For the first instalment of our new ‘Day in the Life of’ series, I had the pleasure of accompanying Assistant Cost Consultant, Alex Foord, as he visited three project sites he is currently consulting on.
Alex works with Director Will Hare, and focuses on our Leisure portfolio, which varies from Luxury Facilities and Stand Alone Boutiques to Elite Athlete Training Facilities and Local Authority Facilities, and everything in between.
Alex has been consulting on some projects for our client Third Space; a luxury health club provider that creates outstanding fitness spaces across London.
The first visit was to Third Space’s new Battersea location, which faces the recently reopened iconic power station. Incorporated into the new £9bn development, our visit was before the project had started on-site, meaning the space was just an empty shell.
Having not been on-site before, and predominantly having more visibility of the finished product, it was an eye-opening experience to see the site in its infancy. As we walked around, Alex explained the planned layout and challenges the project would have to overcome, for example, the location of the swimming pool, which will require a unique design to compensate for the meandering architecture of the windows.
The 28,000sqft facility, which is opening soon, will have state-of-the-art training and recuperation zones, including the uniquely designed swimming pool and accompanying spa.
The next stop was Lavender Hill, Clapham, where we visited the Arding & Hobbs redevelopment; a striking Grade II* listed department store, reimagined to provide retail, leisure, and office space.
Alex introduced me to the main contractors, Knight Harwood, who escorted us around the building. This was a very different experience to Battersea, as works across all seven floors were in full swing.
Coming Summer 2024, the Third Space Gym can be found at ‘Unit C’, which opens straight onto street level. The facility is situated across three floors: the basement, a small section of the ground floor, and some of the first floor – which adds up to 28,000ft2. As well as a wet spa and fully equipped open gym space, it boasts a reformer Pilates, hot yoga, high-intensity training, and cycle studio.
We concluded the day at Centre Court Shopping Centre, Wimbledon, which nearing completion, with just the finishes remaining. This last site visit perfectly concluded my on-site experience, providing full exposure to the different stages of the process.
The Centre Court Shopping Centre is currently undergoing development to transform it into an environmentally aware and sustainable open space, at the heart of the Wimbledon community. An integral part of the development, Third Space has now opened its 45,000sqft fitness and wellness club.
Easily the largest site we visited; the Wimbledon location is a world-class wellness sanctuary. It includes a 25-metre four-lane pool, plunge pool, wet spa, workout arena, and signature multi-functional fitness space: the Yard.
