University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust’s staff headquarters has been given a facelift, improving the working environment and making the building more energy efficient.
Private property company, Eagle One, has invested £3.5m in a major refurbishment of Brittany House, which has been the longstanding home of staff since the property was first leased to the trust in 2005.
The renovation has entirely transformed the 2,560sq m, four-storey building into contemporary fit-for-purpose office space.
The investment has also dramatically boosted its environmental credentials, taking the 1970s building from an EPC rating of E to B.
New eco-friendly measures include removing the building’s oil-fired heating system and replacing it with the installation of an electric VRV system utilising new solar PVs on the roof, upgrading the building envelope to dramatically improve the insulation, and incorporating a sophisticated hybrid natural and mechanical ventilation system.
Housing between 200-300 people at any given time, the multi-story building is now occupied by NHS staff across all four floors, carrying out work by 18 different departments, including HR, finance, procurement, legal and communications.
And representatives from the trust, Eagle One, and the project team recently gathered together to celebrate the re-occupation of the transformed building.
Ann James, chief executive at Plymouth Hospitals and NHS Trust, opened the ceremony by unveiling a new name plaque which has been positioned at the main entrance of the building to mark the completion of the refurbishment and the start of a new long-term lease between Eagle One and the trust.
Nick Hole, director of Eagle One, added: “It is satisfying to see such a dramatic change, from a dated stale working environment to vibrant fresh space.
“The transformation internally is staggering and it will undoubtedly improve the wellbeing and productivity of the teams working in the building.
“The fresh investment to create a contemporary environment and an energy-efficient building is part of the current strategy for our entire portfolio.”