Major building refurbishments, especially in a big city, are often highly complex, with not least due to complicated access and restricted working conditions. A solutions-led approach is essential. BS Steels has been involved with many building refurbishments in London. Our partnership approach, and our expertise at all stages from demolition to structural steelwork to secondary steelwork, come to the fore time and again.
The following examples show this, as well as the crucial role in steel in building refurbishment. All involved the addition of extra floors, for which BS Steels created and installed steel frameworks.
66-74 Notting Hill Gate
This redevelopment is located in the heart of Notting Hill Gate, right by the A4 and most significantly, directly above the District line tunnel and immediately adjacent to the Notting Hill Gate Underground entrance. The building also falls partly within a Conservation area. Among other things, this meant that it has not been possible to build with a crane!
During demolition, BS Steels installed temporary support structures to the facade. We fabricated and installed the steel frame for the new structure. Special stainless steel brick ties were provided. Steel open mesh flooring was installed on all levels. As the project proceeds, BS Steels will be involved in many elements of secondary steelwork, including juliet balconies for the residential units.
66-74 Notting Hill Gate: project report
30 Berkeley Square, London SW1
Refurbishment of prestigious office building in Mayfair Conservation Area. One of two basement floors removed, first floor removed, to make two auction rooms for tenant Phillips Auction House. The auctioneers now display collections in modern, double height galleries across the lower ground to first floors. A new seventh floor was added, and terraces created on fifth, sixth and seventh floors. Steel also for lift shafts and secondary requirements.
St Paul’s House, Warwick Lane, London EC4
St Paul’s House in Warwick Lane, London EC4, was built probably in the 1920’s, and rebuilt several times since WW2. Refurbished in 2012 to provide a modern office block presented a variety of engineering challenges, as well as significant access issues.
The basement was completely revamped, ground floor lowered to be level with the existing pavement, new steel staircases installed, service voids through ground, first, second, third, fourth, fifth floors created, a new steel sixth floor added with a roof over, together with infilling of a terrace from 4th floor to 6th floor, creating additional floor areas and modifications to fire service lift and twin tenants’ lift shaft. Client: McLaren Construction.
67 Tufton Street, London W1
Conversion of former Post Office and Cabinet Office building to residential use. Steel-framed two-storey mansard roof created and installed by BS Steels. The new roof was designed to house three spacious duplex penthouses with views across to the Palace of Westminster, London Eye and Westminster Abbey. Client: McLaren Construction.
