Aviva trusts ISG with office transformation

ISG has secured its latest project with Aviva Investors - a £6.8 million refurbishment of 1 Southampton Street near London’s Strand, which involves extensive demolition and remodelling of the internal space.

The complex scheme will transform the existing eight-storey building into high specification, BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated commercial office accommodation fitted out to Cat A standard. Externally, the building’s Portland Stone façade will be cleaned and repaired and all windows will be replaced.

Structural alterations to the internal space include demolition of the existing lightwell that rises up the entire eight storeys of the building, and this will be replaced with three new lift shafts, a new staircase and toilet cores. As the existing lift shaft forms a lateral brace for the building, extensive temporary works will be required before demolition can begin with piling carried out through the basement areas along with construction of new foundations for the new lift shafts, cores and staircase. The rentable footplate of the building will also be increased following infill works to convert some of the existing staircase space into office accommodation on the fourth floor.

The project is further complicated by the presence of a retail unit and a restaurant on the ground floor of the building, both of which will remain operational throughout the programme. Pipework and services located in the lightwell will be diverted to ensure continuity of supply to these retail units during and following demolition and scheduling of works will be approached sensitively to accommodate the extended opening hours of the restaurant.

Due for completion at the end of 2012, the project will elevate the building to an extremely high, contemporary commercial office specification. The remodelling of the internal space includes construction of a new open plan reception area with stone floors, leather fabric-panelled walls and feature lighting. A new substation will be constructed in the basement along with new plant infrastructure both in the basement and on the roof and the installation of a new air conditioning system. Throughout the building, the mechanical and electrical upgrade will include a high specification lighting control system to maximise both comfort and energy efficiency.

ISG’s Stuart Deverill, managing director - London, commented: “This is a very challenging scheme due to the complexity of the structural changes to the building and the fact that these must be carried out while the restaurant and retail unit on the ground floor remain fully operational. Such a demanding project requires a specialist approach and expert project management, and our strong delivery track record with similarly complex schemes was a key factor in ISG securing this high profile development.”