St George's Island Façade Remediation and Balcony Replacement Project Update
As our transformative cladding remediation and balcony replacement project at St. George's Island, Manchester, is 15 months into our planned three-year project, we’re delighted to bring you the following positive project update. Explore the project works, our resident communication solutions, and our community engagement.
We’ve also welcomed governmental representatives to the site to learn about the project and the benefits for the community, including Homes England.
Ahead of Schedule: St George's Island Façade and Balcony Upgrade Surges Forward
As we provide this project progress update, we are proud to announce that the project is progressing exceptionally well; project advancement is 15% ahead of the original schedule, demonstrating our efficiency, safety and continued commitment to delivering projects on time and within budget. The project is a large residential development complex consisting of five blocks of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments where we are removing the entire building's existing timber cladding, soffit system, and terracotta tiling, replacing each element with an updated, building-regulation-compliant, non-combustible façade. We are progressing works across four of the five blocks on St George's Island, demonstrating our capacity to manage multiple facets of the project efficiently. Our experienced and knowledgeable façade remediation site teams are diligently transforming the aesthetics and safety of St George's Island's properties, and we're doing this with effective community relationships at every stage.
Façade Remediation Resident Liaison Communications and Engagement
Any resident-occupied construction project brings complexity and challenges, and across the five buildings at St George’s Island, there are approximately 500 leaseholders and residents. The Starfish Construction Resident Liaison Hub, an online portal we developed to manage resident-occupied remediation projects, delivers seamless, accessible, real-time project information, progress updates, and essential announcements to all stakeholders.
This unique system provides 24/7 access to all aspects and elements of the project works, ensuring everyone involved is informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
“At Starfish Construction, we've always prioritised clear, open communication and community involvement in every project we undertake. Throughout our St George's Island project, introducing the Starfish Construction online Resident Hub creates a transformative digital bridge connecting everyone involved. Throughout all project stakeholders: our team members, residents, client, and site contractors, we're enhancing project relationships.
The beauty of the Resident Hub lies in its comprehensive project information, accessibility, and transparency. Available online 24/7, it ensures that everyone, regardless of their schedule or even time zone, some leaseholders are located overseas, has immediate access to the latest project information, updates, and announcements. This always-on approach means that residents are always kept in the loop and can always feel connected to the progress we make throughout our operations. Developing and providing access to the project resident hub also mitigates risk and assists building owners who are often left to manage all resident communications.
Most importantly, the Resident Hub embodies our commitment to transparent communication and community. We're building trust by providing clear, consistent updates and project information. In construction, especially resident-occupied projects, trust is the foundation for all successful projects.” Melissa Buckley, Starfish Construction Resident Liaison Officer.
Our façade design division, project management team, and Health & Safety management division are fundamental in resident-occupied projects.
The exemplary construction Health & Safety processes and project management procedures we are renowned for are vital elements of a project of this scale. We continually demonstrate a culture of transparent communication and mitigate risk for all stakeholders across our residential property façade replacement portfolio. Our commitment to safety and community engagement is pivotal in what we do and how we do it, ensuring occupants are at the heart of every decision.
"To see the project progression over the last 18 months and the progress achieved to this stage is very impressive and pleasing. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver projects safely, within budget, and exceeding the client's expectations, and this project certainly reaffirms our ability to do that."
Adam Denton-Beaumont, Starfish Construction Projects & London South Business Hub Director.
Welcoming Recognition from Homes England
Our project and scale of operation have garnered attention from the Homes England government agency, which has resulted in two site visits. Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, believes affordable, quality homes in well-designed places are vital to improving people’s lives. Together with partners, the initiative aims to accelerate the pace of house building and regeneration across the country, to deliver homes and places people are proud to live in – for future generations.
The two visits to St. George’s Island by Homes England representatives allowed Starfish Construction to showcase our robust delivery mechanisms and positive project outcomes to them and other government departmental staff members, highlighting our position as a model for excellence in façade remediation construction and project management.
Adam Denton-Beaumont, Starfish Construction Projects & London South Business Hub Director, commented, "To see the project progression over the last 18 months and the progress achieved to this stage is very impressive and pleasing. We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver projects safely, within budget, and exceeding the client's expectations, and this project certainly reaffirms our ability to do that. With the visits from the Homes England Government department and subsequent positive comments, I'm encouraged and positive as we move on to the next phases. This project team have grown collectively, working on one of the most significant facade remediation projects undertaken in the UK. Our planning, design, project management site delivery, and health and safety for this project will again enhance our standing as a facade remediation partner of choice within the UK."
Local Employment and Professional Development
In line with our commitment to the community, we take great pride in informing you that we employ 85 members from nearby communities on-site daily, contributing to the vitality and economy of the local area. Moreover, we have welcomed 17 individuals into full-time positions within Starfish Construction, many of whom were previously long-term unemployed or engaged in short-term contracts. This initiative not only aids in local employment but also enriches our team with a diverse group with local knowledge and perspectives.
Significantly, three of these new staff members have advanced to supervisor roles, embodying our belief in nurturing talent and offering opportunities for growth. Starfish Construction supports these individuals through our learning and development training programme, CPD courses and industry qualifications, underscoring our commitment to personal and professional development.
Joe Monaghan, one of the new recruits to Starfish Construction, based at St. George's Island, commented, "It's been an absolute pleasure to join Starfish Construction as a full-time employee after working on-site from an agency. Being recognised for my focus and hard work and subsequently becoming part of the project team is a milestone for me. The company culture and support, along with the offer of assistance to help me achieve professional qualifications, means a great deal to me. I'm excited by the opportunities working at Starfish Construction and looking forward to the following stages of my career working here and with the team."
Sustainability and Community Contribution
Sustainability remains at the heart of all of Starfish Construction's project operations. Our continued desire is to operate sites responsibly and with the environment in mind at every stage gate; at St George's Island, we removed 85% of the timber from the project, repurposing it for local and wider community goodwill projects. This initiative demonstrates our dedication to environmental stewardship and commitment to serving the communities local to our projects.
Looking Forward
As we continue to make great strides in the St George's Island project, we remain focused on delivering exceptional quality, continued community engagement and support, and ensuring quality and safety to all stakeholders. Starfish Construction enhances buildings, making them safer, and we are also building stronger, more vibrant communities.
Follow our company LinkedIn page for more updates as we continue to transform St George's Island and other projects nationwide in our pursuit of delivering best-in-class façade remediation projects.
To learn more about the project, explore our original project announcement here: https://www.starfishconstruction.com/news/transforming-st-georges-island
To discuss your resident-occupied façade remediation project requirements and explore our services and solutions, email info@starfishconstruction.com
