Architectural Features on Buildings

Posted on: November 21st, 2019 by Jason Antill

PRE recently completed a survey on 86 Brook Street, Mayfair. Upon inspection we noticed interesting details to the building façade. The first of these was a pediment consisting of a snake entwined rod inside a wreath located above the main entrance to the building. It would be easy to assume this serves no more purpose than decoration, however with further investigation it can be found that the snake entwined rod is actually a significant symbol known as ‘The Rod of Asclepius’. The symbol takes its name from Asclepius the Greek God of medicine thus the presence of it on the building may very well indicate that it was built to serve a medical purpose. This theory is supported in an article by British-History.ac.uk which states that the building was reconstructed in 1922 to provide consulting rooms for a group of ‘distinguished doctors’, in addition to this the architect C. H. Biddulph Pinchard later went on to be the architect of the London Clinic on Marylebone Road.

Another sculpture on the building façade is a small owl on Binney Street located close to the corner of Brook Street. In Greek Mythology the owl was a symbol for Athena the Goddess of wisdom and strategy. It is possible that the owl is a tribute to these traits, however after noticing the plaque containing ‘Bird Street 1725’ as shown, may the owl be a reference to the previous name of the street?

Although speculative at times, it is always interesting to discover history and meanings through these memorials and they have a great impact on personifying buildings. We look forward to exploring more of these features and discovering significance and meanings to buildings.

Units 1, 2 and 3 Clarendon Road – Photographic Schedule of Condition

Posted on: November 20th, 2019 by Jason Antill

PRE Chartered Surveyors were instructed to carry out a full internal and external Schedule of Condition at Units 1, 2 and 3 Clarendon Road, Haringey.

The single storey units currently sit vacant and have been recently refurbished for new leases. We provided a highly detailed schedule of condition for our client so that they can monitor the condition of the property through any leases and also to help with dilapidations claims in the future.

A schedule of condition is important for landlords and occupiers in a number of situations which include limiting future dilapidations liabilities, addressing tenant alterations and party wall matters. A highly detailed schedule of condition of a property is used to benchmark and record the condition of a property on a particular date, against which the condition can be monitored and assessed in the future.

We received the following testimonial from our client:

“Working with [Matt / PRE] was a pleasure; operating within a demanding timeline the team provided the College with an accurate, comprehensive schedule of condition for its new premises. We look forward to working with them further”

If you need to record a property’s state of repair and defects at any point, we can deliver within 24 hours of inspection. Please get in touch with one of the team here at PRE:

Tara French
Director of Operations

M: +44 (0) 7387 267 800
DL: +44 (0) 20 8406 3000
E: [email protected]

Charlotte Fearnley
Operations & Accounts Manager

DL: +44 (0) 2084063000
E: [email protected]

Matt McGettigan BSc (Hons) MRICS MCIOB
Associate Director
Building Surveying and Project Management

Switchboard: +44 (0) 20 8406 3000
M: +44 (0) 7903 167907
E: [email protected]

Life of an Apprentice Building Surveyor

Posted on: November 14th, 2019 by Jason Antill

Michael Luttners Tickner our Apprentice Building Surveyor gives an insight into a recent Project Management for a CAT A office refurbishment in central London, W1.

Mike joined PRE in March 2018 as a Trainee Surveyor and in the last 6 months has become a valuable member of the Building Surveying Team headed up by Matt McGettigan MRICS.

Having graduated in November in 2016 with a Product Design degree from UAL, Mike started out his career as a carpenter following which he developed an interest in property.

In March 2018 he joined PRE Chartered Surveyors Building Surveying apprentice scheme, with an end goal to become a member of the RICS.

He initially joined the PRE measured building surveying division, where he undertook a variety of projects including NIA/GIA, IPMS, ITZA, 3D Scanning and EPC’s. During this time he gained experience and knowledge in the property sector.

Mike chose to study a distance learning, 2 year masters degree at Northumbria University and will graduate in March 2021. So far he has worked through modules including, The Business Environment, Law, and Sustainable Construction and Technologies and this year became fully enrolled in the RICS APC graduate scheme.

He is currently providing support to the Building Surveying Team on Due Diligence, Party Walls, Dilapidations and most recently Project Management and Contract Administration for a Cat A refurbishment at Castle House in London’s West End.

Here’s what Mike had to say following completion the CAT A Office refurbishment project;

“I’m thrilled to have positively contributed to the successful completion of a Cat A refurbishment for a West End Office of approximately 7,000 sq. ft, allowing the office to undergo a new letting. Under the guidance of my Supervisor Matt McGettigan I was able to experience first hand how a project is run from inception all the way to completion and what each stage involves. For example, I assisted in preparing and submitting the planning application to Westminster City Council and was responsible for ensuring approval of the application.

I learned that a large part of the pre-construction work was in preparing the relevant project documentation such as; Asbestos reports, noise consultancy and CDM (so that current legislation could be complied with).

It has been an amazing experience to work alongside the appointed contractor to deliver this excellent project to an extremely high spec. There has been a lot of learning throughout this project, from contract administration, valuations and even chairing my first ever site meeting!

Of all that I have learnt throughout this project, it has become clear what how crucial and beneficial it is for continuous clear and effective communication to remain for the whole project.
The biggest challenge during this project was to implement a sustainable design that would achieve improved energy efficiency for the client, I learned that this could be achieved through PRE having a clear communication channel from client and contractor alike and having the ability to influence design where necessary.
To say I’m excited for what’s to come is an understatement!”

OBREMS 9th Annual Dinner

Posted on: November 12th, 2019 by Jason Antill

OBREMS 2019 Film

The Committee (from left to right)

Andrew Hynard – President of OBREMS, Chief Executive of The Howard de Walden Estate

Elaine Tooke – Lecturer and Careers Lead

Guy Harris – Vice Chairman & Treasurer of OBREMS, Associate Director at JLL

Rebecca Gee – Programme Lead

Tom Lang – Events Committee, Residential Development Cushman & Wakefield

Harriet Costello – Social Media, City of London Valuations JLL

Jason Antill – Chairman of OBREMS, Managing Director of PRE Surveyors

Lucy Taylor – Fundraising Committee, Investment Derwent London

James Stacey – Fundraising Committee, Executive Director of PGIM Real Estate

Adrian Love – Fundraising & Events Committee, Residential Investment Dorrington

“OBREMS 9th Annual Dinner took place last Thursday at The Institute of Directors. It was a sell out with over 200 attendees nearly all of whom were alumni of Oxford Brookes who operate in the world of real estate.

The Chairman Jason Antill, Managing Director of Pre Chartered Surveyors, was the driving force behind the dinner working with President Andrew Hynard and the excellent committee – all of whom volunteer their time and effort.

The guest speaker was Dame Katherine Grainger, Chancellor of Oxford Brookes and Britain’s most decorated female Olympic athlete, with medals at 5 successive games. She delivered a hugely inspiring and entertaining presentation in which she talked about the power of sport, team-work, the opportunities which University education provides and the contribution which alumni can put back into developing future talent.

Andrew Hynard, President, announced the succession of Jason Antill as Chairman following an outstanding successful three year term. His successor, James Stacey of PGIM will take on the leadership role with effect from March 2020.

There was applause for the enormous contribution from Jason in promoting and developing OBREMS, and he will continue on the OBREMS committee beyond March.

The Partnering Programme was launched, whereby companies are invited to contribute £5,000 annually to create a pool of funds to support bursaries and other charitable initiatives

Over £10,000 was raised on the night through raffle, a game of heads and tails and an auction which was brilliantly orchestrated by Will Clough of Allsop’s.”

Archive for November, 2019