Exchange Flags, Liverpool scoops BCO regional award for MOD space

28 April 09

The Ministry of Defence's (MoD) headquarters at UK Land & Property and Pochin's Exchange Flags in Liverpool city centre has been awarded best fit out of workplace at this year's British Council of Offices (BCO) regional award ceremony.

Following the MoD's 70,000 sq ft pre-let of Walker House at Exchange Flags, Pochin Construction undertook the HKR-designed scheme on behalf of the joint venture. The project involved marrying the traditional elements of the grade II listed building with modern, conceptual designs to provide grade 'A' office accommodation for 550 employees.

On the award win, Simon Parker, managing director of UK Land & Property said: "Winning this award reinforces our view that the fit-out, and indeed the wider redevelopment of Exchange Flags, is best in its class. This sentiment has been echoed by the occupiers in the building, such as Brabners Chaffe Street, Knight Frank and Regus, all of which have replicated a similar standard of fit out in their own offices."

Jonathan Pochin, managing director of Pochin Construction continued: "This is a fantastic achievement and is recognition of our true understanding of both the occupier and building.

"Walker House had stood vacant for around twenty-five years, and, as such, required a complete restoration and refurbishment. The design team worked in unison to ensure that any technical challenges were overcome, such as installing the largest water loop heat pump system in Europe, in order to maximise internal space, reduce fit-out costs and maximise flexibility."

Said Sarah Greenwood of HKR Architects: "From the outset, the key challenge was to create an environment to BCO standards that was consistent and competitive with similar properties in the market place. We had to achieve this in an existing pre-war structure, with some interesting technical challenges!

"We worked hand in hand with the contractor and occupier to ensure that the space combined functionality with modern design. The result is impressive; we have created a fun, lively, interactive work place, which can be appreciated internally and externally. This has been in part, thanks to the MoD, which has been confident enough to 'up their game' and have challenged some of the modern concepts of the working environment and practice."

This win follows the completion of the £22 million refurbishment of Exchange Flags earlier in the year, bringing a total of 42,734 sq m (460,000 sq ft) of high quality office space to the Liverpool market.

The joint venture initially acquired Horton House in June 2006, followed by the purchase of its counterpart, Walker House, the following August. Today, Exchange Flags forms a fundamental component of Liverpool's prime office core, home to a host of prestigious tenants including the Ministry of Defence, Knight Frank, Deloittes, Brabners Chaffe Street and quantity surveyors, Ridge.

Horton and Walker House offer 160,000 sq ft (14,864 sq m) and 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) respectively with floorplates ranging from 866 sq m (9,332 sq ft) to 2,480 sq m (26,700 sq ft).