South of Scotland Community Housing scooped the Best Old Wreck prize at the Scottish Empty Homes Conference.
The judges were impressed at how the organisation repurposed the prominent town centre B-category listed building, which had been disused for 15 years and was in a state of significant disrepair, into four community-led affordable homes.
The outcome of the project was described as “an outstanding restoration of a historical building, bringing two long-term empty homes back into use”.
Mike Staples, chief executive of South of Scotland Community Housing said: “We’re delighted to receive the award for best old wreck, best long-term restoration of an empty home. Working on empty homes, on existing buildings, is an opportunity to contribute towards net-zero in a way that is community-led.
“Restoring this historical building and bringing these empty homes back into use was an incredible effort, and we’re proud to have been recognised.”
Congratulating the team, Shaheena Din, from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: “I am delighted for all of this year’s awards winners, including Mike Staples and the South of Scotland Community Housing. They have shown an incredible effort in transforming communities through their work in bringing empty homes back into use.”
