John shares the spotlight at commercial property awards

The project to create a state-of-the-art private hospital within a former Victorian warehouse in Brighton has been officially recognised at a prestigious commercial property awards ceremony.

John Packer (pictured second right), a lead member of EMC’s Construction Advisory Team who has been assisting in the project management of the Montefiore Hospital development, was part of the team presented with the award for Best Refurbishment at the Acumen Commercial Property Awards held at Brighton’s Grand Hotel.

The judging panel had been impressed by the impact the hospital will have on the local economy but even more so by the efforts made by the developers, Spire Healthcare and Nightingale Architects, to create a sustainable, energy efficient building while preserving its heritage.  This is reflected in the Montefiore’s “very good” BREEAM rating.

Specialist judge, Tony Mernagh, Executive Director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, commented: “To get this rating in a new build is challenging but in a building that is over 100 years old and was never intended for anything other than storage is exceptional. The challenges they have overcome are jaw-dropping.

“It sends a strong message to other developers that difficult refurbishments can be accomplished and there is no need to compromise just because they are difficult. It would have been very easy [and much cheaper] for the developer to settle for a higher carbon footprint for this building. The fact they didn’t, coupled with a superb conversion of an old building for a thoroughly modern use, makes them the winner.”

The landmark building on the corner of Davigdor and Montefiore Road has lain empty since 2005 but a £25 million investment by Spire Healthcare is transforming it into a world class medical facility for the people of Brighton & Hove and beyond.  Besides giving a new lease of life to an historic building, the Montefiore hospital will provide employment for some 150 local people and generate a welcome stream of new business to the area. It is due to open in the autumn.

EMC’s John Packer, who has maintained a day-to-day watching brief on behalf of Spire to ensure that the programme runs to time, within budget and to agreed quality standards, said: “The huge technical and programme challenges of the project have required a close, non-adversarial working relationship between the client, the design team and contractor to ensure that Spire gets what it wants while the delivery teams also have all they need to make it happen.

“This award gives recognition to the skills, dedication and creativity of everyone involved. We are all absolutely delighted to have won.”

Ends

10 May 2012