Millers Quay gains awards recognition for regeneration and building design

By Danny BallPublished On: April 24th, 2026Categories: Top Stories

Millers Quay at Wirral Waters has been named winner of the “Building” category at The Pineapples Awards, recognising its role in waterfront regeneration, housing delivery and place-making on a former dockland site in Birkenhead.

The £130 million development forms part of the wider Wirral Waters regeneration programme and was delivered by Peel Waters in partnership with Wirral Council and Homes England, funded by Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC).

The scheme was designed by Howells and constructed by GRAHAM.

The Pineapples Awards, organised by The Developer in partnership with the Design Council, recognise projects that combine design quality with social and environmental impact.

The Building category focuses on completed developments that contribute positively to their surrounding area.

Waterfront housing scheme delivers 500 homes

Millers Quay provides 500 one- and two-bedroom homes, including 20% affordable housing, on a previously underused dockside site.

The development re-establishes residential use along the waterfront for the first time in more than a century, forming part of a wider strategy to transform Wirral Waters into a mixed-use neighbourhood.

Designed to reference Birkenhead’s maritime heritage, the scheme features bold façade treatments, landscaped communal areas and waterfront walkways.

All homes benefit from natural light and water views, with balconies and shared courtyards intended to support resident interaction.

During construction, the project supported more than 1,000 jobs and generated £44 million in local supply chain spend. Around 75% of the workforce was recruited from within a 30-mile radius of the site.

The scheme also delivered £31 million in social value, including training and employment opportunities in partnership with local colleges and universities.

Sustainability measures across the development

Environmental features across Millers Quay include EPC B-rated homes, air source heat pumps, solar energy systems and sustainable urban drainage systems designed to support biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.

The development has helped support further investment across Wirral Waters, contributing to additional residential, leisure and employment schemes within the wider regeneration area.

Judges described Millers Quay as: “a catalyst – bringing people, investment and homes to a once-desolate landscape through bold regeneration, striking architecture and extraordinary ambition.”

They also highlighted the scheme’s contribution to local training and employment, and its role in re-establishing activity in an area previously left vacant.

Millers Quay was shortlisted alongside developments including Loveday Belgravia, Rollalong’s Demonstration Modular Home programme, Manchester Metropolitan University’s Science and Engineering building, Brent Cross Plot 12 202, and Marylebone Square.

Industry and project team comments

Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, Peel Waters, said: “Winning a Pineapples Award is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in Millers Quay and a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved through long-term, partnership-led regeneration.

“This is not just a building, it is a catalyst for change – creating new homes, new opportunities and a renewed sense of place for Wirral.

“Millers Quay demonstrates how thoughtful design, strong collaboration and a commitment to social value can come together to deliver something truly transformative. We are incredibly proud of the role it is playing in reshaping Wirral Waters.”

James Agar, Head of Real Estate Origination at PIC, said: “This Pineapples Award is a powerful recognition that Millers Quay is not only a landmark development, but a blueprint for how long term investment can unlock meaningful regeneration and deliver lasting social value.

“Throughout construction and since completion, the project has created significant local employment, supported ongoing skills development, and generated vital cashflow for the surrounding economy, schools and businesses.

“It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when forward thinking, innovative and committed partners work together with a shared vision.

“PIC remains committed to backing developments that provide the secure, long term cashflows needed to pay the pensions of our current and future policyholders, while helping communities to thrive.

“This award reinforces the importance of that mission and the impact that responsible, partnership led investment can and does deliver.”

Peter Reavey, Regional Director at GRAHAM, said: “We’re proud to see Millers Quay recognised with this award win. As construction partner, GRAHAM has worked closely with an expert project team to deliver a scheme that reflects the value of genuine collaboration.

“Millers Quay sets a benchmark for meaningful regeneration, providing much-needed, high-quality homes while prioritising sustainability and creating a strong sense of place for the community that will benefit the region for generations to come.”

Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells, said: “We’re thrilled that Millers Quay has been recognised with a Pineapples Award. Thanks to our exceptional client team, and everyone involved in making the project happen on site.

“What we imagined eight years ago is exactly what stands today and we’re proud to see the quality of the homes completed, and to be a successful part of the transformational legacy continuing at Wirral Waters.”