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Shepherd Construction Ltd took possession of the site in November 2004.  The existing structure was five storeys high with a basement and was constructed using a steel frame encased with concrete panels.
The contract consists of a 20-week demolition period, including 8 weeks of asbestos removal, followed by a 60-week build period.  To minimise the overall construction period there were three main activities that had to be co-ordinated systematically during the initial 20 weeks:
•    Asbestos removal and air clearance.
•    The main demolition works.
•    Diamond drilling to the existing basement and installation of the 205 rotary bored piles.
The principle problems that we encountered with these activities were:
•    Maintaining segregation of the asbestos removal team while the other demolition work took place.
•    Maintaining fire escape lighting and fire alarms during the demolition.
•    Coring over 250 metres of reinforced concrete holes, 250mm in diameter, to enable the rotary bored piles to be cast.
•    Maintaining a reasonable relationship with the adjoining properties by working days, nights and weekends.
•    The logistical problem of removing approximately 6500 tonnes of debris off site and transporting it through the city.
•    Dead shoring to Russell House during the demolition.  The building should have been able to support itself, however this was not the case, which extended the contract by three weeks.

The construction phase
The project consists of a 7-storey steel framed structure, providing approximately 62,000 ft2 of office space with an A3 retail unit situated on the ground floor.  The building is constructed over an existing basement, which will form the new car park for the new building consisting of 32 car-parking spaces and 44 cycle spaces.

The principle problems that we encountered with these activities were:
•    Constructing the new building between the existing buildings whilst ensuring the maximum floor area is maintained.
•    Material unloading and distribution.
•    Tower crane management
•    Meeting the planner’s requirements.
•    Design co-ordination and sub-contract management.

The project was completed on schedule in July 06.