In Loreto’s 2015 Master Plan, six ageing interconnected school buildings were identified to be replaced with a single new building.

A combined Johnstaff Construction Services, Project Management and Cost Management team was initially engaged to test the feasibility of the proposed new replacement St Georges Building.

Our services included developing the master programme, demolition and construction methodology, cost plan, risk review, procurement methodology review and temporary decant options.

Johnstaff was subsequently engaged to provide Project Management and Cost Management services for the full project, including the procurement of the design consultants and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Contractor.

The site posed several challenges, including town planning and heritage constraints, given its adjacency to the heritage-listed Mandeville Hall. There were considerable latent conditions associated with the old building stock and the construction site, which was in the middle of an operational school.

Johnstaff worked closely with the Loreto Property Committee to establish the most appropriate procurement model (Design and Construct) in recognition of the project risks and desired risk allocation.

Our team developed the initial Feasibility Cost Plan, acted as peer cost reviewer to the ECI Contractor’s cost plans and provided quantity surveying services during the construction phase. Johnstaff was involved throughout the design and construction phases, which included schematic design, design development, contract documentation, contract administration and defects liability period.