Laura Elster

Pelier Street wins Best Small Social Housing Development at the LABC Grand Finals! We are delighted to announce that our Pelier Street project was amongst the 24 winners at the LABC Grand Final Awards 2022. The project involved the construction of a seven-storey residential development containing 17 dwellings for social rent and was chosen by a panel of construction industry experts to win the category for Best Small Social Housing Development. Lorna Stimpson, LABC Chief Executive said ‘These awards reflect LABC’s new focus on skills, quality, and competency and showcase the best projects, people and teams working in construction from a technical compliance perspective’.  We would like to congratulate W Griffith Architects and everyone who was involved in making this project such a phenomenal success. 

Time to Talk Day 2023 Today marks ‘Time to Talk Day’ which is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Encouraging open conversation couldn’t be more important given that the pandemic, increased economic pressures and social issues are all taking their toll on our mental health.  As a result, in 2023 we pledge to train more members of staff as Mental Health First Aiders.  They will be trained to spot the signs of emerging issues and support colleagues in getting the appropriate help.  In addition, we have chosen Mates in Mind as one of our corporate charities and we look forward to raising money and awareness over the coming year. Make space in your day for a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.  Seemingly small conversations can make a big difference. For more information, please visit https://timetotalkday.co.uk/

Pagabo Medium Works framework success We are delighted to be re-appointed to the 2nd iteration of the Pagabo Medium Works framework. Our Business Development Director, Mark Bone, attended a Launch Workshop on Wednesday to kick off the new framework, which will run until 2027 and provide a compliant, collaborative route to market for public sector clients to procure medium-sized construction projects valued up to £10m. We’re active across London & the South East on Lot 3 £1-5m and Lot 4 £5-10m, where clients can procure best value, sustainable construction solutions with us quickly and easily via direct award, as well as via competitive framework mini-competition. We fully support the Pagabo team’s drive to improve mental health within the sector and look forward to continuing our social value delivery through our framework projects.

The Gingerbread City! This month we were thrilled to be invited by Stride Treglown to view the brilliantly festive ‘Gingerbread City’.  Now in its 6th year, the Museum of Architecture challenges leading architects, engineers and designers to create a futuristic city made entirely of gingerbread. Over 100 participants used their building expertise, creativity and baking genius to create a gingerbread-based urban landscape.  This year reigning champions, Stride Treglown, created an impressive spherical ‘Bio-dough-m’!    The exhibition is open until 2nd January and tickets to view these spectacular gingerbread creations can be found at www.thegingerbreadcity.com.  Thank you to Rachel Bremner for showing us around the exhibition and we wish the team at Stride Treglown the best of luck in the competition! 

Passing on the baton! After four successful years with the Company, Alec Harris has decided to step down from his role as Business Development Director and will be retiring at the end of this year.  On behalf of the directors and staff we extend our thanks to Alec for his valued contribution during his time with us and we wish him a long and happy retirement.   Alec’s role will now be taken forward by Mark Bone, who joined us in 2019 and is promoted to Business Development Director with effect from 1st of January 2023.  Mark began his career in 1988 as a trainee PQS for Cyril Sweet and Partners before undertaking a degree in Quantity Surveying at UWE.  Since then he has worked as an Estimator for a number of large contractors, progressing to Head of Estimating and eventually Preconstruction Manager for Lakehouse.  Mark and Alec have been transitioning business development duties during 2022 which will allow Mark to maintain relationships with our existing market contacts as well as pursuing new initiatives to further develop our client base.  

The Brick Development Association showcase the exemplary clay brick architecture at their annual Brick Awards.  We are pleased to announce that our Fred Styles House project in Greenwich won the Architects’ Choice Award!  The judges said of the project: ‘a masterclass of working the humble brick – with such finesse and artistry!  Sculptural, whimsical, bold and well-articulated architecture – these homes sit very well on site – with clever and sensitive referencing to the verticality of the nearby church tower’’. We are extremely proud to be associated with this prestigious award and would like to congratulate all those involved including Peter Barber Architects, L&R Brickwork and Forterra Plc.  Brick Award Win for Fred Styles House! The Brick Development Association showcase the exemplary clay brick architecture at their annual Brick Awards.  We are pleased to announce that our Fred Styles House project in Greenwich won the Architects’ Choice Award!  The judges said of the project: ‘a masterclass of working the humble brick – with such finesse and artistry!  Sculptural, whimsical, bold and well-articulated architecture – these homes sit very well on site – with clever and sensitive referencing to the verticality of the nearby church tower’’. We are extremely proud to be associated with this prestigious award and would like to congratulate all those involved including Peter Barber Architects, L&R Brickwork and Forterra Plc.  Brick Award Win for Fred Styles House! The Brick Development Association showcase the exemplary clay brick architecture at their annual Brick Awards.  We are pleased to announce that our Fred Styles House project in Greenwich won the Architects’ Choice Award!  The judges said of the project: ‘a masterclass of working the humble brick – with such finesse and artistry!  Sculptural, whimsical, bold and well-articulated architecture – these homes sit very well on site – with clever and sensitive referencing to the verticality of the nearby church tower’’. We are extremely proud to be associated with this prestigious award and would like to congratulate all those involved including Peter Barber Architects, L&R Brickwork and Forterra Plc. 

  Celebrating milestones at YMCA Wimbledon This week we marked a major milestone in the redevelopment of the YMCA Wimbledon.  Despite the weather, the Mayoress of Merton, Councillor Joan Henry, the Deputy Mayoress of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina OBE, the Deputy Leader of Merton Council Councillor Eleanor Stringer, and local ward representative Councillor Paul Kohler joined us on site for a ‘topping out’ ceremony. The new, state of the art building will provide 121 ensuite hostel rooms with shared kitchen facilities, giving residents a better quality of life and supporting them back into independent living.  YMCA residents and the Wimbledon community will also benefit from new and improved, affordable facilities, including a gym, bigger studio space for fitness classes, a children’s area and brand-new YMCA café.

  Project Completion – Wimbledon High School for Girls’ Neilcott has successfully delivered multiple projects for Girls’ Day School Trust, including the first phases 1A & 1B of Wimbledon High School for Girls’ ‘Ex-Humilibus’ masterplan.Following successful delivery of these complex vertical/side extension and refurbishment works, we negotiated directly with the Trust to undertake Phase 2 of the development to deliver a new £7m Sixth Form Centre.This project has now completed and the new three storey sixth form centre, which includes a large hall and basement, has been handed over.  We hope that the students enjoy their exceptional new facilities that match the outstanding teaching provided at the school.

Abbey Court School wins Medway Design and Regeneration Award 2022! The Medway Design and Regeneration Awards celebrate the highly impressive catalogue of innovative building projects across Medway. Chosen by a judging panel comprised of experts from across the planning, design and architectural industry, we are proud to announce that our Abbey Court SEN School project has won the category for Public Buildings, including education. The judges were impressed by the vision and achievements of this project on a limited budget.  In particular, the judges felt that the school had clearly been designed to meet the needs of the children, demonstrating the importance of engaging with a head teacher and staff who fully understand the needs of the pupils.  We would like to congratulate Peter Taylor Associates on their achievement and all the wider Neilcott team that contributed to bringing this award-winning design to fruition.