Mackintosh building demolition to start in days

Aaron Morby 6 years ago
Share

Reigart Demolition will start work to partially dismantle sections of the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building in the next few days amid fears of a collapse.

Recent remote surveys and close-in surveys from baskets suspended from cranes have revealed more substantial movement in the walls of the building than previously thought.

Surveyors have warned that a sudden collapse of parts of the building is now likely, rather than possible.

But because of the dangerous nature of the site it will take around two days to devise a methodology for taking down the south façade, which is the most seriously affected part of the building.

The West gable of the Mackintosh building has continued to deteriorate and the East gable has continued to move outwards.

In a statement Glasgow Counicl said: “While it is not possible to say for certain what the methodology will be, the demolition contractor has been asked to consider beginning at the Eastern side of the site.

“If this is possible it could make it more likely that we will be able to make the East wall safe and allow access to residents in Dalhousie Street.

“However Glasgow City Council, GSoA and the contractors wish to be clear that people should still not believe that this will be a quick process and that it is still impossible to say how long the cordon will remain in place.

“While any part of the building remains unstable there is still a risk of falling bricks or stone moving quickly downhill and into the buildings on Sauchiehall Street.”

Glasgow City Council’s Head of Building Control Raymond Barlow said: “This building has undergone substantial stress in recent days.

“With each passing day a sudden collapse becomes more likely. It has become urgent that we take down the south façade. As the process begins it will be likely that the other walls will also need to be reduced.

“We do not know what effect this will have on the rest of the building so I have to be clear this site remains dangerous and is becoming more dangerous. It is particularly important that people observe the cordon which remains in place.”

Latest news

Construction firms blast “true cost of Budget”

Firms fear tax hikes will lead to reduced hours and job cuts for staff
18 hours ago

Steel bridge specialist sold to staff

Nusteel Structures Group becomes industry's latest Employee Owned Trust
18 hours ago

Ex-Lendlease chief to lead Euston housing regeneration

Bek Seeley to head Euston Housing Delivery Group
18 hours ago

Ardmore lands Kensington hotel revamp

Contractor to transform former Kensington Holiday Inn
18 hours ago

RED wins £35m brace of projects in Bristol

Works include student halls and major facade fire safety remediation
19 hours ago

Wates starts £300m Gartree super prison job

Early works start on 1,700-prison place job next to existing prison
1 day ago

Five road schemes worth £1.3bn axed

Still no decision on £1.5bn A66 upgrade or £9bn Lower Thames Crossing
2 days ago

Budget: Chancellor to fund HS2 tunnels to Euston

Schools and hospitals get extra £1.85bn cash injection to tackle work backlog
2 days ago

Skills card changes will mean fewer labourers

CSCS wants to cut the numbers with 500,000 labourer cards currently in circulation
2 days ago

Wates hires former ISG fit-out chief to lead new team

Lee Phillips to head up new London office fit-out arm
3 days ago

Major London offices to student rooms scheme approved

65 Fleet Street office block to be converted to 850-student rooms
2 days ago

M Group Services buys MEICA contractor BGEN

Warrington-based engineering contractor employs 1500 staff
2 days ago

VINCI Construction swoops for FM Conway

Conway family sells £580m turnover Kent-based highways contractor
3 days ago

United Living bolts on property upkeep firm Pilon

Deal to buy £40m turnover social housing property services contractor
3 days ago

Sheffield facade specialist bought by Swedish firm

Building envelope giant Fasadgruppen makes first UK acquisition
3 days ago

Nexus buys Coleman Construction & Utilities for £5.4m

Nexus moves into civils with acquisition of East Sussex contractor
3 days ago

Councils get £68m to clear brownfield sites

Site renovation work will clear way for 5,200 new homes
3 days ago

Private investor buys Midlands contractor MCS

Deal values £100m revenue building contractor at £22m
3 days ago

Willmott Dixon to build Oxford net zero council HQ

Work to start next year on net zero office upgrade as Old County Hall sold off
3 days ago

Phoenix subbies get pay less notices after ISG failure

Building services specialist tells suppliers they won't be getting paid
4 days ago

Midgard confirmed on £60m Golden Lane office contract

Main works will create 120,000 sq ft of prime office space on historic site
4 days ago

Van Elle buys Scottish specialist Albion Drilling for £3.5m

Acquisition builds capability in Scotland's booming energy sector
4 days ago

French PM and cost consultant Artelia buys Pick Everard

Artelia UK operations swell to nearly 1000 staff after bolting on UK consultant
4 days ago

Go-ahead for West London 58-storey resi skyscraper

North Acton scheme at Old Oak Common to form gateway to emerging cluster
4 days ago

Plans in for £200m Trafford Wharf scheme

Mid-rise tower scheme of over 850 build to rent and student homes
4 days ago

ISG Fit Out arm went down owing subbies £111m

Latest slew of debts brings initial supply chain hit to nearly £300m
5 days ago

Construction to grow 2.5% next year

Industry output expected to rebound after 2.9% fall this year
5 days ago

Chancellor finds over £1bn for new schools and social homes

Budget extra cash to get school builds back on track and boost affordable homes
5 days ago

ISG collapse brings down lighting specialist

30 jobs go as Cheltenham-based Seventynine Lighting Ltd ceases trading
1 week ago

Kier lands £100m naval helicopter base rebuild

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to get big upgrade
5 days ago

Contractor services