Kvaerner Rashleigh Weatherfoil has secured a major partnering deal worth over £13 million as part of the expansion and redevelopment of The Walks shopping centre in Basingstoke into the new Festival Place.
The agreement with developer Grosvenor and main contractor Laing, covering installation of mechanical, electrical and public health services, is the biggest retail contract secured by the company.
Kvaerner Construction’s specialist mechanical, electrical and facilities services company has already commenced initial enabling works involving demolition of existing car parks. When completed at the end of 2002, the new enlarged Festival Place complex will house about 170 large, medium and small units, plus a night club and a leisure centre incorporating a 10-screen multiplex cinema.
KRW’s contract has been won on the strength of its extensive experience in M&E work at major shopping centres, including refurbishments at Brent Cross and the Whitgift Centre, Croydon. In addition Kvaerner Facilities Management runs the maintenance contract for The Walks on behalf of Grosvenor and has been associated with the development since 1994.
Under its partnering agreement, KRW has been closely involved in design consultations, cost planning and value engineering as part of the project team from the beginning. Operating on an “open-book” basis, KRW, Grosvenor and Laing will share any savings which can be achieved through adopting cost-effective solutions in procurement and installation.
KRW will be responsible for supplying and fitting landlord services throughout the new and refurbished shopping malls, plus over 2,800 parking spaces on three levels above the mall. It will provide shell and core services to the cinema, night club and the two main stores occupied by Debenhams and BhS.
Services will include water supplies, sanitation, drainage, fire sprinklers, lighting, electrical and gas supplies, lifts and escalator power supplies, closed-circuit cameras, public address, security, emergency and alarm systems, plus heating and ventilation to the upper and lower covered malls.
The contract calls for a networked energy-management system to control lighting, as well a rooftop weather station with sensors measuring rain, humidity and wind. This station will control both natural and mechanical ventilation systems to maintain comfort conditioning in all seasons. Ventilation systems were designed with the aid of models and wind tunnel tests by Bristol University.
END
For further information: