THE first Rics North-East Renaissance Awards' Building of the Year Award has been won by the Devonshire Building, a University of Newcastle development that the judges forecast will go on to win worldwide acclaim.

The awards were organised by the region's Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and presented during a gala dinner at Newcastle Civic Centre.

Jennifer Welch, regional director of Rics North-East, said: "The awards have been a tremendous success and the Devonshire Building is a very commendable winner of the first building of the year award.

"It is built to the highest quality, taking into account the latest environmental technology to preserve precious natural resources, yet it is also a beautiful building.

"This development also shows the significant contribution that our universities make to the fabric and economy of the North-East."

Awards were presented in four categories, with the winners contesting the building of the year category.

Among the individual category winners was West Park, in Darlington, which won the regeneration category for the transformation of a former chemical works into parkland.

The building conservation award was presented to Dilston Castle and Chapel, in Northumberland, while the community benefit award went to six extra care schemes in County Durham.

The six extra care housing developments are being built in partnership with the Hanover Housing Association to replace outdated care home provision. The building of the year award was sponsored by Ward Hadaway.

Neil Robson, head of property at Ward Hadaway, said: "We are delighted to present this award, which, in a close-run contest, has been justifiably won by an exciting, innovative building which, because of its striking appearance and environmental credentials, will soon become a landmark for the North-East."

Published: 20/04/2004