Ardmore Group

Grosvenor Gardens House Today, we’re going behind the hoardings at 8 Eaton Lane, where we are delivering 42 super-prime residences for CIT. Originally built in 1868 in a French renaissance style by architect Thomas Cundy III, the vision for the Grade-II mansion block's transformation is inspired by the building’s rich history. Restoring listed buildings is uniquely challenging, especially as we are required to retain as much of the existing building fabric as possible. Much of the original materials such as timber and plaster are being retained and restored. Where the original fabric isn't in great shape, we have to stabilise and make safe before commencing the restoration works. For example, floorboards need to be lifted out and later put back in as they were, so new floors can be installed on top. It is especially important that the building’s façade is restored to its former glory while ensuring the building remains safe, viable, and sustainable. All of the windows are being repaired, refurbished and returned exactly as they were, roof tiles will be replaced with non-combustible replicas, and the original chimneys need to be carefully repaired. The structural alterations, including an 11m deep basement extension, are particularly challenging given the number of sensitive local stakeholders and the confined nature of the site. As well as working around quiet hours, we've erected a three-storey high free-standing acoustic screen, which has helped shield neighbours from noise. In addition to the new residences, we're building the luxurious residential space within a newly extended basement, including a pool, gym, business suite, grand reception, residents’ lounges, spa with sauna and steam room, private cinema room, and an electronic car stacker. #londonconstruction #restoration #residences #listedbuildings #8eatonlane

Today, we are sharing a throwback to the comprehensive conversion of the historic Metropole Building in Embankment into the benchmark-setting 5-star Corinthia in just two years. Located in the heart of Whitehall, the Corinthia has been crowned ‘Hotel of the Year’ by the AA, Conde Nast, Ultratavel and the International Hotel & Property Awards. The Corinthia opened its doors as one of London’s most luxurious new hotels following an extensive renovation that comprehensively transformed this historic site. The property, which had been empty since 2004, now sits proudly as a grand 306 room hotel, which includes the largest hotel room in London, a four-storey spa, grand marble entrance way and glass domed reception area. As the main contractor on this project, we were responsible for everything from excavation and ground stabilisation to providing a full fit-out service including fixtures and fittings. Due to the age and location of the existing buildings, conversion of this dated property involved considerable structural re-configuration and adaptation. The desire to create vibrant spaces and large guestrooms also led to the need for significant changes to the arrangement of internal supports. Restoring the external stonework to its original splendour was a key element in reviving the hotel to its former glory. Every inch of the stone façade of the building was cleaned, with defects meticulously repaired and window surrounds remodelled in keeping with the original designs. This remarkable hotel was delivered in just two years, a feat achieved through the operation of our direct labour force. We had up to 1,000 staff on site 24-hours a day for two years in order to reduce the completion time for the project. At times during construction the Corinthia was the UK’s second largest single building site after the Olympic Stadium. #throwback #corinthialondon #luxuryhotel #londonconstruction

Cleaner Construction for London Congratulation to Lucas Podyma, logistics manager at West Cromwell Road, as well as the rest of the team for achieving an excellent rating in the Cleaner Construction for London initiative supported by the Mayor of London. The initiative tracks and registers site emissions of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), including diggers, pumps, generators and a range of other heavy-duty equipment. The exhaust emissions from their powerful engines can be very bad for air quality, so there is a ‘low emission zone’ for NRMM in London. Construction sites in Greater London must conform to the NRMM emission standards through tracking site emissions. Our team at West Cromwell Road have done and excellent job at delivering this scheme to the highest standards of quality while keeping NRMM emissions low. Congratulations to the team for their ongoing commitment towards lowering emissions and reducing pollution in the community. #loweringemissions #cleanerconstruction #environment #londonconstruction

Spotlight James Huddleston 🌟 Meet James Huddleston, our new group quality assurance manager. He has been with Ardmore for six weeks but has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. “I started out my career as a chainman, then worked my way up as an engineer, and took on more administrative and management roles notably for concrete RC Frame companies. In 2005 quality management became my specialty.” “I really enjoy precision and doing things in the best and most efficient way. I always want to get things done properly on the first try. There are so many resources available and people’s experiences to learn from, but it’s important that we communicate these effectively, so we have access to the information we need to do things properly the first time around.” “The Building Safety Act has sharpened everybody’s focus. It’s an exciting time to be in the residential market, and I hope that we’re going to stand out.” #employeespotlight #construction #careers

Employee Spotlight🌟 Meet Jack Bird, our senior design manager at West Cromwell Road. He has been with Ardmore for 6 years. He started his career in construction at an architectural practice and was hired to work alongside us on our project 10 Trinity Square. He found that he enjoyed the detailing and coordination of projects and being site based. We later asked him to join us as a design manager at the Greenwich Design District. “Working for Ardmore has been a huge learning curve as the projects I have been involved in have had very complex designs. For example, Greenwich Design District was a project with 16 unique buildings and 8 different architects (2 for each building) with numerous materials and construction methods per building – none the same.” “100 West Cromwell Road, my current project, is extremely challenging due to the scale and logistics, but we have a great team including our consultants who are all working together to resolve the various issues to provide a compliant and coordinated design.” “You can never know enough in construction and design; accepting this, asking questions, listening to people around you and wanting to learn is half the battle.” #employeespotlight #careersinconstruction

Behind the Hoardings at West Cromwell Road This week we're taking a look behind the hoardings at West Cromwell Road, where we're building a major mixed-use scheme providing 462 apartments within seven new blocks. Most of the new blocks sit above an existing multi storey car park, which remains open through construction, requiring over 1,500 tonnes of steel plate girders to construct an extensive transfer deck above the existing structure. The transfer deck sits on over 300 new piles, which we are currently installing within the basement of the car park using specialist restricted head height piling equipment. At 33-storeys, the tallest block will be one of the tallest buildings in the borough. We've already installed the slip form which will help build the building's structural core. This core will now start rising up at a rate of about 1.5m a day, and is currently between levels 1 and 2. #mixedusedevelopment #londonconstruction #behindthehoardings

Employee Spotlight Joe Maguire Meet Joe, our apprentice site manager at Britannia. He has been at Ardmore for nearly 3 years now, having also done some work experience with us. He has had a great team supporting him in his work and has learned so much about the job since starting. “I have enjoyed having the opportunity to be on this project from the start, it’s constantly changing, and I am exposed to new things all the time. Currently I am looking after the installation of the façade.” “I’ve learned a lot about having a site operate smoothly, planning and scheduling so works can be completed efficiently. I especially enjoy working closely with the façade team to produce work of the highest standard and making sure everything is done safely and on time.” #employeespotlight #constructioncareers

Behind the Hoardings at Britannia This week, we’re taking a look behind the hoardings at Britannia Phase 2B. This is the final phase of LB Hackney’s regeneration of the former Britannia Leisure Centre. As the main contractor on the project, we will be overseeing the design and delivery of 371 new mixed-tenure units within four new residential buildings of up to 25 storeys. The new residential-led regeneration scheme will include 81 affordable homes available for social rent and shared ownership, with 290 private for sale homes helping to pay for these as well as a new leisure centre and 1,100 pupil secondary school already delivered through the project. The sub-structure of three of the buildings is complete, including about 500 tonnes of steel, and the above ground structures are also making great progress. The main structural core of the two towers are being 'jump formed' - built in a series of steps, or ‘jumps’, progressing to the next section after the concrete in the previous one has achieved the necessary strength. This is already underway on the block closest to Pitfield Road, with the other tower due to follow shortly. The temporary marketing suite is also nearly complete and will be opening in the coming weeks.  #behindthehoardings #londonconstruction #regenerationscheme #residential 

The Ned ✨ Today, we are sharing a #throwback to the major refurbishment of the Grade I-listed former Midland Bank Headquarters into the Ned hotel and Soho House members club, transforming the vast, early 20th-century building into one of London’s most unique luxury hotels. We carried out major internal structural alterations alongside the sensitive restoration of listed heritage features and high-quality fit-out of the extensive front-of-house areas, including restaurants and bars, a private members club, spa and two pools, and 252 exquisite guestrooms. The fit-out of the 252 bedrooms and front of house areas is full of vintage touches, taking more than a hint of inspiration from the glamour of the 1930’s and the grand hotels and ocean liners of the era. Originally designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1929, and finally completed in 1939, the historic Midland Bank Headquarters in the City of London is renowned as one of the Capital’s most iconic buildings. Today, the Ned offers a luxury hotel and members club, providing an extensive food, beverage and amenity offer with nine restaurants, two swimming pools, a health spa and gym, event spaces and club. The main entrance from Poultry opens into the Grade I-listed grand banking hall, sandwiched between the original safety deposit vaults in the basement and the listed directors’ offices and meeting rooms above. Within the extended basement, behind the 25-tonne, two-metre-wide vault door, is the original Midland Bank strongroom, home to The Vault bar & lounge, lined with 3,800 original safety deposit boxes. Ned’s Club upstairs has a heated pool overlooking the London Skyline and two converted domes with outdoor terraces. #construction #london #throwback The Ned & Ned's Club