© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
Nell Gwynn house is a classically designed 1930’s Art-Deco Style 10-Storey block of 430 apartments located in the heart of Chelsea. Over two summers, a potentially highly disruptive major works project was undertaken. However, the project was completed on schedule, within budget and without causing unnecessary disturbance to the residents of one of London’s most prestigious blocks.
Phase one of the works was undertaken during the summer of 2010. This involved the removal of the existing heating boilers. The units, manufactured by Hoval, had been in-situ since the early 1970’s and had provided years of trouble free service. However, the guidelines set out by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers’ deemed them as being beyond their recommended life. They were operating inefficiently and generating large gas bills at peak times of the year. The replacement boilers, also manufactured by Hoval, have brought about improved energy efficiency, greater reliability and have dramatically reduced energy consumption by approximately 15%. As a new control panel was installed too, the building management have the ability to adjust the output to match the load demanded.
Associated works included the removal of asbestos within the boiler room and on the basement level heating and hot water pipes. An extensive valve replacement scheme was also carried out to improve efficiency for future isolation requirements.
The second phase of work removed one, and refurbished two of the existing cold water storage tanks which had been in place since the block was built in the mid-1930’s. The works took place during the summer months of 2011 and included the provision of a new cold water services break tank and booster set. The installation of this additional equipment has ensured a greater reliability of water supply to the apartments and on-site plant. Consequently, the refilling of the tanks is no longer dependent on mains water pressure. This was an important factor when considering the possible future drop in mains bar pressure supplied by Thames Water and the constant demand of water from a largely fully occupied residential block. The volume of stored water on site has reduced, decreasing the possibility of stagnation, and improving hygiene by allowing a higher turnover of supply.
Following a competitive tendering process, the contract was awarded to Bradford Watts by Bill Pryke of Crabtree Property Management, the appointed Maintenance Trustee for the Building. The works were overseen by Bill Nancarrow of DTZ Debenham Tie Leung the appointed Surveyor for the building. He was assisted by the on-site management team of Peter Richards and Geoff Armes.
Geoff Armes AIRPM is the Building Manager at Nell Gwynn House