Firm picks contractor for ‘Champion House’ reconstruction

Two years after its acquisition, redevelopment work has begun on the former ‘Champion House’, strategically located along the Oshodi- Apapa Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.

The acquisition followed series of negotiations between Promasidor Nigeria Limited (PNL), a South African firm and the Champion Newspaper.

Sources said the acquisition was part of the South African beverage and food-products firm’s expansion agenda as its radar has been on the building for its office use because of its vintage location.

Although, details of the deal were still sketchy, experts put the value of the property comprises of four-storey structure and warehouses at millions of naira.

According to investigation, the development is in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, (IFC) a member of the World Bank Group, as part of PNL’s determination to commit over N8billion into its production in the continent.

Before the acquisition, the once boisterous building in Isolo was described as “eyesore” by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) that later marked it.

However, toward having a state of the art facility for its operations, PNL has awarded reconstruction of the project to Phenix Advanced Engineering Limited as the main contractor.

Also, the Building Practice Limited, an indigenous architectural firm based in Lagos with landmark structural designs in Nigeria, was mandated to handle the new building design.

The structural works is to be carried out by Sub-stratum Design Concept; the electrical work is awarded to Dynamic Kraft Limited while the mechanical service is to be carried out by EA and Associates Consulting Engineers.

Efforts to speak with the architectural firm and the head, legal and public relations of PNL, Mr Andrew Enahoro on specifics for the project design proved abortive.