The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 2: Winter 2016/17 | Page 7

Cover story:

LANDMARK PROTECTED
THANKS TO INNOVATIVE
REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

A Blitz damaged building has received a
new lease of life in a multi-million pound
redevelopment scheme.
Work is now complete on the project to
redevelop a Grade II Listed building in the
centre of Bath.
Development management firm Rengen
took the lead on the regeneration of the
former Labour Exchange building, James Street
West, after securing planning permission for a
mixed use scheme of student accommodation
and commercial space.
The scheme, which was a Joint Venture
with the building’s owners Bath & North East
Somerset Council, includes 78 student rooms
over three new floors and 4,000 sq.ft. of
commercial space on the ground floor.
The historic building is one of the last in
the city to still bear the scars of the Bath Blitz.
Under the planning consent its historic bomb
damaged façade has been preserved.
Throughout the project Rengen worked

closely with English Heritage, Bath Heritage
Watchdog and the Bath Blitz Memorial Project
to ensure the development enhanced the
local environment and protected the historical
character of the building.
To mark the significance of the building, a
special heritage plaque is to be unveiled on
site by members of the Bath Blitz Memorial
Project.
Rengen’s Chief Executive Officer, Iestyn
Lewis, said:“We are thrilled and feel a great
sense of privilege to have been involved in
this scheme to redevelop the former Labour
Exchange on James Street West.
“It was our intention right from the very
beginning of this project to both protect and
preserve the historic bomb damaged façade
for future generations as well as giving the
building a new lease of life.

“Having lived in the city, I was always
mindful of the significance this building held
in the community and that it stood as a
reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of a
previous generation. This innovative scheme,
which came with many logistical difficulties,
has enabled us to bring a very rundown
building back into beneficial use, as well as
safeguarding its historical importance and
ensuring its place in the city’s future.”
All construction work at the former Labour
Exchange building was carried out by local
firm IKON. The company moved on to site at
the end of 2015 with demolition work starting
soon afterwards.
The student accommodation will be
operated by Empiric Student Property who
bought the building in a deal worth £7.65
million.

iesis.net

Bath & North East Somerset Council will
retain ownership of the ground floor. Furniture
retail specialists Nisbet are due to occupy the
commercial unit.
Rengen has been involved in a number of
high profile schemes in Bath, including the
redevelopment of the Widcombe Social Club
and the former Radway Service Station at
Wellsway. Rengen is also taking the lead on
plans for a new headquarters for the Bath
Sea Cadets.
The company, a subsidiary of property
consultancy and engineering firm Iesis,
provides global property services such as
project management, quantity surveying, and
structural and civil engineering.

rengendevelopments.com

0117 922 7039

Iesis Group is a multi-disciplinary property
consultancy company, which focuses on
projects in the South West of England. Iesis
Group provides global property services
such as development management,
project management, quantity surveying,
dispute resolution, and structural and civil
engineering.
Our comprehensive range of multi-sector
delivery in the UK property markets,
provides a strong position from where we
explore opportunities and create value
in our work and the work we do for our
partners and clients.

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016

7