Paisley Museum has been named Scotland’s leading heritage project at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards, taking the top prize in the Heritage Project category.

The £68.7 million redevelopment, delivered by Renfrewshire Council in partnership with OneRen, was announced at the RICS Awards Scotland ceremony at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The scheme triumphed over The Canna House (The National Trust for Scotland), Preston Tower Doocot and Gardens, and John O'Groats Mill, and now progresses to the RICS UK Grand Final in October.

The ambitious transformation, led by Kier Construction, realises AL_A's striking design and is set to place Paisley firmly on the map among Europe's leading museum destinations. OneRen, the area's leisure and cultural charity, will operate the museum when it reopens.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Renfrewshire Council's spokesperson for culture and Chair of OneRen, said: "I'm delighted that the Museum has received such positive recognition for its transformation, the work that has been undertaken really is breathtaking.

"The construction phase of the project is now complete, with Kier Construction bringing AL_A's ambitious designs to life. The museum will reopen in late 2026, offering thousands of visitors a radical new view of Paisley, Scottish and world stories.

"The Museum is the culmination of more than a decade of investment in Paisley's cultural buildings, and in the town itself, which has changed perceptions of our area and led to it being named Scotland's Town of the Year recently.

"I can't wait for it to reopen and wish the team good luck in the UK Grand Final of the RICS awards in October – I have my fingers crossed!"

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Kier Scotland led the project's submission to the awards and served as lead construction contractor, translating AL_A's vision into a modern visitor attraction.

Phil McDowell, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: "Winning in the heritage category is a powerful recognition of what we set out to achieve at Paisley Museum. Facilities like this museum are vital assets to the community and it is imperative we do all we can now to protect and modernise them for future audiences.

"Working collaboratively with OneRen and Renfrewshire Council, this project has balanced respect for the town's rich cultural heritage with modern design and innovation at the heart of the project, ensuring the museum remains relevant, inclusive, and inspiring for generations to come."

A new red-glass accessible entrance and a panoramic extension now front the museum, creating a bold, welcoming presence on the High Street and offering fresh reasons to visit the town centre.

The A-listed main building and Coats Observatory – Scotland's oldest public observatory – have been upgraded to modern standards, with extensive repairs inside and out. The redesign delivers refreshed galleries on every floor and will double the amount of the museum's unique, internationally significant collections on show.

A landscaped garden and public realm have opened up previously hidden views of the Observatory, knitting the buildings together as a cohesive museum campus. Dedicated learning areas and a Heritage Archive Centre will further enhance the experience, alongside a new café and shop.

Exhibition fit-out specialists Hub Build are leading the next phase, preparing and installing displays created by award-winning designers OPERA Amsterdam. More than 1,250 objects will be carefully installed in the project's final stage.

Kerry Gibbs MRICS, UK National Awards Chair, said: "These awards shine a spotlight on the most inspiring people, projects and innovations shaping the built and natural environment, creating a powerful platform that elevates the profile of chartered surveying and celebrates its impact on communities nationwide.

"This year we received over 300 entries across all twelve of the RICS regions, so the awards are hugely important. They help demonstrate the positive impact that surveyors, as well as buildings, have on individuals and communities. They promote the role of surveying in making those projects a reality."

The museum's funding comes from Renfrewshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government, supplemented by donations from supporters and benefactors.

The award marks the latest milestone in a decade of investment across Paisley, which includes the £22 million transformation of Paisley Town Hall, a £7 million Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub housing Paisley Central Library on the High Street, the £3 million refurbishment of Paisley Arts Centre, and a new Discover Renfrewshire tourism campaign aimed at building on the town's ongoing regeneration.