The story

Brock Street was a derelict heritage building in Lancaster town centre – dangerous, unstable, and scheduled for conversion into student accommodation with ground-floor retail. The initial client design was suspect from day one, and ground conditions on site confirmed it. The project needed a full redesign under an accelerated programme, well beyond the usual principal contractor role.

We appointed a new architect and full planning team, took the design back through structural engineering and had an approved scheme that was cheaper, easier to build and structurally safer.

Phase one completed under budget, stabilised the superstructure and brought the retail unit live. Phase two fitted out the 40 student apartments across four levels above, with every element from joinery to furniture manufactured and managed under one contract. The scheme now operates under Nolan's City Space brand, managed by FAT Properties.