Lakesmere hits the Watermark with new contract win

A new leisure-led regeneration scheme which will adjoin the existing retail complex.



Work is now under way on the new £5m contract which sees Lakesmere reunited with main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine to work on the scheme planned and designed by architects ACME.



Phase one of the new Watermark complex includes the construction of a new 10-screen cinema, restaurants and a large public plaza area. Lakesmere is undertaking the design, supply and installation of the full external weather envelope, including the composite cladding which forms the inner weatherproof skin, and curtain walling that is being fabricated by McMullen Facades. Lakesmere is also delivering the scheme’s new roof which has been designed to meet strict acoustic requirements to minimise noise from the cinema auditoriums.

Prior to work commencing on site, the contract required early involvement from Lakesmere’s technical team owing to the fluid design of the building which is faceted on all sides. Extensive work has also been carried out on the design of the high-specification roof. To achieve the required 57dB sound reduction, Lakesmere will install a two-part roof build-up which the team had tested prior to work beginning on site. Due to the weight of the two-part roof, Lakesmere’s design team conducted extensive structural calculations and worked closely with the deck supplier to ensure the deck profile was capable of taking the load, along with the additional consideration of photo-voltaic panels being positioned on the completed roof.

The first phase of the new WestQuay Watermark development is set to open in Autumn 2016.