Old Street Retail Parade

This project, next to Old Street roundabout, created a cohesive row of retail bays by cleverly utilising vacant space within the building to extend and unify the whole parade. Built in the 1960s the existing building comprised retail units on ground and basement floor sitting within a protruding plinth, with 8 storeys of residential accommodation above. The retail parade had been substantially altered over the years by various occupants and as a result the street frontage had become unappealing.

The design sought to enlarge and upgrade the existing space to modern, sustainable standards whilst also reinstating the façade back to its original design. Nett lettable area was increased by 48%, with the extension footprint adjoining and enclosing of the two neighbouring units to create the seamless appearance of the parade The retail bays are now realigned with the residential units above, and new contemporary glazing completes the modern and unified look.

With thriving retail property and activity surrounding the site, the project had inherent challenges in terms of intricate utility services diversions required and third party agreements. The project team collaborated with the end tenant to carry out the CAT-A and CAT-B works in sequence, and this enabled the construction programme to be accelerated so that the dates set out within the Agreement for Lease could be met.