TfL Office Estates Programme - 31 Borough High Street - RIBA Stages 4-7

Transforming 31 Borough High Street: From office block to TfL’s new occupational health and wellness centre

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The transformation of 31 Borough High Street represents a significant shift from its previous function as a conventional office block to a cutting-edge Occupational Health and Wellness Centre for Transport for London (TfL). This project not only revamped the existing space but also embodies TfL’s commitment to creating a functional, sustainable and health-focused work environment.

Strategically located above one of the exits of London Bridge Tube Station, the building’s existing office space underwent a comprehensive fit-out to become a specialised facility for TfL’s Occupational Health team. The project involved approximately 5,500 square feet of refurbishment, including the removal of outdated furnishings and the reconfiguration of existing spaces.

Gleeds played a vital role in managing the project from RIBA Stages 4 through 7, providing project management and cost consultancy services.

The redevelopment involved several key phases:

  • Removal of existing furniture, fixtures and equipment, including soft furnishings, and office accommodation
  • Refurbishment: Upgrading or replacing mechanical and electrical systems, and reconfiguring partition walls
  • Removal of existing partitions and facilities to create space for new amenities, including a drug and alcohol testing suite
  • Demolition and relocation of cupboard doors to the ground floor to maximise the storage area (to be confirmed with mechanical and electrical)
  • Installation: New partitions, finishes, and updated furniture to meet TfL’s operational needs
  • Light touch refurbishment as required, to stairways, WC/storage rooms, and cleaners’ rooms off the circulation corridor
  • New finishes applied to floors, ceilings, and walls throughout
  • Innovative features include special paint and sky panels
  • Existing TfL furnishings were relocated to elsewhere within the organisation to fit out the newly formed rooms.

5,500

sq ft

Total area

4

 - 7

RIBA Stages

Challenges

  • Tight timescale: The project needed to be completed by a fixed date to meet lease requirements
  • Budget constraints: The project budget was approximately £1,145,000. Unforeseen works and market inflation challenged this budget, necessitating adjustments through Change Control Management and Compensation Events
  • Operational continuity: Ensuring the new space met TfL’s requirements while adhering to strict timelines and budget constraints.
  • Relocation needs: Consolidation of Occupational Health, administration, and other users into the new space, including appropriate drug and alcohol testing facilities
  • Inclusive design: Adherence to inclusive design principles to ensure spaces are inclusive, creating an open environment for staff and visitors
  • Energy efficiency: TfL’s goal to significantly reduce operational energy consumption in line with its pathway to net-zero carbon, while simultaneously enhancing the standard of its built environment.

Solutions

  • Timely planning: Ensured all necessary approvals were obtained promptly
  • Collaborative teamwork: Fostered a cooperative working environment to achieve project goals efficiently
  • Value: Implemented strategies to maximise value while adhering to TfL’s standards and current building regulations
  • Cost management: Addressed budget constraints through proactive change control management and necessary adjustments to the project scope.

Throughout the project, key objectives were met. The design included a flexible, dynamic working environment tailored to TfL’s needs, and the creation of accessible and inclusive spaces, all while implementing sustainability measures aligned with TfL’s net-zero carbon goals.

The project focused on innovative fire safety measures and leveraged Occupational Health funding to incorporate wellness features. Despite a tightly controlled timeline, the project achieved critical milestones, including the completion of the strip-out phase, installation of new partitions, and final fit-out, while maintaining adherence to current acts, regulations, and TfL’s policies.

The successful completion of this project set a precedent for future engagements with TfL.

On behalf of the TfL Project & Accommodation team I would like to thank everyone involved in the delivery of this project, from the OH&W team, Gleeds and their consultant design team, TfL T&D, Building Management & Facility Operations and Overbury as the fit-out contractor to ensure our requirements were delivered on time, budget and to the required standard.

Gareth Mainwaring
Project Manager OEP, TfL

Working on 31 Borough High Street marked a major milestone in our relationship with TfL as this project had very specific time constraints governed by and a successful outcome was achieved through attention to detail, reflecting the client’s unique wellbeing requirements and our collaboration with the accommodation and procurement teams. The example of this and the work on West Ham Bus Garage conversion showed great awareness and TfL’s commitment to utilising space within their portfolio to deliver sustainable working environments and more projects have emerged from this early engagement. Gleeds appreciate the opportunity that was granted to us through the framework to support TfL and the results looked amazing!

Neil Clouden
BSc MRICS DipPB - Project Director
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