Express takes a look back over the history of the project…
Back on
Work resumed on the new office block of 67,000 sq ft at Admiral Park in 2022, nearly a year after the project was paused to search for tenants.
Developer Comprop announced that it would go ahead as “the centrepiece of the entire scheme” after tenants were secured for nearly two-thirds of the space.
The £40million project was hit by the sudden withdrawal of the Aztec Group as a major tenant in 2021, but four tenants have now signed up to take most of the space on the upper floors.
The building is the final phase of the landmark Admiral Park development on the east coast.
Comprop said the Grade A trophy office would be Guernsey’s first fully-accreditedBREEAM-rated building. This is an internationally recognised standard for sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings.
Comprop’s developments at Admiral Park go back more than 20 years, during which time the company has turned the former gas works into extensive offices, homes and retail space. Its most-recent phase of development there included the buildings which now accommodate the Premier Inn Hotel, Bank Julius Baer and the restaurant Good Rebel.
One of the ‘greenest buildings’
BDO Guernsey announced its move in to “one of the greenest buildings” in 2023.
BDO’s bosses said the move would provide a modern office facility with individual work stations, the latest technology, and breakout areas designed for staff collaboration.
The office has also been developed to maximise both natural light and the efficiency of the space. There is bicycle and e-bike parking, along with cycle lanes to be developed in the surrounding area.
“The eco credentials of the building, as accredited by BREEAM, make this one of the greenest buildings in Guernsey, which is fantastic news as we continually look to minimise our impact on the island’s beautiful natural environment,” said BDO MD Richard Searle.
Peak height
The project reached a notable milestone in September 2023 after reaching its ‘peak height’.
Rihoy & Son, the main contractor, invited various stakeholders to an official topping out ceremony of the six-storey, 67,000 square foot building last year.
Among the group were architects, engineers, surveyors, and other stalwarts from the local construction industry to inspect the progress of the final piece in the Admiral Park puzzle.
Rihoy & Son Chair, Gavin Rihoy said the total spend on the Admiral Park site is expected to total £80m for the offices, restaurant, and hotel. Another £10m was spent constructing the multi-storey car park, with the possibility of extending it in the future directly to the rear of Plaza House.
He praised the Jersey-based developer Comprop for committing investment into the island, redeveloping the area, and boosting the local economy with a steady stream of projects.
Mr Rihoy also drew the groups attention to pre-construction services agreements – which phase out the tender process to give the contractor input into the design stage – as helping to keep all parties mindful of costs and timeframes before full procurement is signed.
He said it has proved successful and should adopted for future projects.
“A hugely successful project”
“It’s been a hugely successful project for Rihoy & Son and for the island,” said Chair Gavin Rihoy, whose firm oversaw the majority of the project.
He commented on the build earlier this month [August] after the build was announced as officially complete.
“While the build faced challenges along the way, including a significant weather-related delay during the winter, the team pulled together admirably to meet all the major deadlines on time and on budget.
“We’re tremendously proud to have been involved in the delivery of this final phase of Admiral Park. The investment Comprop has made, and the confidence it has shown in the island, will have far-reaching benefits for Guernsey.”
A milestone in a portfolio
The Admiral Park development was designed by Lovell Ozanne and Partners. To retain ‘stylistic consistency’ Lovell Ozanne designed all the buildings on site in line with Comprop’s instruction.
Andrew Merrett, director, Lovell Ozanne & Partners said: “We are dedicated to providing high-quality architectural design for the Guernsey community – with this project presented to us by our client Comprop, we strived to create a design harmonious with its surroundings but with a strong individual character and a real focus on enforcing sustainable practices.
“The building is finished in natural stone, glass and steel, with large areas of glazing to provide a high-quality internal environment for the tenants – we put people at the centre of all our designs and hope everyone who works in the new space enjoys it.”