Harrogate blaze £1.2m rebuild underway

RESTAURANTS Prezzo and Pizza Express on Albert Street were able to re-open recently after a devastating fire in March last year, but the rest of the building needs repair.

HCM is the firm that carried out the initial preparatory works for the restoration of the restaurants which occupied the ground floor.

HCM has been appointed by High Point Estates, Leeds to complete all of the construction works in a contract worth £1.2 million.

Jason Adlam, chief executive at HCM says: “The major fire which led to the closure of Prezzo and Pizza Express, also damaged the first floor office space and living accommodation on both the first and second floors, with residents having to be immediately evacuated.

“Now that both restaurants are fully operational again we have started work on the redesign and build of the office space and residential apartments.

“We are delighted to be restoring this historic property which is located in a prominent position just off Station Parade to its former glory.
“The fire was the largest that Harrogate has experienced since the Majestic Hotel fire in 2010 and caused extensive damage so it’s very rewarding to be involved in ensuring that the businesses and residents can return to work and live here.”

HCM is restoring 300 square meters of office accommodation and twelve apartments, across the first and second floors.
Some repair work on the building’s external façade, which has required a temporary supporting structure throughout the course of the works, will also be undertaken.

Temporary road closures have been necessary to allow for the removal and replacement of the three fire-damaged structural steel beams which each weigh approximately four tonnes and support the second floor. The work is scheduled for completion in August 2015.