| Customer | Ocean Village |
| Sector | Commercial |
| Building Usage | Mixed-use commercial units |
| Location | Barnstaple, Devon |
| Architect/Project | Midbrook Design Team |
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Project Overview
What started as a field and a vision is now a thriving lifestyle and commercial destination in the making.
This project involved the delivery of two steel-framed buildings (40m x 16m and 40m x 12m), creating 10 premium commercial units designed for a mix of independent businesses. Delivered as a complete turnkey solution, the package included groundworks, drainage, steel buildings, and internal layouts; ready for tenants to move in and make the space their own.
Now known as Ocean Village, the site is fast becoming a vibrant hub for local businesses, bringing together retail, fitness, food, and creative industries in one destination.
The Challenge
Before working with Midbrook, the client had appointed another steel building company. However, issues with planning and delivery quickly became apparent, leaving the project stalled and causing quite a lot of stress.
At this point, the client began searching for a better-suited contractor for their needs, who could take full control of their turnkey steel building project and deliver it to their expectation and design.
Having always intended to use steel-framed buildings, thanks to their affordability and speed compared to traditional brick construction, the client explored options locally in Devon. However, costs proved significantly higher than in other regions in the UK. The client was delighted to discover that Midbrook offered a cost-effective and fully managed alternative, giving the client confidence that the project could finally move forward.
The Solution
Midbrook stepped in to deliver a complete turnkey steel building solution, managing every stage from groundworks through to final construction.
Project Scope
- 2 steel framed buildings:
40m x 16m
40m x 12m - Total of 10 commercial units
- Cold rolled steel frame construction
- Dual pitched roofs (10° pitch)
- 5m eaves height for practical commercial use
- Groundworks & Infrastructure
A key part of this project was preparing the site and installing the infrastructure required for a multi-unit commercial development.
Works included:
- 2500m² reduced level dig and site preparation
- 200mm uninsulated raft foundation with reinforced mesh
- Foul drainage and service ducting
- Stormwater attenuation system (170m³ tank)
- Kerbing and roadway formation
- Tarmac base course installation
- Landscaping to create a clean, usable environment
This ensured the site was fully prepared not just for construction, but for long-term commercial use.
- Surfboard storage
- Surf simulation experience
- & more
Merging surf, fitness, retail, and food, the site is evolving into a lifestyle hub for surfers, cyclists, and the wider community. Somewhere people can meet, work, and spend time.
Client Experience
After a difficult start to the project, the client had a completely different experience working with Midbrook, describing his time with Robyn (Midbrook’s Director) as a breath of fresh air.
From director-level involvement through to on-site teams, the feedback was consistent – professional, supportive, and genuinely invested in the outcome.
The client highlighted:
- Clear communication throughout
- Friendly and helpful teams for each stage (groundworks, steel erectors)
- Confidence in Midbrook’s expertise
- A strong sense that customer satisfaction genuinely matters
Despite some external delays during the project timeline, the overall delivery remained smooth and well-managed.
The end result is a project the client is super happy with and they would choose Midbrook for their next building again without a shadow of doubt.
Why Steel Buildings Were the Right Choice
For this project, steel construction offered clear advantages:
- More cost-effective than traditional building methods
- Faster construction timelines
- Flexible internal layouts
- Ideal for multi-unit commercial use
For a development of this scale, it provided the perfect balance of performance, speed, and value.
Exciting Times Ahead
With tenants continuing to move in, Ocean Village is only just getting started.
What began as a field is now a growing lifestyle business community – demonstrating what’s possible with the right team, the right approach, and a fully managed steel building solution.
If you’re planning a commercial development, industrial units, or a multi-use business space, Midbrook can deliver a complete turnkey solution – from planning permission through to completion of the steel building project. To discuss your project, call us on 01335 370128 or click here to get an initial quote.
Building Specification
The buildings were designed to deliver durability, functionality, and cost-efficiency:
- Cold rolled steel frame construction
- Single skin cladding system:
- Roof: CR32 with anti-condensation fleece
- Walls: CW32 cladding
- 12% rooflights for natural daylight
- Merlin Grey finish throughout for a clean, modern look
- Access, Security & Flexibility
Each unit was built with practical, business-ready features:
- Electric roller shutter doors (3m x 3m)
- Steel security personnel doors
- Aluminium windows for natural light
- Internal dividing walls to create individual units
The layout allows for flexible use across multiple industries, making the development attractive to a wide range of tenants.
The Outcome
The result is a fully operational multi-unit commercial development, with businesses already moving in and transforming the space.
Ocean Village is set to become a destination, not just a business park – bringing together:
- Farm shop
- Vegan café
- Microbrewery
- Barber and tattoo studio
- Performing arts space
- Carpentry apprenticeships
- Cycle and e-bike shop
- Surfboard storage
- Surf simulation experience
- & more
Merging surf, fitness, retail, and food, the site is evolving into a lifestyle hub for surfers, cyclists, and the wider community. Somewhere people can meet, work, and spend time.
Client Experience
After a difficult start to the project, the client had a completely different experience working with Midbrook, describing his time with Robyn (Midbrook’s Director) as a breath of fresh air.
From director-level involvement through to on-site teams, the feedback was consistent – professional, supportive, and genuinely invested in the outcome.
The client highlighted:
- Clear communication throughout
- Friendly and helpful teams for each stage (groundworks, steel erectors)
- Confidence in Midbrook’s expertise
- A strong sense that customer satisfaction genuinely matters
Despite some external delays during the project timeline, the overall delivery remained smooth and well-managed.
The end result is a project the client is super happy with and they would choose Midbrook for their next building again without a shadow of doubt.
Why Steel Buildings Were the Right Choice
For this project, steel construction offered clear advantages:
- More cost-effective than traditional building methods
- Faster construction timelines
- Flexible internal layouts
- Ideal for multi-unit commercial use
For a development of this scale, it provided the perfect balance of performance, speed, and value.
Exciting Times Ahead
With tenants continuing to move in, Ocean Village is only just getting started.
What began as a field is now a growing lifestyle business community – demonstrating what’s possible with the right team, the right approach, and a fully managed steel building solution.
If you’re planning a commercial development, industrial units, or a multi-use business space, Midbrook can deliver a complete turnkey solution – from planning permission through to completion of the steel building project. To discuss your project, call us on 01335 370128 or click here to get an initial quote.