Size

10,000 sq ft

Location

Milton Keynes

Activity

Property & Coworking

Duration

12 weeks

We've transformed a dated office building in Milton Keynes' bustling business district into a modern, flexible workspace designed to attract and retain tenants.

Our comprehensive CAT A refurbishment of One Grafton Mews has maximised lettable space, enhanced the arrival experience, and delivered sustainability improvements throughout the 10,000 sq ft development.

One Grafton Mews is a three-story office building located on Midsummer Boulevard in central Milton Keynes. Part of a larger office complex that includes the adjacent Pinnacle building, it offers over 20,000 sq ft of total office accommodation.

1592 Grafton 024

One Grafton Mews needed updating to remain competitive in Milton Keynes' dynamic office market. The building's dated interiors and inefficient use of space were hindering efforts to attract new tenants as existing leases expired.

Our brief was to deliver a comprehensive CAT A refurbishment that would modernise the space, improve energy efficiency, and create a more welcoming arrival experience. A key challenge was maximising the lettable floor area to increase the building's revenue potential.

Our design for One Grafton Mews has delivered a timeless architectural aesthetic that breathes new life into this strategically located building.

The ground floor has been completely reimagined, transforming an underutilised reception area into a multifunctional welcome space. New bespoke joinery creates subtle separation between arriving tenants and casual users, allowing the area to serve as a meet-and-greet zone, quick call spot, or lunch area. This enhancement significantly improves the arrival experience and provides valuable amenity space for tenants.

On the upper floors, we removed the existing lift lobbies to maximise the lettable floor area. To maintain building security and fire safety, we installed new access control systems in the lifts and introduced fire curtains. This innovative approach increased the available office space while keeping the building fully compliant with regulations.

The refurbishment features exposed services and a striking lighting scheme that unifies the entire building. Beginning in the welcome area, the lighting design continues through core areas and washrooms before culminating in the CAT A office spaces. This creates a cohesive journey through the building and adds a distinctive architectural element.

Sustainability was a key focus throughout the project. We installed new energy-efficient M&E systems on the second and third floors, used low VOC paints and sustainable flooring products, and retained existing elements like raised access floors and doors wherever possible. These measures not only reduce the building's environmental impact but also lower operating costs for tenants.

The washrooms and common areas have been refreshed with modern finishes, further enhancing the overall user experience. On the third floor, we completed a CAT B fit-out including a new tea point in preparation for incoming tenant Woodfines.

Our team's expertise in fast-track delivery allowed us to complete this extensive refurbishment in just 12 weeks, minimising disruption and quickly returning improved space to the market. Close collaboration with project partners TFT, Burnley Wilson Fish, and KJ Tait Engineers was crucial to meeting this ambitious timeline.

One Grafton Mews showcases how thoughtful design can breathe new life into existing buildings. By maximising lettable space and creating a welcoming arrival experience, we've helped our client position this property for long-term success in Milton Keynes' competitive office market. The project's focus on sustainability and user experience aligns perfectly with current workplace trends, making One Grafton Mews an attractive option for forward-thinking businesses.

Tina Batham, Managing Director