Images | HS2 contractors demolish huge BHS warehouse

Two thirds of demolition work on the HS2 project are now complete, after contractors demolished a huge former BHS warehouse on Hampstead road at London Euston.

The warehouse, which was once the centre of the department store’s London distribution network, made way for a new station with 400m and concourse being built adjacent to the existing station, which will double capacity.

Since the closure of the warehouse, the 5,000 square foot building had been temporarily occupied by UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and used by HS2’s contractors as office space.

The building, made up of two separate three and five storey concrete-framed structures, was demolished over eight months, by a Costain and Skanska team (CSjv) and specialist subcontractors John F Hunt.

A top-down demolition technique was used, with machines lifted onto the top of the buildings and protective screening installed around the outside to limit noise and dust. During the work, more than 35,000 tonnes of concrete was crushed and reused on site. With the demolition complete, the team are now working to finish the clearance of the site, ready for handover to the station construction teams.

HS2’s programme director, Matthew Botelle said: “HS2 will transform Euston, delivering much-needed extra capacity, improving journeys and unlocking the opportunity for thousands of new jobs and homes.

“This week’s milestone is the latest evidence of the progress we are making across London. With our fascinating archaeological programme in full swing and more than two thirds of demolitions now complete, I’d like to thank all those involved in the project for their hard work and dedication.”

CSjv’s programme director, Peter Jones said: “Costain and Skanska have successfully completed yet another major building demolition as part of our huge HS2 enabling works programme. With more than 1,500 people now at work across the capital, we are proud to be part of what will be, the UK’s biggest infrastructure project.”

Glen Clark, managing director of John F Hunt said: “From the start, we recognised that the reinforced concrete frame construction coupled with the unusual 7m high floor to ceiling heights positioned directly adjacent to the busy Hampstead Road thoroughfare, meant that the project offered the type of engineering challenges that we enjoy taking on.

“I’m pleased to say that through an excellent and collaborative working arrangement with both the CSjv and our client teams, we collectively produced meticulously planned, innovative engineered solutions to the myriad of challenges presented and I’m proud to say that the scheme has been delivered on time, on budget and most importantly with everyone going home safely every night.

“It has been an excellent scheme to work on and we thank both CSjv and our client for providing us with the opportunity to deliver on their behalf.”