The Challenge
The site’s proximity to neighbouring properties, both residential and retail, was a key consideration in the team’s approach to design, including visual impact, acoustic requirements and servicing once complete.
The retail ‘Yard’ space is tucked away behind retained façades on Pimlico Road and accessed by 2 new retail arcade entrances whilst the former residential and shop areas were demolished and rebuilt to modern standards. These works, together with the formation of new basement areas beneath the existing structures, involved complex temporary works, as did the installation of a new and very large rooflight to the ‘Yard’. The site constraints and temporary works impacted significantly on construction site management and logistics, requiring a skilled approach to stakeholder engagement and management throughout the construction works.
The Outcome
The retained original trusses and Victorian brickwork complement the new elements such as the timber shopfronts, CLT mezzanine level and impressive new roof-light, which provides natural ventilation via openable louvres. The selection of CLT, rather than steel, to form the new mezzanine level and the use of GGBS concrete wherever possible helped the project to meet Grosvenor’s ambitious embodied carbon targets. Where internal timber cladding has been introduced this has been reclaimed from a 1940s factory. The development has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Once construction was completed our Building Surveying team were engaged by the Client to assist them with managing the fit out works and tenant liaison for the incoming 6 design-focused retailers