Strategic Asset Advice - The Connaught Trust

Challenge

Vail Williams was appointed by The Connaught Trust, a charity that supports Reserve Forces and Cadets across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding counties, to advise on the future of their Grade II Listed office building, The Granary, located on the Cams Hall Estate in Fareham.

Having become vacant, the Trust sought strategic advice on how to enhance the occupier appeal of the building, whilst delivering energy efficiency improvements.

How we helped

• Worked with the in-house team, local heritage officer and our office agency team, to deliver right balance between heritage conservation, modernisation and sustainability.
• We specified the works to increase marketability, improve energy performance and preserve historical character, securing Listed building consent, whilst preparing and submitting necessary applications.
• Our team project managed the building works delivered by specialist heritage contractors, upgrading all the mechanical and electrical installations, removing partitions, repointing the brickwork and redecorating internally and externally.

Result

• Significantly improved EPC Rating D to B, replacing gas boiler with electric HVAC system and installation of LED lighting with motion detectors, future proofing the asset.
• Listed building officer was highly satisfied with the standard of works carried out by Heritage (UK) Services Ltd.
• The Granary is now a modern, energy-efficient office space with character, blending historic charm with contemporary functionality.
• Office Agency team was retained to market the building, securing a new tenant, OEG.group, on a 5-year lease at £70,225 pa.
• The building was managed by our Property Asset Management team whilst vacant, and the team was retained to continue to manage the premises.