As Autumn begins, we look back on the incredibly busy (and stressful) summer we’ve had while the conversion of the Old Cottage Hospital has progressed. The coming weeks will see the building works nearing completion, ready for interior fit-out.
As with all building projects it comes with its challenges and for us as clients, it’s headaches. (No, we’re not immune to them!)
Since the last update, the flat-roofed elements of the building have been fitted with new pitched, tiled roofs, and the walls to the rear of the building have been rebuilt where they were connected to the now-demolished rear wing. Pathways, walls and fences are now in place, and the exterior of the building will shortly be cleaned and restored to highlight its original features.
Internally, all the structural works are complete. Plastering is almost finished, and decoration is underway in most of the building. We recently posted about office space is to let on the first floor and, except for kitchen units and flooring, these offices are virtually ready. The corridors serving the first-floor offices now include floor-to-ceiling glazing, which looks fantastic.
One of our design offices on the ground floor has now had the ceiling removed to reveal the stunning original trusses and a ceiling height over 6m. Our boardroom is taking shape with the new large opening formed ready for the installation of a critical style glazed screen. The newly plastered reception has brought this space to life
Over the course of the summer, many trades have been first fixing throughout the building for new heating, electrical and plumbing installations, as well as over 4 miles of network cabling! An important consideration for both our tenants and us will be the requirement for good, reliable internet. Our telecoms company, Evoke Telecom have recently organised the installation of broadband which involved digging up nearby roads in bringing a dedicated, private connection straight into the building. This means we’re not reliant on shared services and shouldn’t be slowed down at peak times when other customers access the internet.
Our developer, Lychgate Homes has been busily progressing the new build properties next door, which are currently in the process of being roofed. Once these are complete and watertight, this will allow the boundary walls to be erected and the car parking and access to be formed, along with the last of the landscaping.
It’s an exciting time for us to see the building coming to life and the pressure is now on to not only manage the final elements and fit-out but all the other associated necessities that go with an office move, even if you’re not renovating a building!
We’ll bring you a final update as the building starts to become furnished before we move in at the end of autumn! We’ll also hopefully have an updated time-lapse video for you of the new build houses, so watch this space!
