LIVERPOOL construction and fit-out specialist Aztec has won a £2.5m contract to design and refurbish five sheltered housing schemes.

The firm has been appointed by One Vision Housing (OVH) to help provide more than 200 quality homes for people across Merseyside.

The firm was appointed on design stages in May, 2009, and the first works are starting on-site in mid-June.

The five projects include Mill Spring Court, in Bootle, and Fernley Grange, in Southport.

The Aztec team has been working closely with tenants, scheme managers and project managers to define a sense of style and functionality at all of its developments, while ensuring that works are carried out with minimum disruption to existing tenants.

Following the consultation, Aztec has helped OVH to fulfil its vision to create a boutique hotel style at each of its newly- refurbished developments, with hair salons, upgraded communal areas and guest suites in all schemes.

Rob Maxwell, director at Aztec, said: “Although Aztec has often been thought of as just a fit-out specialist, we also specialise in a range of construction services and our work with OVH has illustrated this.

“Aztec has managed all aspects of the design and build process.

“Social housing is a growth area for the company, and we look forward to building on our success with OVH and continuing to expand within this sector in the future.” Aztec has previously worked with OVH, having refurbished the company’s 33,000 sq ft headquarters in Liverpool and various other neighbourhood schemes across the city.

Investment team project manager at OVH, Steve Maddocks, said: “The overall service provided was excellent, and the end product was positively received.”