Principal Place

Principal Place is situated in Shoreditch, London and part of the building is located close to Liverpool Street Station, which necessitated close collaboration with Network Rail to ensure we prevented disrupting their assets.

Our teams successfully delivered the sub and superstructure package, where the basement ranges between two and four levels across the site and was constructed “Top-Down” as well as “Blue-Sky”. The top-down element releases a 50-storey tower containing high-end residential apartments.

The vertical elements of the structure were formed utilising a bespoke jumpform system, enabling the columns to be jumped together with the main core. This removed this element of works from the floor cycle and led to a time saving of ten weeks across the programme. The post-tensioned slabs were formed below the jump system, within a perimeter protection screen. The project also comprised two, low-rise structures (13 and five storeys) for affordable housing.

Due to the tight site footprint, Careys in house design team developed a hybrid basement solution; part top-down and part open-cut construction. The team used 3D modelling to demonstrate how our methodology, combined with the use of our telescopic clamshell excavators, would allow us to overcome the site’s logistical complexities. In devising the programme, the team developed a complex temporary works scheme to strengthen the load capacity of areas that had been weakened by numerous Victorian tunnels and bridge abutments.

During delivery of the works multiple challenges arose, including the installation of a crane base close to TfL assets and the incorporation of permanent works columns into the foundation. Multiple visits by the client resulted in excellent feedback on the quality and standards of safety encountered across the site - especially on the jumpform rig itself.