World Demolition Awards Shortlist - Contract of the Year under US$1 million

Congratulations to the following companies who made the Contract of the Year under US$1 million shortlist.

Contract of the Year under US$1 million

Delsan AIM

COUNTRY: Canada

PROJECT: Dismantlement of 12 kV Atwater Substation

CLIENT: Hydro Quebec

STATEMENT:

Photo: Delsan-AIM

Delsan-A.I.M. Environmental Services Inc. successfully completed the deconstruction of Hydro-Quebec’s 12 kV Operations Building at the Atwater Substation in Montreal—a highly complex project carried out in a live, high-risk utility environment.

Constructed in 1956, the building had deteriorated beyond safe use, with access prohibited since 2012 due to structural instability. After temporary reinforcements and extensive assessments, full deconstruction was authorized and awarded to Delsan-A.I.M. in March 2024, with execution from June to September 2024.

This turnkey project demanded expertise in hazardous materials abatement, structural stabilization, environmental remediation, and live infrastructure protection.

The site was constrained by a 1.5-meter diameter high-pressure water main located less than 3 meters from the demolition zone, and a critical scope change required the protection and relocation of live high-voltage cables running through the basement.

Key challenges were met through innovative engineering and close coordination with Hydro-Quebec. These included: negative pressure containment systems for asbestos removal; real-time vibration monitoring using geophones on the water main; high-reach demolition equipment with custom limiters to navigate adjacent energized infrastructure; and custom-built protective-frame enclosures with engineered shoring for live cable protection and extraction.

Despite scope changes, zero safety incidents occurred. The project was delivered on time, within budget, and with full regulatory compliance—exemplifying leadership in demolition and environmental risk management.

The project’s complexity, technical precision, and outstanding execution make it a benchmark for safe, sustainable demolition in high-risk utility environments—strongly qualifying it for industry recognition under the Demolition Excellence Award

Haywood Crushing Demolition 

COUNTRY: Wales

PROJECT: Brackla1 Car Park, Bridgend

CLIENT: Bridgend County Borough Council

STATEMENT:

Photo: Haywood Crushing Demolition 

HCD Ltd’s demolition of the Brackla1 multi-storey car park in Bridgend, South Wales exemplifies industry-leading precision, safety, and project execution under intense constraints.

Appointed by Bridgend County Borough Council, we were tasked with the deconstruction of a deteriorated five-storey concrete structure, constructed using the rarely seen lift slab method, an inherently unstable and interconnected system.

Surrounded by two major supermarkets and a live railway line just 2 metres away, the project demanded intricate planning and coordination. Our engineering-led approach incorporated over 400 steel props and column bracing to ensure structural stability throughout the process.

Drawing lessons from past structural failures, we collaborated closely with structural engineers, Network Rail, and local stakeholders to devise and approve a demolition methodology that prioritised safety, continuity, and precision.

Despite the complexity and high-risk environment, we delivered the project on time and within budget. This success reflects our meticulous scheduling, adaptive planning, and disciplined resource management.

The site was operated under a bespoke safety regime, which included real-time air quality monitoring, dust and noise control, and night works to protect live infrastructure. The result: zero incidents, uninterrupted rail operations, and full client satisfaction.

HCD Ltd’s Brackla1 project sets a new benchmark for urban demolition. By combining technical expertise, proactive stakeholder engagement, and a strong safety culture, we transformed a high-risk site into a model of engineered deconstruction, efficiently, safely, and professionally. We believe this project is a compelling candidate for recognition in the under $1 million category.

Romeo Demolition and Excavation

COUNTRY: Canada

PROJECT: Allen Square Re-purposing- 180 King St S, Waterloo

CLIENT: Jackman Construction

STATEMENT:

Photo: Romeo Demolition and Excavation

The demolition of 180 King Street South in Waterloo was a milestone project for Romeo Demolition., marking the company’s most complex and technically demanding job to date.

The objective was to return a six-storey office building with basement and parking garage to its base concrete structure—slabs and columns only.

The scope included hazardous asbestos abatement, full interior strip-outs, selective and structural demolition, complete façade and rooftop removals, and the intricate takedown of a precast parking structure—all within a constrained downtown site.

Major challenges included managing multiple demolition scopes simultaneously, navigating complex engineering constraints, and executing work with precision in a dense urban environment.

Romeo’s phased execution plans, early engineering involvement, custom shoring systems, and advanced equipment (including the OilQuick system) were key to overcoming these obstacles. All work was completed safely, ahead of schedule, and with zero incidents or disruptions to surrounding buildings.

The project team—led by President Noah Romeo and General Manager Jason Maguire—combined strategic leadership with hands-on field support, ensuring a seamless connection between planning and execution.

Forepersons and supervisors brought decades of experience and upheld the highest standards in safety, coordination, and precision.

Client feedback was overwhelmingly positive, citing professionalism, adherence to budget and schedule, and high-quality execution.

This project exemplifies modern demolition excellence and reflects Romeo Demolition’s capability to deliver complex urban work with the expertise and reliability of top-tier industry players.

Total Controlled Demolition

COUNTRY: England

PROJECT: Heaps Rice Mill

CLIENT: Legacie Contracts

STATEMENT:

Photo: Total Controlled Demolition

Total Controlled Demolition Services Ltd is proud to share the successful delivery of our internal deconstruction works at the historic 18th century Heaps Rice Mill in Liverpool – a project that perfectly blended heritage sensitivity with modern demolition expertise.

Appointed as Bespoke Demolition Enabling Solutions Partner, our task was to remove the internal structure of this Grade II Listed 19th-century warehouse, while preserving the entire external façade and roof. With limited access, unstable internal floors, and strict conservation constraints, traditional methods were ruled out early on.

Our response was a tailored, engineered solution that placed safety, control, and innovation at the forefront. We deployed our in-house Brokk robotic excavators – craned in through custom lift plans – to safely dismantle from within, ensuring no operatives were exposed to risk and that the building’s shell remained untouched.

Surrounded by occupied buildings in Liverpool’s bustling Baltic Triangle, we worked sensitively, safely, and collaboratively. Noise, dust, and vibration were strictly managed; residents and local stakeholders were kept fully informed; and all works were completed ahead of programme and within budget – with zero incidents.

The client commended our professionalism, communication, and execution throughout.

This project reflects the best of controlled demolition: embracing technology, respecting history, and putting people first. Heaps Rice Mill now moves forward into its next chapter – with its character preserved and its potential unlocked, thanks to the TOTAL team.

Trifecta

COUNTRY: US

PROJECT: CLT Air Traffic Control Tower

CLIENT: Walsh Group

STATEMENT:

Photo: Trifecta

Trifecta Services Company completed the demolition of the former FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, working in partnership with the Walsh Group. The project included abatement and full demolition of a 10-story tower and an adjoining 25,000 SF administration building.

Due to the modular construction of the tower, Trifecta first had to fully understand how it was built in order to deconstruct it safely. The team identified structural connection points between large concrete blocks and prepared them for crane removal by grinding and burning through embedded reinforcements. A 550-ton crane was then used to lift the tower sections down to ground level for processing and recycling.

Following this, a Volvo 380 excavator was used to complete the remaining demolition. All work was performed under strict FAA regulations and within the limited operating windows provided by airport officials.

In coordination with the Charlotte Fire Department, Trifecta also paused operations to allow local firefighters to use the tower for high-angle rescue training, ensuring structural integrity and safety for the exercise before resuming demolition.

Despite the complexity and constraints, Trifecta delivered the project on schedule, with no safety incidents, and achieved a 65% recycling and salvage rate, proving an ability to execute high-stakes work with precision and professionalism.