FDS were awarded the principal contractor role for the enabling package on a 9 floor vacant commercial building in the City of London. The building was undergoing planning for a major change-of-use to a hotel, so an early strip-out was key to unlocking as built conditions and advancing the design. The strip out was fully back-to-shell which therefore included the removal of various substrates, finishes, block walls and a triplex of passenger lifts. To future proof the building upon completion, lighting was installed across the floor-plates and in the stairwells and a temporary wireless fire alarm system was installed to all floors. Lastly, the sump pumps in the basement were re-fed from a temporary supply so they would remain operational once the site was vacant.
When FDS inherited the site, the lifts were not working. Given the significant quantity of material that had to be removed, it was decided that the best course of action was to re-commission them. This allowed the movement of bins of material freely to both exist points on the ground floor via a sprawling and reinforced scaffold gantry and ramp or via the lower ground floor courtyard. These two egress points allowed for a natural segregation of waste streams and also for an expedited program as daily output was essentially doubled. When masonry walls and screed were removed, an internal riser was boarded out and turned into a chute which landed in a lockable space. From there a small skidsteer was used to clear rubble, dramatically reducing the manual handing strain.
We were able to send the majority of the carpet tiles off for re-use, and all whole RAF tiles, thereby saving circa 150 tonnes of embodied carbon. Fortunately, this was possible despite the system in question being obsolete. Our re-use partners had a specific refurbishment project where these tiles were needed for patching in on a large scale. This also helped to bypass the transport required for storage, thereby increasing the global environmental benefits of the scheme through second order effects.
As the project was set across 9 floors, it acted as a perfect testing site for our productivity and forecasting tool. Once two floors were completed in short order, we extrapolated the exact resources required to complete subsequent floors, considering their various size and layout differences. For workflows where reality outperformed expectations we were able to understand this better to capitalise on program benefit, and where they did not match expectation we were able to diagnose and improve internal process and methods to suit.
If you would like to find out how First Demolition can help you please send an enquiry via the form below.
Address: 64 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JF
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8088 2539
Email: operations@firstdemolition.co.uk
We’re probably better defined by what we don’t cover — yet. That would be nuclear, rail and marine, where we don’t currently have the depth of experience required to properly guide a project. Across all other sectors, we bring extensive experience and a proven track record.
Yes. A significant portion of our work takes place in live environments — from partially occupied office buildings, to schools, hotels and museums. Each setting brings its own considerations. Over time, we’ve developed practical approaches to minimise disruption, maintain safety, and manage the impact of our works on surrounding areas and stakeholders.
We take a proactive approach from the outset. During tender stage, we flag potential risks based on experience and precedent, and where possible, recommend exploratory works to reduce uncertainty before the project begins. Where this isn’t feasible, we provide guidance on likely impacts — allowing clients to plan for time and cost contingencies with greater confidence. We operate transparently and with a strong understanding of contractual obligations, ensuring a fair and considered approach throughout.
We see our role as more than delivery. We work closely with clients and consultant teams to navigate challenges as they arise. This can include supporting early-stage planning, contributing to feasibility exercises, or helping shape the approach before works begin. We’re also well connected, and are always happy to introduce trusted partners where additional expertise is needed.
We operate an integrated management system certified by BSI to ISO 45001 and ISO 9001 standards. Beyond compliance, we focus on how standards are applied in practice — from highly trained teams to clear, visual methods on site. We’ve also developed our own tools and initiatives to improve communication, reporting and environmental performance across our projects.
Today — because the earlier we’re involved, the more we can influence the outcome.
