Shaftesbury completed the refurbishment of 22 Ganton Street in London’s West End in 2014, delivering 11,670 sq ft of Grade A office space. The project exemplifies the company’s proactive approach to asset management and commitment to the long-term sustainability of its buildings. By retaining 99% of the building’s structure and 80% of its façade, Shaftesbury significantly reduced the amount of new materials required and cut construction waste, minimising environmental impacts and generating cost savings. In addition, upgrades to insulation, heating and lighting improved the building’s energy efficiency and operational costs. A species diverse green roof and wall are also providing an attractive area for occupiers and enhancing biodiversity in central London.
BREEAM Very Good in a 1920s building
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B
Healthy and contemporary environment
Enhanced occupier appeal
Increased rental value
Extending the building’s useful life
Shaftesbury is a property investment company, which focuses exclusively on the West End of London. 22 Ganton Street is six-storey building, just off London’s iconic Carnaby Street. Originally built in around 1920, it has been owned by Shaftesbury since the mid-1990s and was previously refurbished in 1999. It is a multi-occupied building, which now includes Shaftesbury’s new London Head Office.
The project team comprised architect MR Partnership, project management firm Single Point Project Management, main contractor Blenheim House Construction, and mechanical and electrical consultants Watkins Payne Partnership. Together, they transformed the existing building, remodelling the reception area, refurbishing lobbies, stairs and toilets throughout, upgrading windows and cladding, creating a duplex office space on the two top floors and introducing new terraces, including a green roof, green wall, seating and decked areas.
Shaftesbury did not specifically analyse project expenditure in terms of potential additional costs for efficiency measures. These are part of business as usual for the firm on refurbishments, with new technologies and products delivering efficiency improvements, and Shaftesbury aware that the occupiers it wants to attract expect modern office space to be both comfortable and efficient.
Enhanced occupier appeal, increasing rental value and lettability, as well as attracting Shaftesbury to relocate to the building:
Supporting occupiers’ sustainability goals, including Shaftesbury:
Additional benefits for Shaftesbury:
BREEAM
How to achieve BREEAM Very Good?
A BREEAM professional was an integral member of the design team, from the initial design brief (RIBA Stage B) until the completion of technical design (RIBA Stage E). An experienced, qualified ecologist also carried out a habitat survey before works started. Both appointments contributed to the project achieving a BREEAM Very Good rating, with 80% scores for ecology, management, transport and land use.
LOGISTICS
How to minimise local disruption?
Shaftesbury introduced a range of initiatives to minimise disruption for local businesses and residents. This not only supported good community relations, it was also important for customer satisfaction, as Shaftesbury owns the surrounding buildings on Ganton Street. Initiatives included members of the team organising vehicle deliveries in the street for the site and for adjoining premises, so that both construction and restaurant deliveries on the fairly narrow street progressed as smoothly as possible during the busy 7am to 11am permitted access period. The team also liaised closely with local businesses, for instance scheduling noisy works not only within the core hours agreed with Westminster City Council but also for times that minimised any impact on local trading.
REFURBISHMENT
How to improve thermal insulation in a 1920s building?
Much of Shaftesbury’s portfolio comprises older buildings and so the company is experienced at refurbishing older buildings to meet modern standards for occupier appeal and sustainability. 22 Ganton Street is not a listed building. The main challenge in improving the thermal insulation of the building fabric related to access arrangements in bringing large elements to site, such as new double glazed windows and new wall and roof insulation. A first floor gantry was created to allow deliveries to be loaded here and then distributed around the site.
Rob Kirk
Portfolio Executive
Shaftesbury
Rob Kirk, Portfolio Executive at Shaftesbury“Here at Shaftesbury, the focus of our sustainability strategy is on extending the useful life of our buildings and, in doing so, preserving and enhancing the heritage of London’s West End. This brings economic and environmental benefits. 22 Ganton Street is a great example of our approach in action and we were delighted to relocate our head office to the building in 2014.”