Hamilton House is the second and final part of one of the single biggest projects undertaken by Kettering Borough Council in the last 40 years, to completely remodel the former Hampden Crescent blocks in order to better meet the needs of residents, as well as to make them greener and more energy efficient.
This final stage saw 11 three-bedroom flats transformed into 18 one and two bedroom apartments along with communal areas, play areas and improved car parking, thus making them more appealing to families as well as single people and couples and more suitable for current housing needs.
Work started in August last year and included comprehensive internal and external improvements including an extension to create disabled ground floor flats and the construction of two new brick-built staircases providing access to the newly re-modelled homes and a plant room to accommodate the new renewable heating system.
Externally several energy efficient improvements were made including installing external wall insulation, new uPVC windows, roof insulation, air source heat pump communal heating system and solar PV panels. Internally the homes were updated with new kitchens and bathrooms to make them appealing to all kinds of tenants.
In 2018 Lovell completed a similar remodelling of the adjacent building in the crescent now known as Montrose House.
Works at Hamilton House were undertaken to a program that allowed the two shops on the ground floor to remain open during the refurbishment. Lovell’s specialist resident liaison team operated as a point of communication for the local community throughout the program to ensure that the project ran smoothly and with the least possible disruption.
Lovell regional refurbishment director Carl Yale said: “The flats had become unsuitable especially for tenants with children. They were cold and out of date. The change of mix to one and two bedrooms has also meant the building is now suitable for single occupiers and couples.
“It’s been very satisfying to deliver such a significant program of change for Kettering, especially with the backdrop of the pandemic. In fact we all take huge pride in being able to help provide local people with the homes that are modern, warm and more energy-efficient.”
Dave Parker, site manager for Kettering Borough Council said, “We are very satisfied with the entirety of the refurbishment project, although the site was closed throughout lockdown, Lovell was able to push forward activity as soon as the site re-opened. We worked together closely.
“The site was managed efficiently and to a very high standard. We are really pleased with the outcome.“
L-R: Dave Parker from KBC, Ben Brown, site manager and Paul Meakin, senior project manager both Lovell
