5 Broadgate, London, EC2

British Land

70 weeks

£6.5m

London, EC2

Location & Overview

This high-profile project direct for British Land represented the first buildings to be demolished within the iconic 1980s-built Broadgate Circle. As the original headquarters for UBS, ICAP and Deutsche Bank, the lightweight, steel-framed, marble-clad structures were located adjacent to Liverpool Street Station.

Work, Challenges & Solutions

Demolition of the two 8-storey blocks that integrated with neighbouring buildings at podium level.

Demolition to sub-basement level included the exposing and retaining of existing steelwork for new construction.

The ‘composite floor’ was one of the first of its type and featured large floor bay spans, low ceiling heights and an external façade consisting of stone-clad panels.

Two Wolff 500B luffing jib tower cranes were installed to the centre of each building to service the demolition works and lift the 10T excavators into place.

The recyclable demolition arisings were processed within the extensive basement area, and a pile mat was designed to stand over 9m high, incorporating Geotextile so that the face was only 10 degrees from vertical.

The depth of the pile mat stood from the B2 level back to ground floor.

Part of the building incorporated the TfL turning circle for buses. Therefore, the design and installation of extensive temporary works enabled demolition to continue without any disruption to the bus services and the thousands of members of the public that used them daily.

Achievements

Awarded the prestigious Considerate Contractors Gold Award by the City of London, which recognised the Code of Good Practice.

The successful completion of the demolition works, within programme and on budget, to the satisfaction of the clients and consultants. Minimal disruption to the adjoining financial institutions.