At the heart of Mayfair, the Cambridge House project continues to test and showcase the skill, patience, and craftsmanship of Ardmore’s team.
Behind the scaffolding and historic façades is a group of people bringing this landmark back to life, each playing a crucial role in balancing the demands of heritage restoration with the precision of modern construction.
Mussie Keleta, senior engineer, has spent the last 3 years working across Buildings 1, 2, and 3, managing temporary works and ensuring safety standards remain impeccable. It’s his first time in the coordinator role, and one he’s embraced fully. “It’s challenging but rewarding. Mindset is the most important thing; I set my mind to completing tasks to the highest possible standard.”
Terry Wong, senior quantity surveyor, has also been part of the project since its early days. For Terry, it’s the heritage nature of Cambridge House that makes it truly unique. “This building was first built in 1780, you never quite know what’s behind a wall or under a floorboard until you open it up. Things don’t always go as expected.” Having come from a background of high-rise developments, Terry finds the contrast refreshing. “It’s a completely different challenge. When I finish this project, I’ll be very proud. It’s a beautiful old building, and I’ve learned so much from this experienced team.”
David Rees, project manager, has seen first hand the scale and complexity of uniting three buildings of different ages and grades. “It’s Grade I, Grade II, and new build all coming together,” he says. “Trying to make that work, with different structures, engineers, and designs, is a challenge in itself.”
Despite the hurdles, David is proud of what the team has achieved, in particular the roof works and façades. “The roof on No. 94 has been one of the trickiest parts, with different pitches, timbers, and fixings. Every single detail took time and care. Once the scaffold comes down, you see the result of all that effort. It’s those moments that make it worth it. The original stone façade was taken down piece by piece like a jigsaw, stored for years, and rebuilt exactly as it was.”