The Brief
Developer Pinhill wanted to bring a dilapidated part of the Empress Road Industrial Estate back into use. The site was home to a former dairy, which was empty and had been repeatedly damaged by intruders.
The aim was to replace the building with high-quality, fit-for-purpose units that would meet the growing demand for industrial space in the Solent region.
Combining flexibility with sustainability
Vale Southern was appointed for the design-and-build contract which saw the contractor work collaboratively with architects HNW and civil and structural engineers HOP Consulting. The team designed the scheme from concept through to completion, creating modern, flexible units offering adaptable space for Southampton businesses.
A total of six high-specification units were built by Vale Southern across two buildings, using steel frames and strong concrete slabs to accommodate heavy-duty industrial work. The elevations were built with brickwork and sandwich panel cladding. Each unit provides a minimum 6m clear height for storage and features 4.9m level loading dock doors.
Offering a total of 16,941 sq ft, the speculative development maximises flexibility for occupiers thanks to several design features. Internal partition walls can be removed to extend the units, and a mezzanine accommodated.
To enhance environmental sustainability, Vale Southern installed solar panels on the roof, electric car charging points and secure cycle storage. Roof lights also help to increase natural daylight into the space below.
Further improving the appearance of the site and access, the project’s second phase saw Vale Southern create a new vehicular entrance for the adjacent builders merchants.
Overcoming challenges
Surrounded by several industrial buildings with a large Aldi store opposite, the project demanded stringent site management. Vale Southern built strong relationships with neighbours to keep businesses informed and minimise any potential disruption. This was particularly important when the main access road had to be closed to connect the new buildings to the water supply.
Adding the challenges, the team encountered unforeseen ground contamination issues. Investigations were carried out to resolve this problem while mitigating any additional costs.
Meeting the highest standards
Vale Southern delivered the project on time and to budget, providing businesses with accessible, high-quality space that accommodates a wide range of industrial uses.
Commenting on Vale Southern’s work, Gary Taylor from Pinhill said:
“We found Vale Southern a refreshingly easy contractor to deal with. The entire team performed to a highly professional level. Any difficulties or obstacles were dealt with in a timely manner, and we were kept fully updated at all times. Any sub-contractors used also produced work to a high standard with project manager Jon James and his site manager constantly monitoring the standards.
“Vale Southern are a close-knit professional outfit that have provided us with a great end product; we are happy to highly recommend them.”
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