Project Overview:
The project was a part of a £60 million investment initiative at the prestigious centre:mk shopping centre in Milton Keynes. The goal was to create an extended retail unit for the renowned fashion chain, Primark. As one of the largest shopping centres in the UK, centre:mk boasts over 240 shops and businesses, attracting approximately 30 million visitors annually. Given its prime location within the bustling city centre, the project faced specific challenges due to constraints on all sides of the property. These included a main road, high-level glazed atriums, and a service road. The task at hand was to navigate these restrictions while meeting the client’s requirements.
Scope of Works:
The project involved the removal of the existing first-floor structure to pave the way for the construction of an additional floor and plant decks. To support this additional structure, new foundations and balance beams were meticulously installed. The project also encompassed the creation of lift and escalator pits and an atrium to accommodate the tenant’s vertical transport needs. Two new cargo lifts were installed to facilitate movement across the four floors. Additionally, the loading bay of the property was extended to meet the incoming tenant’s specifications. The building’s footprint saw a substantial increase of 2,300 square metres, resulting in a gross floor area of 8,970 square metres. As a part of the employer’s requirements, achieving a ‘Good’ BREEAM rating was mandatory. However, the project exceeded expectations by achieving a ‘Very Good’ rating, underscoring the success of collaborative efforts by the design team and suppliers. All sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set by Hermes were also met.
Summary:
This project involved creating an extended retail unit for Primark as part of a substantial £60 million investment program. Despite challenging site constraints, the project encompassed constructing an additional floor, lift and escalator pits, and cargo lifts. This expansion increased the building’s footprint by 2,300 square metres and achieved an outstanding ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating. The project’s successful, on-time completion garnered praise from all stakeholders, including Workman, Primark property directors, and Hermes. Richard Fridd, partner at Workman LLP, expressed deep appreciation for the remarkable effort invested in the project, with Primark’s Head of Property, Paul Stepney, describing it as the “best shell unit Primark has ever received.
