Piccadilly Court is a Unite Students owned residence located in the busy Borough of Islington. Fortis Vision carried out works during a five-week period in the summer of 2022, with a split between in-occupation and vacant building works, with the accommodation ready for the new intake of students in September.
The scope of work included the complete refurbishment of 209 bedrooms, 41 kitchens, 11 disabled access wet rooms, five studio apartments, and the redesign and refurbishment of the communal areas, creating light and airy spaces fit for modern-day living.
The large scope of mechanical and electrical works covered ventilation, new ductwork and MVHRs to the kitchens, new energy-efficient heaters and hot water cylinders with Prefect controls and commissioning, air conditioning, fire and security works, and eco-friendly LED lighting upgrades.
Piccadilly Court’s common areas also underwent a full re-design and re-structure. Fortis Vision carried out complex structural steelwork, including installing a new curtain wall, an automatic door to the front entrance, contemporary bi-fold doors, roller shutters, and bin store doors. Bespoke joinery and furnishings, new flooring, and complete decoration created modern common areas for socialising and relaxation.
Other aspects of the project included external works to the site, involving installing planters, trees, external seating booths, and new artificial turf. A new roof membrane, which required complex scaffolding and a hoist system, was also installed.
The project presented several logistical challenges, including a tight five-week project turnaround. To ensure everything operated seamlessly and on time, the team spent six months planning, covering aspects such as sourcing contractors, ordering materials, and ensuring a faultless supply chain.
The location – in the Borough of Islington on a busy red route – was a further challenge, making offloading, storage, and waste removal complex. To overcome this challenge, the project required expert logistics. Following consultation with Islington Council, Fortis Vision was able to secure five parking bays to allow for the efficient offloading of materials and supplies. A contracted truck tipper was also obtained for wait-and-load waste removal.
A further challenge was that the project featured 34 different layout drawings for multiple room configurations, and several mechanical and electrical designs. Therefore, communication between the teams and expert project management was critical to ensure successful delivery.
Despite these multiple challenges, we delivered the project on time, on budget, and in line with the exceptionally high standards that we are recognised for.
For more information about our major refurbishment projects, please contact a member of the Fortis Vision team today.
