Projects - Retail
Woolworths Neutral Bay Village
Many communities have concerns when new projects are proposed in their neighbourhood. With an active local Member, pro-active Council and a strong Residents Action Group a significant retail redevelopment the size of Woolworths Neutral Bay Village needed to not only meet project deadlines but match the communities and the client’s high expectations.
Inten redevelopment for Woolworths strengthened a strong local retail precinct adjoining a bus transport hub and one of Sydney’s key arterial roads and created twin stores north and south of Military Road.
The success of the project was the working relationship developed between Inten and their sub contractors with respect to the control of access, noise, vibration, dirt and dust and traffic management throughout the construction period.
The 6 month redevelopment occurred at a site with a tenanted office tower and a shared underground carpark that was upgraded as part of the scope of works. Overall the 3000m2 project involved the demolition of all the internal finishes of a redundant supermarket and 40 specialty shops and the fitout of a brand new Woolworths supermarket with one existing liquor store tenancy that remained trading during the works.
The redevelopment involved utilising a remote controlled 45m tower crane:
Externally;
- Façade alterations and installation of a new substation and alcove
- Re-roofing the entire site
- Structural modifications and architectural enhancements to front & rear awnings
- Extensive roof mounted platforms and acoustic screens for mechanical and refrigeration plant
- Demolition and reconstruction of the loading dock
Internally;
- Modifications of the existing structure to allow a new travelator & lift to be installed
- Installing two new travelators and a passenger lift.
- Demolition of all finishes, walls, and stripping of existing services back to structural elements,
- Complete fitout of a new Woolworth’s store to occupy the entire site.
- Basement work included minor structural works plus extensive alterations to services, new travelator & lift pits installed in a very confined corner of the basement and new staff and visitor amenities.
Council concurrently undertook:
- Footpath upgrading and widening, traffic calming works an the reconstruction of road shoulders
- Alterations and closure for 3 weeks of the loading dock’s access lane while resurfacing and width reconstruction took place.
Significant challenges overcome included:
- Structural modifications to accommodate the new travelator and passenger lift.
- Removal of all hazardous materials prior to undertaking the works, including lead dust & asbestos containing materials.
- Structural steel modifications to the existing structure to allow new plant to be placed on the roof and column strengthening in the basement to accommodate increased load requirements.
- Re- roofing the entire building while maintaining the program underneath.
- A very tight development program
- Materials handling issues on a site landlocked and with very little access
- Timing demolition around the operating hours of an adjoining music recording studio
Inten achieved a quality retail redevelopment in character with the local precinct within a tight time and cost framework through skilful management and innovative construction strategies whilst ensuring compliance with comprehensive safety, health and environmental outcomes.
The high expectations of the community and the client for a comprehensive whole-of-site approach to the job given the external constraints achieved a dramatic transformation leaving a legacy of lasting social, economic and commercial value.