Construction has now begun on the Bow Common Lane Gas works, a large scale project that will transform a former industrial site in London's East End into a modern mixed use development. The project is being led by Berkeley St William, and is the first project for Statom within this division of the Berkeley group.
With a value of around £13.5 million and a duration of 73 weeks, the first phase of the project will involve the construction of several pile caps and three core caps, as well as an RC substation and two swimming pools (one internal and one external to the building at the GF level). All associated below slab and external services and drainage systems will also be installed.
At the heart of the project is the construction of an RC frame from the GF level consisting of three towers, 19, 12 and 8 storeys high. The GF and 1st Floor podium slabs are both around 3500m2 each. Two tower cranes and one crawler crane will be used for all lifting operations during the towers' construction.
However, the project has encountered several challenges that required diligent resolution. One significant hurdle was the high level of contamination found on the site. Overcoming this obstacle demanded substantial involvement from Statom, as we meticulously selected and installed specialised waterproofing and vapour membranes for all reinforced concrete (RC) elements in contact with the ground.
Another challenge was the placement of Tower Crane 1 within the collapse radius of Network Rail land. As a result, the design of the base and erection procedures had to be prepared to suit NR's requirements.
Despite these challenges, construction started on the 20th of February, 2023, with around 70 operatives expected to be on-site at peak times.
The Bow Common Lane Gas Works project is a significant step towards the transformation of this once-industrial area into a modern, sustainable development that will benefit the local community for years to come.
