The most outstanding construction and property development projects across Leicestershire and Rutland have been celebrated at the prestigious 2025 ProCon Leicestershire Awards. A major cathedral restoration and a significant museum renewal were among the standout winners at a ceremony attended by more than 600 industry professionals.
The event, now in its 22nd year, saw a record number of categories and entries, highlighting a buoyant year for the regional built environment. ProCon chair Umesh Desai congratulated all winners and finalists, stating their achievements have "greatly improved the built environment in our counties."
Celebrating Excellence in Construction and Design
The awards recognised achievement across a wide spectrum of projects, from small residential schemes to large-scale infrastructure and regeneration. The coveted Rising Star of the Year award, named in honour of Pam Allardice, was presented to Joseph Silva of Stephen George + Partners (SGP), recognising his rapid career progression and design leadership since joining the practice in 2020.
Other major winners included the sensitive restoration of Leicester Cathedral, which won Medium Non-Residential Scheme of the Year, and the ambitious renewal of the Jewry Wall Museum, which took the top prize for Large Non-Residential Scheme. The transformation of a dormant laboratory into a life sciences hub at Charnwood Campus - Building 28 in Loughborough was named Regeneration Project of the Year.
Highlighting Key Winning Projects
In the infrastructure category, the Watkin Road Bridge in Leicester was named Project of the Year. This crucial project involved replacing an ageing bridge with two new structures over the old River Soar, improving connectivity for the Freemens Meadow housing development and adding new footways and cycle lanes.
The residential categories showcased a diverse range of successful developments. Kiln House in Diseworth, which creatively incorporated an historic 18th-century brick kiln, won Small Residential Scheme of the Year. Archerfield Grange in Packington was praised for its seven bungalows designed for the ageing population, winning the medium residential category. The large residential award went to Barons Pastures in Kirby Muxloe, a brownfield regeneration project that created 17 individually designed homes.
In the non-residential sectors, Lutterworth Golf Club triumphed in the small scheme category after its 117-year-old clubhouse was destroyed by fire and rebuilt as a modern community hub. The project team emphasised its goal to create a "forward-thinking and environmentally conscious" space for both members and the wider community.
A Bright Future for the Region's Built Environment
The strong field of finalists and winners demonstrates the continued innovation and quality within Leicestershire and Rutland's construction sector. The 22nd ProCon Leicestershire Awards were overall sponsored by Salus and Unique Window Systems, with BusinessLive acting as media partner.
Stuart Power and Paul Meadows, directors at Salus, expressed pride in supporting "this prodigious celebration of our industry," while Sunil Patel of Unique Window Systems noted their longstanding support reflects the company's belief "in aspiring for excellence in everything we do."
The awards ceremony not only celebrated past achievements but also highlighted the promising future of the region's property and construction industry, with the Rising Star award underscoring the emerging talent driving the sector forward.
