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Andium Homes

Andium Homes
Written by Roma Publications

Andium Homes – Raising the standard of affordable housing in Jersey

Andium Homes

Andium Homes is Jersey’s largest affordable housing landlord, and has an existing portfolio of over 4,500 rental homes and has a number of schemes planned for the next 5 years which will add to this considerably. The company which was established in 2014 and is wholly owned by Jersey’s Government but independently run, also provides homes for purchase using its own Deferred Payment Scheme.

The company has been undertaking an extensive new build and refurbishment programme and has recently completed projects at Le Squez Phase 3 in St Clement; Walter Benest Court in St Brelade; and Nicolle Close and Hampshire Gardens, both in St Helier. The company is also part way through the refurbishment of Caesarea Court also in St Helier.

Le Squez Phase 3

A major scheme for Andium Homes, the regeneration of the Le Squez estate is approaching its final phase.

Andium Homes Capital Projects Officer David Reid said: “This project which has been ongoing for a number of years is one of our most important schemes and will see the wholesale regeneration of an estate originally constructed in 1960s. When complete all of the original homes will have been replaced and a number will have been made available for sale on our deferred payment scheme.”

A total of 170 new homes had already been constructed during the initial phases of the project.

Phase 3 which was completed earlier this year saw the construction of another 21 new homes including 4 two-bedroom houses, 16 four-bedroom houses and a three-bedroom disabled adapted bungalow, designed for an existing Andium Homes client living elsewhere on the estate. The new homes are predominantly timber framed, with blockwork outer leafs, with the two bedroom homes being constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS).

“These properties are extremely energy efficient, having achieved level 3 in The Code for Sustainable Homes, and represented one of our first forays into with the use of SIPS panels. These have proved to be very successful and very popular with our clients,” said David.

All of the properties have been built to the highest standards, with top quality fixtures, finishes and workmanship throughout.

The project also included the refurbishing of the estate roads and drainage infrastructure.

Main Contractor, Jersey based AC Mauger Construction carried out Phase 3 and was also responsible for constructing the earlier phases of the regeneration project. The Lead Professionals for Phase 3 were Morris Architects.

“Phase 3 was very successful and was completed on schedule. The tenants are delighted with their new homes,” said David.

Planning permission is currently being sought for the fourth and final phase of works which is expected to provide a further 150 new homes.

Andium Homes

Walter Benest Court

Completed in June 2016, this project involved the construction of 44 new homes, including 9 three bedroom houses, 34 two-bedroom flats and 1 one bedroom flat. The one-bedroom flat is situated above a specially adapted two-bedroom disabled unit; the idea behind this is that it could be used as a carers flat for the disabled unit if the need arose. The houses are arranged in small terraces of three and the flats are arranged in three blocks.

The development also includes both basement and surface car parking and all of the houses have rear gardens, whilst all of the flats have either balconies or terraces.

The houses have been constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), whilst the flats are of traditional concrete and block construction.

Main Contractors were Hacquoil and Cook Limited, the Architects were Waddington Architects.

“This has been one of our most popular developments to date with tenants and the Contractor has performed well,” said Stuart Hutton, from Andium Homes’ Capital Team.

Stuart went on to explain that “Hacquoil and Cook were also responsible for constructing Ernest Briard Crescent, a development of 35 homes for the over 55’s on the adjacent site.”

Nicolle Close

This recently completed project comprised the refurbishment of two blocks containing a total of 20 two bedroom maisonettes and the upgrading of common areas to reach the Decent Homes Standard.

Darren Hodges, the Andium Homes Capital Team member overseeing the project explained: “Some of the materials used in the original construction of the buildings hadn’t performed as well as we had hoped, so we decided that the best solution was to carry out a full refurbishment.”

The works included the installation of an external cladding system, re-roofing, the installation of new windows and new mechanical and electrical services. Kitchens and bathrooms were also replaced before the entire estate had a complete re-decoration.

“The main contractors were AC Mauger Construction who performed well, and the tenants are very happy in their newly refurbished homes,” said Darren.

Project architects were Jersey based practice, Riva Architects.

Andium Homes

Hampshire Gardens

This was a comprehensive refurbishment of two three-storey blocks comprising 38 bedsit apartments and a single 2 bed flat, linked via a single-storey structure which provides refuse and storage space.

The blocks were built during the mid-1970s and the refurbishment was necessary to bring the homes up to the Decent Homes Standard.

Works included the installation of new external wall insulation, new windows, re-roofing, the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, re-wiring, new flooring and a comprehensive re-decoration.

The project was completed earlier this year by main contractors ROK Construction, with Riva Architects as Lead Professionals.

“This was one of the first projects which ROK Construction has completed for Andium Homes and they did a very good job,” said David Reid.

 

 

 

Caesarea Court

 

Local building contractor Camerons Limited, working with Morris Architects, is carrying out this landmark project which involves the comprehensive refurbishment of 52 high rise flats, as well as the provision of new communal facilities and lobbies.

The works include the removal of all of the external building fabric and the installation of new wall and roof insulation, and an external wall cladding system.

Internal works include re-plumbing and re-wiring, the installation of new internal partitions, re-plastering, new kitchens and bathrooms and the installation of new lifts.

The project is due for completion next year.

“Camerons have carried out a number of previous projects on high rise buildings for us. This one is going well and is currently on programme,” said Darren Hodges.

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