Yorkshire's most innovative commercial spaces to be celebrated

The Commercial Space award, a new categories introduced for 2016, recognises the real value of world class architects and designers.

The award is open to anyone who has created a new and innovative building or transformed an old relic into a new space.

Following the catastrophic blow of the financial crisis, a number of exciting projects are underway in the region and prospects for the property industry are bright.

Greg Wright, The Yorkshire Post’s Deputy Business Editor, said: “The Yorkshire commercial property market is staging a magnificent recovery after the dark days of the financial crisis.

“We want to honour a really innovative commercial project that adds value to our economy.

“We welcome entries from commercial projects of all sizes.

“We know that our region is blessed with superb architects and designers, and we want to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.”

From York Minster to The Deep in Hull, Sheffield City Hall to First Direct Arena in Leeds, Yorkshire is bursting with examples of outstanding architecture, old and new, which epitomise the top class talent this region is famous for.

This award, which will honour successful commercial projects, aims to highlight the real strength in depth of our region’s illustrious property community.

Mr Wright said: “Commercial space really can be a thing of inspiration and beauty.

“There have been terrific technical advances in recent years, which means that commercial projects can also be the “greenest” buildings around.

“We expect to receive a bumper crop of entries from across Yorkshire.”

He added: “The judges will be looking for projects that really fire their imaginations. We hope that the awards will also encourage other great, architects, designers and developers to establish operations in Yorkshire.”

There are 14 categories in total for 2016.

Apart from commercial space, there are also categories that celebrate great exporters, highlight innovative technology and champion diversity.

The awards, which were established in 2006, are open to firms of all shapes and sizes.

We welcome entries from large multi-nationals, and companies that were established on a kitchen table or inside a laboratory.

Now in their 10th year, the awards have attracted a host of high profile speakers, including David Cameron, who attended when he was leader of the opposition, and the Chancellor George Osborne.

Other senior figures who have spoken at the awards include the former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, and Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister.

Our main sponsors for this year’s awards are DLA Piper, PwC and Yorkshire Bank.

Associate sponsors include Plusnet, University of Bradford School of Management and the Sewell Group.

The closing date for entries is May 17.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards dinner which will be held on November 4 in Leeds.

We will reveal more about our guest speaker and presenter over the next few weeks.

Enter now