The Air Office Building, formerly the National Grid headquarters located in Solihull, underwent a significant refurbishment to transform it into a modern, sustainable, and flexible commercial workspace. The redevelopment included extensive upgrades to the building’s infrastructure and amenities across its four floors, rooftop terrace, and basement gym facilities.
Housekeeping 247 Ltd was engaged to provide a comprehensive after-build refurbishment cleaning service under the principal contractor Chi-Synergy, led by Paul Malpass. Our involvement was crucial to prepare the building for occupation, ensuring all areas met the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene expected by modern commercial tenants.
The scope of the cleaning covered diverse environments within the building, including high-spec office spaces, communal areas, fitness facilities, and premium outdoor terrace zones. The project demanded meticulous attention to detail, adherence to safety protocols, and the flexibility to coordinate with other trades and building management teams.
Housekeeping 247 Ltd was brought in under Chi-Synergy, led by Paul Malpass, to deliver a full after-build clean of the Homer Road project — a former National Grid headquarters transformed into a premium multi-storey commercial space.
A joint site assessment was conducted with Paul Malpass to align expectations and plan delivery. The site was exceptionally well-managed. Thanks to Paul’s proactive leadership, the environment was orderly: labourers were focused, packaging and waste were controlled, and the space was maintained to a high standard throughout the refurbishment.
The scope of works included:
Four office floors: Detail cleaning of all hard surfaces, including window frames, partitions, flooring, and internal glazing. Special care was taken with new materials and delicate finishes.
Rooftop restaurant and terrace: Cleaning of glass balustrades, tiled floors, and metalwork, with extra consideration for wind exposure and bird activity.
Basement gym and wellness facilities: Sanitary cleaning of all areas using antibacterial solutions, including shower rooms, lockers, and ventilation surfaces.
Reception and shared spaces: Final sparkle clean to deliver a polished first impression to clients and tenants.
Lift lobbies and stairwells: Cleaning of skirting, railings, treads, and lift interiors, ensuring a consistent level of finish throughout.
While construction continued in isolated pockets, the clarity of Chi-Synergy’s coordination made it possible to phase our cleaning efficiently and avoid rework. With regular walkarounds and excellent communication, we adapted our pace to align with handover targets — always a step ahead of schedule.
Due to the scale and varied surfaces of The Air Office Building, a structured and methodical approach was adopted. Our objective was to leave the building not only visually flawless, but also hygienically sound and safe for incoming tenants and visitors.
Tile, stone, and laminate surfaces were cleaned using rotary scrubber-dryers with neutral pH detergent to lift dust and post-construction residues without damaging finishes.
Carpeted areas were treated with industrial-grade vacuuming and, where required, low-moisture encapsulation techniques to remove fine plaster dust embedded during the build phase.
Windows, balustrades, and partitions were cleaned using purified water-fed pole systems and detailing tools to prevent streaking. Internal glazing received a two-stage clean: dry dusting followed by a non-abrasive alcohol-based spray to ensure clarity and prevent hazing.
Edge work around silicone seals and metal trims was completed with microfiber cloths and plastic-bladed scrapers to protect the integrity of new installations.
Switches, sockets, HVAC grilles, and exposed pipework were wiped down using anti-static microfibers to remove fine build dust, a common issue in post-M&E fitout zones.
New installations, such as worktops and fitted cabinetry, were degreased and hand-polished to enhance the final presentation.
Gym flooring and wellness facilities were treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and dry steam cleaners, particularly around changing areas and air vents where bacteria can linger post-build.
Showers, taps, and drainage grills were descaled and polished, with special attention paid to chrome surfaces and drainage odour control.
The rooftop terrace required windblown debris removal, surface cleaning of pavers and cladding, and glass polishing exposed to the elements.
All exterior touchpoints (railings, doors, access panels) were cleaned with weather-resistant products.
Throughout the clean, all operatives followed a defined zone-by-zone checklist and photographic documentation was used to verify quality control. All cleaning products used on-site were COSHH-compliant, low-odour, and environmentally responsible.
With the bulk of the upper floors handed over, our attention turned to the rooftop restaurant and basement gym—each posing their own unique challenges.
The rooftop restaurant, with its panoramic glazing and high-spec finish, demanded a precision touch. Access was restricted, and winds made external window polishing risky, so we adapted with internal pole systems and staged work across calmer weather breaks. The space had been fitted to a luxury spec—stone flooring, open kitchen, and brushed metal trim—all of which required selective products and non-abrasive methods. Our team rotated in pairs, with one focusing on fingerprints, stainless steel polishing, and skirting edges, while the other handled flooring and sweeping checks for silicone and debris.
Downstairs, in the basement gym, ventilation dust and builder’s residue had settled thick across ducting, mirrors, and rubberised flooring. Fitness areas often trap dust behind machine bases and inside power sockets, so extra time was allocated for a deep electrostatic wipe and HEPA vacuuming. The challenge here was air quality—recycled air meant our work stirred up allergens easily, so our operatives wore masks and worked in staggered cycles to let the space breathe.
By this stage, Paul Malpass had already received praise from both Modus and Chi-Synergy stakeholders, and the cleaning team’s role was firmly recognised.
As the final weeks approached, the pace shifted. With deadlines looming, multiple trades still on site, and client walkthroughs scheduled, our role evolved from structured cleaning to agile support.
We implemented a rolling clean system, assigning spotters to monitor high-traffic areas—especially reception zones, lift lobbies, and stairwells. Fingerprints, dust trails, and boot marks returned within hours, so we introduced 3-hour rotation cleans to maintain appearance throughout the day. These weren’t just cosmetic resets—they reinforced to site visitors that standards were high and consistent.
Snagging support also intensified. With Chi-Synergy coordinating sign-offs and Modus overseeing handover expectations, our team found itself tagging paint smudges, adhesive residue, and even small mechanical oversights. Rather than ignore them, we liaised directly with trades—quietly solving what we could, reporting what we couldn’t. That trust from Paul Malpass meant our observations were taken seriously.
One especially challenging detail was the glass lift shaft—a showpiece running the building’s height. Dust would cling to inner panels due to static, and accessing the tight vertical gap required specialist tools. We made early starts to catch this while the lift was inactive, using microfibre clamp arms and custom-sprung poles to reach the back corners. A job that went unseen but made all the difference during walkthroughs.
In the final days, we returned to polish metalwork, buff flooring to a subtle sheen, and leave every mirror, window, and surface pristine. No shortcuts. No excuses.
This wasn’t just a clean—it was the finish of a landmark project, and we were proud to have signed our name on it, even if quietly, through Chi-Synergy’s lead.
By project completion, the cleaning operation had transformed The Air Office Building into a benchmark of quality and presentation—ready for immediate occupation and inspection.
Consistent finish across all zones: From ground-floor reception to the rooftop terrace and basement gym, every usable surface was hygienic and dust-free.
Tenant-ready condition: Spaces were handed over spotless, allowing agencies including Avison Young and BNP Paribas Personal Finance to market with confidence. AIR quickly secured major occupiers such as Robert Half on the second floor.
Enhanced environmental credentials: The building’s WiredScore Platinum rating, EPC B energy performance, and EV charging provision were visually supported by the clean environment, reinforcing the client’s emphasis on wellness and sustainability.
Paul Malpass (Chi‑Synergy) commended our professionalism and ability to deliver a turnkey clean that matched the building’s ambition.
Our proactive snag-tagging and responsive cleaning rotations were highlighted as key strengths during client walkthroughs and final inspections.
Housekeeping 247 Ltd’s work at The Air Office Building set a benchmark for post‑refurbishment cleaning in large-scale environments. Through precision, planning, and partnership with Chi‑Synergy, we delivered not just a visually clean building, but a professionally finished experience.
The transformation of the Air Office Building in Solihull marked a significant milestone not only for its occupants but also for every contractor involved in its rebirth. From the basement gym to the rooftop restaurant, the meticulous after-build cleaning carried out under Chi-Synergy’s instruction demonstrated the value of precision, teamwork, and pride in one’s craft.
This project was a statement of intent from Housekeeping 247 Ltd: that even in the face of large-scale, high-pressure environments, our team could operate with the same care and attention to detail we bring to smaller jobs. We adapted, scaled up, and delivered — leaving a lasting impression on a site that will be a landmark of Solihull’s evolving commercial landscape.
Our thanks to Paul Malpass and the Chi-Synergy team for their professionalism, coordination, and trust. The experience gained and standards upheld during this project continue to inform the way we approach every job.
As we move forward, the Air building remains a point of pride — a reminder that a truly clean space isn’t just about surfaces, but the people and processes behind it.
Dustin @ HK247
Dustin
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