CORE completes dramatic transformation of former office block in Peterborough

Core Special Projects has completed a multi-million pound renovation of Touthill House, a large commercial building in Peterborough, which has seen the landmark city centre office block converted into striking one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses.

Located on City Road in the heart of Peterborough’s central business district, Touthill House is the former home to the Land Registry who relocated to Stuart House in 2013.

The six-storey, 110,203 sq ft building has received a £6 million refurbishment from fit-out contractor, Crea, with Core Special Projects acting as the management contractors on the scheme.

The apartments have been completed to a high specification, offering contemporary interiors that meet the requirements of the rental market in Peterborough.

Comments Chris Stacey, Commercial Manager at Core Special Projects Ltd: “Thanks to the changes in the planning system in England, empty office blocks like Touthill House are increasingly being transformed to create badly needed new homes that offer stylish, affordable city living.

“Core Special Projects have worked with fit-out contractor Crea, to deliver a great project in Peterborough that not only meets all necessary building regulations and quality standards, but has given a much needed facelift to an empty office block.”

Thanks to the Government’s new Housing and Planning Bill, it’s now easier for developers to convert redundant offices into apartments and penthouses. Given the housing shortage and demand for homes, it is anticipated that more developers will be looking for office buildings to convert. The level of interest among developers has already led to hundreds of former shops, pubs, offices and factories being converted into luxury houses and apartments.

Continues Chris Stacey: “Office-to-home schemes benefit from having a contractor such as Core Special Projects on board. We work closely with the developer to select and manage contractors – including architects, engineers and construction companies.

“We also ensure health and safety requirements are given the highest priority and we also provide all the management information and reporting needed throughout the lifetime of the project.”

Concludes Chris Stacey: “Office-to-residential conversion is not for the faint-hearted. There can be architecture and engineering challenges unique to an existing office building that is now intended to become a luxury apartment building.

“We work closely with clients from planning to completion, bringing together surveyors, architects and building inspectors when required to ensure our clients are quoted accordingly. We provide support construction services that meet our clients brief.”

Developer: Uvee

Management Contractor: CORE Special Projects Ltd

Fit-out Contractor: Crea Developments

Architects: Zero Architecture

Structural Engineer: Topping Engineers

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