VolkerFitzpatrick celebrate ‘Topping out’ at The Apex, part of a new mixed-use development in Kings Cross
VolkerFitzpatrick and Reef Group have topped out at the iconic £29 million The Apex building, one of six mixed-use new builds which will form the ‘Tribeca’ development in the heart of King’s Cross. Tribeca will be the largest purpose-built life sciences development in London, and in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter. The highest point of construction was reached at The Apex on 28 June and members from VolkerFitzpatrick including Rakesh Chavda, Phil Lavelle, Adam Whitmore and Graham James celebrated the milestone with client Reef.
Situated next to the Regent’s Canal, the ground floor level will feature reception, cafe and retail areas, whilst levels one to six will have the flexibility to be used as laboratory and office space. The building will also include a basement level with changing facilities, bicycle and plant storage and a roof with a plant enclosure to service the floors below.
Levels one to four will be equipped with balconies overlooking Regent’s Canal and a stepped back façade at level five will allow for an accessible terrace space. Due to the site’s close proximity to the water, VolkerFitzpatrick are working in close collaboration with The Canal and River Trust throughout the works.
The team has also provide employment and training opportunities for residents of the London Borough of Camden, including 30 apprenticeships and 36 work placements. In addition, a minimum of 10 percent of the contract value has been reinvested within the borough, through local supply chains.
Rakesh Chavda, Operations Manager of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building division, said: “We were delighted when VolkerFitzpatrick was appointed to deliver this first building within the new waterside Tribeca development. The Apex, a part of this creatively repurposed and thriving district of London, will be a welcome addition to our portfolio of mixed-use projects.”
Sustainability is also a big focus of this project. The Apex was the first building of its scale to make use of site subsoil as a construction material, and the aim is to set a pioneering precedent on using earth blocks for the construction industry. In total almost 14,000 earth blocks will be laid, covering over 90m³.
More info about the Tribecca development can be found here - Tribeca