Nationwide refurbishment contractor, Fortis Vision, has announced that it has been recertified with its three ISO accreditations following a five-day audit. The accreditations are for ISO 9001:2015 quality management system (QMS) – a recognised world leading standard, ISO 14001:2015 – the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) and the
ISG has been awarded the £50m Northcliffe House refurbishment project to restore the historic Art Deco office to its former glory. The refurbishment of the 25,119m2 building will see an increase to the building’s net lettable space of 1,150m2 with the extension of two new levels. It will also include
GROWING property fit-out, refurbishment and bespoke joinery expert SJS has celebrated a record £12m year with a series of appointments and promotions. Craig Murie, the Managing Director who has steered the Edinburgh-based firm from £900,000 a year to its current record turnover in just eight years, says the new leadership
A £4.4 million contract has been awarded by the Department for Education to Interserve Group to design and build a new teaching block and refurbish the sports hall at Ridgewood High School, in Stourbridge. Part of the Department’s Priority Schools Building Programme, the project will be delivered in partnership alongside Stour
A year-long refurbishment of The Green Dragon Hotel, a Grade II listed building in Herefordshire, is underway; transforming a neglected city centre gem into a stunning 83 bedroom boutique hotel. The hotel is now seeking top hospitality talent to deliver its ambitious plan to be at the forefront of the
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath,
The Rotherham Interchange transport hub has increased the space for modern and electric vehicles, due to the transformation work carried out by Interserve. The £12 million refurbishment also includes upgrades to the car park, new cladding, surfacing, and the delivery of improved pedestrian routes. “We are delighted to have completed
‘Forma’ and ‘Vecta’ decorative metal casings from Encasement have been used on a project at Saint Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham to conceal structural steelwork around a new courtyard walkway, as part of its recently opened £14 million teaching block. Designed by DHP Building Design Consultants and built by main
Kent-headquartered national building contractor, United Living, has secured more than £25 million worth of housing maintenance and refurbishment contracts across the South East region. The business, which works in partnership with housing providers throughout England and Wales to build new homes and refurbish existing properties, has made a strong start
Over 200 social homes in Manchester have received refurbishments from one of the largest privately-owned construction companies in the UK, Wates. A total of 62 previously vacant properties were fully refurbished with a further 151 properties receiving facelift works. The revamped homes in Ben Street in Clayton have been delivered
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Nationwide refurbishment contractor, Fortis Vision, has announced that it has been recertified with its three ISO accreditations following a five-day audit. The accreditations are for ISO 9001:2015 quality management system (QMS) – a recognised world leading standard, ISO 14001:2015 – the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) and the most widely used EMS in the world, and ISO 45001:2018 – an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. Obtaining these recertifications involved significant effort from the Fortis Vision team and included a – a site audit, a remote audit and three days at the office and warehouse. The team worked collaboratively to ensure management systems conformed to the requirements of the audit standard, providing procedure and policy documentations, as well as statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements. Organisation was also key to the effective implementation of the planned management system and making sure the system was meeting its specified objectives. The recertifications are every three years and verify the quality of work as well as the financial, administrative, operational and health and safety practices carried out by the company. David Borthwick, managing director at Fortis Vision, said: “This a huge achievement for Fortis Vision and our three ISO Certifications place us in a very select group of companies that prioritise best practice. “Quality and assurance have always played a vital part in the delivery of our work, which is all about continual improvement and driving innovation. Not only do these awards showcase the hard work of our team and our quality and sound practices, but they can inspire confidence in our existing and new clients as we continue to grow.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ISG has been awarded the £50m Northcliffe House refurbishment project to restore the historic Art Deco office to its former glory. The refurbishment of the 25,119m2 building will see an increase to the building’s net lettable space of 1,150m2 with the extension of two new levels. It will also include the addition of 9,000sq ft worth of green space including the south-facing landscaped roof terraces across levels six and seven. Upon completion, the refreshed space will provide its occupiers with a modern workplace to a Cat A standard. It will boast scenic lifts overlooking the renovated atrium extension, all within the existing cast steel frame. Whilst providing state of the art amenities internally, cleaning and repairs will also take place to restore the building’s historic Art Deco façade. The former home to the Daily Mail newspaper is targeting BREEAM Outstanding. The approach has been strongly informed by a Life Cycle Assessment, which considered the savings in embodied carbon by retaining the existing structure compared with demolition and a full, new-build redevelopment of the site. A key feature of the Grade II listed building is the reconfigured internal atrium, which upon completion will link the reception with the renovated office space and break out areas. However, during renovation works the atrium is home to the 40-metre crane, reducing external disruption and improving efficiencies while guaranteeing the project’s high-quality and consistent delivery. Scott Knibb, Project Director for Fit Out at ISG, said: “Sitting in the heart of the Fleet Street Business Development District, the refurbishment of Northcliffe House plays a pivotal role in the regeneration of this area. Its development will further attract other businesses to bring the former glory back to what was once recognised globally as the beating heart of the newspaper industry. “This project has benefited from a truly collaborative approach from across the board to offer this unique and flexible office space of the future to meet the requirements of today’s workforce. Showcasing the best-in-class amenities, features and scenic views both internally, via its atrium lifts, and externally, via its extensive green spaces. The sustainable principles it has followed ensure it is future-proofed, all while maintaining the building’s 1920s charm and heritage.”
GROWING property fit-out, refurbishment and bespoke joinery expert SJS has celebrated a record £12m year with a series of appointments and promotions. Craig Murie, the Managing Director who has steered the Edinburgh-based firm from £900,000 a year to its current record turnover in just eight years, says the new leadership team is vital for further growth. He added: “The team have done a magnificent job to deliver the scale of growth we have seen since late 2011. As well as hitting £12m in turnover our headcount has increased from 25 to 62. Despite the short timescale, it has been controlled growth. “While we are proud of everything we have achieved we also recognise that what got us to where we now are will not solely be what takes us to the next level. That is why we are creating a stronger leadership team and a structure that better suits the size of organisation we are in 2019, ensuring we are fit for the professional and business challenges ahead.” Craig, 48, has promoted three long-serving members of the team to Director level, while appointing a well-known industry professional as a fourth director on the firm’s new Leadership Team. They will now build on the stellar client list and professional reputation of SJS, which has carried out high profile refurbishments and fit outs of offices, hotels, leisure outlets, niche residential, universities, schools, shops, pubs and a wide variety of other developments. Alan Timlin and John Anderson, both of whom joined SJS in 2012, have earned promotions, with Alan appointed Commercial Director and John becoming Estimating Director. Brian Drake, who has headed up the firms Projects Division since 2014 has been elevated to Operations Director. Meanwhile respected industry professional Gary McGurk has joined the business as a Director to oversee the strategic direction of business development, client relationship management and marketing. Mr Murie added: “These promotions are a recognition of what these colleagues have put in and the passion they have to make us even more successful. It’s also about laying the groundwork to take us to the next level. “We have a talented team across the board and our culture is hugely important to us. We want people to be happy at their work and to create a great work environment with real career progression.” Beyond people and culture, Mr Murie says the firm’s exponential success has been built on the results they deliver. He added: “Our growth has been delivered by repeat business and recommendations. What’s behind our success is the simple fact we provide a highly professional, experienced and quality service. “When you start working with a client it has to be a genuinely flexible partnership. Virtually no project ends up exactly as it was at the design stage. Things change or need to be adapted, because of unforeseen circumstances or simply because a client changes their mind. We welcome that. “We have excellent, long-established relationships with various professional services partners, including architects, surveyors, project managers and other consultants. These partnerships have been crucial to our growth.” When Mr Murie joined the firm it was predominantly a bespoke, manufacturing joinery business. This was the foundation on which the business has developed and remains a key differentiator for SJS, and the highly-skilled CAD, joinery and French polishing team at its 25,000 sq ft production facility just outside Edinburgh, still accounts for around £3m of the turnover. Indeed, the highly-skilled joinery offering is used by a host of other major contractors with a current order to provide 384 bespoke sleeping pods for the new Code Hostel being developed in Dublin. It also undertakes a huge range of projects from creating bespoke office reception desks to customised furniture for hotels. However, under Mr Murie’s guidance SJS has quietly emerged as one of the most accomplished fit out and refurbishment experts in Scotland, working across multiple sectors and accounting for the company’s impressive growth. He says a key milestone in that transition was landing a refurbishment contract which included the design, manufacture and installation of customised language translation booths at Heriot Watt University, where he studied to Civil Engineering. On the back of that success the firm has developed an impressive reputation in Higher Education, earning further contracts with Heriot Watt as well as Edinburgh University, Queen Margaret University and Napier University. Another milestone project which helped put the firm on the refit map was a commercial office fit out for Knight Property Group at Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, which was the first million-pound contract for SJS. The refit of Laings flagship jewellery store in the capital was another landmark which showcased both SJS’s project expertise and quality bespoke joinery. The business is currently delivering a £1.2m commercial office fit out at Exchange Plaza, the heart of Edinburgh’s commercial and financial district, for a prominent Scottish business. New director Gary McGurk said: “I couldn’t have hoped for a better time to join the company, as there is no doubt that SJS is starting to attract a lot of attention for all the right reasons. All of the directors are extremely excited about this next chapter and the huge opportunities we have to continue the growth and expansion of the company.”
A £4.4 million contract has been awarded by the Department for Education to Interserve Group to design and build a new teaching block and refurbish the sports hall at Ridgewood High School, in Stourbridge. Part of the Department’s Priority Schools Building Programme, the project will be delivered in partnership alongside Stour Vale Multi-Academy Trust and the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley and construction is due to start in April 2019. “The award of this contract reflects Interserve’s expertise in delivering first-rate education projects across the UK and adds to our strategic portfolio of school work in the West Midlands. We are delighted to once again work with the Department for Education and look forward to delivering this important project, which will bring significant benefits to the community,” commented Simon Butler, Divisional Director at Interserve Construction. As part of the contract, Interserve Construction will build a new teaching block, due for completion in December 2019. The old block will be demolished alongside two old Portakabin-style classrooms. In addition, Interserve will refurbish the existing sports hall and changing rooms block, with completion expected in October 2019. The changing areas will be remodelled to provide better access to staff changing areas and level access shower rooms. Following demolition of the old block, small lobby extensions will be created to improve circulation and toilet accommodation. “This is fantastic news for our students and staff. We can now look forward to a significant rebuilding, refurbishment and modernisation of our buildings and facilities. The proposed developments will contribute to improving educational achievement and renew the pride in our school for the benefit of students, staff and the community generally,” said Ridgewood High School Head Teacher, Rae Cope. Other school and education projects delivered by Interserve Construction in the West Midlands include Moorgate Primary School, Tamworth; Wood End Primary School, Wolverhampton; Turves Green Boys School, Birmingham and a new teaching block at RSA Academy for Sandwell Futures.
A year-long refurbishment of The Green Dragon Hotel, a Grade II listed building in Herefordshire, is underway; transforming a neglected city centre gem into a stunning 83 bedroom boutique hotel. The hotel is now seeking top hospitality talent to deliver its ambitious plan to be at the forefront of the regional food and drink scene. Work started this month to refurbish both the exterior and interior of this landmark building, with exciting plans to bring it into the 21st century whilst being sympathetic to its significant centuries-long history. As well as improving the building’s amenities there are exciting opportunities for hospitality professionals who have a clear passion for food and drink. The hotel is currently seeking an Executive Chef, two Head Mixologists and world-class Baristas. Managing Director Julian Vaughan comments “ We are looking to bring something different to Hereford and this major landmark deserves only the best talents we can find. Herefordshire is abundant with high-quality produce as a major farming county and it is the perfect place for an Executive Chef to maximise their talents with the best ingredients right on their doorstep. Herefordshire also benefits from a lower cost of living than major cities and is perfect for someone looking to live a more rural lifestyle.” Two Head Mixologists will be appointed to lead the hotel’s new cocktail bar which is being supported by locally produced Chase Vodka. As well as overseeing the creation of new drinks menus, the role will also include recruiting and developing new talent and brand relationships. The historic Offa bar is set to be a talking point for visitors to the hotel. It is one of the most stunning rooms in the hotel and has for decades been mothballed. Plans are set to transform it into a buzzing and atmospheric cocktail bar, adding sparkle and glamour back into the Herefordshire nightlife. The focus will be on unique serves and cocktails that celebrate Herefordshire’s finest ingredients and rural inspirations. Plans for a fast-paced new coffee shop are also underway, and there will be roles available for passionate, experienced baristas to deliver a contemporary coffee experience and manage the transition from daytime espresso to an evening wine bar, serving both hotel guests and the busy local business community.
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath, Zenith Wealth Management, Woodhall Mortgages, Snowflake Media and many others. The project was spearheaded by business partners, Vicky and Brian Nolan, and its official end was marked by the official opening on 12 March 2019 of the building’s newly renovated roof-top garden. The roof-top garden and penthouse suite, which has taken 12 months to build, features glass pods and a unique slide, offering tenants an alternative way to reach the penthouses offices below. The Mayor, Marcus Thompson and Mayoress, Nicky Chance-Thompson cut the red ribbon on the building. “What a fantastic way to start the year. We’re absolutely thrilled to have welcomed our valued tenants and other local professionals to the opening of our roof-top garden. We hope this fantastic space will be enjoyed many this summer,” said Vicky Nolan. “Having the mayor and mayoress there to celebrate the opening was brilliant and we were very pleased to give them a little push down the roof-top slide! It’s been a very busy start to the year for us but we will continue to put our occupants and local SMEs at the heart of what we do,” added Vicky.
The Rotherham Interchange transport hub has increased the space for modern and electric vehicles, due to the transformation work carried out by Interserve. The £12 million refurbishment also includes upgrades to the car park, new cladding, surfacing, and the delivery of improved pedestrian routes. “We are delighted to have completed the Rotherham Interchange refurbishment project. The new facilities will provide an improved passenger experience for users of the Interchange,” said John Gittins, Divisional Director at Interserve Construction. “As part of this project we are proud to have supported the training and development of 60 students from Rotherham Construction College. We look forward to continuing our relationship with SYPTE and Rotherham Council as it continues to invest in the town’s regeneration programme,” John added. The project was delivered over a 10-month period, during which 10,000 litres of paint were used, and 11,000 floor tiles, 10km of electric cables, 3,800m2 of insulation, 350 sheets of glass and solar panels were installed; all in order to provide the building’s sustainable energy needs. Interserve delivered the project on behalf of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) “The improved Rotherham Interchange will provide a better, brighter place for public transport users as well as those visiting, living and working in the town. Seventeen million people travelling through the Interchange each year, using 1,299 buses a day, will now benefit from new seating, lighting, information displays, electrics and flooring, CCTV and free public wi-fi,” commented SYPTE Executive Director, Stephen Edwards.
‘Forma’ and ‘Vecta’ decorative metal casings from Encasement have been used on a project at Saint Richard Reynolds Catholic College in Twickenham to conceal structural steelwork around a new courtyard walkway, as part of its recently opened £14 million teaching block. Designed by DHP Building Design Consultants and built by main contractor, Graham Construction the project involved the refurbishment of the existing Edwardian structure, alongside the construction of The Elizabeth Building to create a modern learning environment for pupils. The Elizabeth Building includes primary and secondary classrooms, a hall, library and sixth form centre. The construction of covered walkway along two sides of the college’s main ‘quad’ courtyard were an integral part of the new facility. It also incorporates 14 structural support columns, which are concealed by Encasement’s rectangular ‘Forma’ decorative metal column casings and matching ceiling soffits and fascias. Each 650mm x 990mm weatherproof column casing stands 3.74metres high and is manufactured from 1.5mm thick aluminium, which incorporates a Rimex ‘Black Pearl’ finish that combines a highly polished surface with a pattern of small circular indentations, making the casings both durable and aesthetic. In addition to the column casings, the walkway also includes almost 70 metres of aluminium fascias and soffits at ceiling level, which use the same Rimex Black Pearl finish to conceal building services and drainage pipework. All casings solutions were not only manufactured and supplied by Encasement, but were also installed by the company’s specialist installation team. “The Black Pearl finish was an excellent decision for this project as it helps provide interest by breaking up the large surface areas of the column casings. Also, the pattern helps provide some additional rigidity to the aluminium, making it even more durable and ideal for high traffic use. The same applies to the ceiling soffits and fascia, but the main advantage of using the same material is the it integrates with the column casings and provides a uniform finish to this excellent project,” commented Encasement’s Managing Director, Martin Taylor.
Kent-headquartered national building contractor, United Living, has secured more than £25 million worth of housing maintenance and refurbishment contracts across the South East region. The business, which works in partnership with housing providers throughout England and Wales to build new homes and refurbish existing properties, has made a strong start to the year, with a host of client wins for its 152-strong southern refurbishment team. They include: An appointment to a £6m contract with the University of Essex to refurbish a high-rise student accommodation block with external groundworks, in Colchester A £2m remodelling and refurbishment contract for Network Housing at Colebrook Court, a vacant building in Cuffley, Herts, which will create 11 new, modern standard homes in the roofspace An award to undertake kitchen and bathroom replacements to various homes managed by Metropolitan, with an initial value of around £1m Works to support Anchor Housing with various improvements to sheltered housing schemes across London and the home counties Installation of new class A2 aluminium cladding and insulation across an occupied block in Croydon on behalf of Firstport LLP The first stage award for design development and planning for replacement cladding across two properties managed by Lewisham Homes Fire protection improvements and installation of new sprinkler systems to three buildings managed and owned by Canterbury City Council, in Whitstable and Herne Bay Further works to upgrade kitchens and bathrooms across homes managed by Stevenage Council Daren Moseley, managing director for refurbishment (south) at United Living, said: “Housing providers and local authorities continue to face the challenges of a broken housing market with very stretched resources. We have the expertise to help them ensure their existing stock has longevity and surpasses regulatory standards. But more importantly, we’re trusted as a partner because of the added value we strive to bring to our projects; whether that’s through our training and skills programmes, or how we support the communities in which we work.”
Over 200 social homes in Manchester have received refurbishments from one of the largest privately-owned construction companies in the UK, Wates. A total of 62 previously vacant properties were fully refurbished with a further 151 properties receiving facelift works. The revamped homes in Ben Street in Clayton have been delivered by Wates Living Space four weeks ahead of schedule. The refurbishments include re-roofing, energy efficiency upgrades, fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms, flooring and carpeting as well as the installation of new heating systems. The facade works involved replacing all existing windows and doors with modern UPVC, improving guttering and cleaning brickwork plus the refurbishment of communal alley space and external walling. “The work delivered by the Wates Living Space team at Ben Street is truly transformative. To take homes that have laid empty for 20 years and bring them up to this standard of quality is a task of great care and expertise and it is truly heartening to see the difference that this has made to residents,” said David Morgan, Managing Director of Wates Living Space. “Our work at Ben Street was above all things about the community. The project team should rightly be very proud of the ways in which they have engaged with local residents, community groups and neighbouring schools to ensure the positive legacy of this important work becomes a catalyst for lasting community spirit for generations to come,” he added. Delivered on behalf of Manchester City Council, the refurbishments brought to life the 200 properties that are now up to decent home standards. “First and foremost, I would like to welcome the new east Manchester tenants in to their new homes. These are some of the luckiest residents in the city as the first to access the refurbished housing at the Ben Street regeneration area. Wates has done a remarkable job turning these properties into high-quality family homes,” commented Cllr Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration.
