KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS
property
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More judges named for Yorkshire property awards SIX property experts have taken on one of the toughest tasks in the region by joining the judging panel for the 2011 RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards. The annual awards organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recognise Yorkshire and Humber’s most innovative and inspirational initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment. The new judges complete a 17-strong panel of independent experts who are visiting the 56 shortlisted projects before the winners in eight categories are announced at a black tie dinner on Friday, May 20, in Leeds. The new judges are Chris Gomersall, of Leeds City Council; Mike Connolly of Turner & Townsend; Andy Dransfield, of Faithful + Gould; Martin Conlon, of Assent Building Control; Karl Redmond, of Construction Network Sector; and Rob Hindle, of White Hindle and Partners Ltd. Colin Harrop, chairman of the regional board of RICS and the Pro-Yorkshire Awards judging panel, said: “The judging process is incredibly
difficult as we must thoroughly consider each of the projects individually against a strict set of criteria. This includes all aspects of the building from the planning, design and construction right through to its environmental and sustainable credentials. “Each of the judges new to the panel this year brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the property field and with judging now underway, we are all looking forward to revealing the highly anticipated winners.” The awards – known as the region’s property Oscars – received an impressive 69 entries this year with 56 making it to the shortlist. Nominations range from small-scale schemes built by the vision and persistence of one person to multi-million pound developments. The eight award categories cover Building Conservation, Commercial, Community Benefit, Design and Innovation, Regeneration, Residential, Sustainability and Tourism and Leisure. The entry that scores the highest across each category will also be named Project of the Year.
Clarion set for office move A PROMINENT city centre building is set for a facelift. JF Finnegan has bought the Elizabeth House office building on Queen Street, Leeds, to transform it into a new head office for law firm Clarion. The Sheffield-based developer has acquired the vacant 25,000sq ft building from Valad Property Group, acting on behalf of the Osprey managed fund, for an undisclosed sum. It will now be refurbished to provide high quality, contemporary office accommodation. Clarion plans to move its 100-strong team from its existing 10,000sq ft Leeds office on Oxford Place into
15,000sq ft of office space next April. As well as refurbishing the interior, there are plans to modernise the exterior of the building. The upgrade will include creating a dedicated entrance for Clarion leading to its own reception area and three floors of office space. John Flathers and James Knowles, of Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, represented JF Finnegan in both acquisition of the building and the 15-year lease to Clarion. SNR Denton UK LLP acted for Valad in the sale and Clarion was represented by property partner James Lawson in the lease deal.
Deals spurs on DTZ team THE industrial team at property agent DTZ in West Yorkshire is celebrating a hat-trick of successes at Gildersome Spur Industrial Estate. Belgrade Insulations, DHL and CD UK/Avante Bathrooms have all taken space on the industrial park, near Morley in Leeds, which has been acquired by clients of Invista Real Estate. Paul Mack, associate director at DTZ in Leeds, said: “Despite tough economic conditions, we have seen a
dramatic rise in transactions over the last nine months and take-up levels for industrial and warehouse premises in Leeds have exceeded all expectations. “Once again, Gildersome Spur Industrial Estate has proved to be a location of choice for occupiers in the Leeds and West Yorkshire region, where we have now leased more than 240,000sq ft of space over the last three years. There are now only four units available on the estate.
■ TAKING CARE: Termrim Construction, based at Bradley, has landed its biggest-ever contract to build this three-storey care home in Ilkley – despite challenging conditions for the UK construction industry
Latest deal is a real record
A BUILDING company in Huddersfield has landed its biggest contract in 35 years of trading. Termrim Construction Ltd, based at Bradley, has secured more than £9m of new business for two projects to build care homes in Ilkley and Liverpool. The Ilkley contract is the largest single value contract ever awarded to Termrim with a value of £6.2m. The three-storey scheme at Ilkley is being built on the site of the former Ilkley Middle School and will provide a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments for sale with 24-hour care for residents aged over 60. The scheme will also provide residents with communal facilities including bistro dining, lounges, library, internet rooms, beauty salons and communal gardens. Construction work has begun with
excavation works to level the site followed by piling of the foundations and superstructure works. The contract is scheduled to complete in autumn, 2012. Termrim is also on site delivering a range of new build and refurbishment contracts worth more than £17m for clients including Kirklees and Calderdale councils, Accent Group, Yorkshire Housing and Methodist Homes for the Aged. Closer to home, Termrim is on site at Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, where it is building a 36-apartment scheme for Yorkshire Housing. The scheme began in March, 2010, and is scheduled for completion in July this year. Te r m rim managing director Graeme Bird said: “The construction industry remains extremely challenging and very competitive and
we are delighted to secure these new projects. “ Thi s work de m onst rate s a continuing ability for Termrim to deliver quality, value for money contracts for its clients in this challenging economic climate. “These new contracts should secure employment for our workforce and many of our local suppliers and sub-contractors.” Termrim Construction Ltd was formed in 1976 by the late Peter Patrick. Following the tragic loss of Peter and Andy Patrick in August, 2007, the company remains privately owned by the directors. The company is based at Bradley Business Park and employs 95 people in office and site-based jobs delivering building contracts for public and private sector clients across the north of England.