Sisk completes complex project in conservation area achieving BREEAM Excellent accreditation

John Sisk & Son Ltd (Sisk), one of the largest construction groups in the UK and Ireland, has completed St. Catherine’s Court - a six-storey office block and part of a £15m development in Bristol’s Clifton conservation area.

It is the first commercial building built in the Clifton area for 25 years and has been awarded the prestigious BREEAM Excellent accreditation for its exceptional environmental credentials. Two floors have already been pre-let to property consultant GVA Grimley.

Built on the site of the former Bristol Steiner Waldorf School, the £8.4m project involved the careful demolition of the old school building, located adjacent to a Grade II listed Cathedral. It is estimated that 50% of the time on site was at ground level due to the significant engineering challenges that faced the Sisk team. This is far higher than average proportion of a project build and reflects the complexities of ensuring that the foundations were correct to allow the build. The very challenging existing ground conditions necessitated the use of 199 piles and 32 rock anchors to prevent the 19^th Century Cathedral building, situated above, slipping in to the main Clifton shopping area!

The 31,000 sq ft office building has been constructed with an in-situ concrete frame, with structural steelwork on the top floor. The roof is standing seam and mastic asphalt. The external envelope comprises stonework, brickwork & render, with curtain walling predominantly on the front elevation. Internal finishes include lifts, toilets, staircases and open office space with raised access flooring & suspended ceilings.

Developer Ashfield Land also obtained the Cathedral as part of the 1.75 acre site. This part of the development has been sold on to a house builder, which is planned to be the first ever conversion of a Cathedral to use as a residential building in the UK.

Les Nicholls, Director Western Region, Sisk commented:

“St. Catherine’s Court was a really satisfying project to work on. It meant overcoming some real engineering challenges below ground – it was a tight site adjacent to a listed building and next to others in continuous use – and is testament to our engineering expertise. Sisk really enjoys these projects as it challenges us to put our thinking caps on to find elegant practical solutions for our clients.  We honestly believe that as builders and engineers, this is how we deliver the best value and best results for our clients.”

Paul Jagroop, Construction Director, Ashfield Land added:

“Sisk’s team has enabled this site, made challenging by a number of factors, to become a development that will deliver long-term value for Ashfield Land, our tenants and those who benefit from using the building in this scenic part of Bristol. With our vision and Sisk’s unique approach, this location is now a genuine commercial opportunity that we take pleasure in making available to the market.”