Parsons Road Retail Units

Location: Parsons Road, Washington, Tyne & Wear

Project Manager: Ben Hunter, BSc. Hons, MRICS

Scope: Contract Administration

Client: Almscliffe Developments

We were commissioned to undertake an independent building survey and feasibility study for a conversion.

This involved providing a detailed appraisal of what practical issues would have to be resolved from a compliance and aesthetic perspective. We outlined the various options to address those issues and gave budget costs for the work that would be needed. This would equip the client with the information they needed to establish a timeframe and budget for the works.

This property was constructed in the late 1970’s and was previously used as a Ford car dealership. After the dealership closed, our client bought the property with a view to converting it from its current layout and use. They planned four separate trade counter retail units which would be let to four separate tenants.

As is very common with buildings of this age and type, there were many practical issues that we identified and provided advice on. This included ensuring security for the prospective tenants, energy performance improvement works and compliance with other current statutory obligations. In addition, consideration needed to be given to the subdivision of the essential services to the property and compliance with fire regulations.

Incorporating tenants’ requirements into the specification

Our client obtained interest from four good tenants for the units, and we then negotiated specifications with each of them. We took time to listen to and understand each of their specific requirements whilst protecting our client’s position. This ensured that the cost and standard of the work were appropriate to rental property and income in the local area. It also meant that the profitability of the development was not impacted by over-specifying expensive, disproportionate and unnecessary products.

Energy efficiency and sustainable development

One area of expertise that we pride ourselves in is our knowledge, awareness and promotion of energy efficiency. In this case, we recommended to our client that it would be well worth spending a large proportion of the budget on the roof and cladding. This helped upgrade the specification to that of a modern building complying with regulations and a thermally insulated roof and walls. This would provide a guarantee of 20 years.

This was important not only to satisfy the tenants but also to future-proof the investment value of the property against any inevitable changes in energy performance legislation. This is increasingly becoming an essential consideration when undertaking any building improvement or conversion works.

We completed the process by acting as lead consultant for all of the works once the specifications were agreed upon, and oversaw the entirety of the project.