Major refurbishment of seafront office building

Client Name: Ashbourne Cedar Property Fund Ltd & Hastings Borough Council

Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Services: Design & specification, project management and contract administration

 

The Brief

Following the successful settlement of the Landlord’s Dilapidations claim for £1.1 million, Brasier Freeth’s Project Management team was retained to design, specify, procure and supervise the building refurbishment.  In addition, the team were instructed by the existing tenant (Hastings Borough Council) to provide similar services for their CAT B office fit out over 6 floors.

The Journey

The project began with detailed designs involving extensive consultation with specialist suppliers to meet Brasier Freeth’s design requirements, specifically for the re-roofing, south-facing windows and insulated render installations.  The seafront location and previous issues with water ingress to the roof and front façade led to the complex design requiring a bespoke specification.

Competitive tenders were obtained next, following which lengthy negotiations took place with the Landlord’s Construction Solicitors to procure bespoke collateral warranties and construction contract terms of the Construction Contract and Collateral Warranties.  Whilst waiting for the bad weather window to pass and the client to obtain funding for the works, a contractor was appointed and contracts engrossed with a contract sum of £1.25 million.

Simultaneously, Brasier Freeth acted for the existing occupiers who were occupying under a Licence, not a Lease, of the building to project manage their CAT B office fit-out.  The works were procured under a negotiated tender with the appointed main contractor to allow work continuity and reduced preliminary costs with an agreed contract sum of £600k.

The Results

Brasier Freeth’s Project Management team delivered the works under budget, securing a new tenancy for the upper floors of the building under a 10-year full repairing insuring lease, enhancing the value of the property, whilst significantly improving the aesthetic appearance and performance.

As well as this the tenant was provided with a fully refurbished building, complying with current regulations and received a vastly enhanced working office environment for staff including a new meeting floor and Council Chamber.