Best office view competition winner announced
Only one of our 19 contestants could emerge victorious – and after a week of online voting, the public has made its choice clear.
Muncaster Castle has claimed the best office view crown this year, securing nearly 29% of the vote. The Lake District visitor attraction and event venue is in Ravenglass and has 77 acres of woodland and gardens attached to it.
Muncaster Castle won the top prize in the Place North West competition.
“We are truly fortunate to work in such a stunning part of the world,” said Kym Armstrong, manager and custodian at the Cumbrian castle.
“The views from Muncaster Castle make coming to work a delight,” she continued. “Whether you’re looking out over the stunning landscape or admiring the castle itself, there’s something amazing to see in every direction. A huge thank you to everyone who voted and agreed that our views are officially the best!”
The serene landscape triumphed over Cole Waterhouse’s glam sunset Manchester skyline view and Liverpool City Council’s iconic waterfront vista. Cole Waterhouse and Liverpool City Council claimed second and third place, respectively.
Fourth place went to the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government for its Manchester view that “inspires the regeneration imagination”.
- Cole Waterhouse was the runner up
- Liverpool City Council came in third place
- Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government came in fourth
Our competition winner will now receive two tickets to attend Place’s Offices + Workspace conference on 10 October at Innside by Melia in Manchester. The event is sponsored by Yardi, TSK, and Civic Engineers.
Speakers for the morning include:
- Dominic Brankin, property director, Government Property Agency
- Sabine Dunstan, development manager, Capital&Centric
- Danielle Adler, senior workplace consultant, TSK
- Aidan Thatcher, director of place, Wigan Council
- Helen Hodgkinson, chief people officer, TLT
- Jay Patel, director – planning North, Savills
- Dan Podesta, associate director, Civic Engineers
- Joe Rigby, managing director – North, CBRE
- Lee Treanor, director, HBD
- Philip Scott, fund manager & head of Manchester, Schroders Capital
- Mark Sidebotham, practice director, shedkm
- Andy Ringland, chief technical officer & Manchester lead, Crookes Walker Consulting
Want to attend the Offices + Workspace conference? Book your ticket today.
Place would like to thank all those who entered and voted in our contest. Here’s a look at all of the entries this year – proof that the North West has some of the best workplace vistas around.
Click on any image to launch gallery.
- CBRE: 'What a treat to see the Town Hall finally emerging from behind its scaffolding and the beautifully restored clock tower back on view in the September sun,' wrote Alice May.
- Liverpool City Council came in third place
- Staantec: 'We are sandwiched between the Manchester Central Convention Centre/Bridgewater Hall and the Rochdale Canal Lake on Barbirolli Square. The foreground in the picture is the refurbished Chepstow House with the new City centre being constructed behind, showing the old and new Manchester skyline,' wrote Mark Jones.
- Irvine Building (submitted by CBRE)
- Eden: 'This office is the most sustainable office building in Manchester and is also home to Europe's largest living wall,' wrote Hannah Davies.
- WSP: 'Forgive the glare, but the view in person is always good from our winter garden. Never far from HOME. Always something going on in the square. Engels keeping an eye on things,' wrote Greg Hulme
- Alderley Park
- Ainsley Gommon Architects: 'Our office is in Hamilton Square, Birkenhead and is on the axis of the square looking over towards Liverpool. This is an early morning image from our meeting room but the view changes with the light throughout the day,' wrote Alf Plant
- Cole Waterhouse was the runner up
- Euan Kellie Property Solutions: 'The view from our window at Neo on Charlotte Street/ Portland Street (you can’t argue with a view looking towards Yates 😂) Great view also towards Kampus and the iQ student accommodation scheme currently under construction, along with the Grade II listed Sackville Street Building,' wrote Euan Kellie
- Cumbria Tourism: 'The best office view from the wheelhouse of MV Swift on Lake Windermere. An ever-changing vista of mountains, wildlife and happy passengers,' wrote Emma Sanders.
- Ekosgen: 'I think it is the best office view offering panoramic views across the Duddon Estuary out to the Irish Sea and north across the Lake District Fells. A perfect balance of working in a beautiful environment complemented by weekly trips to the office in Manchester,' wrote Lauren Newby
- Curtins: 'Quality architecture and even better wildlife!!' wrote Jake Busby
- Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government came in fourth
- Paddock Johnson: 'Our office view is exceptional garden village of Port Sunlight. Paddock Johnson has been based here since 1988 and we love being part of this community. Port Sunlight continues to be our inspiration for all of our schemes, having first-hand experience of the influence good design at all scales, can play in creating memorable places,' wrote Louise Garforth
- Ullswater Steamers: 'We believe that there is no better view than from the wheelhouse of one of our heritage boats and our skippers have the ‘best office view’ in the world! Our heritage boats offer lake cruises on Ullswater, one of the most beautiful lakes in the UK,' wrote Karen Robinson. Credit: Ben Barden Photography
- Mcr_Skyline on Instagram: 'Tram leaving St. Peter’s Square viewed from the Landmark Building terrace'
- Peel Waters
- Muncaster Castle
Very nice view, congratulations.
Maybe there should be different categories urban, rural and industrial?
By Liverpolitis
A great idea for next year!
By Julia Hatmaker
How the boat didn’t win is beyond me!
By Anonymous
Top three are great – worthy winners. But how that came fourth… 😁
By Sour Grapes