Four Nottingham companies have played a pivotal role in designing and building an impressive new visitor centre for Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast.
Focus Consultants project managed the development on behalf of IWM (Imperial War Museums), having previously undertaken the feasibility study for the new Quayside Pavilion and given funding research support for the scheme.
Architects CPMG designed the striking new centre which has transformed the entrance to the iconic London landmark on the River Thames. Other members of the project team were Couch Perry Wilkes, who handled the mechanical and electrical engineering aspects, and structural engineers Price & Myers.
The new Quayside Pavilion features improved entrance facilities, a ground floor café and shop and a dramatic rooftop bar. Its opening comes 75 years after the launch of HMS Belfast, one of the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warships of her type, and now a museum based between Tower Bridge and London Bridge.
“HMS Belfast is an important part of UK heritage and a key tourist attraction, and we are proud to have been a part of the team that has given this museum ship a stunning new entrance centre,” said Mike Lee, associate at Focus Consultants, which is based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and has branches in London, Leicester, Lincoln and in Boston.
Focus has worked on significant heritage sites across the country, and is currently project managing a prestigious multi-million pound redevelopment at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, and is on the framework agreement to develop and deliver temporary exhibitions at the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Richard Flisher, director at CPMG, said: “We’re delighted to have successfully completed such a high profile second project for The Imperial War Museum, not many projects are built on stilts in the Thames! We plan to further expand our portfolio of projects in the London area and in pursuit of this aim we are already refurbishing the National Autistic Society Headquarters in Islington, we have just received planning consent for the £18m Quest Academy in Croydon and have recently commenced work on a major waste to energy project in the Thames Estuary.”
The Quayside Pavilion replaces an entrance structure which had been in place 20 years. The redevelopment will improve access for groups, schools, corporate clients and service deliveries via a new gangway.
Its new dramatic roof top café-bar allows visitors to enjoy the stunning views of the historic ship and surrounding London landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and City Hall.
Focus Consultants carried out several different roles on the HMS Belfast Quayside Pavilion scheme, including business case and funding research, the options appraisal/feasibility study, and acted as project manager, project co-ordinator, contract administrator and BREEAM assessor.
