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Project Progress Update: Warwick House, Solihull

The UK's ongoing challenge of providing sufficient housing has become increasingly urgent in recent years. For many first-time buyers, the dream of owning a home feels further out of reach than ever. Meeting this demand requires government support, innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking within the construction and property sectors.

One project that reflects this spirit of regeneration is Warwick House in Solihull, a former office block transformed into high-quality residential accommodation. Situated in the heart of the town centre, just seven miles from Birmingham, Warwick House offers excellent connectivity across the West Midlands. Comprising 32 one-bedroom apartments, it provides an attractive opportunity for both first-time buyers and investors seeking well-located, modern homes.

Starfish Construction was honoured to be recommended to the client and appointed Principal Contractor following a competitive tendering process. The project focuses on remediating and upgrading the building envelope, ensuring both safety and long-term performance. Works include the remediation of 160 windows and the design, supply, and installation of 410m² of aluminium spandrel panels, contributing to the development's aesthetic and functional integrity.

Winchester Mews Swiss Cottage Façade Remediation

Supporting the push for sustainable housing and developing future-oriented housing projects.

The project is planned over a 19-week programme, encompassing detailed fire remediation and reinstatement works. The full scope includes removing existing windows, installing EPDM membranes around the existing frames, and carefully reinstating the windows into the existing structure. In addition, new spandrel panels are also being installed, alongside all associated works, with internal reveals reboarded, made good, and painted to deliver a high-quality finish.

This project supports the national drive to create safer and sustainable homes and showcases how thoughtful remediation and adaptive reuse can be crucial in tackling the UK’s housing challenge.

Good planning and management make the project run smoothly and reduce friction and conflict with residents and neighbours. At the core of Starfish Construction's Elevate methodology, which envelops the organisation's mindset, is the mitigation of risk and the assurance of a harmonious and safe environment during construction works.

"Construction projects are as much about the area around you and the people within as they are about the physical construction work. Gone are the days when nothing mattered more than the build process."

Robert Morgan, Projects Director

Addressing Challenges and Developing Solutions

The Starfish Construction team's challenges mirror all our residential remediation projects nationwide. Occupied apartments mean you must ensure the residents' privacy, safety, and security, considering this is their home at all times. Our innovative Residents Hub is a dedicated portal for each project, which allows residents and owners to follow each phase of the project, understand the complexities, and stay up to date with project milestones via the updates page, where residents can subscribe for project information.

Warwick House also shares an access road with Solihull Hospital. Although the hospital is non-A&E, it houses an urgent treatment centre and a wide range of clinical services from Midwifery to Cancer Care. To ensure the access road was not blocked, we implemented a just-in-time delivery protocol to ensure all deliveries were out with peak staff shift changes and to minimise clinic disruption.

The project at Warwick House continues to progress smoothly, with a number of key milestones now achieved. All design drawings have been issued and approved, ensuring the works remain fully aligned with the client’s requirements. The site setup is complete, providing a safe and efficient environment for ongoing activity.

All scaffolding phases have been successfully completed, allowing full access to the building’s elevations. Phase 1 window remediation works are now finished, while internal repairs for this phase are progressing well and are already over 50% complete. Phase 2 window remediation is also underway, maintaining steady momentum across all project areas.

As we approach the following significant milestones, we look forward to sharing further updates on progress and continuing our commitment to creating a better, safer, and more comfortable living environment for the residents of Warwick House.