Victoria Plaza
This project involved the erection of a new glazed and steel frame roof over a 1960s' shopping centre, whilst the shops continue to trade; this involved careful co-ordination with centre management and the existing tenants. A new entrance from Southend Victoria Railway Station was also formed, incorporating a new staircase, lift and escalator, all with new glazed canopies. The scheme also included the demolition of a circular pedestrian ramp, and a new structure was erected in its place spanning across a through road to the centre of Southend.
Clad in glass reinforced gypsum, the roof trusses supporting the new canopy span 37m. Inside the centre, existing escalators and stairs were removed and repositioned. The existing main lifts were extended down two further floors; a total of five new escalators and six new lifts were installed. All five entrances to the shopping centre were furnished with new automatic opening glazed doors and a new heating and ventilation scheme incorporated.
The malls, covering an area of almost 6,000 sq m were fully retiled all new ceiling installed with plaster cast features. New hardwood and glass balustrading was used in the centre.
The project also involved a further four storey new build, comprising a combination of new face brickwork and Kingspan cladding above 5.5m, to replace a former service yard.
Client: Lattice Group Pension Scheme
Value: £21.5 million
Location: Southend