A £1 million revamp of a former hosiery factory that was a near ruin a year ago has won an award.
Makers' Yard, in the cultural quarter, won Leicester Civic Society's annual award for restoration.
The 159-year-old factory – thought to be the oldest of its kind in the East Midlands – was named the winner yesterday.
The building, next to the LCB Depot in Rutland Street, has become a workspace for 10 businesses, from fashion designers to potters.
Civic society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "Some of us were in there a year ago when it was a dangerous ruin and we had to wear hard hats.
"The timber was riddled with dry rot.
"Now it is a wonderful space with a wonderful new use.
"They have gone to great lengths not to disturb the original features."
LCB marketing and social development manager Julia Hamer said: "We are thrilled to win. Not so long ago, there were pigeons in the roof and floorboards like sponges.
"Now we have a community, rather than a building."
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is a really wonderful award for Makers' Yard.
"This project has always been about bringing a historically important building back into meaningful use, so winning an award for restoration means a great deal.
"I would like to congratulate the project team."
Makers' Yard narrowly beat the recently restored Stockdale House, in Stoneygate Road, Leicester, to the prize.
A second award, for the best new building of 2012, was won by developer Jamie Lewis for his Code student flats development in Western Road.
Mr Bailey said: "We were impressed by an attractive design.
"The accommodation is to a high standard, superior to most other student residential developments we had seen.
"The building, which overlooks the Old River and Bede Park, makes a significant contribution to the regeneration of a riverside that has been traditionally ignored."
Mr Lewis said: "Our strategy was to work with our architects, RG-P Leicester, to create eye-catching buildings providing a backdrop to Bede Park and to bring new life to the waterside.
"Anything new usually divides opinion but the fact our vision of the waterside has been recognised is pleasing."
The awards will be presented at a ceremony on April 5.
