ISG has secured a £32 million fit out project with Arcadia at the fashion retailer’s UK headquarters in the heart of the West End.
The scheme at Colegrave House, which sits above The Plaza shopping mall, sees the contractor substantially reconfigure and fit out four storeys of existing accommodation to create stunning new offices for the owner of high street brands including, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, TOPSHOP and TOPMAN.
ISG has developed a multi-phased programme to enable Arcadia staff to remain in occupation within the building throughout the duration of the scheme. A systematic top-down approach sees the contractor carrying out significant enhancements at roof and sixth floor level, before progressing down the building to deliver a further three floors of high specification office accommodation and a spacious corporate reception area at ground floor level.
The transformation of Colegrave House, designed by Sheppard Robson architects, with Gardiner & Theobold consultant for the scheme, includes the construction of two glazed roof structures over existing courtyard areas within the centre of the building, creating full height atria bathed in natural light. Both atria provide spacious community areas for Arcadia staff, with the south atrium featuring a sculptural spiral concrete staircase linking all floors.
The 155,000 sq ft Cat B fit out programme, incorporates a comprehensive strip out of the existing accommodation, to replace all mechanical and electrical services with modern efficient systems, raising the building’s BREEAM environmental performance rating to ‘very good’.
Floors three to five feature mainly open plan office space, with a number of cellular offices and break out areas. The interior design brief for the office has an ‘exposed surfaces’ theme and ISG will be stripping out suspended ceilings to reveal exposed concrete soffits with visible ductwork within many of the office areas.
Structural alterations will be carried out across the sixth floor to create enhanced circulation space and improved sight lines via the removal of a number of supporting columns. Within the executive area of Arcadia’s headquarters, ISG will deliver an exacting and high specification fit out, which includes the installation of new curtain walling, boardrooms and executive offices.
Although not architecturally protected, the building incorporates a number of internal features that are of special interest, including a marble staircase with decorative metal balustrades, which ISG will protect during the project and sensitively restore to original condition. The project has commenced this week and is scheduled for completion in summer 2015.
Sir Philip Green said: “All of us here at Arcadia Head Office are excited by the prospect of this innovative and dynamic HQ. Our design teams have worked closely with ISG, Sheppard Robson and Gardiner & Theobold to create a space that draws on our experience as fashion retailers and look forward to creating a truly 21st century working environment.”
Paul Cossell, managing director of ISG’s fit out business, commented: “We continue to be encouraged by noticeable improvements in the volume, scale and quality of London commercial office fit out projects reaching the market. ISG is taking a leading position in securing some of the capital’s most prestigious projects and adding Arcadia’s UK headquarters to our growing portfolio is an excellent result and further reinforces our expertise and high quality delivery credentials.”
