Following on from the successful completion of projects at other major shopping centres, Princebuild were delighted to be awarded the £7.5 million project to create a new premium quarter in centre:mk’s Sunset Walk area.
Princebuild had been working with specialist commercial property management and building consultancy firm Workman LLP for four years when the project was awarded and the centre:mk project was the largest contract with them to date.
The centre:mk is a highly successful retail and leisure destination in the centre of Milton Keynes. The centre’s owners are keen to continue to meet shopper’s demands and expectations in the ever changing retail environment and the upgrade of Sunset Walk is testament to this aim.
The project has seen repairs and upgrades made in and around the Sunset Walk, Acorn Walk, Silbury Avenue and Midsummer Arcade areas of the centre and has focused on repairing the flooring, replacing the lighting with a new LED lighting system and upgrading the existing sprinkler pipework.
The four entrances to this area of the centre have also been improved, enhancing the customer experience and making the identity of the centre much stronger.
Large hanging sculptures have been installed in the atrium areas to complete the desired high end feel. Together, the works have created a contemporary environment for premium brands, many of whom have already chosen Sunset Walk for their regional flagships. In the last 18 months, Jigsaw, Hobbs, Joules, Kiehl’s, The White Company and Pandora have all opened on Sunset Walk. They join brands such as House of Fraser, L’Occitane, Phase Eight, Kurt Geiger and White Stuff in creating a concentration of premium fashion and lifestyle brands on Sunset Walk.
Complementing the retail brands is a strong line-up of restaurants, including Jamie’s Italian, Carluccio’s, Byron, Yo! Sushi and Wagamama.
As the building is grade II listed, all works had to be carried out in strict compliance with the consents given. This not only affected design features but also materials such as the Roman travertine floor taken from the quarries near Tivoli, Italy.
Throughout the project the centre has remained fully open to the public and work has been carried out mostly through the night to ensure there were no adverse effects on trading or any risk to the visiting public.
Waitrose & Partners, Daventry Store Renovation
Client: JLP Waitrose & Partners