The WhatHouse? Awards 2024 shone a spotlight on excellence in UK housebuilding, celebrating developers and projects that are not just redefining homes but reimagining communities. From cutting-edge sustainability to restoring historic landmarks, this year’s winners offer an inspiring look at the industry’s finest.
Among the standout accolades, Housebuilder of the Year was awarded to City & Country, an Essex-based family business renowned for its meticulous restoration of heritage properties and thoughtful new-build developments. Below, we highlight this prestigious prize and explore other key categories that showcase the breadth of innovation and craftsmanship across the industry. For a complete look, download the Judges’ Report today.
Housebuilder of the Year: City & Country
The crowning achievement at the 2024 Awards went to City & Country, a family-run developer with over 60 years of expertise. Originally specialising in heritage developments, the company has expanded its focus to include new-build homes while retaining its commitment to craftsmanship and design. The judges lauded City & Country’s ability to blend old and new, creating spaces that honour history while serving modern needs.
Key developments include: Manningtree Park and St Osyth Priory in Essex, The Playfair at Donaldson’s in Edinburgh and Factory No.1 in Bristol.
Sustainability is at the core of the company’s ethos, with a commitment to biodiversity and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings to combat carbon emissions. Managing Director Wayne Douglas noted, “Repurposing and restoring our heritage assets has to be prioritised.”
Best Build to Rent Developer: Dandara Living
Taking Gold in the Build to Rent category, Dandara Living earned acclaim for redefining urban living. The developer focuses on affordable, high-quality rental homes in central locations, turning brownfield sites into vibrant, sustainable communities.
Highlights include:
- Exceptional resident satisfaction scores (4.87 out of 5 on HomeViews).
- Integration of proptech for efficient property management and enhanced tenant experiences.
- A strong emphasis on biodiversity and green public spaces, such as landscaped gardens and community hubs.
Dandara Living’s developments, from Aberdeen to Surrey, exemplify how Build to Rent can contribute to urban revitalisation while prioritising affordability.
Best Large Housebuilder: Berkeley Group
This year’s Gold winner, the Berkeley Group, transformed challenging brownfield sites into vibrant communities. Their achievements include building over 3,500 homes last year and contributing £370 million to affordable housing and community infrastructure. Sustainability is a hallmark of Berkeley’s approach, exemplified by their work as founding partners of the Green Building Council’s Advancing Net Zero programme.
Best Sustainable Development: Hook Norton Community Land Trust Project
Greencore Homes’ collaboration with the Hook Norton Community Land Trust delivered 12 net-zero affordable homes in the Cotswolds for local people, with the homes cleverly designed by architect Charlie Luxton. By integrating smart grids, solar panels, and battery storage, this project demonstrates how community-driven developments can lead the way in sustainability.
Best Placemaking: Places for People
A new category for 2024, Aberdeen based Places for People’s Chapelton development reimagines modern living with narrow streets, car-free zones, and community spaces like markets and outdoor areas. Its innovative “box park,” housing microbusinesses, highlights the power of early-stage commercial activation.
Why download the Judges’ Report?
The WhatHouse? Awards 2024 Judges’ Report provides a detailed look at the criteria, challenges, and triumphs behind each winning project. Key benefits of the report include:
- Exclusive insights into winning strategies.
- Trends shaping the future of UK housebuilding.
- Inspiration for architects, developers, and community planners.
Are you shaping the future of UK housebuilding?
The WhatHouse? Awards set the gold standard for excellence in UK housebuilding, providing a platform to showcase the very best in design, sustainability, and community impact. Could your development take centre stage next year? Sign up to updates to know when submissions for the 2025 Awards open.
