GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £2m contract to fit out a warehousing and office unit on the Logistics North industrial park in Bolton. The fit out contract, awarded by Amscreen Group Ltd, follows on from the £3.2m contract won by Caddick in 2020 to design and build the 50,000
One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial
Main contractor Laing O’Rourke has awarded the £1.5m furniture and fitout contract for the first phase of the £485m 3Ts redevelopment of Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading hospital fitout specialists. Deanestor will manufacture around 17,000 items of furniture for the project and
A property investment offers the chance to have fun with design while increasing the value of your house or apartment. It’s not just about decorating, fixing the roof and overhauling the plumbing, although these will all increase the value. You can also elevate your property value with luxury interior and
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a damaging impact on many UK firms within the furniture industry, despite a sharp fall in imports. Some of these firms were struggling financially before the pandemic, particularly ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers, as customers switched to online sales, while the closure of outlets accentuated that
Manor Interiors, the expert in build-to-rent furnishing solutions, has found that the vast majority of UK tenants have found themselves living with furniture that is unfit for purpose having moved into a furnished rental property. For many tenants, a furnished rental property is the preferable option as it saves a
The interior designer behind the luxury show homes at riverside residential development The Yacht Club, Nottingham, has shared her top design tips for summer 2021. Ghazala Mogul, interior designer at KMRE Group Ltd – the Leeds-based developer behind The Yacht Club and other residential projects around the country – has
Developer Sellar and architecture and interiors practice Universal Design Studio have unveiled designs for a 15,000 sq ft concept space, The Exchange at Paddington Square – the new district in the heart of London’s Paddington, being delivered by the team behind The Shard. Envisioned as a members’ club for occupiers
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout kitchen specialists, has completed the first phase of a £4.3m contract for the manufacture and installation of more than 600 kitchens for one of the biggest build-to-rent schemes in Manchester. Developed by Vita Group and built by John Sisk & Son,
GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project of the Year category’. Core elements of the scheme included stripping out the property, renovation works, installations and defect rectifications, and the interior fit-out of approximately 15,254m2 of internal floor space. The iconic Grade II listed building, which was originally built in 1879, overlooks the city’s prestigious Colmore Row and, in the past, it welcomed guests including The Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill. In a nod to the building’s rich history, the illustrious heritage has been sensitively retained, including the French Renaissance exterior, while its elaborate internal decoration pays homage to Birmingham’s rich history, but with a modern twist. GRAHAM has constructed 185 opulent rooms, including a variety of grand suites with stunning views across St Phillip’s Cathedral, a garden terrace, a Victorian style Grand Ballroom, and an eye-catching grand staircase. The renovation project also made provision for two bars and a destination restaurant, a hotel gym, and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. Commenting on the return of the hotel back to its former glory, Ronan Hughes, GRAHAM Regional Director – Midlands, said: “It is a stunning transformation, and GRAHAM is proud of our meaningful contribution in making it a reality. The attention to detail, finish and quality of work are exceptional, and reflect the ambitious vision behind the restoration of The Grand Hotel. This was a complex project for many reasons, with challenges throughout the programme. But the technical expertise, hard work and dedication of our team ensured that we were able to find intelligent solutions at every stage. We continue to expand our presence in Birmingham, and this exemplar project will be a touchpoint for us across the Midlands region. Undoubtedly, The Grand Hotel will be one of the city’s most in-demand destinations.” Darrel Owens, Development Director for The Grand Hotel, said: “The Grand Hotel was five years in the making, with the added complication of Covid-19 thrown into the mix. The final product is breath-taking. My congratulations and respect go to the people who made this project happen, including all of the team at GRAHAM.” The Grand Hotel’s opening was delayed due to COVID restrictions but it recently opened to visitors on 18th May 2021. The winners of the 2021 Building Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on the 2nd November, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £2m contract to fit out a warehousing and office unit on the Logistics North industrial park in Bolton. The fit out contract, awarded by Amscreen Group Ltd, follows on from the £3.2m contract won by Caddick in 2020 to design and build the 50,000 sq. ft unit. Logistics North industrial park is one of the largest and most successful developments of its kind to be brought forward in the north of England. Envisaged as a hub for both manufacturing and logistics operations, the scheme will ultimately deliver over 4 million sq. ft of bespoke Grade A industrial buildings in a range of sizes once fully developed, in addition to a 550-acre country park. Built on the former Cutacre surface mine site where deep mining operations have also taken place, the scheme has already delivered over 3m sq. ft of commercial space since receiving initial outline planning consent in December 2013. Once fully developed, the site is expected to deliver over £300m of Gross Value Added to the local economy in addition to over 7,000 jobs. The quality of the development and the site’s location at the heart of the region’s motorway network has been key to attracting some of the World’s leading logistics companies including Amazon, Lidl and Whistl. Some 5,500 people are now employed on site. Said Caddick Construction (North West) Managing Director Ian Threadgold: “Demand for high quality logistics and industrial space in the North West shows no sign of letting up, and with households names such as Aldi, Lidl and Amazon already on site, it is testament to both the location and quality of the units that Logistics North has to offer. He added: “We are delighted to be taking on the fit out contract for this latest unit on behalf of Amscreen as it’s always great to fully complete and deliver on a project from the initial ground-breaking right through to the final lick of paint.”
One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial Estate in Leicester 24 hours a day during peak capacity to help create London’s largest new luxury hotel, The Londoner. The Londoner, which has been designed in collaboration with Toronto and New York based design studio Yabu Pushelberg, has been branded as the world’s first super boutique hotel and its highly-anticipated opening is due this month. (September) There are 350 guest suites with views over Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square over 16 storeys which also includes six food and beverage outlets. There is also a two-screen cinema, a 1,000 capacity pillarless ballroom and an event space for corporate hire or private parties with a bespoke half honed half polished green marble floor and unique, fabric clad wavey walls. The Londoner features an area called The Retreat which has a swimming pool, private cabanas, a detox juice bar, hair and nail salon, treatment rooms and a gym. There is also The Residence which features three exclusive bars and eateries which are open 24 hours a day for exclusive use to meet every hotel guest’s needs. The hotel is home to £5 million worth of art throughout the building to enhance the boutique style experience within the west end district of London. The work has involved finishes on the project from all over the world such as 350 lava stones from Italian volcanos. Neil Bottrill at EE Smith Contracts said it had been fantastic to work on helping to create The Londoner. He said: “We have continued our 35-year relationship with Edwardian Hotels by collaborating on their super boutique flagship, The Londoner. “When this first-of-its-kind ‘iceberg’ hotel opens, it will be the largest hospitality opening in London post-Covid. “This has been a very collaborative project that we were chosen for due to our in-depth understanding of Edwardians’ expectations, standards and their way of working. “There were 78 finishes schedules across the project whereas we usually have a maximum of three which highlights the scale of this project. “We have shown our innovation and adaptability in the manufacturing of bespoke joinery for each of the 350 suites which was made possible by operating 24/7 from our Leicester HQ. “Covid did interrupt completion but the finished result is absolutely stunning and the opening of The Londoner will definitely give a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry.” Krishma Singh Dear, of Edwardian Hotels London, added: “Edwardian has worked with EE Smith for 35 years on all of our refurbishments. “We therefore know that EE Smith is able to produce a high-quality fit-out that withstands the test of time. “The Londoner was a project that was extremely complicated in terms of its detailing and scale. We believe EE Smith has done a fantastic job and we are all proud of the finished product.”
Main contractor Laing O’Rourke has awarded the £1.5m furniture and fitout contract for the first phase of the £485m 3Ts redevelopment of Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading hospital fitout specialists. Deanestor will manufacture around 17,000 items of furniture for the project and will be fitting out 2,000 rooms across the new, purpose-designed 11-storey building. Deanestor has a long-standing relationship with Laing O’Rourke and architects BDP, and this latest contract follows their successful completion of fitout projects at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool, The Grange University Hospital in Wales, Dumfries and Galloway Hospital in Scotland, and furniture provided for a number of Nightingale hospitals in the Covid-19 pandemic. Commenting on this latest project, Will Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said, “We are delighted to be working once again with Laing O’Rourke and BDP, and on our 18th project for Laing O’Rourke. 3Ts is a major redevelopment project, which will modernise Royal Sussex County Hospital and provide state-of-the-art accommodation to improve the patient experience and support the Trust’s roles as a district general hospital, a specialist tertiary centre, a teaching hub, and a major trauma centre.” Stage one of the redevelopment, which is being fitted out by Deanestor, will house inpatient wards on the upper floors. The majority of patients will have single ensuite rooms with sea views. The lower floors accommodate outpatients and diagnostics services in spacious, modern surroundings. Public-facing services are located on the first and sixth floors and include main reception, waiting areas, retail units, café, and welfare and wellbeing facilities. The bespoke joinery package awarded to Deanestor includes a stunning 6m diameter main hospital reception desk for welcoming patients and visitors, and using natural walnut hardwood and veneers. 35 nurse stations and staff bases with solid surface finishes and wood grain fascias will be manufactured and installed across the building, together with 40 touchdown bases providing staff with convenient additional workspaces in the clinical areas. Deanestor is manufacturing hospital furniture for all consulting rooms, patient bedrooms, and utilities, including base and wall storage units with white Formica door fronts, adjustable shelving units – some with HTM71 tray inserts, and solid grade laminate worktops to patient bedrooms. The Deanestor team will be fitting over 10,000 individual products procured by the Trust such as rack storage systems, dispensers, clocks, noticeboards, benching, and white goods. Stainless steel furniture will also be provided for the catering areas on each floor as part of this contract, which is due for completion in Summer 2022. Originally established in 1948 to manufacture hospital furniture and fittings for the newly established NHS, Deanestor has the resources and expertise to manage 5,000-room hospital projects. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach and a single point of contact for contractors, NHS trusts and other construction clients. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/healthcare, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com
A property investment offers the chance to have fun with design while increasing the value of your house or apartment. It’s not just about decorating, fixing the roof and overhauling the plumbing, although these will all increase the value. You can also elevate your property value with luxury interior and exterior features and design that will make it a pleasure to live in until you sell. Truly a win-win situation. The property experts at the Luxury Property Show have picked out six of the best home improvements to make your property stand out in the market. Luxury elements can be that x-factor in clinching a sale or holding onto an asking price. With the UK property market changing in response to the pandemic, and houses that offer a more pleasant (and professional) working-from-home environment exploding in value, sellers should consider upgrades that add value. However, not all installations are equal and some home improvements will cost more than they recoup. So, it’s worth assessing how much a feature is going to cost you and whether you’ll enjoy using it when still living in the house, and then checking with a specialist luxury-property estate agent how much it will actually increase the asking price of your home, before embarking on an expensive improvement. A garden office The proportion of people working from home in the UK rose vastly during the pandemic and is unlikely to decrease soon. So if your property has space, a garden office overlooking the flowerbeds can really push up the value. A garden office space is also a great choice for properties that would be made cramped by including the workspace inside. To be clear, we’re not talking about a glorified shed, but a smart, well-insulated, damp-proof and beautiful building, with electricity and possibly even plumbing. Prices start in five figures, but planning permission is generally not required – a saving in itself both in time and money. A pet and wildlife-friendly home If you’re among the 3.2 million households that acquired a “lockdown pet”, you’ll know the challenges that pet ownership throws up. There are simple improvements that make accommodating a pet easier, such as a smart cat flap that only opens to your own microchipped cat, or more substantial, like converting the cupboard under the stairs into a little pet room or bed. A cleaning station where you can bath a dog after a muddy walk will be a lot more pleasant than the garden hose – for both of you – while a stylish feeding station can keep mess and smells to a minimum. The lockdown also encouraged many homeowners to rethink their gardens to be both more enjoyable for themselves and more wildlife friendly. A professionally designed pond can certainly increase the value. It will not only encourage birds, bats, reptiles, hedgehogs and even deer to your garden, but can also be calming and fun for you too. Going one better, a natural swimming pool, also known as a swim pond, uses natural processes to clean a swimming pool. They cost from around £50,000 from scratch, but much less if you convert an old-style chemical pool to use naturally clean water. You can then swim among the rushes and reeds, iris and forget-me-nots, while dragonflies hover and swallows swoop. Make the basement into a wine cellar Strange to think that until 1970 fewer than half of UK households owned a fridge. Once upon a time everyone knew that the lowest, north-facing part of the house was the coolest, even capable of keeping ice until well into the summer. Perfect for wine then! Wine should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. The temperature mustn’t fluctuate too much throughout the day, or throughout changes in the season. If your basement is where the boiler is built, for example, the temperature might rise and fall too much. The dedicated oenophile may well invest instead in a commercial-grade wine cooler. But if you have the space, a smartly designed wine cellar will certainly add value to a home. A purpose-built, climate-controlled wine cellar works particularly well with homes clearly designed for entertaining, with large and attractive dining rooms and gardens with terraces and high-end pergolas. A wine cellar also offers potential for dramatic and exciting storage. The combination of oak – traditionally used in viniculture – steel, glass, subdued lighting and those rich wine colours is inherently classy. Feel free to do a few vineyard tours to gather ideas! Install a walk-in wardrobe Nothing says “you’ve made it” like walking into your own wardrobe, to see your clothes beautifully presented rather than stuffed into drawers. A walk-in wardrobe attracts attention to your property. It is also likely to appeal to the female buyer – traditionally the final decision-maker in property purchases. Recent research has also found that it can add over £100,000 to the price of your property. So, consider this as one of your pre-sale improvements. Your high-tech bathroom A well-designed bathroom will always add value to a home. While for some high-end buyers throwing out the old fittings and installing your own fresh, unused design will always be essential, others will be wowed by a beautiful bathroom. You can go high or low tech – either can work well. Meghan Markle’s £5,000 copper bath was a distinct nod to the traditional, as are waterfall showers and wet rooms. A wet room, especially in an upstairs room, requires the highest quality fitting, and will normally add 20 to 30% to the cost. For others, mood-enhancing lights created by a “chromotherapist”, a waterproof TV built into the tiling and an LCD panel from which you can set the mood from within the bath might just make that sale for you. After the pandemic it’s all about touchless technology – yes even in your own bathroom – with digital taps and toilet seats, and self-cleaning facilities. Install or upgrade the security Burglary offences in the UK have, mercifully, roughly halved in the past 20 years. Even
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a damaging impact on many UK firms within the furniture industry, despite a sharp fall in imports. Some of these firms were struggling financially before the pandemic, particularly ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers, as customers switched to online sales, while the closure of outlets accentuated that trend. Laura Ashley, Debenhams, Harveys and Bensons for Beds are some of the companies who have recently, either gone into liquidation or Administration, or are trading with a reduced portfolio. Even before the pandemic affected the market, margins were continuing to be squeezed in all sectors, with value growth restricted by the continued high level of cheaper imports and the significant degree of discounting in the retail sector. Typical of a mature market, many niche sectors have developed to target products more effectively and differentiate from competitors. Strategies include the introduction of new brands and product ranges, as well celebrity endorsements, with companies sometimes using successful brands from other sectors to promote their products. Ozge Celik Russell, Research Manager at AMA Research, comments “The UK upholstered furniture and beds is a mature market responsive to changes in levels of consumer confidence, disposable income, and the performance of the housing market. The Covid-19 pandemic had a major negative impact on manufacturers, retailers, and market size in value terms. However, the surge in household savings levels during the pandemic and the forecast increases in housebuilding volumes should provide a strong basis for growth in the upholstered furniture and beds market in the short to medium term.” The UK residential furniture market had shown steady growth since the recession, reaching an estimated £5.7bn in 2019, an increase of around 16% in the 2012-19 period, supported by an improving housing market and rising levels of consumer confidence. However, growth had been slowing generally during the period, as inflation continued to outstrip wage increases and uncertainty clouded the UK economic environment, as the Brexit negotiations moved slowly towards completion. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on the UK economy in 2020, adversely affecting many sectors, with non-essential retail outlets closed at various times, many other firms affected by social distancing regulations and a significant number of employees either working from home or being furloughed. The residential furniture market is estimated to have fallen by around 18% in value terms in 2020, although some sectors have fared better than others during that time, with the availability of effective online sales facilities being an important factor.
Manor Interiors, the expert in build-to-rent furnishing solutions, has found that the vast majority of UK tenants have found themselves living with furniture that is unfit for purpose having moved into a furnished rental property. For many tenants, a furnished rental property is the preferable option as it saves a great deal of hassle on moving day, while others simply don’t own much furniture in the first place. In fact, previous research by Manor Interiors found that 66% of tenants would actually pay more to secure a well-furnished rental property, although the quality of the furniture was also an important factor. However, it seems as though landlords are letting themselves down in this respect, as Manor Interiors has now revealed that 59% of tenants found the items in their furnished rental property simply weren’t fit for purpose. When asked what the predominant reason was, the majority stated that the furniture supplied was cheap and of poor quality. Old and dated furniture was the next biggest issue with furnished rental home furniture, while the third biggest gripe for tenants was the fact that furniture was dirty or unhygienic – a worrying revelation in current COVID times. Some found that the furniture in their rental property was in disrepair, while comfort was also an issue for others. Luckily, furniture that was dangerous and could cause injury was the least most prominent issue, although some tenants still found it to be the case which is simply unacceptable. CEO of Manor Interiors, Farhan Malik, commented: “The modern-day tenant craves convenience and a furnished property will provide great appeal to the majority, who simply don’t want the arduous task of moving heavy furniture items in and out of rental properties every time they move. However, in this day and age and with rents as high as they are, they also expect a certain level of quality and so it’s simply not enough to fill a rental property with inadequate items of furniture. Unfortunately for most tenants, they won’t notice these furniture shortfalls until they have moved in and this can see them left with items that simply aren’t fit for purpose for the duration of their tenancy. It doesn’t matter if you own one buy-to-let, an extensive portfolio, or you’re looking to furnish a full build-to-rent development, quality, bespoke furniture can be secured for less than you might think. Any furnishing company worth their salt will be able to furnish or provide replacement items, within 24 to 48 hours and so there’s no excuse to leave a tenant high and dry.” Survey of 1,633 UK tenants carried out by Manor Interiors via consumer research platform Find Out Now (29th July 2021). Do you think the items supplied in furnished rental homes are fit for purpose? Answer Totals No 59% Yes 41% Why not? (Tick all that apply) Answer Totals Cheap/poor quality 26% Old/dated 23% Unhygienic/dirty/stained 20% In disrepair 14% Uncomfortable 11% Dangerous (e.g. could cause injury) 5% Find out more about Manor Interiors Facebook: Manor Interiors Mcr LinkedIn: Manor Interiors Mcr Ltd Twitter: @manorinteriors_ Pintrest: Manor interiors Instagram: manor_interiors Houzz: Manor Interiors We Chat ID: wxid_6ns3c5rp0cee12 WhatsApp: 07525815276 Website: https://manorinteriors.co.uk/ Landline: 0161 879 7137 Email: orders@manorinteriors.co.uk
The interior designer behind the luxury show homes at riverside residential development The Yacht Club, Nottingham, has shared her top design tips for summer 2021. Ghazala Mogul, interior designer at KMRE Group Ltd – the Leeds-based developer behind The Yacht Club and other residential projects around the country – has shared her expert insights into the trends homeowners should consider embracing this season. “This year seems to be one of change for so many of us, and that is something which is being reflected in the style of our homes, and how we are choosing to decorate and rework the space to suit new lifestyles. We are seeing a shift from the minimalistic, Scandinavian-inspired trends, with neutral tones, that have been popular for a number of years now – to the more colourful, expressive styles that incorporate much more variation, with nature and eco-friendly designs proving to be very sought-after,” said Ghazala. “Many of these new trends have been incorporated into the interior design at The Yacht Club – the use of natural, earthy colours with plenty of greens and blues echo the location’s stunning waterside views of the River Trent and the nature reserve beyond. I’ve compiled a list of top tips to consider this year when redecorating your home, from what to say goodbye to, to what to embrace – to make your home feel refreshed with an inspired new look.” Design tips from Ghazala: Home interior trends are we saying goodbye to The shift away from the use of crisp white and neutral tones in homes is gaining traction as homeowners opt for more colour. Pristine white kitchens in a minimalistic design are no longer the firm favourite among households, as the trend for more textures, colours and unusual statement accessories and tiling take centre stage. Following the pandemic, more people have made the move towards home working. As a result, individual spaces and home offices have become essential – open plan living is no longer king of interior design, as more and more homeowners require their own private spaces in order to manage their new post-pandemic routines. Emerging trends The trend for nature and incorporating natural elements into the home is growing in popularity this year, as we all pine to bring a burst of the outdoors indoors. Perhaps it is a consequence of spending more time inside over the last 12+ months, but nature is making its way into our homes through the use of colour – earthy tones like sage and olive greens, oceanic blues and subtle fleshy shades are taking over home décor Pinterest boards and glossy magazines alike. Eco-friendly design is also on the rise, as people gravitate towards textured accessories and handmade ornaments made from natural materials and it is one of Ghazala’s design tips to do the same. The trend for remote working has seen a huge increase in the need for home offices – and inspiration for an Insta-worthy workspace design is everywhere. Light, simple and spacious rooms filled with only the essentials – a comfortable desk and chair, high-spec tech, fast wifi and a few key pieces for decoration are the best way to create a space that’ll help to inspire productivity and clarity. A cluttered space does not help a cluttered mind! Colour schemes we can expect to see more of this season Another one of her design tips includes the use of warm, earthy colours, a trends that is going to continue and it is likely that designers and homeowners alike will become even more bold with their colour choices – expect to see lots of deep blue, emerald green, cosy greys and plenty of sage green in the coming months and into 2022. Trends to look out for next year The immaculate, sparkling white interiors of previous years will continue to fade as colour will dominate the décor trends next year. Homeowners are keen to express their personalities through interior design – with a mix of fresh, modern style, statement pieces, textures, patterns and of course, colour. The bolder the better! A favoured trick from interior designers is the use of texture – any well-designed space will have a number of different materials, from light wood to tiling to woollen throws and velvet cushions. The variety of texture adds an extra element to the space, giving it both a stylish and a homely feel. The same goes for patterns – using a mix and match approach, next year will see many more stripes, checks and polka dots in striking colours to provide added interest to rooms. Post-pandemic preferences In terms of changing lifestyle habits following lockdown restrictions – as well as sleek new home offices, many homes will also see a change in their layout. Open plan living is no longer top of the must-have priority list when it comes to the ideal home, as people seek more privacy and individual spaces within the home that they can make their own. From snugs to studies – we are looking for quieter, closed spaces for relaxation, work and entertainment. Given that many of us have spent a great deal more time in our homes over the last year than previously, the need for our own space is understandable and it is influencing our design choices as a result.
Developer Sellar and architecture and interiors practice Universal Design Studio have unveiled designs for a 15,000 sq ft concept space, The Exchange at Paddington Square – the new district in the heart of London’s Paddington, being delivered by the team behind The Shard. Envisioned as a members’ club for occupiers and set within the entrance of an 18-storey, light-filled building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, The Exchange addresses how the culture of work has radically shifted, offering a blend of productive office environment and work-from-home comfort and convenience. It will provide occupiers with a dedicated concierge, all-day and evening bar, event spaces, a yoga suite, meeting rooms, multimedia suites and an outdoor terrace which overlooks a new 1.35-acre public piazza, a new entrance to the London Underground and a series of specially commissioned public artworks. Paddington Square is set to open in spring 2022. The concept behind The Exchange reflects its name; inverting the traditional use of the lobby or foyer, and its denotation as a transient thoroughfare, to instead become a highly social and inclusive communal space for the exchange of ideas and sparking of collaboration. The space will be an example of what the office can be – not just a place to meet deadlines and attend meetings, but somewhere to inspire ideas, new connections and boost physical and mental wellbeing. Occupiers will have access to an app that will serve as a digital concierge for the building, enabling the booking of shared amenities, meeting rooms, services and events within the space. A curated programme of group and individual classes, workshops and events will be rolled out for occupiers to enjoy as part of their work life that facilitates knowledge sharing, personal development and networking opportunities between fellow occupiers of the building. The building app will also act as a security key for frictionless entry and exit to the building and provide occupiers with a curated stream of news, hyperlocal travel updates and stories from the community. Working to Sellar’s vision for the space and taking cues from the world of hospitality, Universal Design Studio’s design marries functionality with craft and warm materiality, whilst prioritising the wellbeing of occupiers. Bright, light-filled spaces are to be set with beautifully crafted furniture and natural materials like oak timber and terrazzo selected in contrast to softer materials in the seating areas. The collaboration with Renzo Piano Building Workshop on the building’s architecture carries through to a number of the interior design choices, including the incorporation of planting as biophilic ‘material’ to enhance both mental wellbeing and air quality. Through carefully planned zoning and the placement of design elements that are suggestive but never didactic, open working areas and breakaway spaces are integrated throughout with quiet corners for reflection. To ensure the space remains active at all times of the day, a series of meeting rooms, working and flexible spaces adapt to event and entertainment uses in the evening, alongside an all-day bar and terrace, adding theatre and encouraging regular transitions between working, meeting and socialising. An acknowledgement of different working styles, timings, the role of individuality and requirement for flexibility has driven the concept approach for The Exchange, providing occupiers with choice and ultimately promoting social interaction, productivity and collaboration. Paddington Square is the centrepiece development to Paddington’s regeneration, due to complete in spring 2022. Featuring a crystalline building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paddington Square will present 14 floors of bright, beautifully designed and flexible workspace, four floors of shopping, bars, and cafes, a new Bakerloo line station entrance, west London’s highest rooftop dining experience and a 1.35-acre public piazza.
Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout kitchen specialists, has completed the first phase of a £4.3m contract for the manufacture and installation of more than 600 kitchens for one of the biggest build-to-rent schemes in Manchester. Developed by Vita Group and built by John Sisk & Son, 266 luxury apartments have been handed over at Circle Square and construction of the second phase of 417 apartments is well advanced. Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the £247m build-to-rent scheme is part of a £750m mixed-use development on the former BBC site in the centre of Manchester. This landmark regeneration project is creating a vibrant new urban neighbourhood, providing homes, commercial office accommodation, and retail and leisure space. Deanestor is manufacturing and installing 683 kitchens and around 2,000 fitted wardrobes for the high specification one, two and three-bedroom apartments for modern private residential living. The bespoke fitted wardrobes are supplied in four sizes and finished in contemporary cashmere with a sleek metal edge handle. “These are high quality apartments to meet the rising demand for city living. Our requirement was for exceptional quality kitchen and bedroom furniture and a robust installation. Design-led aesthetic appeal for the fitted furniture is essential in order to attract tenants and create a fantastic first impression of the apartments,” said Tristan Herbert, Development Director at Vita Group. “Kitchens are particularly important in an open-plan living space and need to look good for years to come. These kitchens definitely have a wow factor. The finishes such as solid surface worktops are high specification and reflect our brand very well. Deanestor has delivered high quality products in the first phase which have met our expectations and requirements. Their team also kept working throughout the pandemic and supported us in a challenging year. Lettings are going well, and we are looking forward to completion of the second phase.” The open-plan kitchen fitout has white quartz worktops, an oak-effect finish to the breakfast bar and moulded doors with an integrated handle in indigo blue for the base units and white for the wall cabinets. Door backs are colour-matched, and the cabinets are manufactured by Deanestor to very accurate tolerances for this high specification, design-led build-to-rent scheme. The space between the kitchen cupboards has been reduced using a specialist hinge detail for a sleek appearance. All the appliances for each kitchen are integrated for an enhanced finish, including the hob, oven, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, and washer dryer, all supplied and fitted by Deanestor. As part of the design development process, Deanestor created a mock-up kitchen at its Mansfield factory for the client team to review. Deanestor have also manufactured and installed 683 service cupboards in three sizes, and 350 store cupboards, finished in indigo blue to complement the kitchens. The lifestyle enhancing living spaces at Circle Square include shared lounge areas, co-working spaces, gym, and facilities for private entertaining, split across two buildings. Deanestor provides high quality contract furniture solutions to construction clients and contractors for healthcare, education, student accommodation, build-to-rent and laboratory projects – both new build and refurbishment. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach for its customers and a single point of contact.
