Fraser House – Lancashire County Council
Project Scope
Fraser House, an iconic building located at the White Cross Business Park in Lancaster, underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving from a historic structure into a cutting-edge tech hub.
This £1.5 million project, which commenced in May 2020 and concluded in February 2021, was spearheaded by Krol Corlett as the main/ principal contractor.
The objective was to convert Fraser House into a dynamic nerve centre for Lancashire County Council’s digital and IT activities, in line with their digital strategy.
Work Completed
Fraser House, once used by the NHS and Council for mental health services, underwent a full transformation to support the Council’s new digital strategy. After stripping out all internal walls and services, the building was redeveloped into a modern, three-storey office space.
Working with architects Lindsay Coane and Lorna Cleminson, Krol Corlett delivered an open, contemporary design featuring glass pod offices, minimal partitions for core facilities, and upgraded mechanical and electrical systems—all while retaining the building’s original character.
Delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was carefully planned in four overlapping phases: top and middle floor offices, the ground-floor reception and café area, and new extensions with co-working spaces. Each phase seamlessly connected to the next, culminating in the renewed Fraser House.
Overcoming Challenges
Working beside a busy business centre and neighbouring NHS offices required careful coordination. Regular meetings with the estate’s director helped manage deliveries, noise, and dust to protect the NHS working environment.
Early in the project, lead contamination on structural members was uncovered, prompting grit blasting and repainting with minimal delay.
The refurbishment balanced modernisation with heritage, preserving original steelwork, plaques, mill wall openings, and brickwork.
Delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team introduced enhanced welfare facilities, strict cleanliness measures, testing and tracing, and a one-way system. These innovations became a model for Lancashire County Council’s later site-safety protocols.