We are proud to have completed the retrofit and extension of a 5,000m² industrial unit in Merry Lees, East Midlands. Originally constructed in 1982 to minimum energy efficiency standards, the building had been used for sheet metal fabrication and previously achieved an EPC Rating of D. Our client, a local vintage car specialist, appointed Develeco to support with pre-acquisition advice and to act as Project and Development Manager for the full refurbishment of the unit. The work package included a new 3,000m² mezzanine, providing additional office space, new communal areas, and increased storage capacity. Bespoke vehicle workshop areas were also constructed, featuring advanced technical equipment, custom ramps, and dedicated extraction systems.

In alignment with the brief to maximise energy performance and sustainability, early-stage Whole Life Carbon Assessments and optioneering were carried out by Develeco. Retaining the existing structural frame not only reduced embodied carbon but also supported the principles of a circular economy. External solar canopies were also modelled to optimise annual energy and carbon emissions.

The completed unit now benefits from all-electric, low-carbon HVAC systems, enhanced internal wall insulation, improved air tightness measures, and a solar PV installation. Together, these measures have significantly improved the building’s energy performance, elevating its EPC Rating from D to A.