Supporting the revival of Handley’s Corner, Southsea

While many of our projects begin from the ground up, a significant portion of our work focuses on transforming and rejuvenating existing buildings to serve a fresh purpose – one that reflects the evolving needs of an area.

Nothing demonstrates this better than Handley’s Corner in Southsea. Known to most locals as the Debenhams on Palmerston Road (which closed in 2020), the site has recently been transformed into luxury flats, adding nearly 150 new homes to this popular area. With a history dating back much further – including a major redevelopment following damage in World War II – we were thrilled to be part of this building’s next chapter.

When we received the brief, it was immediately clear the project was ambitious, but exactly the kind of challenge we like to support. And we weren’t alone – the announcement was met with an overwhelmingly positive response across Portsmouth, even being described as one of the city’s “best developments of the last decade”.

We were delighted to support the supply and installation of steelwork on the project, working closely with several partners throughout. Our first priority was to strengthen the existing steelwork, enabling certain sections of the building to be safely demolished while limiting the amount of new steel needed. To facilitate this, we installed 33 tonnes of bracings across all levels of the existing structure – from the basement right up to what was then the second floor.

Once complete, we created two new levels of rooftop steelwork and installed a full height extension on the rear of the building, using a completely independent, free-standing steel frame, which was later enclosed in brickwork.

Some of the steel used was galvanized – with a protective layer of zinc coating – due to the building’s proximity to the sea. This not only provides enhanced protection against the elements, but also significantly extends the lifespan of the structure while removing the need for further painting typically required in this kind of coastal environment.

Located in the heart of Southsea, we are proud to have played a role in regenerating this well-known building into a vibrant collection of homes with unparalleled access to the city’s cultural scene, independent shops, and dining hotspots.