Measured Surveys and Area Referencing

We provided detailed Measured Surveys and Daylight and Sunlight advice for the redevelopment of the vacant Hondo Supermarket site, which will provide student residential accommodation in an area home to numerous university campuses and educational facilities including:

• Liverpool John Moores University
• Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts
• The University of Liverpool
   

The design includes communal amenity spaces, bike storage, and a shared communal garden. We provided detailed measured and topographical surveys, as well as in-depth Daylight & Sunlight assessments and reports, to accompany the planning application for the development. Our advice assisted and supported the client’s designs throughout the planning process, where a collaborative approach with Liverpool City Council and their advisors was required.

Hollis was appointed to provide a coordinated suite of technical and commercial reports to support the marketing and sale of Peterhouse Technology Park, a multi-building logistics and industrial asset in Cambridge.

The instruction covered a total of 139,281 sq ft across four industrial buildings, together with a car park plan, and required a set of assignable vendor reports that would stand up to purchaser scrutiny and help maintain momentum through the transaction process.

At the heart of the commission was the delivery of Measured Surveys and Area Referencing, providing independently verified floor areas and clear, consistent measurement data to underpin valuation and reduce the risk of challenge during due diligence. Accurate area information was critical to supporting the asset’s marketing strategy and ensuring confidence for agents, purchasers and funders alike.

Alongside this, Hollis delivered a comprehensive package of supporting technical reports, including building surveys, vertical transportation, M&E engineering and a Phase 1 Environmental assessment, supplemented by ESG and sustainability advice. Bringing these services together enabled a joined-up view of the asset’s condition, performance and compliance, rather than a series of siloed reports.

Our integrated approach meant surveyors and engineers worked collaboratively, sharing site inspections and data where appropriate. This reduced duplication, improved consistency across reports and enabled potential issues to be identified and addressed early, helping to avoid delays later in the transaction.

The result was a clear, robust and market-ready vendor pack that supported LaSalle Investment Management in presenting the asset with confidence. By providing assignable reports and reliable area data from the outset, the instruction helped streamline the sales process, minimise risk for all parties and support informed decision-making throughout the disposal.

This project demonstrates how accurate Measured Surveys and Area Referencing, combined with coordinated technical and ESG advice, can play a pivotal role in protecting value and enabling smooth, efficient transactions in the logistics and industrial sector.

In 2024, Hollis was appointed as Project Manager and Employer’s Agent by Karrev Property to oversee the extensive refurbishment and fit-out of Sunlight House, a 14-storey, Grade II-listed Art Deco landmark in the heart of Manchester.

Hollis’ role spanned RIBA Stages 2 through 5, delivering 160,000 sq ft of Grade A, CAT A and CAT B office space with a clear brief to respect the heritage, deliver to modern standards and keep the building operational throughout.

Since completion in October 2025, 64,000 sq ft of the Sunlight House space is now let, with tenants including the Crown Prosecution Service and PINS Social Club.

A landmark restoration with modern ambition 
Originally completed in 1932 and previously the tallest building in Manchester, the Art Deco Sunlight House sits in the heart of the Spinningfields business and financial district. Hollis’ challenge was to lead the transformation of this iconic building, while preserving its character and keeping it operational for existing tenants throughout.

The works covered the entire building, from basement to rooftop, and included new WC facilities, MEP installations, lift replacements, gym, health and wellness studio, showers and cycle storage, roof refurbishment and extensive façade and sash window repairs.

The upper floors were fully refurbished, with a mix of new raised access flooring and the sensitive restoration of original parquet floors, carefully balancing functionality and conservation. At ground level, Hollis led the redesign and delivery of a striking new reception space, bringing a modern, hospitality-led feel to a historically significant structure.

Embedding sustainability and ESG 
A key driver for the client was environmental performance. Hollis embedded ESG objectives into every stage of the project, targeting BREEAM Excellent, a NABERS 4.5 rating and achieving an EPC B rating, a significant achievement for a building of this age.

Throughout the refurbishment, particular care was taken at every stage to ensure the building’s historic character remained uncompromised. All interventions were approached with sensitivity to the original fabric and appearance. A notable example is the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array at roof level. This system was deliberately positioned within the pitched roof of the internal courtyard, ensuring that it did not detract from or visually impact the external façade of this Grade II-listed landmark.

As part of the drive to modernise the building’s energy use and sustainability credentials, the existing gas supply was entirely removed. In its place, an electrically driven heat pump system, utilising variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology, was introduced. This system provides efficient, low-carbon heating, aligning with both the client’s environmental goals and the requirements of a modern workspace, while respecting the building’s heritage.

By repurposing over 200,000 sq ft of existing space, the project avoided the considerable environmental impact of new construction.

Hollis’ team worked alongside design and sustainability consultants to ensure that modern building services could be integrated without compromising the heritage of the property. The retrofit has delivered exceptional workspaces, providing tenants with 100% green energy.

Blending timeless glamour with modern convenience 
The stunning Art Deco-inspired interiors blend timeless glamour with modern convenience, providing calm and uplifting spaces for creativity, collaboration and concentration.

The refurbishment includes sumptuous circular rotunda meeting spaces at 13th floor level with far reaching views across the city and a beautiful light-filled atrium, bringing this historic landmark into the 21st century while retaining the character and integrity of the building.

With ample daylight provided via substantial glazing, the building truly lives up to its name of Sunlight House. 

Technical issues and challenges overcome

Manchester City Council issued planning permission for the Sunlight House refurbishment to Karrev’s developer partner Kinrise in July 2023. However, when Kinrise left the project in early 2024, Hollis stepped in as Project Manager/Employer’s Agent to see the project through to completion, covering RIBA Stages 2 through to 5. The project required deep technical leadership to navigate significant design, legal, and delivery challenges, ultimately safeguarding the building’s future and the client’s commercial objectives.

Taking on the project during RIBA stage 4 meant Hollis had to quickly act to ensure that risks were mitigated and the project was completed successfully.

Mitigating commercial risk 
Hollis established secure commercial and contractual oversight, including detailed sectional completion dates to protect the client from potential exposure to delay and cost claims. Hollis undertook a full commercial audit of claims and established enhanced contractor reporting and a recovery plan to address performance issues.

Meanwhile, there was incomplete design information and a lack of coordinated MEP solutions, further adding potential risk to the project costs and timescales. Hollis acted quickly to address these risks, introducing forensic weekly MEP reviews and a re-baselined programme.

Hollis’ leadership, technical intervention and hands-on management provided clarity and discipline across the entire project team.

Hollis also implemented a detailed time-recording system to provide a robust audit trail to protect against unjustified contractor claims. The team provided transparent reporting for funders and stakeholders and ensured early identification of compliance risks.

A complex heritage refurbishment with a commercial edge 
As the building was Grade II* listed, Hollis had to take a highly sensitive approach to the refurbishment. There was limited access behind the original finishes, and the team had to maintain the building’s façade while also meeting modern performance standards. All new MEP systems were installed without disturbing heritage elements.

Hollis facilitated collaboration between key stakeholders, local authority, heritage officers, planners, designers, occupiers, and the contractor team to unlock challenging design elements, such as window restorations and terracotta façade repairs, while maintaining cost and programme targets.

Careful coordination and communication 
One of the biggest challenges was delivering a complex, high-value programme while existing tenants still occupied the building. Hollis developed and implemented a detailed phasing and sequencing plan to minimise disruption for tenants and ensure safety across the site. In addition, some works were undertaken out-of-hours to further minimise disruption.

Close coordination between contractors, occupiers, and consultants was critical to maintaining momentum and communication. Contractor MYCO recognised the exceptional commitment and technical skills provided by Hollis, including rapid turnaround of technical queries, clear, confident advice in moments of commercial pressure and an ability to take ownership of issues beyond the original appointment.

Hollis’ leadership prevented unnecessary cost exposure, incorrect extension-of-time claims, risk of latent defects and disputes escalating into formal proceedings.

Hollis has delivered a commercially protected and enhanced asset for the client. The result is a future-proofed building with enhanced safety and compliance, improved operational efficiency and upgraded building services – with modern accommodation provided while respecting the building’s heritage.

Client testimonial

“The transformation of Sunlight House has had a profound impact on the way our teams and occupiers use the building. The enhanced workplace environment - from the improved sustainability performance to the quality of the refurbished office floors and shared amenities - has materially strengthened the building’s appeal and functionality. With the building now partially occupied and further tenant fit outs due to commence imminently, we are already seeing the benefits of a modern, efficient, and desirable workspace. This investment has not only protected an iconic heritage asset, it has also created a commercially resilient environment” ~ Karrev, our client

Hollis was appointed as part of a multidisciplinary advisory team supporting Border to Coast Pension Partnership as it pooled and transitioned assets into its UK Real Estate Fund, which has grown to £2bn in assets under management in under a year.

The instruction covered two mixed-use portfolios comprising industrial, retail, and hotel assets. Our role was to help the client clearly understand what they were acquiring, the risks associated with each asset, and how those risks should be viewed in context, so they could be accurately modelled and managed as part of a growing institutional fund.

Hollis delivered a coordinated programme of technical due diligence, including fabric and M&E assessments, alongside measured surveys and area referencing. Accurate and consistent building data was fundamental to the process, supporting valuation, risk assessment and future asset management planning while reducing the potential for surprises post-acquisition.

A key part of the brief was managing a bespoke transition process as assets were pooled into the fund. By working closely with Border to Coast, its investment advisers and the wider professional team, we helped ensure that technical risks were identified early, prioritised appropriately and clearly communicated. This enabled informed investment decisions to be made at pace, without compromising governance or confidence.

Our integrated approach brought together engineers, surveyors and due diligence specialists, reducing duplication, improving consistency across reporting and providing a clear line of sight from building condition and compliance through to capital expenditure planning and operational performance.

With ten LGPS Partner Funds now invested, the proposition enables broader access to high quality UK real estate, backed by a collaborative team including Aberdeen, Knight Frank, Workman, Burges Salmon, Ramboll and Hollis.

Our work helped ensure assets were future ready, risk assessed, and aligned with long term investment goals.

The outcome was a set of clear, robust and decision-focused technical insights that supported Border to Coast’s ambition to scale the fund efficiently and responsibly. By setting risk in context and underpinning decisions with reliable data, Hollis helped turn complexity into clarity, enabling the fund to grow with confidence, resilience and long-term value in mind.

We conducted full Technical Due Diligence on a portfolio comprising two assets in The Netherlands and the other in Spain.

Our client, Hines, was preparing to purchase the assets for their fund on a sale and leaseback arrangement. Offering our Technical Due Diligence service, we assessed the technical conditions, defects and implications of the assets prior to purchase, highlighting any risks and advising whether to proceed with the transaction.

Drawing on multiple disciplines, we provided a complete package of Technical Due Diligence (building survey and mechanical and electrical engineering), Fire Engineering, Reinstatement Cost Assessments, Environmental Phase 1, ESG Consulting including CRREM Analysis, and Measured Surveys for the asset in The Netherlands. Costs were supervised from our cost management team, liaising with the building surveying and mechanical and electrical engineering team for costs within the Capex schedules.

Due to the large scale and cross border nature of this project, the works required a diligent and disciplined approach. Having presence in Europe, we were able to coordinate various teams in a centralised location and keep our client informed and involved throughout.

Consistent with Hines’ value-focused logistics acquisition strategy, in addition to the high quality locations, the assets are highly functional for the needs of their current and future occupiers.

We conducted full Technical Due Diligence on the Tesco distribution centre in Donabate – Ireland’s largest building measuring a vast 77,385 sq m.

Our client, DTZ Investors, was preparing to purchase the asset on behalf of a Korean investor. Due diligence was required to get an accurate picture of the current state of the property, highlighting any risks ahead of purchase.

Drawing on multiple disciplines, we provided a complete package of Technical Due Diligence including Building Surveying, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Fire Engineering, Measured Surveys and Reinstatement Cost Assessments. Due to the scale of the building the works required a diligent and disciplined approach.