Introducing The Place North West Awards

Supported by all five combined authorities, our awards will be a proper celebration of the region’s property scene with transparent judging, a focus on project teams, and an Oscars-style show.In brief: we are making awards something you look forward to, not something you sit through.

“Place has been asked to do awards for years, but to be honest we never wanted to do the same as everyone else. If we did awards, we wanted to do them the Place way,” said Paul Unger, publisher of Place Media Group.

“Now, we have put together an awards programme that will be unlike the others in the region. With integrity at its heart and a focus on actually being entertaining, it is a true celebration of the region’s property scene.”

Save the dates

The Place North West Awards will be held on 14 October 2027 at the AO Arena in Manchester.

Entries for The Place North West Awards will open 22 February and close 28 May.

Become a partner of The Place North West Awards

Judging you can trust

Transparency is key when it comes to awards.

That is why our judges will be providing score sheets for award entries, so you can see where your scheme succeeded and where it may have fallen short.

The Place North West Awards is not an essay contest. While written submissions will help craft the shortlist, a livestreamed pitch will be part of the final determination. Anyone will be able to tune into these pitches.

Among our esteemed judging panel will be senior figures from each of the North West’s combined authorities: Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and Warrington, Lancashire Combined County, and Cumbria.

Reserve your table at The Place North West Awards

A focus on teams

When it comes to the great projects of the North West, they are never the work of just one person. That is why most of our award categories are focussed on projects and the teams that deliver them.

Our categories include Affordable Housing Project of the Year, Public Realm of the Year, Building of the Year, Residential Project of the Year, and Infrastructure Project of the Year.

The Impact Award will look at the project that has transformed its community the most, whether that’s through economic growth or social value. Deal of the Year will look at how teams navigated complex agreements, whether that’s joint venture negotiations, acquisitions, or contract awards.

Any project team member can put a scheme forward for award consideration and on the night, you can expect to hear each company namechecked – from the developer to the fire safety consultant. We know that each of you have a vital role to play in delivering a project. You deserve to be celebrated.

Our Place of the Year award will go beyond projects to celebrate the town or city that has been the hotspot for high-quality development and placemaking over the past year, whether that is through regeneration projects, partnerships with the private sector, or creating communities through exemplary placemaking.

And where would Place North West be without its readers? Our Readers’ Choice Award will give subscribers the chance to choose their favourite project from among those shortlisted. Not a subscriber yet? It’s free. Sign up here.

See the full list of award categories

Not your grandmother’s awards show

We have thrown out the usual playbook when it comes to awards. This will not be a dinner with awards wedged in between courses.

Instead, we’ll host a dinner where you can actually enjoy the conversation at your table, without feeling like you are being interrupted or shushed.

Then, we’ll bring you into the awards show itself, where the projects will get the attention and acclaim they deserve.

What is more, we’re keeping the programme tight so it never drags.

The awards the region deserves

The work being done in the North West is first rate. You are creating fantastic places. There is so much to celebrate and it’s about time we gave you the kudos you deserve.

Our awards are rooted in honouring achievements in placemaking, economic growth, partnership, sustainability, and social value. They will shine a light on best practice, inspire us all to do better, and raise the bar for what can be delivered in the area.

That does not mean they have to be boring.

For a night you won’t forget, join us at The Place North West Awards on 14 October 2027 at the AO Arena. Book your ticket.

Partnership opportunities are available and start at £5,000. Get in touch with our commercial team to learn more by emailing [email protected].