Irvine Town Centre transformation wins top award
The transformation of Irvine’s town centre has won a prestigious national award – the latest in a series of accolades.
The £2.2m Bridgegate Public Realm project has been named as the Town Centre Regeneration Project of the Year in the Scottish Property Awards.
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company led the project, part of a much wider programme of works in Irvine town centre being carried out in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and others. The design is the work of architects Austin-Smith:Lord.
The work at Bridgegate has already been shortlisted in two other prestigious awards - the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for Excellence in planning and design for the public realm – open to projects from throughout the UK; and the Scottish Design Awards in the Architecture;Public Realm and Landscaping category.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay, said: “The delivery of this project has been a real team effort, and it is thanks to the talent and professionalism of all of those involved that the project has gained this prestigious recognition.
“The work has been warmly welcomed locally, and indeed involved significant input from local people and a huge amount of community engagement.”
Completed in 2013, the design involves a design in a natural stone combined with artworks and streetscape improvements. One key feature is the 9m Trinity Mirror sculpture, and this, coupled with a timeline, reveals aspects of the town’s long and interesting history.
Commenting on the success, Councillor Marie Burns, Cabinet Member for Economy and Employment, said: “This award recognises just how much the project has transformed the centre of Irvine.
“The new-look Bridgegate is already drawing more people to the town as footfall data shows there has been an increase in visitors since the work was completed.
“However, the work is part of a much wider investment programme in our Vision for Irvine which aims to provide a positive future for the town.
“Many congratulations to all involved.”