PROJECTS

The footprint of the Kennet Centre extension occupies the area of a former car park. It comprises of a seven-screen, 1,000 seat Vue cinema and foyer on the first floor, accessed by lift, stairs and escalators, from the ground floor cafes and restaurants. The structural design comprises a steel frame with concrete slabs poured onto metal decking. There is lightweight roofing above the auditoriums, each with an interior acoustically isolated from the main structure of the building. West Berkshire District Council sees the cinema development as central to their vision of renewal and regeneration of the Conservation Area of Newbury.

Following the approval of a major re-design of the car park including 4 new restaurants forming a public enclave around the cinema entrance, the design has now focused on the relocation of the region’s major nightclub into smaller adjacent premises. The vacated nightclub has been completely refurbished to provide a 360 play unit on two levels and three new restaurants on the car park frontage. The area to the front of the car park was re-landscaped to improve the public forecourt to the restaurants and children's play facility.

This transformation of the former 60,000 sq./ft. M&S at Broad Walk, Harlow provides 4 new Retail Units, 2 Restaurant Cafes, a Building Society and a 30,000 sq./ft. Gym to enhance the linkage between the Harvey Centre and Broad Walk. Our Planning Application was approved within 3 months. Speller Metcalfe commenced work immediately and F Hinds, Holland & Barrett, Starbucks, Peacocks and Xercise4less were all trading within 8 months of planning approval.

The proposed development reconfigures and extends the Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston on a site located within the city's Principle Retail Core and directly adjacent the Preston railway station. It comprises the reconfiguration of existing retail space in the shopping centre, extending the existing popular Primark store to bring significant areas of vacant retail space back into use, and creating a new mall giving direct access from Fishergate to the large surface car park at the rear of the scheme. New and remodelled retail units are provided for new incoming tenants. There will also be a new nine screen cinema and a restaurant hub comprising five new restaurants and a smaller food kiosk. The rear elevation, facing the car park, is completely remodelled to incorporate a new entrance to the Centre and to prominently display new, large, retail units. The whole of the rear of the Centre has been designed to encourage pedestrian flow to and from the Winckley Square quarter. The ground floor restaurants are arranged for easy access from Winckley Square with a new attractive pedestrian realm incorporating customer seating as well as high quality hard and soft landscaping. In turn, this will easily link to the new mall via the new entrance and on to Fishergate, providing a new, convenient shopping and leisure circuit to enhance the City’s offer. In providing this improved link to the car park and by reconfiguring the existing shops at that level, this development aims to bring all existing vacant and under-used retail space back into use by attracting new, incoming, national retailers. The first element of the scheme, the reconfiguration and extension of the Primark store, was granted Planning Consent in 2017.

Our conversion of a listed, former Victorian station including the roof, platform and buildings to provide a 60,000 sq./ft. health club. Colman Architects scooped the pool with a raft of awards for this project, beating amongst others, the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to win the Leisure Properties Forum Award for Best Commercial Project. The health club also won for us the Nottingham Civic Society Award, the Lord Mayors Award for re-use of an existing building and a RIBA Regional Award. We enjoyed a strong relationship with the client through completion of 10 high quality Health Clubs. “A wonderful Club and lovely restoration.” — Allan Fisher

Our long term transformation strategy for Sirosa’s prominent historic building developed from our successful acquisition of Planning Permissions in 2013 and 2015. for its comprehensive reconfiguration, extension and refurbishment. Following Arcadia’s implementation of the refurbishment of their Colegrave House Offices, we completed the 3 floor reconfiguration of the former Plaza/Bourne & Hollingsworth to create a flagship store of 73,000 sq./ft for Next to Oxford Street (which opened in September 2018), expanded 2nd Floor for The Gym and 6,000 sq./ft of Offices, 9,000 sq./ft Restaurant for Arros QD on Eastcastle Street (which opened in June 2019) and 15,000 sq./ft retail unit to Berners Street.

This construction comprises of a new multi-level shopping centre entrance on Ainsworth Street and the reconfiguration of existing mall and retail space to provide a new 16,000 sq./ft. PureGym and three shop units facing the bus station. The new entrance solves access problems, provides a modern and high-profile entrance and adds visual interest to an otherwise low key concrete-clad elevation. The elliptical glass form echoes the glass clock tower access constructed on the opposite side of the Centre during our substantial redevelopment. The Ainsworth Street Mall entrance builds on the strong form now associated with the Centre brand. The location rebalances and enhances footfall to the North of the Centre and is ideally located the bus station and the old market redevelopment site adjacent.

Augur Liverpool purchased the iconic Lewis’s Department Store and 4 related plots in the old Liverpool Central Station site in 2016. Colman Architects has since developed the ‘Circus’ masterplan strategy which enables the re-birth of the Lewis’s store, giving it new life by making it an integral and exciting part of the wider major development opportunity. By combining Lewis’s, the old station site and a direct access into Central Station into a hub of Leisure and Retail around a new public space, ‘Circus’ will be a new and dynamic destination within Liverpool. It will extend and create links between the main retail of Liverpool and the developing Knowledge Quarter, and create a focal point for the regeneration of the area in a significant place-making opportunity. The current scheme design provides more than 275,000 sq./ft. of retail and leisure space over 5 floors. This is in addition to the existing 126 room Adagio Aparthotel and over 70,000 sq./ft. of grade A refurbished office space over 4 floors and a 25,000 sq./ft. Pure Gym on the lower ground floor. Proceeding in advance of the major project, works have been completed to safeguard and regenerate the Grade II listed Lewis’s building itself. Elevational refurbishment and a new external lighting scheme have been completed and heritage works to original internal features are being developed. Proposals for improvements to the existing upper-floor Adagio aparthotel have been developed with new reception, lounge and dining areas being created at ground floor and meeting rooms and break-out spaces at 5th. Also, a striking new interior design for the existing office entrance and atrium has been delivered for ‘The Department’, Liverpool, regenerating office interest in the building.

Clapham, North Street is a high quality 23,000 sq./ft. health club located within a Mixed Use development. The Club’s facilities include a swimming pool, studio, gym, crèche and members bar and lounge.

The Kensington project, involved the renovation of an existing office building providing space for a 24,000 sq./ft. Club. Its facilities include a swimming pool, spa, steam and sauna rooms, two gyms, two studios, crèche, lounge and bar.

Colman Architects has been appointed to develop a new motorway service area on the M25. The service station area will include a new facilities building, hotel, recreational areas, fuel filling station and extensive vehicle parking. The design approach will integrate the whole development into the landscape, create forms and use materials which are sympathetic to the surrounding Chiltern Hills.

Colman Architects completed the Stafford Hotel at 9 Park Place, St. James's, London for client Shire Hotels. Originally a 1961 office building, it underwent extension, reconfiguration and conversion into a 5* Star luxury hotel to attract the high net worth individual and affluent transatlantic market. As the site is within the St. James’s Conservation Area the design and materials used were crucial. A thoughtful combination of reconstructed and natural stone, slate, glass, brick and timber completed the development. Included was a gym, 26 luxurious junior and master suites including a penthouse unit, a self-contained private space on the rooftop overlooking the London skyline. The Stafford Hotel was awarded the ‘Hotel of the Year’ CATEY Award.

Over 20 years ago, this shopping centre, with huge potential being central London's only major shopping centre, was not meeting either the demands of the target market or the retailers. Colman Architects were instructed by the German owners (from Hanover) to develop the strategy to completely reconfigure the Centre creating a 22,000 sq./ft. unit in the basement (let to JJB Sports), relocation of the food court to the rear of the first floor with branded kiosks (this has been a huge success drawing customers to the full depth of the Centre), relocating escalators to improve sight lines and usage patterns on the first floor, removing the scenic lift from the atrium, and locating a 22,000 sq./ft. Holmes Place Health Club on the second floor. The result is a highly visible well used Centre with a massive increase in foot fall. Colman Architects developed the strategy of the public entrance into the shopping centre. The doors were removed and replaced with sliding, folding doors so it became easier to move into the shopping centre. The smoked glass was replaced with clear glazing and the entry mall converted from single height to double height. This reveals the whole glory of the Plaza and the retail shops inside. It is very noticeable that people who are passing, stop and look in, and are drawn in by the attractive signature space inside. The signage and new canopy were designed to bring the message of the Plaza down to street level making it much more prominent as one moves along the street towards the entrance. The Practice also designed the Holmes Place Health Club on the top floor of the Centre. The Plaza won the Refurbishment Award at the British Council of Shopping Centres Gold Awards.

Colman Architects developed a mixed use scheme in Walthamstow which incorporated a new 50,000 sq./ft. Central Library and 70,000 sq./ft. of retail and restaurant units, a 20,000 sq./ft. fitness club and 32 apartments. The London Borough of Waltham Forest selected Henry Boot Developments as the preferred development partner in February 2001 from a short-list of developers following the submission of detailed proposals. The distinctive form of the Library and the dramatic 3-storey glazed entrance formed the visual focus of the design and created a signature building.

Following the successful completion of the Harvey Centre’s new First Floor Mall, our 6 (including IMAX) Screen, 987 seat Cinema shell has now been successfully handed over to Cineworld for fit out. Colman Architects were Finalists in both the “Best Change of Use Of An Existing Building” and “Best Commercial Building” categories of the Local Authorities Building Control East Anglia Awards for this project.

Colman Architects completed The Library Space in Battersea, London for Anthony and Pat Mascolo. The Grade 2 Listed former Tate Library has been converted into a stunning Studio and Gallery which host a wide range of prestigious events. “Thanks to a group of savvy developers and a clan of ambitious artists this unique Edwardian Grade II listed gem, complete with original oak panelled walls and beautiful stained glass windows, has been transformed from a dusty, unappreciated library into one of the quirkiest exhibition spaces in London.” — Love Art, London

Phases 1 to 7 have now been completed as programmed. Our reconfiguration and refurbishment of this iconic building is nearing completion. It has attracted a wide range of Leisure and Retail Tenants to trade alongside Lloyds Bank. Rutland Cycling, Indigo Sun, Coral, Pepe’s Piri Piri, Caprino’s Pizza, Wonderful Nails, Elizabeth’s Coffee & Cakes, City Haircuts, MK Hair & Beauty, Schmidt Kitchens, F45 Gym, a Yoga Studio, an Escape Room and Slot Car Racing centre are all trading and the National Film and Sci-Fi Museum is located there too.

Colman Architects was been appointed by Elmbridge Borough Council to create an exciting new sports facility in Waterside Drive, Walton. The site, adjacent to the Xcel Centre comprised of Walton Casuals Football Ground and a public park area. An Outline Planning Application received approval for a new sports facility that will include a new football and athletic stadium with a 300 seat, covered, spectator stand and further seating on the opposite side of the stadium, making use of the existing Walton Casuals’ stands, with the additional of a covered standing area behind each goal. New Astro turf and extra grass pitches were to be used by the club’s Youth Teams and new changing rooms to be located below the stands. The proposals for a new 8 lane all weather athletics track, including areas for field events, was been designed to meet Club and ‘Sport England’ requirements with the addition, too, of changing rooms available for use by schools and the community. The new sport and leisure facility was designed to provide community facilities such as a children’s playground, picnic area, outdoor gym area and open space.

D Hammond commenced works within this prestigious location in October 2023 and will construct our new double height shopfront design in September 2024

Our third completed project within Connaught Village transformed the Ground and Basement floors of this Grade II Listed Georgian terrace to provide a new Art Gallery for Dellasposa “ to create an immersive and contemplative experience for guests and visitors”.

Our Detailed Planning Application for the Church Commissioners for England to create a new 3-story Health & Fitness Studio has been submitted to Westminster Council. This innovative design rejuvenates an underused area by combining existing features with new facilities and high quality landscaping to improve the public realm and create a distinctive gateway to The Hyde Park Estate.

We have received 28 Planning Permissions/Listed Building Consents recently from Westminster Council for Connaught Village. The first was for a two story Retail unit and three bed town house within a Georgian Terrace at 12 & 3 Porchester Place. A two story Art Gallery at 5A Bathurst Street followed, together with two story Retail Units at 7, 8, 10 and 14, Porchester Place, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 24, 25, 27, 35, 39, 44 61 & 65 Connaught Street and 2 Bathurst Street (all within Georgian terraces). We also obtained Planning Permission for the conversion of a former N.C.P. to create a new 60,000 sq./ft. Safestore within the Water Gardens, the refurbishment of a prominent Restaurant at 17-20 Kendal Street and created a new, 4,000 sq./ft. health and fitness studio at Burwood Place.

This £5m scheme for a conversion of a former art deco cinema into a health club. The cinema was one of the most prominent buildings in Hendon and the design of the interior uses ideas from its art deco style exterior and former use. The club has three studios, two large gym spaces, one exclusively a ladies gym, a crèche, a members bar and lounge, treatment rooms and a swimming pool.

This £5m Health Club in Notting Hill was the conversion of a 1930's school building. A new curved roof over the scheme and new structure housed a swimming pool on the third floor of the building. The design refers to the fluid forms of Art Nouveau within a contemporary context. The Club was built with three studios, general and women’s gym spaces, beauty/ treatment suite, a hairdresser, luxury members’ bar/ café and lounge, crèche and a top floor pool and spa.

Following the successful completion of the Nightclub/Play 360 redevelopment, Aviva asked Colman Architects to update and refresh the public realm which comprises the 1,000 space car park, cinema and restaurant malls. The scheme was presented to the tenants in June 2018 and works commenced on site in Spring 2019. The scheme included new lighting for the car park, re-asphalting and the creation of an events space at the front of the cinema and restaurant mall entrance. The glass canopies fronting onto the car park were renewed, the elevations refreshed and 'jumbrellas' installed. Within the cinema and restaurant malls, new ceilings, flooring and LED lighting have been installed and purpose designed spiral lights adding a unique feature to the public areas.

Colman Architects designed a new look atrium as a key part of the reposition of the Star City Leisure Development creating a family destination, attracting visitors during the day and evening. This new scheme has been achieved by removing the indoor ski-slope and creating a coherent environment using neutral tones and new lighting.

We have worked closely with Colliers International Building Consultancy and Refolo Landscape Architects to convert this former Basement Car Park (constructed in 1966) into a 61,000 sq./ft. Safestore and 12,000 sq./ft. potential Leisure Unit with new Landscaping and Public Realm above. This project was shortlisted for both the Placemaking and Wellbeing sections within the New London Architecture Awards and as also listed as a Grade II addition to Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens “Beautiful scheme, and a fantastic example of retrofitting our towns and cities with green and blue” — Jane Findlay - President of the Landscape Institute and Director of Fira.