Page 11 - Project Acanthus_Mainstay

8. Outline your experience in delivery of high quality residential property management services in prime or super-prime schemes. Provide case studies of three prime London residential schemes of similar size which have transitioned into your management and the value your appointment has added.
Mainstay initially became involved in residential and mixed
use property management in London in 2004, following a direct approach by Berkeley Group. Their requirement was for a new brand of customer centric managing agent who was not linked or involved in investment led management, by means of acquiring freehold reversions.
Since 2004 we have grown our Central and South West London portfolio from a standing start to over 8,000 units. This volume of units is made up of new build schemes that we have been involved in from conception, through planning, build, sales and management integration, to high profile previously managed schemes, where we have been identified as the agent of choice to rectify, enhance, and deliver rigorous management and community solutions, often for discerning and challenging resident led groups.
Three prime schemes that we believe show comparable characteristics to the subject scheme are as follows:
The Whitehouse Apartments, London SE1
We commenced management of this iconic scheme, which comprises 374 apartments, and 25,000 sq ft of commercial space (office & restaurant) in February 2020. We became actively involved in tender and contractual negotiations with the Residents Management Company in April 2019. The scheme is an office to residential conversion that had been managed directly without agents by the residents since 2011.
Services to the apartments include 24/7 staffing (the building employs 26 staff ); a leisure complex that comprises of a swimming pool, sauna, fully fitted gymnasium, and changing rooms; centralised heat and hot plant; secure car parking; private grounds; and concierge service.
The rationale for change, and the commitments that we have made, are in the early stages of delivery. They are as follows:
» A clear, economic and efficient staffing strategy, including TUPE transfer, revised job descriptions, appropriate training plans, and a cost efficient service
» 10% service charge savings year on year against current budget
» Realignment of Mechanical & Electrical service contract details, by replacing the previous contractor, with more robust solution under a Total Facilities Management solution
» Supporting the client and working with London Fire Brigade and LB Lambeth in relation to a notice of deficiency that requires significant technical pre planning and contract management
» Building a robust CAPEX strategy to deal with amongst other requirements, roof and stonework façade repairs/ replacement, lift replacement, boiler plant replacement, fire system and smoke extraction works, driveway repairs
Queen Mary’s Place, Roehampton, SW15
An exclusive mixed tenure development of 358 houses and apartments developed by St James (part of Berkeley Group) from 2004, including the Grade 1 listed, Roehampton House.
The scheme comprises distinct new build and converted apartment blocks, together with freehold houses in a superbly designed landscaped public realm, with water features. The scheme is supported by an on site development manager,
and a support team who are responsible for all aspects of buildings and estate management, as well as engagement and integration with the local community. The scheme was passed over to resident control in 2017, and we remain under contract to all parties, including two Housing Associations.
Examples of challenges and results we have achieved during our ongoing management include:
» A phased implementation of services as the estate grew, including site staffing, creation of a new gymnasium, parking management (ungated development)
» Working with the developer and residents’ group to agree robust remedial agreed defects and snagging, to include centralised plant, high level stonework and façade features, irrigation and water features
» Use of grounds as required under planning conditions, not just for residents, but also the wider community
» An integrated on site community forum, open to all
» Consistent service charge budgeting, securing value for money, and manageable service charge levels
Mainstay: Response to Tender | Project Acanthus - Part One
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