20 St James Street, London, SW1A

A complex, high-profile soft strip and demolition package with precision, value engineering and exceptional stakeholder care - all while keeping the historic James J. Fox cigar shop fully operational throughout.

The project, completed in two phases, began with a ten-week soft strip followed by a seven-month demolition programme to prepare the site for a new commercial office development.

Our soft strip scope was extensive, removing internal partitions, ceilings, doors, M&E (excluding the cigar shop’s systems), lifts, lifting machinery and asbestos. To support these works, we designed and installed advanced temporary structures, including complex bracing, back propping, a loading gantry, ground anchors, vault propping and balance beams.

During the demolition phase, we carried out cut-and-carve demolition from the eighth floor down to the basement, retaining 70% of the original structure. Our specialist plant, including a Brokk 330 and SB 452 breaker, enabled efficient slab reduction, atrium removal and deep basement works. Five conveyor belts transported arisings to the gantry, streamlining material movement and enhancing programme efficiency.

Significant value engineering was achieved during the piling works. When unexpected obstructions were encountered at 6m, our engineers rapidly redesigned the pile layout and implemented innovative solutions, including core drilling and a redesigned party wall support system using balance beams and ground anchors. This reduced temporary works requirements and delivered notable cost efficiencies.

Throughout the project, our commitment to community relations set us apart. We worked closely with James J. Fox daily, safeguarding their shop, supporting their internal refurbishment and maintaining essential services. Our bespoke protection deck, noise attenuation and dust control ensured minimal disruption to the live retail environment.

Our exemplary environmental performance earned the site a Considerate Contractor Scheme Gold Award, with over 3,000 tonnes of materials recycled - further demonstrating our dedication to sustainable demolition.