O’Keefe wins US$1.5 million office contract

Demolition works must be carried out by hand to protect the existing structure and nearby properties and assets. (Photo: O’Keefe)

The contract was awarded by property management specialist Atlas Property and comprises the partial demolition of several adjacent buildings.

These will then be made into 2,870 sq m (30,914 sq ft) of office space, with a new basement level and additional roof storeys added.

The original construction of buildings means that O’Keefe will carry out most of the demolition works by hand, retaining “only their primary and some secondary façades”.

According to the company, the project’s main challenges relate to its location. Not only is the site located in a “no stopping” traffic zone - making logistics particularly difficult, but its existing buildings are situated next to a church that is listed as a protected structure by Historic England.

The works to create the new basement also present a challenge, as assets belonging to Thames Water and Transport for London are positioned immediately below.

Jim Heatley, associate director at building surveyors PBC (Project & Building Consultancy), said: “A key factor in securing the contract was down to O’Keefe Demolition’s proven track record and experience in delivering complex demolition schemes on logistically challenging sites, and their clear appetite to take on the scheme.”

O’Keefe is due to start on the project in August of this year and the works will take 24 weeks to complete.  The finished office scheme will be formed of one six-storey and one four-storey office building.