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INTERIOR FIT-OUTS: THE INTERIORS GROUP There is a confidence within The Interiors Group that is deserved given the hard work and dedication that is clearly evident. Its recent projects in the UK reflect that. Andrew speaks excitedly of the company’s latest work for Havas, having worked with the global media giant on several projects previously. This new project concerned a 30,000 square feet self-contained London office that was in need of total refurbishment. The client, MPG Media Contacts (which is part of Havas) came to The Interiors Group looking for a one-stop shop to carry out all design and build on the project. Taking nine weeks to complete, the refurbishment essentially brought all the client’s services under one roof. Encompassing six floors, the challenging contract had to be completed with minimal disruption to the 300 employees based there. ECO-FRIENDLY The final design delivered the flexible eco-friendly working environment required while echoing the vibrancy of the business. Partnering with architects Jump Studios, The Interiors Group was able to deliver edgy finishes and furnishings to reflect the “cool Britannia” aesthetic of the classic British design. This incorporated a stunning new reception area, a series of meeting rooms, a number of open plan working areas, a production suite and several social spaces. Andrew is also thrilled to be now working with one of the world’s leading real estate management corporations LaSalle Investment Management. “We took a commercial decision to give them a seriously compet-
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itive rate because we hadn’t worked with them before,” recalls Andrew. “Initially they thought we would be also-rans, that we were simply making up the numbers. But we were commercially keen enough to be brought in for interview. The concept and approach we pitched was chosen by their team, which included their architects and consultants, and we got the job. This was a fantastic strategic result for us.” The Interiors Group delivered a practical, stylish and timeless 16,000 square feet refurbishment which successfully met the requirements of the brief to reduce space requirement by forty per cent. Since then, the company has completed four category A landlord re-fits for LaSalle Investment Management on properties they manage. Its most recent was at St Swithin’s Lane in London. This 25,000 square feet project involved transforming a tired building to create an impressive, sleek reception space together with clean, functional office floors as well as dramatically improving the streetscape by extensively restoring the tired façade. “LaSalle Investment Management are a fantastic brand and we love working with them and their teams,” says Andrew. “We have different teams allocated by them for each project and maintain good relationships with all. Consequently, this successful relationship has increased our market awareness with other project managers and architects looking to work with us.” Elsewhere, The Interiors Group has recently completed work on a high-end office fit-out for business airline developer Gulfstream alongside project manager CBRE.
Unsurprisingly, The Interiors Group’s achievements have been recognised. Following a win at last year’s prestigious Mixology awards for the fit out of a head office for a global investment management company, The Interiors Group was back to winning ways in 2013. For its work at Forward Internet Group’s head office in Camden, the company won Mixology’s Commercial Project of the Year. It is an exciting time for Andrew and the company. Aside from his delight at being chosen recently by several new clients for category B fit-outs up to 45,000 square feet, he has his sights on further franchising opportunities in Ireland and central Europe. HARD WORK AND DEDICATION The Interiors Group has prospered despite economic uncertainty. Strategy, investment and international recognition has played an important role in the company’s success but Andrew is quick to highlight the hard work and dedication of his team. “We have a fantastic group internally who have an energy and enthusiasm to constantly go that one step further,” he enthuses. “It may be a challenging goal, but I would like to grow the business in the UK to the point where we could stabilise it at a turnover value of £50m, maintaining the quality, maintaining the integrity, and maintaining the brand. If we’re passionate about one thing more than anything else it’s the brand and what it stands for.” interiorsgroup.co.uk Tel: 020 7495 1885
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