A2Dominion scoops Best Shared Ownership Development prize at prestigious national awards

A2Dominion has scooped gold at the prestigious What House? Awards for its stunning Woods House development in central Westminster.

The not-for-profit housing provider beat off stiff competition to walk away with the top prize for Best Shared Ownership Development, a brand new category for 2009.

Woods House, which features 86 one-bedroom shared ownership homes, is set against an impressive waterside backdrop and incorporates cutting-edge sustainability features and innovative architectural design.

Judges for the What House? Awards – which are dubbed the Oscars of the house-building industry - announced the results at a glitzy ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, on November 20, 2009.

Darrell Mercer, A2Dominion’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Our development team and partners have worked extremely hard to provide high quality affordable housing in the heart of one of London’s most expensive boroughs.

“It has been a tough year for housing providers such as ourselves, but this clearly demonstrates that there has been absolutely no compromise on quality of design and build. We are absolutely thrilled with the result.”

In the Judges’ Report, Woods House is described as a “truly impressive development which oozes quality”.

The report says: “The external metal cladding features a subtle ‘camouflage’ style design in champagne, beige and gold colours which gradually changes in appearance with the light and time of day.

“The communal areas feature very thoughtful landscaping and planting, and residents have access to a crèche and car club among other facilities and amenities.

“But it is internally that Woods House is most impressive. A2Dominion has ensured that the shared ownership buyers enjoy a near-identical specification to the whole ownership purchasers in the adjacent building.

“Room sizes are generous, fixtures, fittings, appliances and furniture are high quality, and the apartments on the upper floors enjoy some of the finest London cityscapes on offer anywhere in London.”

The What House? Awards, now in their 28th year and the longest established in the housebuilding industry, reward house-builders and developers, large and small, across 23 categories.

For more information about A2Dominion, visit a2dominion.co.uk.