The 22nd Michelmores Property Awards took place on 2 July 2025 at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter, celebrating the very best of property development, construction, and regeneration across the South West. This year, the Awards continued to recognise projects that demonstrated outstanding quality, innovation, and sustainability, positively impacting communities and environments throughout the region.
The prestigious title of Building of the Year 2025 was awarded to the Babbage Building in Plymouth. This landmark educational facility at the University of Plymouth is undergoing its third major transformation and now serves the Schools of Engineering and Design & Art, alongside general teaching spaces for the wider university. Architecturally striking, it blends a solid engineering brick base with elegant sky-blue ceramic cladding, forming a key part of the University’s campus park vision. The judges praised the Babbage Building as a beautiful, ambitious, and environmentally leading addition to the campus, recognising its transformative impact.
Gloucester’s Forum development took home the Regeneration Project of the Year Award after transforming a key civic space into a vibrant public and commercial destination. The project was described by the judges as “frankly brilliant”, representing a bold and ambitious step in the city’s ongoing regeneration journey. It’s already beginning to link with other key projects across the area, creating a ripple effect of positive change, while combining functionality, delivering new retail, leisure, and workspace facilities that have reinvigorated Gloucester’s city centre and contributed to local economic growth.
Baytree SEN School in Weston-super-Mare was recognised for its outstanding expansion, designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment for children with special educational needs. Incorporating natural light, sensory-friendly spaces, and sustainable building methods, the school reflects the community’s commitment to supporting education for all abilities.
In the residential sector, The Orchards in Sampford Peverell, Devon, received the award for developments of over 36 homes. This thoughtfully planned community prioritises green spaces, connectivity, and energy-efficient homes, offering residents high-quality design and a strong sense of place, reflective of contemporary rural living with excellent access to local amenities. Meanwhile, Broadland Gardens in Plymouth was recognised as the leading smaller residential development, with a sustainable mix of affordable and market homes designed to adapt to the changing requirements of their owners over time and set a new benchmark for flexible, future-proof housing. The judges were particularly impressed by the creative use of modular “pod” extensions, allowing these homes to grow and adapt with their occupants’ changing needs.
The voco Zeal Hotel Exeter Science Park won the Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year Award. The first net zero carbon branded hotel in the UK offers a luxurious and environmentally conscious stay for business and leisure travellers alike. Voco Zeal impressed the judges with its boundary-pushing design and sustainability credentials. From its intelligent façade system with integrated solar panels to its green roof, recycled materials, and EV charging, every detail was carefully considered.
Heritage Project of the Year was awarded to Paternoster House in Exeter for its sensitive restoration and adaptive reuse. Once neglected and suffering from severe water ingress, this historic building in Exeter has been lovingly restored to deliver 29 luxury apartments alongside vibrant ground-floor commercial space. The local, family-run developers took a hands-on approach, overcoming structural challenges with practical solutions and making innovative use of recycled materials throughout including repurposed timber crafted into bespoke furniture.
Bristol’s EQ development claimed the Project of the Year Award for schemes over £10 million. EQ is a state-of-the-art workspace, offering cutting-edge sustainability and premium facilities. The judges praised this beautifully crafted, all-electric office building for its dedication to sustainability and efficient use of space. With thoughtful design and high-quality finishes throughout, EQ sets a new standard for modern workplaces and has delivered significant social value through meaningful engagement with the local community, making it a truly inspiring example of sustainable, people-focused development
Winner of the projects under £10 million category, Pixel (Penzance Creative Cluster), was designed for creatives of all types – the three-storey building comprises shared and private studios, coworking spaces, meeting rooms and a large lounge, event space and gallery. The architects were commended for working sensitively with the site’s history – echoing its past as a reservoir – while delivering a thoroughly modern and accessible facility, complete with smart use of space.
Emma Honey, Head of Real Estate at Michelmores, commented:
“The 2025 Awards have once again showcased the incredible talent and ambition within the South West’s property sector. From pioneering sustainable housing to ambitious regeneration projects, this year’s winners are truly inspiring examples of how the built environment can enrich communities and drive positive change. It is exciting to see innovation and quality at the heart of so many projects.”
These winners were selected from a highly competitive shortlist of finalists that included projects across a range of categories, highlighting the breadth of talent and ambition within the South West property sector.
For more information on the winners and shortlisted projects, please visit the Michelmores Property Awards website.
