clients a breadth of service and expertise which other agencies cannot.

The company’s impressive sales figures for the past year show that it was once again the dominant investment agency negotiating over £188m worth of the £253m total commercial real estate deals for Northern Ireland in 2017.

In the commercial agency section, the Office Agency and Tenant Representation teams, which have a combined market share of 48%, completed what was the largest ever office pre-let in the market — 104,420 sq ft to the HMRC on the behalf of Orby Investment Limited.

Savills is also the leasing agents for over 2.3 million sq ft of shopping cen-

– Inspire Wellbeing.The open plan space created by the company and their use of coloured glass to promote a positive and vibrant feeling within the building impressed the judges.

Judge Padraig Venney commented: “Some nice detailing, curve walls give a modern and comfortable feel to the building.”

The main challenge facing the firm was to design and deliver the completed space from bare shell brick walls to occupation within a 22 week time frame.

This also included the installation of two new passenger lifts.

Teams worked through the night to ensure other tenants in the building were not disturbed by heavy drilling.

The Martin Group based in Londonderry is a local developer and contractor with its own in house architectural team.

Following the fit out and redesign of the building it was officially opened by Prince William.

Management Department currently manages two million sq ft of property valued in excess of £300m.

Another highlight of 2017 was the acquisition of CastleCourt Shopping Complex in Royal Avenue on behalf of a client — the deal was Northern Ireland’s largest single commercial property transaction for the year worth £125m.

Judge Susan Mason said: “Judges were impressed that the company had commissioned independent research to better understand their strengths and weaknesses and particularly that this is going to be repeated at regular intervals.

“The scale and range of transactions over the past 18 months has been very impressive and has shown clear and significant growth.

“The entry met the brief perfectly by demonstrating excellence in the service offering, meeting client needs, market presence, growth and innovation.”

Pamela Ballantine with Ben Turtle and Neal Morrison, from Savills, who were presented with the award for Commercial Estate Agent of the Year by Tracey Schofield, partner at A&L Goodbody tre floor space and 1.1 million sq ft of retail and leisure park space throughout Northern Ireland.

With its valuations team, the company provides professional advice across a diverse range of asset classes to most of the main high street financial institutions, alternative funders, corporate and individuals.

In the past year Savills NI Professional Services and Valuations team has valued a total of £640m worth of assets across all sectors.

The company is also a market leader in providing development and investment portfolio valuation advice on social housing stock for financial institutions and registered providers. During the past year they have valued a total of £425m in terms of market value.

The team is also heading the market in providing specialist agricultural valuations and this year have carried out valuations totalling £20m in this sector.

The company’s successful Property

FINALISTS Lambert Smith Hampton was Highly Commended in the Commercial Estate Agency category.

Judges were impressed by the scale of the transactions in each of its departments over the past 12 months.

Lambert Smith Hampton is Northern Ireland’s largest commercial property company with a total of 90 staff.

Over the past three years the company has been involved in the organisation and due diligence management of £700m of property finance transactions.

This year they have led on £240m worth of transactions including recently completing one of the largest NI finance deals of 2017 – a loan in the region of £80m.

Shortlisted in this category were Osborne King and Colliers International.

NOVEMBER 23 2017 l Belfast Telegraph

Pamela Ballantine and Declan Moore, operations director of Progressive Building Society, with the winning team from CPS Property, Gareth Hughes, Arthur O’Hagan, Eoin O’Hagan and Ryan Molloy

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PS Property picked up the Residential Estate Agent Multi Branch Award sponsored by Progressive Building Society for the second year in a row.

Declan Moore, operations director of the Progressive, presented the award to a delighted managing director, Arthur O’Hagan.

Mr O’Hagan paid tribute to his team as he said: “We were shocked and delighted to win it last year and to do it again this year back to back was just fantastic.

“I have a great team and it is not down to any one person.”

The judges said that CPS, who celebrated 30 years in business this year, “stood out” in a highly competitive category.

The family-owned business, which has a branch in Monaghan and six branches throughout Northern Ireland, is currently in the process of opening another new branch in December in Portadown.

The firm works in rentals, sales (both residential and commercial), new developments, land and sites and also sells properties in Dubai, Cape Verde and Spain.

A forward thinking company, CPS prides itself on having a long-term vision that ensures the formula that has proved successful over the past

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2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with

three decades continues to evolve and adapt to an ever changing market place.

The company has once again seen significant growth this year with its market share of completed sales across the province increasing by 17% during the last 12 months.

Also so far this year, lettings are up 19% and management up 23% on the same period last year.

Residential sales have grown across all branches but in particular Belfast which rose by 21%.

New build development activity also grew this year by almost 45%.

The company marked its 30th anniversary in February by launching a new self-administered £30m Omega Property WIP Fund.

The fund aims to help bridge the liquidity gap that exists in the residential and development markets.

The Omega Capital Fund appointed CPS Property as their property consultants to assess proposals in conjunction with realistic market conditions.

It is a unique concept offering secured loans from £50,000 up to £2.5m and is backed by a group of institutional and Northern Ireland-based private investors.

It has given the company the opportunity to attract more developers,

further strengthening its foothold in the property market as well as allowing them to supply more new homes to a buoyant market.

An innovative company whose focus is always on developing its service, CPS uses the most up to date methods of selling including drone footage which produces both 3D and aerial photos, and video tours as well as detailed house plans.

Nicola McCrudden from the judging panel said: “We were extremely impressed by the sheer breadth of work undertaken and innovative practices, including the £30m property fund for speculative development costs. Added value to customers is evident — including vendors, landlords and tenants.

“Clearly this business is courageous, ambitious and customer focused. Encouraging a good work life balance (for staff ) is also great to see.”

FINALISTS Two companies were Highly Commended – Simon Brien Residential and Templeton Robinson.

Simon Brien has been active in the property market for over 35 years and has been part of many of the largest land and

property transactions in Northern Ireland during that time.

The company covers every field of residential property services and is at the forefront of the private resale market and the land and new homes market.

The growing team at Simon Brien currently extends to 52 across four offices.

Judge Nicola McCrudden said: “Very impressed with this entry – able to demonstrate growth, market presence and is very customer driven by having a bespoke marketing plan for each sale. “ Templeton Robinson is also one of the longest established estate agencies in Northern Ireland with a team of 54 operating in five branches across Belfast, Bangor and Holywood.

Of 1,076 properties brought to the market by the company from January to September of this year, 1,015 were sale agreed. To meet this increase in business, the firm hired five new staff members.

Judge Nicola McCrudden said: “Very impressed by this application which demonstrated significant growth resulting in recruiting new staff.

“The business is clearly aware of changing customer needs and is using technology to provide ‘on the go’ services.”

Also short listed in this category were Ulster Property Sales, Fetherston Clements, McGranaghan Estate Agents and John Minnis Estate Agents.

Residential Estate Agency Award (multi-branch) Sponsored by Progressive Building Society WINNER CPS Property HIGHLY COMMENDED Simon Brien Residential Templeton Robinson HIGHLY COMMENDED Ulster Property Sales Fetherston Clements McGranaghan Estate Agents John Minnis Estate Agents

10 | 2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with

Residential Estate Agency Award (sole branch) Sponsored by Progressive Building Society WINNER Adams McGillan HIGHLY COMMENDED McGuinness Fleck SHORLISTED Colliers New Homes, Michael Chandler Estate Agents James Duggan Estate Agents

Belfast Telegraph l NOVEMBER 23 2017

Pamela Ballantine with Declan Moore, operations director of the Progressive Building Society, who presented Joanne McGillan and Ross Adams, founders of Adams McGillan, with their award for Residential Estate Agency of the Year Sole Branch

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EW to the estate agency world, Adams McGillan scooped the Residential Estate Agency Sole Branch Award sponsored by Progressive Building Society.

Declan Moore, operations director of the Progressive Building Society, presented the award to the company founders, Ross Adams and Joanne McGillan.

Ross said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring home the title of Residential of Estate Agency of The Year Sole Branch Award.

“Being a relative newcomer and pitching ourselves against the larger, more established agents, especially the Greater Belfast area, is always perceived as a challenge.

“Since inception in December 2015 we have ensured that our founding principles of honesty, integrity and trust remain paramount in our daily operations. The addition of two new members to the team ensures that our proactive and dynamic attitude towards estate agency continues to set a new standard.

“In the words of Stephen Covey ‘if the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster’ — to this end, we ensure that we concentrate solely on our vendors, treating each as

if they were our only client.

“With the support of our dedicated team, parents and partners we have set the foundation for the future. We also remain in daily appreciation of that support and of the recognition of how passionate we as a team are in relation to property.”

The company had the vision to create a “modern, dynamic and proactive” approach to estate agency since it set up in a home office in Coleraine in April 2015.

It offers residential and commercial property sales and lettings, management, valuations, Energy Performance Certificates and site sales.

The business is owned and managed by Ross Adams and Joanne McGillan, both from Coleraine.

A high street office was opened in the town in December 2015 primarily servicing the triangle area of Dunloy, Limavady and Coleraine.

The company prides itself on its hands-on, proactive approach to estate agency. They believe that what sets them apart is their cutting edge technology, dare to be different advertising approach through the normal property platforms but also social media and professional licensed drone footage.

By the end of the first year the company had grown to such an extent that

they appointed a new marketing and administration manager, with John Dalton taking up the post.

Further growth led to the appointment of Clare Ravenscroft as mortgage and protection advisor a few months later.

In September of this year the company was delighted to accept the accolade of Start up Business Award with Causeway Coast and Glens Chamber of Commerce.

The company has continued to develop and has joined the National Association of Estate Agents and also teamed up with Propertynews.com to enable their clients to benefit from their Webedge system, which monitors all diaries and provides feedback and real life timelines.

The company has ambitious plans to double the size of its office by the end of 2017 and open a second office in ear-

ly 2018 specialising in rural properties.

Judge Nicola McCrudden said of the agency: “An extremely promising new business — one to watch!”

FINALISTS McGuinness Fleck was Highly Commended in the Residential Estate Agency of the Year Sole branch category.

The Belfast based company is dedicated to innovation and is currently investing £21,000 to improve its website for users.

Rather than operate multiple small offices, McGuinness Fleck have invested heavily in one large office on the Lisburn Road where staff development is a priority and all 15 members of the team are studying for professional qualifications.

The company handles a broad range of properties from all over Belfast and as far away as Comber, Ballyclare and Antrim.

From January until September of this year the firm experienced amazing growth with sales income up by 232%, valuations up by 165% and instructions up by 216%.

Average sales income rose from a healthy £6,370 a month in 2016 to £9,470 a month this year.

Also shortlisted in this category were Colliers New Homes, Michael Chandler Estate Agents and James Duggan Estate Agents.

NOVEMBER 23 2017 l Belfast Telegraph

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2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with

ANA Banford from Templeton Robinson picked up the Residential Young Agent of the Year award sponsored by Mills

Selig Anne Skeggs, Director and Head of the Property Team at Mills Selig presented Lana (30) with her award.

A delighted Lana said: “I just felt really privileged to be nominated and put forward for the award and to win was an incredible feeling.

“I’ve been doing this for some time and just to get that recognition at such a young age is brilliant. It was a great day.”

Lana studied for a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture at Queen’s University in Belfast but graduated in 2009 during the economic downturn.

Architectural practices weren’t recruiting and architecture’s loss was the estate agency world’s gain.

Lana started her career in 2010 with Reeds Rains Estate Agency in their Bangor office where after a year she was nominated by the regional operations director to join the esteemed management Pathway Programme in Manchester.

To further her career she studied independently to gain her Level 3 in The Sale of Residential Property qualification with the National Federation of Property Professionals.

She then signed up to membership of the National Association of Estate Agents to further boost her credentials and ensure she kept up to date with best industry practice.

She was ready for a new challenge when Templeton Robinson was searching for a trainee valuer which she successfully applied for in 2013, based in Holywood. She was promoted to valuer this year.

Lana has managed sales of several

Pamela Ballantine with Anne Skeggs, director and head of the property team at Mills Selig, who presented Lana Banford, of Templeton Robinson, with her Young Agent of the Year Residential Award new development sites from their inception, often liaising with builders and architects in relation to the design as well as her more typical responsibilities which include valuing sites and pricing new developments.

She says: “As part of my role on new developments, I manage all sales negotiations, liaising between the developer, the builder and the purchaser for any changes and extras and will oversee contract through to completion — it can be a tough process but it is worth it when the buyer receives the keys to their brand new home.”

Judge Arleen Elliott commented: “Lana demonstrates an enthusiasm and passion for the property market, developing her skills and knowledge and progressing to position of valuer within the firm. Strong on social media and customer liaison she is a highly valued member of the team.”

Beth Robinson, senior partner with Templeton Robinson, said: “Ambitious and conscientious, Lana was promoted to valuer this year, a role she has embraced with her trademark enthusiasm.

“Her success is evident in the volume of sales she has completed and

the grateful thanks she receives on a regular basis from satisfied clients.”

FINALISTS There were a number of outstanding people shortlisted in the Young Agent of the Year category. These included Kyle Morgan from CPS Property, Paddy Henry of CBRE, Jamie Alexander Radcliffe from Savills Belfast, Jordana Stoney of John Minnis Estate Agents, Reid Thomas and Rebecca Holmes from Simon Brien Residential and Declan Leonard of Colliers International.

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HE winner of the Commercial Young Agent of the Year Award Sponsored by Mills Selig was Lynn Taylor, a chartered surveyor with Lisney.

Anne Skeggs, director and head of the property team at Mills Selig, presented a delighted Lynn with her award.

Lynn said: “I am really pleased to have won the award. It was a shock. I didn’t expect it as everyone I was up against was so good. I am just really delighted.”

Described by the company as one of its “most valuable assets”, Lynn (28) joined the firm in March 2015.

She studied Estate Management at Northumbria University, graduating with a First Class Honours in July 2012.

She then took up a graduate surveyor job with Campbell Cairns and her experience was further developed when she was seconded out to Taylor Patterson Surveyors in 2014/15 to undertake telecommunications mast acquisitions.

Lynn made the move to Lisney where her main role is in Fixed Charged Receivership agency and management.

She now works between Lisney’s Belfast and Dublin offices and manages a number of commercial properties in Dublin.

She has considerable experience of dealing with problematic instructions including distressed bank instructions and receiverships.

Due to the repossessed nature of the assets, Lynn has had to deal with countless issues which wouldn’t come up in usual surveyor life.

Some of these include rehoming donkeys, title issues, court cases, rat infestations, copper thefts and Japanese knot wood infestations.

Young Agent (under 30) of the Year Sponsored by Mills Selig WINNER Lana Banford (Residential) (Templeton Robinson Estate Agents) WINNER Lynn Taylor

(Commercial) (Lisney)

Lynn Taylor, of Lisney, is presented with her Young Agent of the Year Commercial Award by Anne Skeggs, director and head of the property team at Mills Selig. Also included is event host Pamela Ballantine She has a wide range of experience in managing, letting and selling all types of assets including retail, office, development sites, listed buildings, agricultural land, industrial and residential.

In June 2017 she was appointed chairperson of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Matrics.

Lynn is known as a team player at

Lisney assisting with general agency work when required during busy times and displaying a high-level of enthusiasm, innovation, implementation and leadership qualities at all times.

Lisney managing director Declan Lynn said: “Lynn is always a competent, confident and consummate professional who has her feet firmly on the ground. “

Chair of the judging panel Professor Alistair Adair said: “During the short period Lynn has been in Lisney she has become a significant member of the team as well as an expert telecoms specialist.

“Actively involved in volunteer work and as Chair of RICS Matrics she offers an excellent role model to aspiring members of the profession.”

SHORTLISTED Kyle Morgan (CPS Property) Paddy Henry (CBRE) Jamie Alexander Radcliffe (Savills) Jordana Stoney (John Minnis Estate Agents) Reid Thomas and Rebecca Holmes (Simon Brien Residential) Declan Leonard (Colliers International)

Peter Tughans, Rachel Smyth and Chris Smyth Kelvin Boyes/ Press Eye Progressive Building Society team, from left, are Ed Fallon, Claire Martin, Marina McBride, Declan Moore, Lyndsay Cobain and Graeme Norris Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Martin Dunseath, Neil Mathews and Paul Dennison of Neil Mathews Architects Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

James Fairley and Victor Branco of Atelier Interior Design Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Mark McBride, Moyah Lavery and Richie Lavery Kelvin Boyes/ Press Eye The team from Lisney, from left, Lynn Taylor, Kelly Porter, Olivia Martin and Julie-Ann Murphy Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Templeton Robinson team, from left, Jennie McKewan, Alan Banford, Ashley Black, Lucy Black, Michael Young, Oonagh McCabe, Judith Gilchrist and Aidan McMahon Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Nicole and Michael McKervey from Fresh Interior Architecture and Design Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Lotus Homes team Samantha Shannon, Judy Atkinson, Naomi Trainor and Bronagh Boyd Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye

Carson McDowell team, from left, Harry Robinson, Emma Cooper, Mary-Kim Doherty and Stuart Nelson Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye