Current/Recent Projects

YMCA - Butter Market Canterbury

Current Contract Value £1million

Knightsbridge are at present carrying out a project involving general refurbishment to a Grade 2 listed building opposite Canterbury cathedral. One part of the building is 14th Century, one part 15th, with the rest having been added to up to the 1950’s.

Extensive work was carried out by a succession of builders in Georgian times and in the late 50’s, in an attempt to open up the first floor as an open plan restaurant facing the cathedral gates, the leaseholder commissioned a local builder to cut out the existing timber posts and beams without realising that they were main supports for this ancient building. This has caused extreme movement to the entire structure and, coupled with the crystallised and split mediaeval lead valleys has caused great water ingress and major deterioration to its main timber frame owing to dry rot, wet rot, woodworm and death-watch beetle.

The lime mortar detached itself from the timber face of the building, which resulted in severe slip of the external mathematical tiling and a risk to the public. This resulted in Canterbury City Council nearly issuing a dangerous structure order. At present, the entire building is being held up and shored internally and externally by scaffolding and using Green Oak, as specified by the council, we are now in the process of replacing many of the tie beams, main support posts, purlins and struts.

All works are being replaced according to the conservation department of Canterbury City Council. These works are being closely monitored by the building landlord and existing lessee, who are very satisfied with the work to this time, as are Canterbury City Council.

All wood being used is structural grade softwood or Green Oak. All plaster surfaces being addressed are being replaced with lime horse hair mortar on lathes. The roof tiles are being made to match the existing, using a mixture of existing and new, as is the leadwork to the roofs, which is being replaced by our professional in house tradesmen to exacting specification.

The timberwork is being replaced using traditional methods and jointing techniques, again to match the existing and using professional speculation as to how the original missing timbers would have been installed. By the time the mathematical tiling is replaced to the external elevation of this fine building, Knightsbridge will have made a unique contribution to the heritage of Canterbury.

Maxted Road, Hemel Hemstead

Following the news highlighted explosion that took place at the Buncefield Road oil depot just before Christmas 2005,twenty five fire units were deployed to deal with the incident that rocked the area of Hemel Hempstead early on a Sunday morning. This damaged domestic and commercial properties up to a 3 mile radius.

Renovation works to these affected areas are now very much in progress and include the commercial units that were badly or partially damaged that Sunday.

Knightsbridge Property Services are at present carrying out extensive repairs to four warehouses at Maxted Court, which lies approximately ¼ mile from the oil depot. These units escaped being too badly damaged in the blast, unlike others which were totally destroyed.

After initial discussions, Knightsbridge started works on the 5th June 2006, and we are now in our third week of a 12-week programme.

The work involves part to total refurbishment of the offices and main warehouse areas, to include renewal of ceilings, fireboard protection to the perimeters, structural blockwork, windows renewal, flooring, partitioning and cosmetic repairs/redecoration in general.

30 St Mary Axe

Knightsbridge recently carried out the mechanical services package to a complete refit of floors 28 and 29 in the Swiss – Re owned 30 St Mary Axe. Affectionately known as the Gherkin by some, this prestigious building demands the very best when building works are required.

The project required us to deal with all aspects of the electrical power and lighting, including the specialist requirements of the Delmatic lighting system. Major ductwork alterations were made to facilitate new office design configuration and air-conditioning was installed to the communications room. The fire alarm was altered to suit.

The project was carried out with expedience, within budget and time restrictions and to the high standard required by our client.