Member Article

DERBY’S IHUB IS THE ONLY COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY TO SCOOP AN AWARD AT THE EAST MIDLANDS PROPERTY DINNER 2017

Derby’s £12m iHub innovation centre, which is the flagship building on Infinity Park, has scooped the Design Excellence Award at Insider’s East Midlands Property Dinner 2017.

The building, which was designed by Franklin Ellis Architects and developed by GF Tomlinson, is the only commercial development in Derby to win an award at this year’s event, which took place at The Nottingham Belfry.

The iHub beat off competition from other high profiles schemes across the region to win the Design Excellence award, which recognises buildings and projects which have set new standards in design quality, build-ability, functionality, sustainability and aesthetics.

Judges were impressed with the finished building, which had stuck almost completely to the original concept, which is a testament to the strength of the design.

The iHub was also shortlisted for the Construction Project of the Year and Regeneration and Restoration Project of the Year categories at this year’s awards.

The 45,000ft2 iHub provides high quality, flexible workspace for start-ups, early stage businesses and high growth SME’s looking to expand within the transport engineering and hi-tech sectors. As well as 18 traditional office workspaces, the iHub provides 14 ground floor workshops for businesses seeking a more hybrid working environment.

It also features the innovative ‘iLab’, which promotes invention by enabling the rapid prototyping of a range of products and services, thanks to high end virtual reality, 3D printing and surface microscope equipment.

Commenting on the iHub’s latest award win, Councillor Martin Rawson, deputy leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Economy, said:

“The Council’s aim was always to create a scheme that would feature an innovative design, meet its occupiers needs and represent value for money.

“The building has been able to encapsulate the spirit of transport engineering through its design and its curvilinear features.

“This impressive commercial development offers a unique opportunity for aspiring businesses to locate to offices and/or workshops in a manufacturing focused innovation technology park.”

Connect Derby manager Ann Bhatti, commented:

“We’re thrilled that the iHub has been awarded another prestigious industry accolade. The building’s innovative design continues to be one of its most notable features and we’re really pleased that this has been recognised by some of the region’s most highly respected property specialists.

“The iHub is much more than just an innovative design though - the building boasts hi-specification office and workshop accommodation, along with state-of-the-art equipment and business support services, which ensure that it leads the way in the region.”

Partner at Franklin Ellis Architects, David Franklin, added:

“We are delighted that this scheme has won the coveted design excellence award at the East Midlands Property Dinner. We worked hard to encapsulate Derby City Council’s vision and it’s nice to see that the completed scheme was a success and has been well received.

“This is an innovative and impressive building that we took great pleasure in delivering and we’d like to thank our client Derby City Council and G F Tomlinson for working with us on this award-winning project.”

The iHub, which has Enterprise Zone status, is based on Infinity Park, the 100-acre manufacturing focused commercial and technology site, located between Sinfin and Chellaston, to the south of the city.

Earlier this year, the iHub was named best commercial development at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2017, East Midlands. It was also highly commended by Derby Civic Society in the New Build category at the 2017 George Larkin Brighter City of Derby Awards, which recognises restoration and building projects that have improved the environment of the city.

The development has received funding from the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as Derby City Council and the University of Derby.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .