THE REVAMPED Kidderminster Town Hall has won the top prize at the 2026 RICS Awards West Midlands ceremony.
The accolades highlight some of the most impressive recent building projects from the region.
The schemes went head-to-head at a ceremony in Birmingham where Kidderminster Town Hall was named winner in the ‘refurbishment/revitalisation’ project category, and was also highly commended in ‘project of the year’.
Kidderminster Town Hall represented a complex historic asset requiring a careful balance between conservation, functionality, and value for money.
As a listed building, works on the building were constrained by heritage significance, demanding close collaboration with conservation officers and specialist skills.
A number of factors had to be addressed, including age-related deterioration, outdated services, hazardous materials, and poor thermal performance added technical and safety challenges.
Space, access, and layout limitations complicated compliance with modern accessibility, fire safety, and operational standards while maintaining civic use.
Strong governance of this project focused on long-term value, energy efficiency, and future-proofing, and ultimately, a coordinated, informed approach was required to successfully complete the scheme and secure the building’s sustainable future.
Speaking about the Kidderminster Town Hall project, judges said: “The refurbishment includes a new cafe /bar which has attracted foot flow to the high street.
“This in turn has boosted local business. The blend between new and existing is subtle and inkeeping with the existing environment.
“Consideration has been given to re-using rather than new where possible. The music hall has been refurbished to international standards, and enables the town hall to open up the facilities for a wider group of acts.”
The RICS UK Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, recognising outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies.
The winning projects at each of the regional awards ceremonies will go on to represent their region at the UK Grand Final on Thursday, October 22.
There were also two highly commended awards – Kidderminster Town Hall was highly commended as Project of the Year and Birmingham Airport Capital Investment Programme in the Refurbishment/Revitalisation project category.
The event was held at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham on Friday.
Commenting on the awards, UK National Awards Chair, Kerry Gibbs MRICS, said: “These awards shine a spotlight on the most inspiring people, projects and innovations shaping the built and natural environment. creating a powerful platform that elevates the profile of chartered surveying and celebrates its impact on communities nationwide.”
This year, more than 300 entries were received across all 12 of the RICS regions.
Ms Gibbs said: “The awards are hugely important. They help demonstrate the positive impact that surveyors, as well as buildings, have on individuals and communities.
“They promote the role of surveying in making those projects a reality.”
Visit rics.org/training-events/rics-awards/uk-awards for more on the accolades.
