This project involves the comprehensive redevelopment of a self-contained building, offering a total area of approximately 16,600 ft², with a distinctive private riverside garden that enhances the overall appeal and value of the property. The accommodation is distributed across five levels, with the lower ground floor featuring a newly designed amenity space intended to provide a variety of high-quality facilities for the building’s occupants.
The building has been meticulously refurbished to incorporate a range of sustainable features, targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings to ensure the highest standards of environmental performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability. In addition to the eco-friendly goals, the building has been equipped with cutting-edge building services designed to improve overall comfort and reduce environmental impact. These include the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels to harness solar energy and reduce reliance on non-renewable power sources. The HVAC system has been fully upgraded with modern, high efficiency units, complemented by HVRF (Hybrid Variable Refrigerant Flow) comfort cooling and space heating systems utilizing low GWP refrigerants, significantly lowering the building’s carbon footprint. The previous gas supply has been removed inline with the decarbonisation strategy for the building.
To further enhance the building’s functionality, a new duplex lift system has been installed, offering efficient vertical transportation between floors. This lift system includes an evacuation lift, ensuring the building is compliant with the latest standards and offering peace of mind for occupants in the event of an emergency. The integration of these advanced features demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability, safety, and occupant well-being throughout the entire redevelopment process.
The building Africa House along Kingsway near Holborn Station has been refurbished to offer 119,297ft² of high quality office accommodation, for which Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, vertical transportation engineering, BREEAM duties and energy consultancy to achieve an EPC C rating.
‘The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has granted planning consent for 115,000 sq ft of new high-quality office space at 63-81 Pelham Street.’
The exposed services strategy implemented at Fortess Grove compliments the industrial nature of the building. Cycling facilities are provided along with showers and lockers at ground floor level accessed directly from the rear of the building along Railey Mews. The development achieved a WiredScore certification of ‘Gold’ and a B rated Energy Performance Certification.
Premier Inn has recently invested in the redevelopment of its Uxbridge hotel to provide increased accommodation options and better facilities for guests.
The Practice was responsible for designing and monitoring the refurbishment of the kitchen facilities.