The restoration of Rochdale Town Hall has been named Heritage Project of the Year at the RICS UK Awards Grand Final, held in London on 16 October.

The Grade I listed building was selected ahead of major national projects, including the V&A Museum’s Madejski Courtyard, the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster, and the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

The win marks national recognition for a significant heritage-led regeneration scheme that has returned one of Britain’s most important 19th-century civic buildings to public use.

Major restoration delivers civic and community value

Delivered on time and on budget, the project involved extensive repairs, architectural restoration, and opening up previously inaccessible parts of the building. The judges praised the scheme for its sensitive conservation, improved public access, and its role in supporting local economic regeneration.

The restoration also created:

  • Over 3,600 training, volunteering and job opportunities
  • A new heritage skills studio
  • A revitalised public realm, transforming former car parks into a civic space designed for inclusive use

Previously underused and in need of repair, the building has been modernised to accommodate 21st-century public use while preserving its historic character.

National recognition for Heritage-led regeneration

The RICS UK Awards celebrate excellence in construction, infrastructure, and the built environment, recognising projects that deliver community impact, technical innovation, and sector leadership.

Judges described Rochdale Town Hall as:

“A Grade I listed Victorian Gothic masterpiece, designed by William H. Crossland, [that] has been meticulously and sympathetically restored. A series of design interventions have improved physical and intellectual access to this much-loved town hall.

This exemplar restoration project is pivotal to the heritage regeneration of the whole borough and has ensured that this important 19th-century building has its future secured and is now a place of pride for the Rochdale community.”

Prestigious finalists and broader recognition

Other national winners at the awards included:

  • Natural History Museum, London
  • Stephenson Building, Newcastle University
  • The Welcome Building, Bristol
  • Thames Tideway Tunnel, London

RICS UK Awards National Chair, Kerry Gibbs, said:

“These projects play an integral role in their communities and local economies, and these awards allow us to recognise the surveyors and teams delivering them.

A huge congratulations to all of the winners.”