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LSH Auto Properties (UK), Mercedes-Benz of Erdington

In addition to providing support to LSH Auto Properties (UK) for the development of Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Stockport and Solihull (up to RIBA Stage 3), Rolton Group were appointed to deliver multi-disciplinary engineering services for the new Mercedes-Benz Centre of Excellence for Used Cars in Erdington.

The new c. 5,000m2 facility is able to display 200 vehicles, comprising a 50 car showroom with space to display a further 150 cars outside, bespoke after-sales facility on-site, used car preparation facilities and ‘valet building’ where cars are washed and detailed, large workshop area including 12 workshop bays and further parts and storage areas.

This project required the demolition of existing buildings prior to the construction of the new dealership, regenerating a derelict site with challenging ground conditions on Bromford Lane. The site is near an old spitfire factory near Castle Bromwich and thorough site investigations were conducted, with unexploded ordnance found and removed.

As a brownfield site which previously hosted a factory and most recently another car dealership, foundations were carefully designed to deliver the most efficient solution possible in complicated ground conditions. Special piling designs were developed to deliver the most cost effective foundation solution for the site. Rolton Group also produced a full 3D model of the new dealership’s steel frame, floors and foundations for co-ordination with the wider design team.

A flood risk assessment was also undertaken and drainage strategy developed for the new facility. Rolton Group liaised closely with the Canal and River Trust and local council to ensure appropriate attenuation measures and specialist penstock valves were included within bespoke designs to ensure drainage systems for the new facility prevent any potential contaminants from reaching the local environment from cars at the Centre of Excellence for Used Cars.

Designs also included a complex ‘comma’ shaped roof, following the unusual curved shape of the showroom which was specially developed to ensure as much of the showroom as possible is visible to the public from the roadside. Sustainability considerations were a key element of the BREEAM compliant designs and through phased construction and the establishment of a temporary site on the north side of the development area, existing business was able to continue as usual for the majority of the development period.

Additionally, due to the increased pressure on vehicle carbon emissions, increasing air quality concerns and spurred on by consumer demand, Rolton Group’s energy team were commissioned to undertake an assessment of the impact of the uptake of electric vehicles on the power demand at the new facilities in Stockport, Erdington and Solihull.


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