FIVE building schemes in York are in the running for trophies at this year’s RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards.

The 2015 awards, which are organised annually by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, have seen a number of recent projects in the city shortlisted including The Press offices, the Judges Lodging in Lendal, Bootham Green in Clifton, Network Rail’s Rail Operating Centre and York’s Velodrome.

Colin Harrop, chairman of the RICS Yorkshire and Humber Awards judging panel, said: “The construction market in the region is improving following relatively lean years.

“The fact that we have a shortlist of more than 40 built schemes, many of which are of an exceptional standard, is extremely encouraging.”

The Press offices, which are located in the former Poads Building in Walmgate, have been shortlisted for the Commercial (property) award after being transformed from an underused Victorian shell.

York Press:

Network Rail's York Campus

Network Rail’s York Campus will compete against The Poads Building in the Commercial (property) category, as well as being in the running for the Infrastructure award.

The £35 million flagship campus, completed in March last, features the company’s Rail Operating Centre and Training Centre.

York Press:

York Velodrome

In the city centre, The Judges Lodging, a Grade I listed 21-bed Georgian townhouse hotel, has been shortlisted for the Building Conservation award as well as the Tourism and Leisure accolade.

Built in 1710 as a private dwelling, it became the official residence of the Assize Court Judges until the 1970s, when it was converted into a hotel.

Recent renovation works have revived the hotel and restored many of the building’s original historical features.

York Press:

The Judges Lodging

York’s outdoor cycling velodrome will go up against The Judges Lodging in the Tourism and Leisure category, while also competing for the Design through Innovation award, too.

The £1.1 million Olympic-sized facility, jointly funded by the University of York and British Cycling, was built to coincide with the Grand Départ and to provide a lasting legacy.

Meanwhile, a new property development in York, known as Bootham Green, will compete against The Judges Lodging in the Building Conservation category, and will be in the running for the Residential accolade.

York Press:

Bootham Green

Bootham Green features 24 refurbished town houses, as well as 14 new build homes, following the conversion of the former Shipton Street School.

Phil Spencer, the property expert and presenter of TV show Location Location Location, will host the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards, which will be held at the National Railway Museum in York on May 15.