UK-based construction company Ardmore has secured a contract worth £85m to transform the former Southwark Fire Station in London into a major mixed-use development.
The project, rebranded as Brigade Court, represents the first development in the new joint venture vehicle between Urbanwise Developments and Goldman Sachs International.
Urbanwise managing director Keith Ewart said: “The JV is excited to be working with Ardmore on our first joint development.
“Ardmore’s approach, together with their considerable experience in the delivery of major mixed use, residential developments is already proving significant in driving the development forward.”
The Grade II listed former fire station, headquarters, museum and training facility originally built in 1777 will be comprehensively refurbished, along with the development of a 10-storey residential building with 199 new apartments, commercial space and a new school for up to 1,150 students.
Covering an area of 10,700m, the new secondary school with a sixth form has been designed by Peter Taylor Associates.
The design of the school is claimed to sensitively blend tradition with latest expertise, within the space in the existing fire station along with a new building that is being constructed using pre-fabricated off-site modular technology.
Adjacent to the Grotto site, Ardmore is also developing a 15,600ft sports centre with a multi-use games area and an outdoor artificial pitch to be used by both the school and local community.
Recently, the company began construction work on the scheme and it will be completed in the second quarter of 2021. The school will be opened in the third quarter of next year.
Ardmore managing director Patrick Byrne said: “We are delighted to be working with Goldman Sachs International and Urbanwise on this significant scheme, which promises to provide a new and iconic landmark for Southwark.
“Our appointment on the job underlines our ability to de-risk complex projects, combining our extensive experience of major heritage refurbishment and unlocking logistically challenging new build schemes.”