Keepmoat secures £9m Coventry tower blocks refurbishment
HOUSING and regeneration specialist Keepmoat has been appointed to carry out a £9m programme of improvements on three high rise tower blocks in Coventry by Whitefriars Housing.
The 17-storey blocks, William Batchelor House, Samuel Vale House and Nauls Mill will get a makeover including external decoration and feature wall cladding to improve their appearance.
Substantial alterations will also be carried out to ground floor lobbies and external spaces, to boost security and resident accessibility.
The flats, which were built in the 1960s, will also benefit from new windows making them more energy efficient. The works will also see improvements to the ventilation and drainage systems.
The improvement works are expected to take 52-weeks and will benefit 385 flats in the three blocks, which are all located off the city’s inner ring road. Residents will be able to stay in their homes when the work begins.
The news comes a month after it was announced that Keepmoat would deliver an £11m makeover to 270 homes in three tower blocks in Smethwick on behalf of Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Richard Osborne, Director of Property Services at Whitefriars Housing, said: “We are investing heavily in our homes across Coventry with £26m due to be spent this year in addition to the £31m we spent last year.
“We are really excited and proud of the changes made to our hi-rise properties last year, with our blue, purple and green themes enthusiastically received by residents. We are delighted to have Keepmoat on board to deliver the next phase of transforming our hi-rise homes, so look out for this season’s colours coming soon to the Coventry skyline.”
The contract win is the latest Keepmoat has secured with Whitefriars as the social housing landlord seeks to improve Coventry’s existing housing stock, build new homes and regenerate neighbourhoods.
In February, Keepmoat was selected as Whitefrairs’ development partner to build 200 new homes at the city’s Spirit Quarters development.
Neil Baxter, Keepmoat’s Regional Director for the West Midlands, said: “This work demonstrates that the lifespan of our tower blocks can be extended and the lives of residents improved with the right investment and approach.
“This contract also shows the breadth of services we offer at Keepmoat. To be working with Whitefriars Housing again is a testament to the fantastic new homes we have delivered at the Spirit Quarters and this contract will showcase the great service we provide to breathe new life into existing homes.
“Improving the standard of housing is crucial for delivering community regeneration and this comprehensive programme of work will make a real difference to people’s lives.”
