We reflect on the 2018 RICS Awards Grand Final, held in November last year, which celebrated the wonderful projects defining the UK real estate sector in 2018.

2018 RICS Project of the Year: Woodberry Down, Finsbury Park, London

In 2002, a structural assessment undertaken by the London Borough of Hackney (LBH) determined that the existing housing blocks were 'beyond economic repair' leading the LBH to identify Woodberry Down as an area for major regeneration. Today, thanks to an ongoing comprehensive regeneration project, Woodberry Down is a mixed, balanced and integrated community with over 1,400 new homes delivered to date, along with new amenities. Walking through the 2.61 acres of new parkland – awarded a Green Flag in 2016/17 – it is impossible to tell the difference between private and social housing. High quality facilities such as a new secondary school and community centre, and shops for a range of budgets, continue to be provided. On completion in 2035, 1,890 existing homes will have been replaced by over 5,500 mixed-tenure, new build homes.

RICS judges said the Woodberry Down Project team - Berkeley Homes and Hawkins Brown - have taken on the regeneration of this area with integrity and a genuine desire to improve not just the physical environment, but also residents' economic aspirations and social wellbeing. From the macro to the micro; the development team responded to practicalities such as the location of power points, and involved children in aspects of the project including identifying outdoor seating.