West Dunbartonshire Council's new Dumbarton office has been named one of the best buildings in the country after success at the Scottish Property Awards.

Church Street, which opened to 500 staff last May, was awarded Regeneration Project of the Year at the event on Thursday night, 07 March.

Work at the site transformed the William Leiper-designed, Grade A listed façade, from the former Dumbarton Academy building, by adding modern and efficient offices at the back.

It was the result of a conservation project supported by Historic Environment Scotland to ensure Dumbarton's heritage was preserved.

Since opening, the state-of-the-art building has improved access to services for residents, brought economic benefits to businesses in the town and brought savings to the Council in the region of £400,000 per year.


Church Street has also been shortlisted for two more awards, having been named as finalist in both the Community Benefit and Regeneration categories at the RICS awards, taking place in May.

If the building wins in either of the two categories, it will be considered for the regional Project of the Year title. This is only awarded to a scheme that can demonstrate outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener for Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "I am delighted to see that the hard work that went into the building is being recognised on a national level.

"The project to sympathetically restore this building while creating modern office space has not only played a part in protecting a piece of Dumbarton's heritage, it has given a huge economic boost to the local area."

Councillor Marie McNair, Vice Convener of Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development, added: "Since we opened our doors to the community, the difference in the town centre has been clearly visible and the benefits of this extra town centre footfall are being felt by our traders and businesses.

"A big congratulations must go to the team involved in delivering this ambitious project."

The Council worked with Hub West Scotland on the new office, with Lendlease as the main contractor. Keppie Design as architects; Rybka were the service engineers; Curtins were the civil and structural engineers and CDM Doig & Smith were the quantity surveyors. The project has also benefited from the input of the Conservation Architect Andrew Wright OBE.