Project Overview

This project involved the construction of a new flagship Starbucks store alongside extensive enabling works and upgrades to the surrounding retail park at Newmarket Road, Cambridge. The aim was not only to deliver a high-quality, sustainable building for Starbucks, but also to significantly enhance the wider public realm, accessibility, parking provision, and ecological value of the site.

The development placed sustainability and user experience at its core, ultimately exceeding expectations by achieving a BREEAM “Excellent” rating when the original target was “Very Good”.

Scope of Work

Enabling Works to the Retail Park

• Relocation and creation of additional car parking spaces to maintain the client’s required parking capacity both during and after the construction.
• Improvements to disabled access, including new drop kerbs, tactile paving, and safer pedestrian crossing routes.
• Phased adjustment of site boundaries and working areas to keep the wider retail park operational throughout the project.

External Works

• Removal of existing car parking surface and associated facilities.
• Full landscaping of the area, introducing significant new planting to improve the site’s ecological value and visual appeal.
• Creation of attractive external seating areas with feature lighting.
• Installation of children’s play areas using sustainable materials and soft rubber mulch for safety.
• Formation of new pedestrian routes into the retail park to improve footfall and accessibility.
• Redesign and installation of the car parking layout, including:
  • Electric vehicle charging points
  • Full resurfacing to suit the new layout and traffic flows

Main Build Works

• Installation of new main services including drainage, electrical, data and water.
• Ground improvement works to prepare the site for construction.
• Steel frame main structure.
• SFS systems forming complex internal and external lining solutions.
• Complex brickwork façade creating a strong architectural identity.
• Installation of a green roof system.
• Installation of PV solar panels.
• Rainwater harvesting system.
• Eco curtain walling.
• Green wall installation.

Sustainability Features

The project incorporated a wide range of sustainable technologies and environmental improvements, including:

• Rainwater harvesting system.
• Solar panels (PV).
• Electric vehicle charging points.
• Green roof and green wall systems.
• Extensive new planting and landscaping to achieve complete ecological improvement of the area.
• BREEAM certification, achieving “Excellent” against an original target of “Very Good”.

Logistics and Site Management

The project was delivered within a live retail environment, with strict requirements to maintain a minimum number of operational parking spaces at all times. This was achieved by carefully managing site boundaries and regularly adjusting the site demise lines as the works progressed.

Close coordination with the client and retail park management ensured that disruption to customers and neighbouring businesses was minimised, while maintaining safe access routes and clear signage throughout the construction period.

Summary

The project was extremely well received by all stakeholders. The team not only delivered a highly sustainable and visually distinctive Starbucks store, but also transformed the surrounding environment into a welcoming, family-friendly and environmentally rich space.

The BREEAM target was exceeded, achieving an “Excellent” rating, which stands as a strong testament to the project’s sustainability credentials and collaborative delivery approach.

Feedback from the local community has been very positive, particularly regarding the children’s play areas, which are described as safe, interactive and a valuable addition to the retail park.

Starbucks have expressed how pleased they are with the finished building, commenting that it is unlike any other store in their portfolio. Since opening, sales have increased and customer feedback has been extremely positive, with many looking forward to enjoying the external areas more fully in better weather.

Client and Stakeholder Feedback

From the BREEAM Team:

“Thanks for your hard work in getting this across the line and to achieve this positive outcome!”

From the Client’s Project Manager:

“Thank you for the huge effort! Spoke with Starbucks this morning and they were extremely happy with how it presented. Well done lads!”

This project demonstrates the successful delivery of a highly sustainable commercial development that enhances both the tenant experience and the wider community environment, while maintaining full operational continuity for the surrounding retail park.