A Complex Project Restores Iconic North Norfolk Vista
The Daniel Connal Partnership has delivered a complex project on one of North Norfolk’s most iconic vistas.
In January 2005 Gray’s Arcade on the Quayside at Wells-next-the-Sea was severely damaged in a fire which took 70 firefighters three hours to put out. The site then became a blot on the iconic vista of Wells’ Quay as it was left boarded up and in its burnt out state. Over the years several attempts were made to bring the site also known as Festival Amusements back into use, which all failed, and North Norfolk District Council even started proceedings towards issuing a compulsory purchase order. In the end a CPO was not needed after the Gray family sold the building to Novus Homes ( Norfolk ) Ltd.
Nine years after the fire took place, the site has now been redeveloped into nine luxury apartments with wonderful views over Wells Harbour and three units extending the retail offering on the Quayside See more photographs here.
The Daniel Connal Partnership acted as project managers on what has been a complex but most rewarding project. “We often deal with projects that have their complexities but this seems to have had more than its fair share. Multiple party wall awards, boundary issues, an extremely confined site, part of which being Grade II listed, extensive archaeological investigations are one thing but being flooded by the tidal surge when we were weeks from completion tested everyone’s resolve” explains Robert Dale, senior partner and project manager ” in these circumstances, we are especially pleased to have delivered the project on budget.”
The contractors, Gill Building have been praised throughout the project for the manner in which they have kept disruption to both local businesses, neighbouring residents and holidaymakers an absolute minimum, which was always a key requirement of Chris Wells owner of Novus Homes. They have delivered the SMG Architect’s design to a very high quality level, meeting Code for Sustainable Homes and Secured by Design standards.