Building Briefs – July 11th

Hardies reflects on work at Trump Turnberry

Hardies Property & Construction Consultants has just completed work on Trump Turnberry, officially opened by Donald J. Trump two weeks ago.

The multi discipline surveying firms, which has a ten year relationship with the Trump Organization, cited the project “to make Trump Turnberry the best Hotel in the UK, later Europe, in just 32 weeks” as one of its most challenging but rewarding to date.

The firm is hoping it will work with the Trump Organization again in the near future.

Hardies partner Danny McArthur, who oversaw the work at the five star Ayrshire Resort, said: “Hardies is very proud to mark its ten year relationship with The Trump Organization by completing Trump Turnberry. We were set a challenge to make Turnberry the best hotel in the UK, later Europe. We refurbished the entire building inside and out. The results are truly stunning. The Trump Organization set the standard globally when it comes to quality. Managing this project to the level of finish required in the short timescales given was a major challenge and we are delighted to have pulled it off.”

“Nothing has been left untouched,” Mr McArthur added. “All 103 bedrooms, all uniquely styled, have been refurbished, including all corridors, all Front and Back of House areas and even the forty eight housekeeping cupboards.”

“Every window in the hotel has been replaced, along with all render, and all dormer roofs which have been renewed.

“This work is part of The Trump Organization’s £200m refurbishment plans for Trump Turnberry,” he said.

John Lewis Leith Street entrance launch

McLaughlin & Harvey has launched the new Leith Street entrance to the John Lewis Edinburgh store.

The entrance is part of major enabling works associated with the Edinburgh St. James Redevelopment Project. The new entrance was launched by staff from John Lewis, as part of a wider incentive initiative run by the Retailer.

Richard Restrick, head of fit-out at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “The new entrance looks great and will help serve customers and staff during the Edinburgh St. James Redevelopment. The launch of the entrance will help to reinforce the relationship between McLaughlin & Harvey and John Lewis over the coming months.”

The interior, designed by John Lewis’ in-house interior designers, features construction themed displays helping to reinforce that the store, which will anchor the new development, will remain open for business throughout the build.

New head of residential development sales for Savills in Edinburgh

Savills has made a senior appointment to its Residential Development Sales team with the addition of director Natalie Simpson who will drive the business forward in Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.

Natalie has worked in the Edinburgh property market for the past 20 years, formerly with The Burrell Company as head of sales & marketing and more latterly as managing director of David Phillips Furniture Scotland.

Tenants move back into refurbished Perth flats

Caledonia Housing Association was pleased to welcome tenants back to the first block of refurbished flats on Newhouse House Road in Perth last week.

The refurbishment of this block of flats is the first stage in Caledonia’s £4 million regeneration of Newhouse Road.

The investment in Newhouse Road began in March 2016 with an anticipated 100 week schedule for the refurbishment of 69 homes. Once refurbishment is complete works will begin on the demolition of blocks 13-21 and the rebuilding of approximately 16 new homes.

Caledonia has ensured all residents have been decanted to properties within the street while the improvement works on their properties are carried out. This has been a major achievement in Caledonia’s endeavour to ensure minimal disruption for tenants.

Galashiels resurfacing works taking place

Resurfacing work is being carried out on two Galashiels roads.

The works will take place on Church Street and Scott Crescent in Galashiels from Thursday 14 July to Monday 25 July and will require closures in three phases:

Phase one - Thursday 14 and Friday 15 July - Church Street from its junction with Abbotsford Road to a point west of its junction with Glebe Place. Residents will gain access to Glebe Place and Tea Street via Elm Row

Phase two - Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July - Church Street/Scott Crescent from west of Glebe Place to west of Elm Row. Residents who live south of the closure will gain access via Glebe Place and Tea Street. Lawyers Brae will have its one way order rescinded so residents and businesses can gain access. This street will be manned during working hours, to assist vehicles with turning movements.

Phase three - Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 July - Scott Crescent from west of Elm Row to east of St John Street. Access will be gained from Church Street.

The closures will run from 8am to 6pm.

Historic Glasgow Botanic gardens footbridge to be restored after corrosion discovered

A historic pedestrian bridge in Glasgow’s Botanic gardens is to be restored after experts discovered severe corrosion.

The £80,000 scheme is likely to result in the Hump Back Bridge over the River Kelvin closing to allow work to be carried out.

The ornate Victorian structure which is B listed is situated 100m upstream from Queen Margaret Drive and links the Kelvin Walkway to the Botanics.

It is made of iron beams supporting a concrete deck and has ornate, cast iron balustrades.

City council experts who recently checked the bridge found there is severe corrosion to the main girders which support the bridge and that many of the rivet heads are missing.

The restoration work will involve reinforcing the main girders with steel inserts, carrying out repair work, shot blasting all the metal surfaces, painting the bridge with long lasting paint, resurfacing the walkway, repairing the stairs and footpaths which lead to the bridge and carrying out work on the trees next to the bridge.

New uses sought for historic Perthshire buildings at Stanley Mills

New uses are being sought for historic Perthshire buildings that harnessed the power of the River Tay to sell cotton and textiles around the world.

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust is looking to breathe life into the East Range at Stanley Mills.

The four riverside buildings are the last part of the historically important mill complex to be regenerated since the mills closed in 1989.

The Trust is working with Historic Environment Scotland, the current owners, to identify viable new uses, as well as potential funding sources to bring the buildings back into productive use.

Both organisations are aiming to develop a scheme that will complement the existing visitor attraction and residential development, and benefit the local economy.

A wide range of uses are thought to be possible including business and craft workshops, artists’ studios, a café, accommodation and uses benefitting from the situation of the East Range on the banks of the River Tay.

A thriving local charity has already expressed interest in using some of the space to complement its existing services in Perth.

There is potentially over 2000 square metres of floor space over the four buildings, ranging from large full height industrial spaces to smaller domestic scale spaces, and possibilities for shared space.