ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Derry’s Cross redevelopment project boasts over 22,000m2 of floor space. The project utilises a much-loved building, previously a Department Store, injecting life and vibrancy into Plymouth City centre.

This large, multi-purpose project required remodelling, extending and refurbishing the existing structure. As part of this redevelopment project a 500 bed student accommodation block, a 110 bedroom, top-floor hotel with 12 mixed purpose, ground floor retail units and student facilities, with a basement unit with a planning designation for a gym were constructed.
 

Major works included the demolition and alteration of the existing 4 floors of Derry’s Department Store, creating 4 new internal courtyards. These provide natural light into the accommodation within the building, while also serving as beautiful outdoor space.

The project also involved structural alterations on the existing steel frame and concrete deck floors. This brought support for an additional lightweight, single-storey extension. This top floor extension is now home to the 110 bedroom leading hotel chain; The Premier Inn.
 

Conversion was also undertaken of the attached Riley’s building. Four storeys were be added to create an additional 7 storey student accommodation facility. DDC Ltd provided the full MEP services design for the entire development working closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary design team to ensure the full coordination of the MEP services within the new and existing structures.
 

DDC Ltd also worked closely with the local distribution network operator (Western Power Distribution) to establish a new 3000kVA electricity supply consisting three 1000kVA transformers based on the ground floor to replace the existing basement mounted substation. This required careful planning between ourselves and WPD to ensure all works were carried out and coordinated with the existing tenants to minimise power outages and disruption.
 

On the ground floor, a retail shell and core fit out was completed. This created 4800m2 of flexible use retail space, the Premier Inn Reception area and communal facilities for the Student Accommodation. All of the work outlined was conducted with six live tenancies (high street retailers) on the ground floor of the building.