World-class building projects completed in Northern Ireland during the past four years have been recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The winners of the prestigious RICS Northern Ireland Awards for Excellence in the Built Environment included Belfast's Victoria Square retail complex; the headquarters of Waterways Ireland in Enniskillen; The McWilliam Gallery and Studio in Banbridge; and The Braid Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre in Ballymena.

The Braid project, which involved the rebirth and extension of a grade two listed building, was revealed as the overall project of the year - chosen by judges from the four category winners - at the gala event in Belfast's Waterfront Hall last week.

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Judges described The Braid, which also won the Building Conservation category, as "a prominent physical presence, reflecting much civic pride and confidence, is well designed and used and is making a significant contribution to the civic, social and economic life of Ballymena".

Victoria Square won the Regeneration category of the highly-respected awards; the Waterways Ireland headquarters building won the Sustainability category and the McWilliam Gallery and Studio claimed the Community Benefit section.

Congratulating the winners, RICS Northern Ireland Chairman, John Davidson, said: "There were a record number of entries to the awards this year and, overall, the quality of projects was extremely high.

"This reflects the large volume of activity in Northern Ireland's construction industry prior to the current downturn and the innovation that has been taking place to improve our built environment."

RICS Northern Ireland Awards judging chairman, Alex Mackay, said the local winners will go through to compete in the overall RICS Awards against projects from around the world, with the winners to be announced in London later this year.

(PR/JM)