Project of the week

WHAT: A 50,000m2 shopping centre built on the site of a former Nestlé chocolate factory. Includes a House of Fraser, 80 shop units and over 100 residential flats.

WHEN: Work on site took three years and the shopping centre opened on 21 September, which was exactly on programme, according to the project team.

HOW: Chapelfield consists of a series of linked indoor spaces on three floors above two levels of underground car parking. Constructing the shopping centre created 800 jobs in the local building industry.

VALUE: £275m.

CONTRACT: Construction management.

WHO: QS: Cyril Sweett, contractor: Bovis Lend Lease, architect: Building Design Partnership.

QS VIEW: “The project was challenging but very rewarding and ultimately its success was down to the complete commitment of the whole project team” – David Hobbs, director of cost consulting, Cyril Sweett.

CONTRACTOR VIEW: “We have set a new standard in town centre retail developments that offers many new shops and amenities without intruding on its historic surroundings” – Jason Millett, CEO of Bovis Lend Lease.

CELEBRITY INTEREST? Shoppers could include self-styled ‘chat meister’ Radio Norwich DJ Alan Partridge. Partridge is thought most likely to shop for sports casual wear such as elasticated-waist trousers and extremely small shorts.

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