A SOLIHULL construction company scooped the top award at a prestigious building awards ceremony for a historic project at the heart of Birmingham’s prestigious Jewellery Quarter.
Vantage and Co Group Limited was named Overall Master Builder of the Year at the Federation of Master Builders’ 2023 national Master Builder Awards, hosted by TV presenter Nick Knowles.
The awards recognise excellence in the region’s small and medium-sized construction companies and are run by the Federation of Master Builders – the largest trade association in the UK construction sector.
The renovation was designed by award-winning architects D5 and contracted to the construction company by Elevate Property Group.
The building is one of just two Georgian Villas remaining in the Jewellery Quarter, once renowned for its wealth of 18th- and 19th-century townhouses.
It was originally built as a private residence for Birmingham merchant William Cotterill around 1823, the villa had been turned into commercial and industrial units before it was left vacant in 2005.
When the project began, it was in a state of ruin but Vantage and Co and their partners it has been restored to its former glory.
The company also won the Large Renovation Project award for fully restoring Old Heaton House, a Georgian Villa on Camden Street.
Judges said the project as a whole was “absolutely outstanding” and “executed with great sympathy and attention to detail.”
Rebecca Rankin, group operations director of Vantage and Co, said: “The Federation of Master Builders stamp of approval is massive for us, and we have a really healthy pipeline of work because of it.
“Like everyone in the industry over the past few years, it’s been really hard graft. So we’re immensely proud of everything the team has achieved to get this award.”
“It’s the second oldest Georgian villa in Birmingham, and we took it from ruins to this amazing, standout property – we’re just so proud of it.”
Federation of Master Builders chief executive, Brian Berry, said: “This was a superb example of urban Renaissance in practice, bringing a derelict building in the centre of Birmingham back into use.
“Urban regeneration is vital to keep our town centres vibrant spaces and at a time when we are looking to create more homes in our city centres, this is a fine example that others can follow.
“Vantage and Co fully deserve to pick up the top award and I hope others will use this example as a template of best practice for regeneration projects.”
