If required, we can still provide traditional contract administration, but the increasing complexity of design and build projects and the interests of our clients usually demand more. That’s when our access to a wide range of professional disciplines, from construction to cost consultancy, pays dividends, enabling us to meet, and in many cases exceed, the client’s expectations.
The scope of our activities as an employer’s agent depends on the client’s circumstances and requirements. Flexibility is fundamental. Based on the brief, we will draw on the exceptional expertise we possess in house, to put together a team that incorporates the specialist skills required. The team will then take an active role for the duration of the project, monitoring costs, performance and quality, and doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the client’s project is delivered to their satisfaction.
Client: Queen’s Wharf Riverside LLP
Services: Project Management and Cost Consultancy
This stunning development, next to the Grade II listed Hammersmith Bridge on the ‘Surrey Bend’ of the Thames, is the first residential and arts complex of its size in the UK
The multi-use scheme, a joint venture by Mount Anvil and FABRICA by A2Dominion, brings the world-famous Riverside Studios back to life and adds 165 private apartments. The development incorporates landscaped podium gardens, state-of-the-art TV studios, community arts complex with cafés and restaurant, and a six-metre wide riverside walkway and landscaped park area. It also includes a double basement and a CHP serving the apartments and the arts complex
Client: Keybridge House LLP
Services: Client Representative, Employer's Agent, Project Management and Quality Management
This landmark development at the heart of a regenerated Vauxhall delivers 470 high-end residential apartments, including 165 Build to Rent, in five blocks. One of the blocks, at 37 storeys, will feature the UK’s tallest brick façade. The scheme includes commercial space at the base of the residential blocks, a gym with swimming pool, landscaped gardens and a new public square.
The project involved the demolition of Keybridge House, a five-storey podium and 16-storey tower, whilst retaining, adapting and incorporating its double basement in to the new scheme. Previously owned by BT and once the world’s largest international digital telephone exchange; as the basement was reinforced with abnormal concrete slabs, the main tower incorporated asbestos within its structure and the site is close to a railway viaduct. The project presented a number of challenges.
Phase 2 comprised the demolition of existing buildings and associated structures (retained basement), and the design and construction of 125 residential dwellings and new school to ground and basement (including fit-out), associated external works and infrastructure.
Client: One Housing Group
Services: Employer’s Agent and Quality Management
This regeneration in the Borough of Ealing involves the redevelopment of the original Grade II Listed Acton Town Hall to provide a total of 71 residential units.
Works include the partial demolition of the building’s rear elevation, retention of the façades fronting High Street and Winchester Street, a roof extension, internal and external alterations plus the erection of a new residential building, landscaping, refuse and cycle storage.
Client: Peabody
Services: Employer’s Agent and Client CDM Advisor
Southmere Lake was constructed as part of the original Thamesmead plan in the 1960s and now forms part of the emerging green infrastructure network which is at the heart of the regeneration strategy for Thamesmead.
We were appointed as Employer’s Agent and Client CDM Advisor for the Southmere Lake improvement works.
The project generally consisted of:
As Client CDM Advisor, we acted as a key client advisor to Peabody throughout the design and construction phase. We also undertook monthly site inspections to monitor compliance.
Client: A2Dominion
Service: Employer's Agent, Cost Consultancy and Site Inspection
The project comprised the demolition of a school in Bradmore Park Road and the construction of a bespoke new Quaker Meeting House in Hammersmith and Fulham. This replaces the existing meeting house on the H&F Town Hall campus that is part of the West King Street Renewal Development.
The new landmark building was designed and built to the highest levels of environmental sustainability and achieved AECB (Passivhaus) standards for energy and acoustic performance. Appointed as employer’s agent, cost consultant and site inspectors, our team at Silver ensured the contractor completed this demanding, high quality scheme on time and within budget to meet the deadline for the Quaker’s to decant from their existing premises.
The Quakers Meeting House completed in 2020.
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Employer's Agent, Cost Consultancy, Quality Management
The Exemplar is the initial phase in the development of the UK’s first Eco Town and when complete, will provide 393 highly energy-efficient homes and a village hub which includes a primary school, nursery, convenience store and business centre; creating a zero carbon community that is a first for the UK.
Silver has been involved from the beginning and has been able to work innovatively and collaboratively with A2Dominion, Cherwell District Council and other stakeholders on this Exemplar phase, in order to achieve the highest standards in sustainability.
In relation to the wider Masterplan, proposing circa 5000 homes, with commercial centres, Silver has assembled the construction Cost Plan.
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Employer’s Agent, Quality Management, Principal Designer
New build development, delivering 21 new apartments, incorporating two detailed brick façades.
Formerly an electrical substation, the historical building is a prime example of Camden’s rich architectural heritage.
Client: Lodha
Services: Principal Designer, Employer’s Agent, Building Surveying and Quality Management and Site Inspections
This three-storey building plus basement structure was built in the 1980s and is located within the Dorset Close Conservation Area.
The development proposals comprised the change of use of the basement, ground and first floor of the building, from office to residential in order to provide nine new residential units. The existing three residential units at second floor were reconfigured.
The development therefore provides 12 new affordable homes comprising:
• Three one-bed units
• Seven two-bed units
• One three-bed units
Lodha appointed Silver at the post-tender stage prior to awarding the contract to the successful contractor. From this stage we provided multi-disciplinary services led by our Building Surveying team through to completion of the 12-month programme. The project was delivered under a JCT Design and Build 2016 Contract.
Client: LHA-ASRA Group
Services: Employer's Agent and Quality Management
This unique and complex, low carbon development provides 20 new, mixed tenure homes, a modern and flexible community centre and a net zero carbon vicarage. The buildings are arranged around a new street which draws in the existing Grade II Listed church.
Putting sustainability first
Sustainability was key throughout the whole St John’s Church scheme. The new vicarage became the first in the UK to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 and went on to receive a BREEAM 2012 Award for the ‘Highest Code for Sustainable Homes Score’. The new homes - 12, two-bedroom apartments and eight, four-bedroom family houses arranged in two blocks and two terraces – have all achieved Level 4. A range of renewable technologies were deployed across the development, including PV panels and rainwater harvesting systems.
Construction work was phased to allow the vicar to remain in residence throughout, moving into the new vicarage as soon as it was built, in order to free up the rest of the site.
Client: Stoll
Services: Employer’s Agent and CDM Coordinator
Stoll provides housing and rehabilitative support to vulnerable and disabled ex-service men and women offering the holistic support needed to integrate some of the most vulnerable veterans back into civilian life.
Countess of Wessex House, named after the charity’s patron, has 36 new homes, with communal facilities that include a training room and community hall. A de-centralised energy system comprises a CHP system with back-up gas boilers. The building is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped and tranquil Therapeutic Garden which includes sheds and a state-of-the-art greenhouse.
Silver identified this ‘off-market’ site and worked closely with the client and the London Borough of Hounslow to achieve the necessary architect planning permission, then acted as Employer’s Agent and CDM Coordinator until the development was completed.
The image supplied courtesy of Bugler Developments Ltd.
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Employer's Agent, Quality Management and Party Wall.
This scheme, so named by local school children after its distinctive "wavy gate" entrance design is situated in the heart of Oxford. Comprises 190 fully furnished, ensuite student rooms, a central landscaped courtyard acting as a communal area for students to socialise.
Given budget constraints, initial cost estimates based on a reinforced concrete frame questioned the development’s viability. It was therefore decided to use a prefabricated timber frame system which could save time and cut costs by around 9%. Silver visited EBS Elk’s main manufacturing plant in Austria with our client’s Development Team to acquire a 360 degree understanding of the component structure, process and ultimate sustainability of the building. Construction of both three and four-storey buildings, which covered 60,000 sq.ft., took only 10 weeks to achieve complete water tightness and which included installation of bathroom pods. Overall the project build took ten months from formation of ground floor slab to occupation.
With over 30 adjoining residential properties, party wall matters had to be addressed at the earliest possible stage to avoid delays. Our experienced party wall surveyors acted proactively, extending our role to act as Building Owners Surveyor, undertaking and issuing the necessary Awards within a tight, three month timeframe.
Client: Maidstone Borough Council
Service: Employer’s Agent
This project incorporates various improvement projects within the Grade II Listed park.
Improvements include:
We are advising on procurement, contractor selection and managing the works packages through to completion.
Artist impression of Mote Park provided courtesy of Allen Scott Landscape Architecture.
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Employer’s Agent, Quality Management & Party Wall
This award-winning 121-home development, built next to Victoria Park and the Hertford Union Canal, has transformed a derelict paint factory to deliver residential homes and commercial units. Silver delivered an enhanced Employer’s Agent role which included support to our clients sales launch, project managing the delivery of the Sales Complex.
Within the short pre-contract programme, Silver led a design review, which challenged planning approved designs and applied layout, specification and material modifications, all with an objective of maximising sales and market rent revenues. This review was completed successfully avoiding a planning re-submission, and was aligned with robust bespoke contract provisions, negotiated with the selected contractor.
To achieve the programme requirements, Silver led a fast-track process in relation to various enabling works constrained by Olympic Games highway restrictions. Silver achieved agreement to facilitate the construction of a new site entrance crossover and completion of service installations within highways, which prohibited any construction from April 2012 to completion of the Olympic Games.
Silver was also appointed to negotiate all adjoining owner licence requirements, and to act as Building Owners Surveyor in discharging their duties under the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
Client: Notting Hill Housing
Services: Employer’s Agent and Party Wall
This scheme comprised the redevelopment of a former education facility, to provide 41 high quality mixed tenure dwellings (22 for private sale), including part basement, incorporating an energy centre.
Silver placed great emphasis on delivering a scheme to provide all residents with homes constructed to the highest level of housing standards and quality.
Our scope included:
Some key features include:
Client: Notting Hill Housing
Service: Employers Agent
This scheme comprised the redevelopment of a former garage and car-park, to provide 90 high quality homes, including 11 townhouses and 79 apartments.
85 Canonbury Road is a prominent triangular site, and the new buildings are arranged as perimeter blocks providing a continuous street frontage, with residents able to enjoy a beautifully landscaped private courtyard.
Our scope included:
Some key project features include:
Client: A2Dominion Group
Services: Employer's Agent and Quality Management
Over the last decade, the major regeneration of Bristol’s Harbourside has transformed the city’s historic but neglected waterfront, creating a thriving hub where people want to live and businesses thrive. The regeneration has been led by house builders including Crest Nicholson who have been helping Bristol to achieve its housing targets since 2010.
Silver has worked with the project partnership of A2Dominion and Crest Nicholson to help them deliver their Build to Rent schemes on programme. This has included the phased handover of four developments – the Invicta, Canonsgate, Dean Court and Redcliffe, which together deliver approximately 280 new homes for private rent, including student accommodation.
Silver are appointed as Employer's Agent, with the scope extended to monitor quality, ensuring A2Dominion assets are built to their high quality standards and design specifications.
Client: Capital & Centric/Henry Boot Developments
Service: Employers Agent
Kampus is an exciting Manchester city-centre development by Ares, Capital & Centric and Henry Boot.
The proposals will transform this canalside site into a vibrant destination, complete with 538 build to rent apartments, leisure facilities, cafes/restaurants, and gardens/public realm.
The scheme is currently under construction, and Silver is appointed as Employers Agent to support our client in relation to procurement, cost and construction.
Client: Shepherds Bush Housing Association
Services: Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer
New build 14-unit residential block for affordable rent, specialist care unit and community hall
This mixed-use scheme comprises 14 residential apartments for affordable rent, eight of which are for Yarrow Housing Association residents with learning disabilities. The scheme also includes a specialist care unit and community hall.
We acted as Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer for the duration of the project, including management of the tender stage and formation of the Employer’s Requirements which involved liaison with our client stakeholders to determine requirements for residents with learning difficulties.
Client: Net Zero Buildings Investments
Services: Employer’s agent and quality management
This project comprises the design and build of a new sixth form centre providing new classrooms and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, procured by Goffs Multi Academy Trust.
Client: Thomas Day School
Services: Project Management, Employer’s Agent, Cost Consultant and Principal Designer
This conversion of the existing Royal Academy of Dance site in Battersea into a facility for Thomas’ School (Battersea’s inaugural secondary school) for 400 students– 28 classrooms, science laboratories, cafeteria and dining hall.
The project involves demolition of the 1970s extension and the addition of an articulated mansard to the granary building, both ensuring that any improvements are sympathetic with their surroundings.
Our services included the project management of the planning application which was successfully achieved.
Client: London Borough of Lambeth
Services: Employer’s agent, technical advisor and quality management
This is a new 2FE primary school for LB of Lambeth that formed part of the Keybridge House Phase 2 JV proposals. This is the JV partnership between A2Dominion Housing Group and Mount Anvil.
Our employer’s agent remained heavily involved in the benchmarking of both the school classrooms and residential snagging/ de-snagging process which has driven up quality and has been part of the success of the overall scheme.
Client: Catalyst Housing Ltd
Services: Cost Consultant and Employer’s Agent
Our initial appointment in 2015 as Cost Consultants for Phase 1A was subsequently extended to Employer’s Agent for Phase 1B of the estate regeneration.
The scheme which completed in 2021, started with the demolition of existing buildings, asbestos removal and comprised the design and construction of 291 mixed tenure residential dwellings and Catalyst’s new staff office facilities. The scheme is now fully occupied and won ‘Best Regeneration Initiative’ at 2020 Evening Standard New Homes Awards.
Client: Colorama House Limited
Contractor: Synergy Property Group Ltd
Services: Employer’s agent, cost consultants and quality management
We have managed the design and build of this office fit out to part Category A and part Category B standards to three floors including basement level.
Client: LB of Brent
Services: Employer’s Agent, Cost Consultant and Principal Designer
This provides 60 extra care dwellings with amenity and care facilities in new purpose-built extra care housing
The redevelopment of The Willows Care Home site is part of the London Borough of Brent’s New Accommodation Independent Living (‘NAIL’) Programme Regeneration, which aims to deliver new accommodation options for people with high care and support needs, including extra care housing.
The Council’s overarching brief for The Willows Care Home site was to provide 60+ extra care dwellings with associated amenity and care facilities in an exemplary model of new purpose-built extra care housing. The accommodation is to be of high-quality and well designed to promote residents’ wellbeing and maximise their independence in line with best practice principles of designing homes for older adults.
We have been involved in the project from the outset working collaboratively with LB of Brent and the design team, developing the design and specification.
Our health and safety team have also provided Principal Designer services during this period, attending design team meetings to raise queries on potential risk in order to close out at an early stage. Our Principal Designer also formulated the CDM pre-construction information for inclusion within the invitation to tender and contract documents.
Client: York Place Buildings Limited, A2Dominion Group
Services: Project Management, Employer's Agent, Cost Consultancy, Principal Designer and Quality Management
This residential and commercial development on the former Homebase site in Battersea incorporates the new headquarters for the Royal Academy of Dance.
We were appointed to project manage and assemble a full planning application on behalf of York Place Buildings Limited. The secured planning consent was for three buildings above a new basement and landscaped podium, rising to 21 storeys, and providing 254 residential units, with 5,710m2 of Class D1 education space, café and drinking establishment space.
Client: Origin Housing Group
Services: Employer's Agent, Principal Designer and Party Wall
This is a high quality housing project comprising 21 self-contained units in one stylish brick and block three storey building.
Established on a former petrol station which had an adjoining vehicle repair garage, the site required comprehensive soil remediation, including removal of the buried fuel storage tanks.
Other associated risks included the close proximity of the site to the rail infrastructure, combined with the discovery of a complicated sub system of electricity running outside of the originally provided utility company service drawings. The scheme incorporates PV technology and enhanced security systems.
The Principal Contractor for this project is Bugler Developments Ltd. It is through their dedication, diligence and expertise that the project has overcome significant obstacles without compromising quality of workmanship or site management.
Silver has provided additional health & safety support and advice to our client as unforeseen elements of risk emerged.
The development was also shortlisted for prestigious title of the APS Principal Contractor of the Year, which highlights the expertise of the build, the strength of the team and the commitment of the Client in delivery of a safe and healthy project.
Client: Peabody
Services: Client CDM Advisor, Project Management and Cost Consultancy
Southmere Village comprises 1,500 homes, a civic square, library and 40,000m2 of commercial space and represents the first substantial development in Thamesmead since Peabody acquired land there in 2014.
We undertook monthly site audits and chaired a number of workshops during critical high risk stages of the project.
Please contact Darren or Gary for more details of our Employer's Agent Service.
BSc (Hons)
Managing Associate
Darren joined Silver in 2012. In a career of over 15 years, covering large-scale, new-build residential developments, he also has extensive experience of refurbishment and conversion projects, including high-profile, Grade II* Listed buildings.
“What has always struck me about Silver is the quality of the relationships we have with our clients. They appreciate our commitment and the quality of service but, most importantly, they trust us and know that we will always have time for them. Over the years, many of my clients have become friends. I think that speaks volumes about our client approach and service.”
MRICS Dip.Proj.Man
Managing Associate
Gary joined Silver in 2014. With over 30 years’ construction experience working on both consultancy and client side, his role involves the project management of every stage of client schemes from inception to successful completion.
“At Silver, no two projects or clients are ever the same. Every day throws up a new challenge to keep you on your toes, working as a team means you’re never on your own in dealing with these. A problem shared really is a problem halved. As the complexity and variety of projects increase, there’s always someone in the Silver team with experience you can tap into.”
