For more than a decade The Herald Property Awards for Scotland have been turning the spotlight on developers and house builders, seeking out the best that the industry has to offer. 


In that process the Awards have set a new standard, challenging established firms and new players to aim high and build quality homes that meet the demands of the 21st century.
Now the search for this year’s winners is underway and in the months ahead a team of judges, comprising some of the most experienced and influential figures in property in Scotland, will examine in detail those apartments, new homes, refurbished sites, inner-city regeneration projects and one-off designs that have been nominated for this year’s awards.
There are 17 categories ranging from Best Luxury Home to Affordable Housing Development and in all cases, the judges will be looking for thoughtful design, high quality construction, innovative features and attention to detail as proof that these are spaces where people and communities can flourish.
Previous winners that have shown such impressive qualities include Croftfoot St Julie’s,  a development of 28 homes and four flats by Glasgow Housing Association, which in 2015 was named Affordable Housing Development of the Year. 
Amongst the features that made this development stand out were double height sun spaces that provided extra living space and which were one of a range of solar gain technologies built into the properties. 
In the same year Robertson Home’s Orchard Row Townhouse in Abbey Park, St Andrews won in the Best Luxury Home category.
In 2016 GHA’s Cube division, in partnership with Ruchazie Housing Association, won Best Housing Regeneration Project for Milncroft Road, a derelict site transformed by the creation of 60 new homes for social rent, mid-market rent and shared equity ownership.
The following year Page Park Architects won Best Regeneration Project for their work on turning the Kelvin Hall into a contemporary culture and museums space while last year Graves Raines Architects won in the Best Renovation category for their work on creating a family home and studio space within A-listed, Lamb’s House, a rare Scottish example of a 17th century Hanseatic merchant’s house.
But these awards are not restricted to bricks and mortar. 
This year there are awards too for the best sales, letting and property teams and this year there’s a chance to vote for Estate Agency of the Year, recognising those professionals who provide an exceptional service and go out of their way to meet the needs of clients and purchasers.


Entries open on Saturday, April 20 and if the experience of previous year’s is repeated, then competition will be fierce to be named amongst the winners of the most prestigious property awards in Scotland.

SPONSORS’ SUPPORT
Chris Kerr, General Manager, Porcelanosa Scotland, said: “Porcelanosa Scotland is proud to sponsor the ‘Best Family Home for developers building less than 50 units per year’ category at this year’s Herald Property Awards for Scotland. Every year we are impressed by the standard of the entrants and we are delighted to put our name to such an established and important event. Like the awards, Porcelanosa is always seeking out the latest innovation and excellence so partnering made perfect sense to us.” 
Calum Miller, Associate Director - New Homes, Rettie & Co, said: “We are delighted to continue to support the Herald Property Awards. At Rettie we believe passionately in recognising the achievements within the New Build property industry in Scotland.
Keith Benzie, Associate Director, Space & Time said, “Space & Time has been involved in media planning and buying for the new homes sector in Scotland for the last 20 years and sponsoring the ‘Property Team of the Year’ award at the Herald Property Awards represents an opportunity to show our continued support for the industry. It’s an event we look forward to every year; one that showcases the breadth of expertise and talent within the sector.”
Jackie McIntosh, Director of Property Development at Lowther’s parent company Wheatley Group, said: “We’ve had an exciting year at Lowther Homes as we’ve acquired new homes to let and made great progress with our plans to develop more homes for mid-market rent. As a result we now have one of the biggest portfolios of affordable, quality homes for rent in Scotland. 
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the ‘Best Apartment’ category and be part of the Herald Property Awards this year and are looking forward to learning more about the new developments that have been brought forward across the country.”
Alec Cassidy, Finance Director, Ross & Liddell said: “We have been sponsoring these awards since 2009, firstly as a category sponsor, then in 2011 joining the judging panel, it’s been an honour and a privilege to help the Herald celebrate all the achievements in house building over the years. We are very proud to be sponsoring the Best Luxury Home category and look forward to once again being part of this year’s judging process. We wish all entrants the very best of luck.” 
Nicholas Scullion, Managing Director, Scullion LAW, said: “We are delighted to support the Estate Agency of the Year category for the second successful year in recognition of those who go above and beyond to provide excellent service to people buying and selling property. We’ve specialised in conveyancing for over 40 years and know how much energy and effort goes into client care thus it’s an honour to be able to work alongside like-minded professionals with a passion for service. We would like to encourage everyone across Scotland to enter. Wishing you every success with your submission." 
 Jamie McKenzie, Account Executive, Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, said: “Bruce Stevenson are delighted to be sponsoring the Residential Letting Team of the Year award at The Herald Property Awards for Scotland for the second consecutive year. It’s a fantastic event, recognising the excellence, expertise and hard work within the property sector over the last 12 months and we’re proud to continue supporting it.”
 Gary Daw, Managing Director, Daw Signs and Fit Outs said: “Daw Signs and Fit Outs are proud to sponsor the Best Show Home category.  Presentation is so important and it is our pleasure to give an award that is in recognition of that”
Meanwhile, Jim Mitchell, Operations Director, Daw Kitchens said: “Daw Kitchens are delighted to sponsor Best Family Home for the larger family for another year. 
“This award recognises the need for consistently high standards and focus on family living.”

This year's categories

BEST SHOW HOME
SPONSORED BY DAW SIGNS
Have you produced Scotland’s Best Show Home? Is the design and style created for the property and its potential purchasers? Judges will be looking for a design scheme which enhances the home’s interior space.

BEST LUXURY HOME
SPONSORED BY ROSS & LIDDELL
This category rewards spacious and stylish properties at the top end of the market. Design, quality of finish, landscaping, fixtures and fittings and location will be combined to create a spacious and well-designed home in the ideal location.

BEST FAMILY HOME 
DEVELOPERS BUILDING MORE THAN 50 UNITS PA 
SPONSORED BY DAW KITCHENS
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

BEST FAMILY HOME 
DEVELOPERS BUILDING LESS THAN 50 UNITS PA
SPONSORED BY PORCELANOSA
Affordability, good value for money and meeting the needs of a family with both young and older children are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for adaptability, space saving ideas, safety and convenience in a well located property that has been designed and built with the family in mind.

BEST APARTMENT 
SPONSORED BY LOWTHER HOMES PART OF WHEATLEY GROUP
This category will reward a single, one-off building or scheme comprising apartments. Judges will consider the layout, design, storage, built-in features and interior specification and target market. The apartment should offer flexible living and convenience and successfully meet the needs of the target market.

RENOVATION & CONVERSION
This recognises an enterprising development or sympathetic conversion of a dated or derelict property which retains the best features of the original building while creating a modern home appropriate to 21st century living. Judges will consider the exterior and interior appearance as well as interesting adaptation of original features.

INDIVIDUAL NEW BUILD & SMALL 
DEVELOPMENT
An individual new build property or small development (maximum of 10 units) in any style and setting will be rewarded in this category. Entries will be judged on the quality of design, layout, location, features and specification and energy efficiency.

BEST REGENERATION PROJECT
Open to projects of all sizes and scales, as well as both public and private sector companies and partnerships. An example of such projects could include the regeneration of dilapidated buildings, housing schemes or town centres. Entries should show innovative use of brown field sites as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. The project should demonstrate value for money and how the area has been revitalised for those who live and work there.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
This category is open to registered social housing providers, charities, trusts or public bodies in partnership with a local authority and/or a developer for rent and/or shared ownership. The judges will be looking for evidence of how the development has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and contributed towards the regeneration of the area. 
Consideration will be given to the use of sustainable materials and building techniques, as well as the development’s impact on the local environment.
COMMERCIAL PROJECT
The aim of this category is to recognise a commercial property which meets the needs of its target market. Open to projects of all sizes and scales, as well as both public and private sector companies and partnerships. This could be a new build, renovation or fit out project. Entries should show innovative use of materials and building techniques as well as architectural design and consideration for green issues. Entries will be judged on how well the property meets the needs of its target market along with the quality of design, layout, location, features, specification and energy efficiency.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY RETTIE & CO
Site layout, design, range of house types and local amenities are key criteria in this category. Judges will be looking for a development which has been carefully planned to make the most of its location, resulting in a pleasant and desirable place.

INTERIOR DESIGN COMMERCIAL
Brand new for 2019, this category will look to reward a well-planned, well-designed and well-executed interior brief for a commercial property. We are looking for an interior design company who has helped the likes of offices, hotels and restaurants meet their interior design goals.

INTERIOR DESIGN RESIDENTIAL
Brand new for 2019, this category will look to reward a well-planned, well-designed and well-executed interior brief for a residential property. We are looking for an interior design company who has helped their client meet their interior design goals.

RESIDENTIAL SALES TEAM
Buying and selling property is recognised as one of the more stressful activities in life. A good sales team can do much to ease the stress as well as achieving a successful outcome for all parties. This category will reward an outstanding sales team in the residential market. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the team has distinguished itself from the competition and how their efforts have contributed to the delivery of a high quality, stress reducing, cost effective service to buyers and sellers alike. Innovation and commitment to the industry are also important.

RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS TEAM
SPONSORED BY BRUCE STEVENSON 
INSURANCE BROKERS
An active private sector letting market is now a recognised a feature of the Scottish property market. A good lettings team can do much to not only achieve lettings but manage the tenancy to achieve a successful outcome for all parties. This category will reward an outstanding letting team in the residential market. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the team has distinguished itself from the competition and how their efforts have contributed to the delivery of a high quality, cost effective service to landlords and tenants alike. Innovation and commitment to the industry are also important.

PROPERTY TEAM OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SPACE & TIME MEDIA 
This category will reward an outstanding sales, marketing, construction or management team within the property development industry. This could also be a supplier to the industry who can demonstrate great success. Judges will be looking for evidence on how the team has distinguished itself from the competition and how their efforts have contributed to the overall company’s success.

ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR
SPONSORED BY SCULLION LAW
Who is your Estate Agency of the Year? This award will recognise an Estate Agency that has gone the extra mile for their clients. We are looking for an agency who are innovative in their approach to customer service methods, business trends and marketing. Judges will be looking for evidence on how the agency has established themselves as the go to company for their area, and as a result how this has driven the agency’s growth and success rates. 

Enter at: wwwnewsquestscotlandevents.com/events/
the-herald-property-awards-for-Scotland-2019/