Bluewater

Bluewater is one of Europe’s largest and most innovative retail and leisure destinations and was the first UK development undertaken by Lend Lease and became the benchmark for quality British retailing.

It houses one of the largest John Lewis department stores outside of London, a further two department stores, over 325 units, a showcase cinema and 25,000 square metres of public mall space, all designed and constructed within a five-year period. The external works and landscaping are very extensive with the creation of lakes and parkland together with parking for 13,000 cars.

Currie & Brown provided a full cost management service from inception to completion, working in partnership with the client, designers and construction team. Bluewater commenced on site prior to being fully designed under a construction management procurement route so required very sophisticated cost planning and control procedures to be implemented.

Since the original opening in March 1999 further enhancement works have included a major extension providing two event/exhibition halls and a plaza housing several restaurants. There have been numerous other asset enhancements as well as a major refurbishment of the Winter Garden. Currie & Brown has sustained their involvement at the centre and continues to provide a wide array of project services for these and future initiatives.