Project Description
After a detailed negotiation and design process, Pacy & Wheatley are proud to have completed the prestigious Residential Construction between Hill Avenue and Hillcrest Court, Amersham, London. The existing site consisted of a large 4-storey building and a smaller 2-storey building on Hill Avenue. Both buildings have been extensively remodelled and extended with a steel frame to provide larger apartments and external balcony areas along with a larger ground floor retail space and a timber frame roof top addition to provide an extra floor level for new apartments. The new development is aimed at the young professional and city commuter with high-end installations, finishes and sanitary ware including associated mechanical and electrical installations to communal areas. - The re-development and extensions now provide: - 31 Apartments (studios, 1 and 2 bedrooms and duplex types). - Ground Floor Retail Space - Oakman restaurant (The Beech House on Hill Avenue). - Ground Floor Retail Space - Majestic Wines on Hillcrest Avenue. - Underground parking area providing 53 vehicle spaces, communal cycle stores and access to the apartments. - Communal Terrace Space.
- Client: Raans Estates
- Sector: Private Residential & Commercial
- Type: New Build & Refurbishment
- Procurement Method: Negotiated
- Location: Amersham, London
- Project Value: c £5.9M
The Challenge
The site was in the centre of the busy village of Amersham, with planning and site logistics a major consideration and vital to the project success. The blend of old buildings and new construction practices, ensuring a seamless finish to both, gave us lots of food for thought throughout the design process and gave our in-house design team plenty to consider!
The development covered most of the site area and delivery planning and coordination were a constant consideration for the site team. The employer’s changes to meet legal, planning and to maximise sale values and revenues, added to the mix and difficulty of the project.
The Solution
The combination and complexity of the development (alterations, refurbishments, extensions and ground floor retail spaces) meant significant time was spent early in the project dealing with the existing structure, its plumbness and squareness. Serious consideration was also given to the ability and capability of the structure to receive the proposed layout and structural changes. This allowed a combination of design solutions to be delivered.
The scheme included a piled foundation solution and steel frame, with PCC plank side extension and timber frame additional top floor to allow for the ground conditions and weight conditions to the existing structure. These maximised available space and apartment numbers.
Pre-commencement time was spent agreeing the most suitable and locally sourced materials to appease the planners and ensure the ‘blending in’ of the development, including visual impact and architectural features, were imposed and maintained.
Key Achievements
On site, we ensured a ‘just in time’ delivery philosophy was maintained in order to ensure the local school opposite, local amenities, businesses and residential properties received minimal disruption and nuisance.
Value engineering, and close liaison and cooperation with the Employer allowed the scheme to proceed using high quality finishes, maximising visual impact and residential sales values.
A superb end-product has been provided by the Pacy & Wheatley Team. The design is modern and spacious and the blend of materials and finishes very much in keeping with the location; an attractive apartment block made available for the professionals and commuters wishing to have a bit of village life whilst working in the hectic city of London.