Located in the heart of Coventry city’s main shopping area, Coventry Point office block had been home to a variety of businesses over the years, but its demolition was seen as a key part of the city centre’s £300 million urban regeneration projects.
Built in the 1970s, it consisted of two 14-storey concrete framed heavily reinforced office blocks connected at each floor with a glass walkway, a three-storey plinth section and overhead walkway that connected the roof of the plinth to a nearby multi-storey car park.
Tasked with the safe deconstruction and demolition of all structures, Colemans’ biggest challenge was the site’s urban location.
Coventry Point was surrounded in very close proximity by occupied and unoccupied retail units, pedestrianised walkways, access roads and a public car park.
Access and egress to the building was only possible on foot or via a road that is used by public and the surrounding occupiers for access to car parking and loading bays. This positioning impacted the programme and method of works, with careful planning to design out risk.
Site boundaries were maintained and kept secure at all times, with CCTV and warning signs utilised to deter trespass, as well as remote monitoring by security guards, on hand to attend the site if alarms were triggered.
The site constraints, including occupiers and neighbours, also impacted the method of works.
Real-time dust, noise and vibration monitoring units were installed around the site before any phase of works that was likely to generate dust and noise. A full environmental monitoring report was generated each week, with results measured against set parameters and issued to relevant stakeholders. Dust suppression systems and debris protection Monarflex was also used on site to control dust levels.
Within the structures to be demolished were a Western Power Distribution substation, a restaurant and shop both still operating and an EE mast with associated equipment. The restaurant and shop maintained in-situ for the first stages of the project, with close liaison and updates on progress as required.
A peregrine falcon was also spotted in the area and known to land on the building with a potential to nest. Scarecrows and netting were installed prior to demolition works and Colemans liaised closely with the City Council’s Ecologist to ensure compliance.
This was a hugely successful urban deconstruction and demolition project in a busy city centre, made possible through careful planning and extensive stakeholder engagement.
To minimise disruption, Colemans met with all adjacent occupiers to understand their concerns and explain fully how we would operate and the impact to them. During these early meetings, relationships were developed that we worked hard to maintain throughout the project period. Leaflets were distributed to surrounding businesses and night works were carried out where possible to minimise disruption to the neighbouring retail outlets and general public. A dedicated Public Liaison Officer was also appointed for the duration of the project, working in close collaboration with the client, Coventry City Council.
