The Ministry of Works and Engineering has been praised for preserving one of St. George's historic landmarks and turning it into a multimillion dollar rest home.

The Bermuda National Trust (BNT) commended the Ministry and awarded it with the highest architectural honour for a corporation, the Clipper Award, for efforts in restoring two 19th Century British barrack buildings and incorporating them into the new rest home, the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility.

Derek Morris, the BNT's executive director, said: "On behalf of the National Trust it means a lot to us and the people of Bermuda to hand out these awards.'"

Mr. Morris commended the new $25-million facility and said: "It's absolutely gorgeous, they did a heck of a job. I think it was absolutely well done. What a first class facility we have now."

He added: "A lot of care and attention to detail went into that. I can almost say I look forward to getting old and hanging out there."

The costly initiative was criticised in the past by Shadow Health and Seniors Minister Louise Jackson who said: "I find it frightening that we have spent $25 million for 43 people."

But Minister of Works and Engineering Dennis Lister said seniors needs have been one of the primary concerns of the Progressive Labour Party since1998.

"Now we have set a new standard of senior health care in Bermuda," he said.

Lucy Chung, a Works and Engineering architect, called the Ministry's effort a "wise move" and said: "Usually it is simpler to demolish and rebuild because one does not have to deal with existing conditions such as floors that are weak or walls that are not straight and level etc.

"We like to think about all that Bermuda stone that's still in the building and not at the dump — the walls were 24 inches thick— that's a lot of material to simply throw away."

She continued: "The Ministry said 'let's do the right thing. Let's work with what we have'. There was no requirement to save the building, which is what makes the decision so significant."

The award was presented to the Ministry on Wednesday outside the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility, where a cedar tree was planted in honour of the event.

Guests — including Minister of Health Michael Scott and Chief Medical Officer John Cann — toured the new facility, which is currently housing 16 seniors.

The facility can house up to 43 residents, including both self-sufficient seniors and those needing full care, and also has an Alzheimer's unit. In addition the building is equipped with 24-hour surveillance, has both double and single rooms, an in-house doctor's office and physio-therapy equipment, a salon, small chapel area, library and cafeteria.