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Thu March 28 2024

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ISG breaks the bank

27 Jul 12 ISG has won a £3m project to redevelop a Grade II listed former Barclay’s Bank in Cambridge’s ‘Arts Quarter’ for commercial property developer Wrenbridge.

Artist's impression
Artist's impression

The contractor will have to break through the 750mm thick concrete bank vault to convert the building into two ground floor restaurants and three storeys of student accommodation for nearby King’s College.

The two restaurants, to be part of the Zizzi and Cau chains, will be in the former bank, which features an original 18th century embossed ceiling with gold relief. The student accommodation will be created in the office areas above the retail bank, with the original roof structure removed and a steel frame extension providing an additional storey on the building, which incorporates a green sedum planted area.

The design & build project involves retention of the existing façade and reconfiguration inside, with new staircases, two new passenger lifts and a service lift for the restaurants. Several original features of historical interest will be removed during the redevelopment and replaced in the restaurant areas following completion, including an 18th century feature fire place and an original door and frame.

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 Removal of the bank vault ceiling will enable ISG to lower some floor areas to provide improved working height and greater headroom in some of the adjacent student study bedrooms.  Each of the 32 student accommodation units will have en-suite bathroom facilities with internet access and communal kitchen facilities.

 ISG’s Phillip Allerton, managing director - East, said: “Working closely with our design partners we have developed a solution that enhances overall capacity within the structure, through the addition of a discreet roof extension, while answering the challenges of an historically protected building.”

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MPU
MPU

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