Commercial

Forbury Place

Reading

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Client: M&G Real Estate

Project: Demolition and CAT A rebuild of 2 workspaces of approximately 370,000 ft².

Cost: £38M & £40M

Services: Project Management , Quantity Surveying , Employer's Agent

RIBA Project Stages: 1-7

Delivered over two phases this high quality contemporary new build, adjacent to Reading Railway Station heralded a new era for office workspace in Reading. The project was funded by M&G with Bell Hammer acting as development manager. Total Project Integration was appointed as project manager and employer’s agent throughout both phases.

"Although its proximity to the railway was a significant challenge for this project, the strength of our well established partnership with both client and developer ensured a very successful outcome of which I am duly proud."

The opportunity

The profile of Reading, as a growth town on the outskirts of London, was significantly enhanced by the refurbishment of its mainline station, in anticipation of its link to Crossrail, and national infrastructure. Our client M&G, and their development team from Bell Hammer, identified that contemporary workspace and associated facilities would be required to support the anticipated increase in business activity.

The challenge

The proximity of the incumbent Energis House, to the main ‘live’ railway required specialist machinery and scaffold in order to contain the debris within the development space during demolition. On completion of Phase 1 we undertook a 'lessons learnt' exercise against the design and management principles, in order to improve the external image, and reduce cost within the overall construction of the second phase.

The outcome

The location and build quality enabled the client to secure the lease prior to completion of construction of the first phase. At that time, it was the largest office let in Reading for 25 years, and the Thames Valley for 10 years.

“We have been working with Total Project Integration for over 15 years now. They are all the things you want from a project management team, deliver on time, on budget and adding value as they go. It’s a bonus that we happen to like working with them too”

Patrick Davis

Development Manager, Bell Hammer