The Project

Gateway House is located just off Kennington Road, just a five-minute walk from Oval Underground Station on the Northern Line. It provides easy access to the City and West End and benefits from having a number of bars, restaurants and shops close by.

PBC Scope

PBC was appointed to provide Project Management and Contract Administration services for the refurbishment and remodelling of the 3,500 sq.ft. lower ground floor office space, ground floor reception area and WCs. All of the work had to be carried out whilst the building was tenanted by a business operating 24/7, so minimising disruption and ensuring tenant access throughout was a key requirement of the project.  Noise levels also had to be carefully managed, so as not to impact local residents when the work was being undertaken out of normal hours.

The Challenges

The work included a complete renewal of the HVAC system using VRF comfort cooling and exposed services throughout the lower ground floor.  The entire area was rewired and a new distribution board and lighting scheme was installed, including feature lighting to tenant break-out areas.  Existing meeting rooms and ceilings were stripped-out, and a soil pipe that ran at low-level transversely across the middle of the unit at head height was re-routed at high level around the perimeter.  A further pump was added to move the waste, which was then separated into surface water and waste matter.

As the tenant who occupied the lower ground floor decided to relocate to occupy the ground, first, second and third floors, new demise doors were fitted at ground floor level.  The common parts which extended up to the first-floor landing, were all modernised and improved, and new WCs and shower facilities were added.  To provide a pleasant and relaxing seating area for tenants, an external lightwell was enhanced and decking, seating and planting were added.  The refurbished lobby was fitted with new automated sliding entrance doors and the access steps were improved.  To finish off the stylish look of the updated reception area, modern, black handrails were installed from the lower ground to first floor level.  Externally, the front and side ground floor windows were refurbished and resprayed.

Whilst Planning conditions and timescales impacted the project programme, causing the contract period to be extended, the project has now been completed and the lower ground floor of Gateway House offers prospective new tenants a bright and modern workplace in a fantastic location close to the heart of the Capital.