A
project which saw four Nottingham companies design and build the new visitor
centre for London's iconic HMS Belfast, part of Imperial War Museums, has been
shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
CPMG
Architects and Focus Consultants have been selected as finalists in the
Tourism and Leisure category of the RICS Awards and will be attending
an awards ceremony in London on 30 April 2015 on behalf of project partners
Couch Perry Wilkes and Price & Myers.
The
RICS Awards selects the very best inspirational initiatives in land, property
and construction and the environment and recognises the very best work across
the capital city.
HMS
Belfast's new visitor centre and Quayside Pavilion opened in 2013 to mark its
75th anniversary combining better access for schools and group visits with
a cutting edge rooftop bar and cafe.
Nick
Gregory, director for CPMG Architects said: "We're absolutely thrilled to
be shortlisted for this award and to be recognised for our designs for the
iconic HMS Belfast visitor centre. It's not every day you're asked to bring
your expertise to a London landmark on the River Thames, so this project was
really something special. We're proud to be part of the four-strong team made
of Focus Consultants, Couch Perry Wilkes and Price & Myers to fly the flag
for Nottingham and keep part of our heritage alive for the tourism
industry."
Eleanor
Clarke, associate at Focus Consultants also commented: "We're so proud to
have project managed an expert team from Nottingham which transformed HMS
Belfast on behalf of Imperial
War Museums. The improvements have seen the Second World War Royal
Navy Warship become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the capital
city.”
The
visitor centre was transformed to include a ground floor cafe and dramatic
rooftop bar as part of its reopening in 2013 in conjunction with the ship's
75th anniversary.
The
Nottingham project team is up against seven other finalists in the tourism and leisure category
including HM Tower of London, The Glass Mill Leisure Centre, British Museum
World Conservation and Exhibition Centre, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre,
New Pavillion Portico at The Kia Oval, Lambeth, Beefeater Gin Visitor Centre in
Lambeth and Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal.
The
award’s eight categories are: building conservation, commercial, community
benefit, design through innovation, infrastructure, regeneration, residential,
tourism and leisure. The event will be taking place at the Lancaster London
Hotel and will be hosted by comedian Mark Watson.
Find out
more about the award here: http://www.rics.org/uk/training-events/networking/rics-awards-2015-london/london/
