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Exchange Quay, Salford, Manchester

Hunter Property Fund Management
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Hunter Property Fund Management | 2016 | Manchester

Exchange Quay, Salford, Manchester

idverde UK was appointed by Hunter Property Management to undertake the redevelopment of the existing external landscape to Exchange Quay, one of Greater Manchester’s landmark office developments.

The Project

Client: Hunter Property Fund Management
Architect: Planit-IE
Designer: Keppie Design
Value: £2.7m (including 3y maintenance)
Completion: September 2015
Awards: BALI Principal Award 2016 – Hard Landscaping Construction (over £1.5m)

idverde UK was appointed by Hunter Property Management to undertake the redevelopment of the existing external landscape to Exchange Quay, one of Greater Manchester’s landmark office developments.

Our Role

Working in close partnership with the lead architect Planit-IE; a detailed and extensive overhaul of the existing landscape environment was undertaken, as part of the wider redevelopment of Exchange Quay.

The works included clearance of the existing landscape including reduce level dig, disconnection and removal of existing lighting; installation of new drainage including slot drains; new highway construction; waterproofing of the podium level; installation of deckboard drainage; installation of raised planters; installation of extensive areas of new paving; construction of new staircase to central area including granite risers and treads, concrete shuttering, granite cladding, stainless steel handrails and lighting scheme; installation of bespoke signage and lighting; installation of bespoke street furniture, shelters and way finding signage; extensive sympathetic soft landscaping scheme including 70 Nr mature trees, shrubs & turfing and maintenance of the soft landscaping scheme following planting; installation of new resin bound surfacing to the upper podium level and new pathways; tarmacadam surfacing; granite walling and edging.

The scheme included many bespoke items including installation of a 9m x 9m illuminated sign to the main entrance frontage and a 9m high illuminated clock tower to the central piazza area.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was to coordinate works on site with the existing facility management, as our works were part of a wider redevelopment programme which included the renovation of the internal office environment also. Careful logistical planning was required to ensure that all trades were able to progress uninterrupted around the site.

The development remained open, with most buildings in the scheme being occupied by high profile companies requiring access at all times for both staff, visitors and deliveries. Therefore interaction with the general public was high and constant on this scheme.

Our Project Manager had regular and extensive liaison with the existing facility management on site, to ensure that all traffic plans for the day did not impede any of the existing site users. This meant extensive out of hours working to ensure minimal disruption, whilst still meeting the required programme.

The scheme is split over two levels, with access to some buildings being from a raised podium level.  Transportation of materials to this upper level was conducted by crane, so detailed lifting plans were required to ensure that all materials were delivered to the working area both as and when required, and without causing disruption to the many existing site users.
“This is a superb scheme where the contractor was responsible for all aspects, including paving, steps, resin bound pathways, signage, seating and lighting. The site required that some existing features be incorporated into the new scheme and the contractor has achieved this beautifully. All aspects, including the planting, are finished to a very high standard, despite the logistical challenges the project presented.” BALI Judges’ Report