British Governor’s Residence Montserrat

OSi were awarded the project by FCDO to carry out the full refurbishment of the British Governor’s Residence on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat.

The scope comprised a new M&E installation, including a solar power system, domestic hot and cold-water systems, a new AC system, full electrical rewire, including fire and intruder alarm systems, and a new generator and feeder pillar.

Also included was a comprehensive civil engineering package of work that included entirely new below-ground drainage systems, including new manholes, a new septic tank, soakaway and drainage field.

There were various other significant external works that included re-tiling the swimming pool and terrace, new pavers to the driveway and paths, a new raised planter to the front of the property, two new electric gates and new chain-link perimeter fencing.

The roof was stripped back and re-tiled; full internal and external decorations were carried out; a new commercial kitchen was installed, two new utility rooms and a private kitchen were added, all new sanitaryware and new tiling and decorations were added internally.

The project’s main challenge was logistics. The island is small and remote and all the necessary material for the project needed to be imported which required detailed logistical planning and forward thinking.

The island also experiences some extreme weather at certain times of the year, and although no severe hurricanes were encountered during the build, several tropical storms disrupted the island and caused delays which needed to be mitigated.

Careful planning of procurement and deliveries helped to mitigate these issues, and awareness and pre-planning of hurricane procedures ensured no major disruption was caused by the tropical storms.

Client: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Value: £6m
Duration: 15 months