Architect behind 1 Undershaft sheds 15% of its staff as it grapples with project delays
Eric Parry Architects, the firm behind 1 Undershaft which will be the tallest building in the City of London when it is built, said this year would be positive despite posting a 拢1.5m pre-tax loss in 2018.
Describing last year as one of 鈥渋nvestment and readjustment鈥� in its reports and accounts filed with Companies House, the practice said reduced workloads had forced it to cut staff numbers from 94 to 80 in the year to the end of July 2018.
Eight of the firm鈥檚 68-strong professional team were let go, along with five support staff and one person from the management team.
Losses mushroomed from 2017鈥檚 拢44,000 pre-tax deficit, on turnover down 23% at 拢5.5m.
Delays to schemes included hold-ups on phases four and six at Chelsea Barracks, and while a number of subsequent projects have been inching forward the firm warned there was a 鈥渕ajor risk that the general air of uncertainty causes some of these projects to stall again鈥�.
Brexit had also contributed to uncertainty, with the practice saying it was the reason 鈥渢he process of investment decision-making takes longer鈥�.
But the firm said the forecast for the year ending July 2019 was 鈥減ositive with secured project funding鈥�.
It added that it hoped to recruit 鈥測ounger staff鈥� while promoting members of its core team.
The group said it had won 鈥渟everal major projects鈥� since July 2018, which had been generating turnover in the second half of the current financial year and would continue to contribute 鈥渟ubstantial turnover鈥� for the next few years.
Eric Parry鈥檚 proposals for Seal House, next to the grade II-listed Fishmongers鈥� Hall in the City, received planning last month. The new building (pictured) replaces a seven-storey 1970s block by William Holford & Partners with a new 12-storey block complete with roof terrace.
The current building is linked to Fishmongers鈥� Hall and the new scheme would provide a replacement link.
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