Why our demolition engineers?

Redhammer successfully delivered the comprehensive "back to shell" internal strip-out of Phoenix House, a prominent ten-story office building within London’s bustling St. George’s Wharf development. Serving as Principal Contractor, we managed the meticulous removal of all internal fixtures, finishes, and redundant mechanical and electrical systems, while establishing critical temporary services and an interim fire alarm system to ensure continuous site safety.

Navigating the logistical challenges of a major urban development, our team executed the entire project using precise manual methods to protect the building's integrity. Vertical transit was optimized by keeping the existing passenger lifts fully operational, while waste was seamlessly cleared via a shared access route on a strict wait-and-load basis. This disciplined execution delivered a pristine, development-ready space, showcasing our ability to master complex urban strip-outs with absolute precision and minimal disruption.

Works involved the sympathetic soft strip and structural opening-up of 18th- and 19th-century Grade II listed buildings in conjunction with an extensive, hand-executed façade retention scheme. Two adjacent multi-storey student accommodation blocks at the rear of the site were also completely demolished, including their reinforced concrete frames, floor plates, foundations, and an on-site substation void.

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Also included as part of the enabling package was the extensive remediation and removal of hazardous asbestos materials across all structures before primary demolition works could commence.

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Advanced scaffolding, protective sheeting, and strict logistics were engineered to safeguard a sensitive local watercourse and active thoroughfares during the controlled, top-down structural dismantle. By crushing concrete on-site and completing reduced-level excavations, we safely delivered a clean, weather-proofed footprint while helping our client meet their sustainability goals and manage waste materials within a circular framework.

We undertook the complex strip-out of 45 Beech Street, preparing a former Barbican office for residential conversion. The Central London site presented tight logistical challenges, bounded by active neighbors and busy highways.

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Following a meticulous survey and asbestos removal, we executed a systematic internal soft strip back to a bare shell. High-precision Point Cloud surveys were conducted on completed floors to seamlessly facilitate the client's next design phase.

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To minimize local disruption, the project was completed via manual methods, utilizing existing lifts and managing waste on a strict wait-and-load basis. This successful delivery under tight constraints highlights our ability to execute sophisticated urban redevelopments with precision and a minimal footprint.

We recently completed the full demolition and site clearance of a two-storey teaching block and an adjacent gymnasium. Undertaken during the busy Spring term, the project required meticulous planning to operate safely within a live school environment while maintaining undisrupted access routes to surrounding facilities.

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The structures were dismantled piecemeal using ground-based excavators equipped with specialized pulverizer, shear, and grab attachments. The reinforced concrete slabs and foundations were then broken up using hydraulic hammers, utilizing localized acoustic mitigation to minimize noise disruption to nearby classrooms.

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By balancing heavy machinery with strict environmental controls, we delivered a clean, vacant site with zero disruption to daily school life. This project highlights our ability to navigate complex, high-footfall environments while maintaining the highest standards of safety, precision, and community consideration.

We executed the partial demolition of a concrete framed structure, requiring meticulous engineering and structural separation. The scope involved the systematic removal of roof slabs, reinforced concrete beams, columns, and the ground floor slab. To prepare the building for its next phase, our team also precisely formed new structural openings for essential riser systems and a modern staircore.

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Because maintaining the integrity of the remaining structure was paramount, we engineered a comprehensive temporary support strategy. Our team seamlessly managed the entire lifecycle—from custom design to installation and final removal—of all heavy-duty propping and shoring systems.

This project perfectly illustrates our ability to blend technical engineering expertise with surgical demolition practices, delivering a flawless, structurally sound canvas ready for future development.

Taking Clasp type school building, Redhammer set-about a delicate dismantling of the steel framed structure. Located in a live school environment and within a few metres of retained school buildings, quality of execution to the highest levels of health & safety was of paramount importance.

Redhammer employed Kobelco SK300 and SK270 zero-swing excavators to undertake the work. The use of scaffold was considered to introduce unnecessary risk as well as interfere with the day-to-day operation of the school, so a suspended protective screen was introduced to shield the retained structures from the demolition works. All material arising from the works was removed and recycled off-site, producing an overall recycling rate of 98%.

Taking on the role of Principal Contractor on this project, Redhammer have successfully stripped bare the internal fabric of a large retail unit within the Grafton Shopping Centre in Cambridge. Working to a tight programme and inside of a live retail environment, the team have excelled in achieving their goal of a snag-free, accident-free project with little or no complaint from shoppers and adjacent storekeepers.

During the project, Redhammer engaged with our partners at Globechain to offer and distribute items with potential upcycling value to other stores and charitable organisations, at no cost to the end user. An appreciative nod goes out to the client team of 2110 Consult Limited, Brian Buffin Associates Limited and Gardiner & Theobald for their proactive approach and swift decision making.

Redhammer returned to this huge redevelopment at Sheerwater, Woking to carry out our third phase of demolition work on the scheme. After clearing the site of fly tipping, discarded sharps and asbestos materials, the team proceeded with the demolition of 41 units of terraced housing, 4 blocks of 3 storey flats, and half a residential care home. The project was phased to accommodate the main contractor’s ongoing development on the adjacent site.

Using a team of 4 heavy excavators, ranging from 21 to 30 tons, Redhammer diligently went about removing the post-war residential settlements in readiness for an exciting range of modern housing. All hardcore and concrete debris was recycled on site to be incorporated into the new construction.

Following our successful soft strip phase at Chapter House, MYCO appointed us to execute a complex structural demolition package. This involved removing the existing roof, dismantling internal walls, and clearing suspended floor slabs while utilizing engineered back propping and steel plan bracing to protect the building's reinforced concrete cores.

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To overcome strict space and access constraints, we established a vertical lifting shaft and drop zone, employing compact skid steers and a 6T excavator for rapid debris clearance. Structural demolition was safely achieved using an SK45 excavator and a remote-controlled Brokk robotic machine, which significantly minimized risk in high-exposure areas.

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Through real-time adjustments to our methodology, we overcame these logistical challenges and delivered the project a full week ahead of schedule. This success highlights our commitment to driving efficiency and safety through advanced engineering and agile project management.

The demolition of a 4 storey, RC framed office and retail building, along with subsequent site clearance was necessary for the construction of the proposed new Woolwich Leisure Centre. Directly bordering the busy Woolwich New Road, and within a stone’s throw of Woolwich Arsenal Railway Station, this project required meticulous planning and sensible design. Redhammer had previously cleared the former Wilko retail store to the rear of the site in phase 1, and now works could get under way to finish the enabling process.

The demolition work involved a partial scaffold envelope to the street-side building facades, which enabled a top-down approach by building-based machines to second floor level, followed by a ground-based machine process to completion. The adjacent, newly refurbished Tramshed Theatre building was carefully protected and navigated to ensure a seamless separation. Large pad foundations were removed to a depth of 5m below ground level, and all arising hardcore and concrete material was crushed and recycled on site.

Redhammer were contracted to fully demolish this 9 storey RC frame office block to make way for a new hotel in London’s Marylebone neighbourhood. The works were undertaken in a top-down manner using building based machines supported by a Raptor 184 articulated tower crane, and involved a full scaffold envelope to provide protection to pedestrians and the adjacent properties.

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Basement structures and foundations were removed by introducing a series of temporary shores to support surrounding ground level roads and footpaths. This may sound challenging enough, however, when you factor in the prominent immediate neighbours of Westminster Magistrates Court and a Chinese Consulate building, it is fair to say that jobs don’t often get more sensitive than this one. Works were completed on time and without complaint.

Redhammer Demolition Ltd were contracted to clear the former industrial site for re-development. A large proportion of the work involved licensable asbestos removal in the form of AIB to the existing warehouse and extensive pipe lagging within the boiler house. Non-licensable asbestos removal in the form of approximately 2400m2 of double-lined roof sheeting was also undertaken prior to demolition of the structures.

On completion of the asbestos removal, the buildings were demolished piecemeal by excavator and all materials were crushed and laid to form a temporary hard-standing.

In addition to the heavy demolition, a steel gantry - in close proximity to a live area - was dismantled and cleared. This work involved piecemeal demolition work and lifting operations over a car park.

This involved the complete demolition and site clearance of single- and double-storey school buildings, including the removal of slabs and foundations and the subsequent crushing of waste material on site. The project was planned to be conducted in two phases to enable the school to remain in operation throughout the works. Phase 1 demolition was followed by a reduced level excavation of approximately 2500 tons of inert and non-hazardous material, as well as back-filling to form a hardstanding via site-derived crushed material.