Garrod Building, QMUL
The Grade II listed Garrod Building in Whitechapel was formerly the library of the Royal London Hospital – a Victorian building with significant history.
We stripped out all services and finishes, made minor reconfigurations, then installed new services, ceilings, finishes and decoration throughout. A new lift was installed, and the building was converted to electric heating, cooling and ventilation with local controls. Kitchenettes and shower rooms were formed, with toilets refurbished. Externally, windows were repaired and decorated, the building was cleaned, and a mansafe system was installed to the roof.
Getting anything into or out of the site meant going through the Inn’s grounds. All deliveries were timed and every vehicle was escorted. Fire protection was a significant early issue – we found that existing compartmentation was not compliant, and remedial work was needed. A new electrical supply was also required to the basement, and the routing hadn’t been established at tender stage. Our site team worked directly with UKPN to find an easier, more accessible solution.
Where tenants requested design changes during the works, we provided specialist advice to make sure those changes integrated cleanly into the overall scheme.
This was a project in one of London’s most distinctive historic settings, which we were determined to deliver as quietly, carefully and punctually as possible.
