The Shipping Building, a prominent feature of the Hayes commercial landscape, required a comprehensive intervention to bridge the gap between its industrial heritage and the needs of modern, high-tech tenants. London Fit Out was appointed under a JCT Design & Build contract to deliver a dual-scope project: a 17,000 sq ft CAT A refurbishment designed to bring the vacant space to a market-leading standard, alongside a site-wide amenity upgrade. This project required a deep understanding of both structural engineering and tenant experience, ensuring the building could compete at the highest level of the Middlesex commercial market.

The core of the technical scope involved a full strip-out of 11,000 sq ft of legacy office space and redundant services. LFO designed and installed a sophisticated new mechanical and lighting system featuring an exposed-service aesthetic that complements the building’s architectural volume. To future-proof the asset for the landlord, we carried out a critical overhaul of the main building plant room and upgraded outdated busbar systems and power distribution networks. These “invisible” yet vital upgrades, combined with the installation of new raised access flooring, created a high-performance shell-and-core environment ready for immediate occupation.

From Wellness to Workplace Dining by enhancing the overall value of the building for all occupants, LFO was tasked with a complete transformation of the site’s shared amenities. We delivered a high-specification refurbishment of the main entrance reception and visitor WCs, and constructed a brand-new, dedicated shower room block to support active commuters. Recognizing the shift toward workplace wellness, LFO also designed and built a new, fully-equipped gym for building occupants. Furthermore, the outdated café was completely reimagined, providing tenants with a modern, vibrant space for dining and informal collaboration.

The project extended beyond the interior, focusing on the “arrival experience.” LFO overhauled and enhanced the main entrance canopy to create a striking first impression and installed a new, high-quality smokers’ shelter to the side of the building. Executing these diverse workstreams required meticulous logistical planning, as the building remained fully occupied throughout the 18-week duration. By managing heavy plant-room overhauls and external structural works without disrupting the daily operations of existing tenants, LFO demonstrated its hallmark ability to deliver complex, multi-faceted projects in sensitive, live environments.