Project of the week

WHAT: A residential development at Cardinal Place, Victoria Street. Involved the transformation of Roebuck House, a 1960s 16-storey block of flats into The View, a contemporary apartment complex featuring penthouses and a gym. Included the refurb of 120 units, the creation of a mezzanine floor in the lobby and 14 new flats.

WHEN: Work on site began in June 2004 and finished on 15 July 2005, six weeks ahead of schedule, according to the contractor

VALUE: £24m

WHO: QS: WT Partnership, PM and client: Land Securities, architect: TP Bennett, construction manager: Mace, structural engineer: Cundall Johnston

We had tenants living in the building with a hotline to us

Russell Hill, Mace

CM’s VIEW: “We had tenants living in the building at all times and we had the joy of them having a hotline to us, so if they had any problems we had to run up to see them like scalded cats. But there weren’t too many issues and we’re still on speaking terms with them all. The best thing about the project was the transformation of the building. It was a really dreary 1960s block, but now it looks brand new” - Russell Hill, assistant project manager, Mace

CLIENT VIEW: “We had a very short lead in period prior to starting on site – about two months – and were not permitted to expend design funds, other than a limited feasibility study, and six months into the works the specification of the works was significantly increased, adding air conditioning, new doors, bathrooms and kitchens. Despite these factors, the project was completed ahead of programme, on budget and to a high standard.” – Simon Whitelock, senior project manager, Land Securities