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3 April 2002
Bovis Lend Lease wins Empress State Building makeover
Land Securities has appointed Bovis Lend Lease to manage a £76 million transformation of Empress State Building in West London into a landmark development. Upon completion it will provide 43,000 square metres of high quality office accommodation and leisure amenities.
Until 1998 the building was the home of Britain’s Ministry of Defence Arms Procurement team. Constructed in the 1960s and standing almost 100 metres high, it ranks among the 20 tallest buildings in the UK.
Transforming the building presents numerous challenges. Constructed in an Y shape, the building’s top three floors will be entirely rebuilt. A revolving bar on the 30th floor will give spectacular views across the London skyline. Around the base of the building a new two-storey drum podium will be formed providing a circular base. Completing the overall concept, a separate piazza building will be created to accommodate a restaurant and fitness centre.
“This is a unique project that will heavily rely on Bovis Lend Lease’s expertise in constructing and remodelling tall buildings. Given recent winter weather conditions working at heights such as these requires meticulous planning and implementation,” says Bovis Lend Lease Project Director Colin Small.
The building’s proximity to Earl’s Court exhibition centre makes logistics management a critical issue. Primary access for exhibitors and the site entrance to Empress State Building is shared; splitting just metres before Earl’s Court itself. Mindful of the hundreds of people and vehicles moving in and out of the exhibition area each day and the need to supply materials to site, detailed movements schedules have been produced that reduce inconvenience for the development’s neighbours.
Offering the property to the market as early as possible is extremely important to the client, Land Securities. Bovis Lend Lease will employ construction methods that have proved successful on other projects they have managed such as the recently completed Mid City Place in London’s Holborn. Where necessary practical design changes can be made during construction. These changes then become a positive feature of the construction process that help speed construction rather than delay it.
In preparation for the new upper floors, demolition of the top three storeys is already underway. Structural steelwork is also being erected on the east elevation.
Completion is due in spring 2003.
Press enquiries:
Andrew Bond
Bovis Lend Lease + 44 (0)20 7395 7671
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