A government department headquarters and a five-star bed and breakfast retreat in the island have been shortlisted for the BBC North West Tonight’s (NWT) ’People’s Choice Building of the Decade Award’.

Thie Slieau Whallian in St John’s, the head office of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading, and Seascape, a property located on Pinfold Hill in Laxey, are up against 23 other buildings.

Michelle Garrod, the co-owner of Seascape, said: ’I’m absolutely, truly delighted!

’It’s a beautiful and unique building as every single bedroom, but one, has stunning sea views.’

The property, which Michelle also lives in, had its design inspired by architecture spotted on travels around Australia and Spain.

’It’s an accolade having a residential home in the island being nominated for the award,’ she added.

DEFA’s £5.9 million headquarters opened in 2010 and was designed to maximise natural ventilation and day light, aided by a central atrium and overhanging eaves to reduce overheating.

It is also heated by a biomass boiler, which is fuelled with woodchips and sawdust from a sawmill nearby, and has a well-insulated roof, walls and floor.

In 2012 the building won a Green Apple Environment Award in the built environment and architectural heritage category.

Shortlisted

Five buildings have been nominated from each of the five regions: Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire/North Derbyshire, and Cumbria/Isle of Man.

Votes opened on Monday with the first region, Greater Manchester, showcasing its entries on the 6.30pm news programme.

The other regions followed on consecutive nights.

The island’s entries will be screened tomorrow (Friday) and the bote will open at 6.30pm.

The vote will close at noon on the following day . Only one vote is allowed for each of the five areas.

Those wishing to vote must sign-in or register for a free BBC account and go to the BBC North West Tonight website at www.bbc.co.uk/nwt.

On Saturday (April 21), viewers will have voted for five regional winners to compete in the grand final.

The winner will be announced at the North West Property Awards, organised by Insider Media, on May 17.

Pictured above is DEFA’s headquarters at St John’s, Thie Slieau Whallian.

Pictured right is Seascape, in Laxey.