Awards 2011

St Martin’s House – Diocese of Leicester
Chairman’s Award - LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2011

Winner of the Chairman’s Award in the East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2011, St Martins House is a resource for the Diocese and City of Leicester providing a new, high quality conferencing and training centre and offices adjacent to Leicester Cathedral at the heart of the city’s Heritage Quarter.

Formerly the old Leicester Grammar School, the £7 million pound development of St Martin’s House blends existing buildings with a modern extension, providing a welcoming, contemporary entrance as a focal point, designed by Pick Everard architects to reflect its outward mission.

Dave Smith, Chair of the East Midlands Region LABC chose St Martins House above all the other projects because of the attention to detail in renovating and regenerating this Grade II listed building. He said, “I have seen too many older buildings fall in to disrepair and to see this project not only renovate a fabulous building but to retain so many of the original features while exceeding current standards is heart warming. The transformation of the building, and the community use it is now being put to, made this project the obvious winner of the Chairman's award. It is a great example of how renovation should be.”

The award goes to all the partners in the project, St Martins Cathedral Properties Ltd, Pick Everard, JH Hallam Contracts Ltd and Leicester City Council, recognising the quality of the design, craftsman ship and planning involved.