Commercial Property Development

Providing warehouse and office buildings for industry and commerce

Digging Into Coventry's Past

Stoford Developments is to help uncover Coventry's ancient past by excavating the city centre site of a new £50 million 170,000 sq ft office-based operations centre at St Johns Street.

The leading Birmingham developer has commissioned Birmingham Archaeology to carry out the work between June and July before building work starts on Severn Trent Water's prestigious new offices that are due to open in Autumn 2010.

Working with Associated Architects and Severn Trent Water, Stoford designed the seven-storey scheme with the support of Coventry City Council and Advantage West Midlands to accommodate 1,700 staff and achieve an 'excellent' BREEAM rating for ts environmental and sustainable features.

The building will act as an environmental moderator, protecting the occupants from the effects of extreme weather conditions and pollution by incorporating the latest sustainable design criteria and technologies.

An archaeological evaluation in 2007 uncovered finds from the 14th to 17th centuries and this extensive excavation will provide the opportunity to explore the site's previous uses more thoroughly. The public will be abe to view progress on the excavation at a series of open days arranged by Birmingham Archaeology and Coventry City Museum.

Desk based studies by the leading archaeological contractor have already revealed that the site was once part of the Earl of Chester's hunting park. By the late 12th century, the growing city had expanded into the far north of the park with the laying out of Little Park Street and Much Park Street the latter providing important commercial links to London.

Later industry included a ribbon dyeing factory and courtyard housing but after bomb damage during the Second World War the surviving structures were demolished in the 1970s to make way for Coventry Council'c Post and Fastprint building and car parking.

David Brown, Stoford Director, said "We hope that the archaeologicak excavation provides useful historical information about Coventry's past and that local schools and people will take advantage of the open days to follow progress. The investigation is a prelude to the development of this important city centre site for what will be an iconic building for both Severn Trent Water and the city of Coventry."