TERMINAL 2, The Queen's Terminal, at Heathrow was crowned Project of the Year at the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Awards for London on Thursday.

The annual contest celebrates inspirational initiatives in the land, property and construction sectors.

This year's ceremony took place at the Lancaster London Hotel and was hosted by comedian Mark Watson.

The award is presented to the scheme felt by the panel of judges to represent the most outstanding example of London’s property expertise.

Since its first flight in 1946, Heathrow has been Britain’s gateway to the world.

On June 4 last year, we got a new front door. The original Terminal 2 was Heathrow’s first passenger terminal when it opened in 1955.

The opening of the new Terminal 2 – The Queen’s Terminal, marks the latest phase of an £11bn private sector investment programme that has transformed Heathrow from an airport of the 1950s and 1960s to a world-class hub for Britain.

The judges, said: “The huge Terminal 2 investment programme comprised five separate sub-programmes.

“From initial concept through to the opening The Queen, the development took eight years to complete, with all the construction taking place at the centre of the world’s busiest two-runway airport, operating at 98% capacity.

“The new terminal offers passengers the convenience of easy connections combined with innovation, speed, comfort and high levels of service.

“Currently, 24,000 people in 160 organisations are employed in T2, while overall during the design and construction 35,000 people were employed, some of whom had graduated from Heathrow’s own construction academy.”