Derby schemes in the running for regional property awards

A number of Derby projects have been shortlisted for awards recognising the best of the region’s property sector.

The finalists for the 12 categories, which make up the 2026 East Midlands Property Dinner awards, organised by Insider, have been announced.

The aim of the awards is to showcase of the region’s best real estate projects, companies and people.

A Derby scheme that has secured several nominations this year is the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building.

It is up for the Design Excellence Award, Construction Project of the Year and the Sustainability Award.

The team behind the £75 million project in Agard Street consisted of AtkinsRealis, CPMG Architects, AtkinsRealis and Overbury.

Officially opened in September last year, the seven-storey Cavendish Building is home to the Derby International Business School.

It features cutting-edge facilities including a Google-style creativity lab, a finance lab for budding investment bankers, complete with Bloomberg and London Stock Exchange Group terminals, a logistics lab, a creativity lab and an XR suite to create an immersive learning experience.

A number of businesses are also co-located inside the building, including Marketing Derby.

Also vying for the Construction Project of the Year title will be Willmott Dixon for a project which involved building a new multi-storey car park at the Royal Derby Hospital.

And BSP Consulting is also in the running for the Design Excellence Award for a project called ‘On Freedom’s Wings’, which involved creating a 29-metre-high art installation and life-size statue of a Lancaster Bomber in Lincolnshire.

Finally, Down to Earth Derby’s Electric Daisy venue is shortlisted for the Regeneration & Restoration Project of the Year.

Backed by a team consisting of Derby City Council, East Midlands Combined County Authority, the University of Derby, Natural England, Royal Horticultural Society and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the project saw former waste ground transformed into a vibrant garden and event space.

Ian Griffin, deputy editor at Insider, said: “This is one of the strongest shortlists in the event’s history.

“This not only highlights the range and quality of projects which have taken place across the East Midlands in the past year, but the strength of the sector in this region during challenging times.

“Thanks to all those who entered and congratulations to those who’ve been shortlisted.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Nottingham on 17 September.