Client:
Reef Estates Ltd
Services Used:
Building Control
Location:
Camden, London
Project Summary:
Mixed Use Development – Retail, Commercial, Residential and Laboratories This scheme replaces a large and monolithic 1980s sorting office – referred to as the Ugly Brown Building by its occupants – with six mixed-use buildings connected by pedestrian routes and public space that will also reopen access to the canal edge for the first time in 150 years. The structures will house 73 mixed tenure apartments, retail and leisure facilities as well as a new HQ for leading British fashion brand Ted Baker. The latter anchors the development and will house prototyping and showroom spaces as well as the world’s first Ted Baker-branded hotel. The unique new HQ building will provide a range of workspace, retail and leisure facilities creating a distinct, characterful and outward-looking scheme informed by its canalside location. The residential units are located to the south of the site, carefully orientated to offer views along the Regents Canal and to the south. Each unit will seek to maximise daylight and views, with flexible layouts and generous private balconies. A mixture of highend private sale and affordable units are proposed in a range of unit sizes in order to create a diverse new neighbourhood – contract value circa £100m.
Meridian has been engaged as Approved Inspector for the two phases of redevelopment. Phase 1 includes the construction of an eight storey building, with basement, to comprise retail / commercial uses at ground floor and laboratory use on the upper floors with a contract value circa £32m. Phase 2 Key features include fire safety design to BS9999 owing to complexities of means of escape, basement construction, construction adjacent to existing canal, potential contamination. Currently at RIBA Stage 3 about to go out to tender – commencement expected early 2021.
