We are beyond excited to announce that Heworth House, one of our most cherished projects, has won the Young People’s Award at the York 2024 Design Awards! This award is especially meaningful to us because it highlights not only the success of the building’s transformation but also our dedication to investing in young talent, both within Presence & Co. and the wider community.
Merging Heritage with Modern Living
Heworth House, originally built in 1865 as Heworth Rectory, has a storied history. Over the years, it’s been a rectory, a place of worship, an office complex, and even a nursery. Today, thanks to our hard work and vision, it stands as a stunning collection of six luxury apartments, offering the perfect balance of heritage and contemporary comfort.
From the beginning, we knew we had to respect the building’s history. We carefully preserved key original features like the grand fireplaces, intricate archways, and beautiful mosaic floors. Our aim was simple: to create spaces where the charm of the past coexists with modern convenience. We’re delighted to say we’ve achieved that, with five of the six apartments already rented out, leaving just one final two-bedroom penthouse available for £1,750 per month.
But this award isn’t just about the stunning architecture—it’s about the people behind the project.
The Power of Investing in Young Talent
What makes winning the Young People’s Award so special is how it reflects our core values. At Presence & Co., we don’t just renovate buildings; we also believe in nurturing the next generation of property professionals. The success stories of our young team members speak volumes about this commitment.
Take Emilie Wilson, for example. Emilie started with us back in January 2022 as an admin assistant in our maintenance department. Fast forward to 2024, and she’s now our Office Manager, overseeing her own team of young admin assistants—all under the age of 25. Emilie has not only grown into a leadership role, but she’s also helping others do the same, proving that with the right support, anything is possible.
Then there’s Monty McDonald, who joined us in January 2024 as an electrician apprentice. Monty’s journey is just getting started, but he’s already showing incredible promise under the guidance of our experienced senior team members. We’re so proud to see him excelling in his role and learning the ropes of the trade.
Our newest recruit, Jake Tanner, has joined us as a gardener and is quickly learning the art of landscaping. Under the guidance of our skilled team, Jake is developing his green thumb and contributing to our vision of creating beautiful spaces inside and out.
The Future of Presence & Co.
We’re also proud of our marketing department, led by the talented Lily Spencer, aged just 23. Lily has already overseen a complete rebrand of the company, driven website changes, and created new marketing campaigns that are helping us tell our story in fresh and exciting ways. And she’s just getting started! In fact, she’s now looking to recruit an apprentice to join her growing team.
This award reminds us that the work we do extends beyond bricks and mortar—it’s about creating opportunities, fostering growth, and empowering the next generation to thrive in this industry.
Celebrating the Award and Looking Ahead
Winning the Young People’s Award at the York 2024 Design Awards has been a proud moment for everyone at Presence & Co. We’re honoured to have our work at Heworth House recognised, but more importantly, we’re excited to continue creating spaces that merge history with modernity while supporting the incredible young people who are shaping the future of property.
If you want to learn more about our projects or the talented young team driving our success, feel free to get in touch or visit our website.
Thank you to the York 2024 Design Awards for this recognition, and here’s to many more milestones to come!
