PH Matters issue no 8 – December 2009

A message from the Managing Director

Welcome to our December issue of PH Matters

Well here we are coming towards the end of 2009 - and what a year it has been for most of us in the construction and property related field. This year has undoubtedly been the toughest that we have all experienced for a long time and we don’t expect the next year to be very different; but despite this, at PierceHill we have fared well with a great deal of thanks going to all of our fellow consultant friends who were kind enough to recommend PierceHill, and of course thanks to all of our Clients.

With prices being down 15-20% in various sectors, the big question for us is will the Contractors need to have as sharp pencils next year?

So what did happen in 2009, for us? 

Education Sector

In the education sector we have completed, amongst others:

Devonshire Primary School:
Work was completed at Devonshire Primary School for the Construction Procurement & Facilities department at London Borough of Sutton with PierceHill acting as Quantity Surveyor for The HOCA Practice. The new extension provided classrooms and group rooms for the school. More info can be found at http://www.devonshireprimary.org/governors-news/190-new-classrooms.html

St John’s School, Billericay:
An innovative method of construction procurement that worked really well for the Client and professional team.   PierceHill worked closely with Geraghty Taylor Architects and the contractor JONAP to deliver the project within the agreed fixed price and programme whilst allowing the School to continue to provide its exemplary standard of education to the pupils.  Phase 1 was completed in time for the start of the new school year.  Our Client was heard to say “the best thing I did was appoint PierceHill”.   We trust that this is true for all of our Clients.

PierceHill is currently working on, amongst other education projects, the following:

A London University:
We are delighted to have been recently appointed to work on a former Baths Building. The building was opened in 1898 as public baths and wash-house and after a number of different uses, it now houses the University’s Art’s Department.

The project is for the provision of a new entrance and includes access improvements and repair works to the Grade 2 listed Victorian structure.

Health Sector

PierceHill is currently working on a number of projects at East Surrey Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

Commercial Sector

In the commercial sector we were involved with a number of fit outs, refurbishments and conversions; however new build offices were thin on the ground.  We go forward to 2010 with a number of fit out and refurbishment schemes.

Leisure Sector/Community
In the leisure/Community sector, PierceHill undertook works relating to hotels, restaurants, art galleries, 4 D cinemas, public spaces, museums and is currently working on:

A North London Town Community Centre

We have been working with the Centre and Enter Architecture for a number of years to assist with the development of this project to extend the existing building to provide a dedicated youth centre and additional community facilities.  PierceHill provided cost estimates and cashflow projections for the successful Lottery Funding application and the project is now at detail design stage with construction due to commence in the early summer of next year.

Retail Sector

Within the retail sector we have assisted with shop fit outs throughout the country.

Residential Sector

The biggest area of growth for us in these difficult times was in the high end residential sector.  One of the landmarks being the first residential units sold at the prestigious Lygon Place development (please take a tour at www.lygonplace.com).

Next year will se us start work on several top end residential projects.

In addition to the above sectors, we have also provided services relating to religious buildings throughout the country.

Stephen Tandy
Managing Director
stephentandy@piercehill.com

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