Porsche have opened a new dealership in East London at Gallions Park after a ten month on site project.
The development involved extensive ground works to construct the new build branded structure which now boasts the best Porsche models after opening in April this year.
Works began on site, in Gallions Park, in June 2014 with MCS Group being awarded the main contractor position after tendering for the works. Premier Construction caught up with Tim Perkins Construction Director at MCS Group main contractors on the project to find out more about the works undertaken on site. Tim commented:
“We tendered for the works, successfully won the contract and were then invited to value engineer the ground solution which was a large task as the ground on site was very complex. Works began in June last year and included the construction of two new buildings comprising a showroom, customer toilets and waiting area, office space and a café area on the ground floor. On the first floor office space for the administration staff has been fitted and to the rear of the building there is a workshop facility, parts department and staff welfare space.
“An ancillary building has been constructed to act as the Valet Bay where the washing and preparation of cars is undertaken where they can be prepared for delivery.”
Working alongside Kevin Conlan from Access Three Architects, who is the Porsche brand guardian, MCS Group started work on the remediated site in June last year, which was previously an old creosote farm. The on site team firstly gutted the whole site in line with strict remediation guidelines and the works strategy.
Drainage works were then undertaken, as were the piling works. The team minimised the amount of material taken off site as much of the land was contaminated in many places. The floor level was set, the building was piled with driven piles and then the site was ready for foundations to be laid.
The team laid the floor slabs, erected the steel frames for both structures and then clad and glazed the buildings, before undertaking the fit out process. The structure is identical to Porsche’s other showrooms as the brand are keen to ensure uniformity across all sites, making them as recognisable and familiar to customers and potential customers as possible.
Tim said the team did encounter some challenges throughout the process, he added:
“The project was hard at times because we started work unsure of the floor level. It was too expensive to remove earth from the site so we had to keep as much as possible there which meant it was necessary to lift the building.
“We also had to pile around an existing drain which was a difficult task. The main challenge was getting the ground works solution right; aside from that it was a standard dealership from the floor slab up!”
Since the showroom was completed and opened in June this year Tim said it has been well received by everyone. Speaking about Porsche Tim added:
“It is a bold statement by Porsche to open a showroom here; as it is the first motor dealership in the area. The council have been extremely easy to work with and have worked with us throughout; overall it has been a great project to be involved with.
“We work with this client on a repeat basis and so it is great that we were able to value engineer the ground to help their budget on this specific scheme. The client are a premium brand new build dealership that we have created and we will continue to strive to create quality builds.”
