Former Debenhams at The Chimes | Uxbridge
ENABLING WORKS
Client | Abrdn
Location | Uxbridge
Value | £4.7 million
Timing | 35 weeks
Project Overview
Sloane Curtis successfully delivered extensive enabling works at The Chimes shopping centre.
The former Debenhams unit in Uxbridge totals ~85,000 sq ft across two floors, connected by escalators through a large central opening that had originally been formed to suit the store's layout.
Sloane Curtis were appointed to, and successfully delivered, enabling works to subdivide the existing space into three individual retail units in response to tenant demand from Hollywood Bowl, PureGym and TK Maxx.
The works included escalator removal, floor infilling and specialist elements to suit the incoming tenants, including raised acoustic flooring for Hollywood Bowl.
Scope of Work
Full internal strip-out, M&E shell strip-out, escalator removal, structural floor infills, lift refurbishment, screed removal, acoustic floating floor, acoustic ceiling installation, unistrut support grid, jumbo stud partitions, shopfront curtain walling, tenant drainage, sprinkler installations, electrical substation.
Challenge
Raised acoustic flooring was laid, but during the winter months, cold and damp conditions, combined with the lack of permanent heating, affected the drying times. As the floor needed to be fully dry before the shopfit could begin, this created a risk to the programme.
Solution
To accelerate the drying process, temporary heating and air-flow fans were introduced and the moisture content was closely monitored. This enabled the flooring to dry to the required level, allowing the fit-out works to commence without impact on the programme.
Outcome
Our enabling works were successfully completed on time, creating new spaces for Hollywood Bowl, PureGym and TK Maxx. While additional working hours were required at key stages, the team maintained the programme and delivered the works within the agreed timeframe.
Following the successful transformation of the space, The Chimes received a Highly Commended Award in the Asset Management Initiative of the Year category at the Revo Retail Property Community Awards.
