Hamleys

A focal point of Regent Street since it was built in 1881, Hamley’s toy store is the oldest, largest and most famous toy shop in the world, welcoming some five million visitors every year. The Crown Estate, Grade II listed building’s storied past includes its foundation in 1760, a Royal Warrant from Queen Mary in 1938 and surviving being bombed no fewer than five times during the Second World War. Hamley’s expanded and moved its flagship store in London from No. 200 Regent Street to its current site at Nos. 188–196, Regent Street, in 1981 which in 1994 was the largest toy shop in the world. The Hamley’s’ flagship store has seven floors covering 54,000 square feet (5,000 m2), all devoted to toys, with different categories of toy on each floor.

Consultant: Hive Group

M&E Contractor – Buckler Environmental Services Ltd

Project Details

An independent report established that the Central Plant (Chillers/Boilers/AHUs) was at end of life and a Zero/Low Carbon replacement was proposed comprising of Air Source Heat Pumps and VRF Systems throughout. Intech Controls worked closely with our Client who had secured the refurbishment works and associated M&E works involved.

Key Deliverables

As part of the Controls Package the initial design involved Intech providing the power to the multiple and varied outdoor units serving the VRF systems. After working closely with our Client it was considered to be more cost effective for them to provide Power and Intech to concentrate on what we are great at, namely the BMS Controls. In this instance due to the integration requirements of a packaged AHU, Panasonic VRF and Metering we decided to opt for the highly adaptable Tridium System with remote I/O and wireless networks to sensors in order to reduce downtime on trading floors.

Challenges

Keeping 5 Million visitors per year happy whilst refurbishing one of the most famous stores in the world will always be a challenge but the team worked brilliantly together to prioritise the customer experience whilst carrying out the essential works whilst the store remained open.

Summary/Outcome

The brief was to decarbonise the M&E plant at Hamleys famous Toy Shop. The Heat Pumps System, Packaged Plant and VRF system are now in place and monitored and controlled by the BMS. This is the first phase of many to head towards zero carbon whilst maintaining the integrity of a listed building and keeping valued customers happy. Intech look forward to being involved in the forthcoming improvement works now that the essentials are complete.