Office Principles completes Grand Union Housing Group’s new HQ

Office Principles has recently completed a 13-week fit-out project for southern housing provider, Grand Union Housing Group, at its new head office in Milton Keynes.

The £1.5 million project covered the fit-out of approximately 20,000 sq ft, incorporating over 200 workstations, while facilitating a more flexible style of working to reflect the ethos of the Grand Union Housing Group.

The new head office is expected to consolidate office-based staff for the Group, bringing the team together in one building, which is primed to meet its every need. Agile working methods have been implemented, supported by the decision to remove fixed desking, so workers can choose the space in which they work and move around, according to their activities, at any given time.

Office Principles worked closely with both the client and architect to create a space steeped in Grand Union core values, which include a commitment to sustainability and community, fostering a collaborative approach.

Touchdown working zones represent a shift in the way staff work and the way team members feel about coming to work. British-made products have been used, in the main, to reflect the Grand Union’s commitment to the wider community.

Isabel Thonger, Director of Customer Experience for Grand Union Housing Group, states: ‘We now have a vibrant space that promotes wellbeing, collaboration and productivity, while compelling our team to come in each morning and embrace a new style of working, with a friendly atmosphere and a community feel. We couldn’t be more pleased.’

Joint Managing Director of Office Principles, Cyril Parsons, is delighted with the positive reaction to the works: ‘The feedback has been great, with specific comments about the furniture we sourced as well as the wider space.

‘It’s always good to see a company adopt a worker-led style that is inclusive and team-focused. We wish Grand Union every success and would be happy to work with them again on other projects. Their leaders are positive collaborators, who are open to ideas and forward-thinking – which goes a great way to the success of any project.’

Holding a strong and varied commercial portfolio, Office Principles has worked with blue-chip brands such as Exterion Media, Telegraph Media Group, Meet in Place, Visa Europe, GE Capital, Fitness First, Tata Communications, ResMed, Direct Marketing Association, Land Securities, Mothercare, and Kuoni.