JBH Refurbishments completed the warehouse office fit-out in Dartford, Kent for a construction firm with a contract value of £500,000.
The newly built warehouse in Dartford, Kent was originally designed to provide five rental warehouse units. JBH Refurbishments was contracted to install mezzanine flooring and office fit-outs in each of the units.
Midway through the project, however, the entire space was let to a music distribution centre that supplies leading retailers, including Amazon, Sainsbury’s and Asda. The firm needed a large operating space for storage and packaging. They also needed sufficient office space and therefore specified a two-storey office fit out, with meeting room, washrooms and kitchen facilities.
Despite the change in direction, JBH Refurbishments worked fast to meet the clients moving schedule.
Starting with the mezzanine floor, the JBH Refurbishment team created a steel frame structure within the warehouse that would act as a platform to the two-storey office fit-out.
Two sets of stairs were installed at opposite ends of the office block. One was located at the main entrance and reception area to welcome visitors. The other simply provided access between the two floors for office and warehouse staff.
The office layout was tailored to meet the needs of the new tenant. Office partitioning and stud walls were installed to create various zones over the two floors.
On the ground floor, the layout needed to accommodate the following:
- Tea point
- Locker area
- Large canteen for warehouse and office staff
- Open plan office
- Washrooms and shower room
- Integrated storage cupboards
- Entrance and reception area
- Stairwell opening
The first-floor layout had to incorporate:
- Washrooms
- IT and comms room
- Open plan office
- Breakout area
- Meeting room
- Tea Point
Once the structure and the partitioned walls were in place, the warehouse office fit-out could commence. The décor and flooring were kept neutral with white walls and grey carpet. JBH installed a suspended ceiling throughout for a clean and crisp finish.The stairwell was finished with the same neutral shades and stainless-steel balustrade.
While the office interior was kept neutral allowing the tenant to use artwork and accessories to make a design statement, the washrooms on both floors were altogether bold!
Finished with predominantly white walls, graphite grey back splash panels, vanity units and doors, it is the red accents on the cubicles that bring a vibrant personality to the décor.
There were five cubicles and basins installed in the ground floor washrooms and on the first-floor washroom a shower room was installed. This brings a contemporary approach to encouraging fitness and well-being at work, allowing staff to freshen up after work or a workout.
For aesthetic and hygiene purposes, the toilets and urinal cisterns were concealed with grey panelling and grey vinyl flooring with cap and cove finish is a practical solution for cleaning and hygiene.
We don’t need to tell you how important it is to have clean space to make beverages. For this office development we fitted a small tea point with sink and white gloss kitchen units on both floors.
The office canteen needed a much larger kitchen area with more units and enough worksurface space for staff to prepare meals. JBH installed three double kitchen carcasses, with white gloss doors, black worktop and sink. White gloss tiles were fitted as an easy to wipe splash back. On the floor a vinyl cut out was seamlessly joined to the main carpet.
From start to finish the structural changes and office fit were complete within six months. This turn around period included a change in direction which posed some setbacks. However, the client was delighted with our flexible approach and the finished article. Ultimately, we were able to create an office space that met the tenant’s criteria within the time scale of their office move from central London to Dartford in Kent.
There are an increasing number of businesses looking for suitable warehouse space in a central location.
Warehouses present ample space for a dual-purpose working environment (office and warehouse/production), or as a complete conversion to office use.
Established and expanding businesses are seeking suitable warehouses with modern office facilities. Landlords too are cashing in on the extra warehouse space by creating offices on a purpose-built mezzanine floor to meet demand for a growing commercial property rental market.
The beauty of a warehouse conversions is the large space presents to opportunity to create a layout that suits your business needs. Just like the music distribution company, it’s possible to list your criteria with very few restrictions and costly alterations to the existing set-up.
If you would like to find out more about warehouse conversions or mezzanine floors office fit outs, contact our team. We will carry out a full site survey to discuss your options and give advice on your office layout.
