BAM set to refurbish a Grade II listed £22 million commercial office building in the heart of London's Midtown area
Hemel Hempstead, 4 March 2011 – BAM Construction in London is set to deliver a new £22 million commercial office building in the heart of London’s Midtown area. Africa House, at 64 - 78 Kingsway, is a development by Daejan Investments, a part of The Freshwater Group of Companies, located close to Holborn tube station and close to Lincolns Inn Fields and the Royal Courts of Justice.
The Grade II listed building was erected in 1921 and is receiving its most substantial refurbishment since then to upgrade it to BREEAM ‘Excellent’, and increasing its gross floor area to 15,600 square metres. The works will be carried out around existing major retail tenants Ladbrokes and Wetherspoons who will continue to trade.
Mike O’Donohoe, construction manager for BAM in London, said: ‘The building will be stripped entirely apart from the listed areas. The rear wall will be partly demolished and the upper floor plates will be extended. The roof will be demolished and a new storey added.’
‘The core and existing light well will also be demolished to provide a new glazed atrium including scenic lifts. New services, finishings, fixtures, fittings and toilets will be provided throughout. All existing windows will be replaced. Existing stone elevations will be repaired and cleaned. A live electrical substation within the basement will be maintained throughout the programme.
‘The development will form new offices arranged over the basement, ground and first to eight floors. It’s a prized location for any London property owner and because of the listed status we will be taking great care of the listed parts of the building.’
BAM has appointed Kevin Sims as the project manager leading the construction teams. BAM has appointed Kevin Sims as the project manager leading the construction teams. His previous projects include 10 Old Burlington Street in Mayfair and 100 Cannon Street in the City. Parsons Brinckerhoff are the client’s project managers and contract administrator. Other parties include: QS - Barrie Tankel Partnership; architects - JM Architects; services engineer - Watkins Payne Partnership; structural engineer - Taylor Whalley Spyra; CDM Co-Ordinator – CDM Safety Services.
BAM won the contract after a traditional tender process and aims to complete work in early autumn 2012. The company has just commenced enabling work on site. The project follows recent office buildings in London delivered by BAM such as 55 Baker Street, UNISON’s new Headquarters at Euston - in part also Grade II listed, Webb House on Pentonville Road, and the Angel Building.
Further information: Mark Slattery, Press and Media Manager, BAM Construct UK Ltd, 01442 238415.