Reading The Bower
Project

The Bower

Developing and enhancing office solutions for The Bower in the Thames Valley
  • Customer
    Bower Stockley SLP
  • Procurement Route
    Single stage
  • Completion Date
    September 2016
  • Quantity Surveyor
    Gleeds
  • Value
    £24 million
  • Form Of Contract
    JCT 11 D&B with amendments
  • Project Manager
    Gleeds
  • Structural Engineer
    Reuby and Stagg
  • Area
    151,074 sq ft
  • Program Duration
    64 weeks
  • Architect
    ESA
  • ME Engineer
    Watkins Payne
The Bower Reading office reception fit out

Results

A complete transformation of an existing three-storey office property into the largest and most highly-specified new office development in the Thames Valley.

The space allows for 12 sub-let spaces, one per quadrant on each floor completely modernising and extending the 1980s building and creating around 137,000 sq ft of Grade A, BREEAM Excellent-rated office accommodation.

The project involved improving the aesthetics, thermal performance and efficiency of the building as well as constructing two new wings adding 20,000 sq ft of accommodation to the original property.

The Bower Reading Office Fit Out UK - ISG

What we did

With tight timescales due to the six-month resale period, we worked flexibly and efficiently to progress the project to a watertight state, allowing early commencement of the mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) services works.

These time savings were achieved by progressing the procurement of elements such as the cladding and steel earlier than planned, and collaborating with the design team to reschedule key programme elements.

The new open plan office design which has transformed the space includes new stair cores which incorporate the toilets, stairs and lifts. The project also boasts strong sustainability credentials thanks to the installation of new energy-efficient systems, photovoltaic panels and new roof coverings along with refurbishment of the electrical supply system and back up generators.

The Bower office fit out Reading UK

Challenges

The building was sold during the early project stages to Rockspring PIM and Clearbell Capital LLP who acquired The Bower via a joint venture, Bower Stockley SLP. We held our prices and staff availability during the six-month resale period. This allowed our new client to quickly renegotiate our fixed price offer and achieve their tight timescales for the purchase of the building and agreement of the construction contract. Without this collaborative approach between ISG, Gleeds and development manager Exton Estates, the project could have faced significant delays.