2023 Master Builder Awards, Overall Master Builder of the Year
National winner: Vantage & Co Group Limited
One of only two original Georgian villas still standing in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, this project saw Vantage & Co Group Limited resurrect a structure that had fallen into almost total ruin, restoring it back to its former glory in magnificent style.
Many of the original features have been retained and repurposed in what has once again become a functional and yet luxurious living space. The facade features stone and rendered details, including detailed cornicing at the eaves and moulded architraves to the windows. Internally, ornately decorated rooms coalesce around an outstanding stone staircase - hand carved from Bath stone by Vantage’s own master craftspeople, making a stately impression in the entrance hall.
The team are proud to have followed in the footsteps of the skilled tradespeople who built this striking home some 200 years ago, and have contributed to its rich history by restoring it as the jewel in the crown of this historic part of the city. They state that 'rather than abandoning something that was broken, it was a delight to bring it back to life and we feel the end result is both impressive and exquisite.'
Their clients chose Vantage because of the quality of work and attention to detail shown in previous projects, and couldn’t be more thrilled with the end result, stating: 'We genuinely feel that it has been restored to one of the finest homes in central Birmingham.'
The judges described the project as a '‘superb example of urban renaissance in practice’ and a ‘shining beacon of what can be done to the very highest level’.' They praised the builder’s skill in carrying out a sympathetic restoration with great care and effective coordination between an array of expert trades. Reflecting on the ‘amazing’ transformation of a building that had lain dormant for almost two decades, they agreed this was a job well done on all fronts and a standard to which all Master Builders could aspire to deliver in their work around the UK.
It’s been a really difficult challenge this time choosing the overall Master Builder winner, there have been so many excellent categories to choose from. But this one really stood out in terms of quality, in terms of what it was serving, in terms of promoting a renaissance of our inner cities…”
