Simon Castle

is Managing Director at Chisholm & Winch

Delivering any project in the heart of London’s financial district would be challenging; but this refurbishment had to be delivered in a programme that minimised disruption to the client and, in some areas, even avoided any indication that construction work was taking place at all.

Meanwhile, front of house facilities, the directors’ offices and the new brokers’ lounge had to be built to the highest standards of corporate fit-out, in line with the client’s brand and reputation.

Collaboration and flexibility

The phased refurbishment project involved changes to every floor of the nine-storey building, which remained occupied throughout. This included remodelling works to all office floors, including revisions to the layout and M&E services, new fixtures and finishes, bespoke joinery and upgrades to decoration, tea points and toilet facilities.

Chisholm & Winch’s remit included design development, procurement, and project management, along with delivery of all construction and fit-out elements.

Close collaboration between the Chisholm & Winch team and the client’s facilities management department was essential to planning and procurement. An agile approach to scheduling and sequencing works was also critical to ensure that construction work did not disrupt day-to-day activities within the building. This required extensive out-of-hours and weekend working for the Chisholm & Winch team and adjustments to the programme, often at short notice, to work around the client’s commercial and operational needs, while delivering each phase to mission-critical deadlines.

Ground and basement improvements

The basement was reconfigured to create a new sound-proofed restroom for the firm’s head of security, a new air-conditioned gym, an upgraded canteen and a new security office.

On the ground floor, the reception and post room were refurbished, and the security arrangements were upgraded. The ground floor programme also included the creation of a high-end art cafe area and refurbishment of former office areas as an American diner-style breakout and informal meeting space, all of which was carried out under business-as-usual conditions.

Bespoke and high-end

The broker lounge on level one was one of the key elements of the project. Design development of the bespoke interior design, including identifying the artisan materials to deliver the project, fell within Chisholm & Winch’s remit. Attention to detail was critical and fit-out involved specialist elements such as extensive bespoke joinery and fire screens. This was one of the few phases where the team had vacant possession of the accommodation, but business-as-usual activities on the remainder of the floor and the floors above and below still called for sensitive scheduling of works.

The directors’ floor on level five and the senior management floor on level six were also carried out to a very high-specification, under business-as-usual conditions. Here, the project had to remain ‘invisible’ during operating hours, which often extended late into the evening due to international trading.

Finally, level nine was transformed to create a large conferencing facility, with a complex M&E fit-out to enable sophisticated A/V services, along with prestige client dining areas.

Thanks to the calibre of work delivered during the project, Chisholm & Winch has been involved with further projects for the same client.