The Mill Construction Updates

Steady progress continued at The Mill throughout the second quarter of the year. The façade retention scheme is now complete on all elevations, and work has also begun on the development substation. With the façade retention scheme finished, internal demolition has recommenced, and the tower crane has been mobilised. As part of this delicate renovation process, the building’s intricate wooden frame and internal flooring are also being stripped out.

In the first quarter of the year, the site team completed the removal of the building’s original roof and continued with the clearance of the upper floors. 

A façade retention scheme has also been commenced around the building to enable the internal strip-out and structural works to commence. Scaffolding is now in place to allow the on-site team to continue with these works safely. 

Following the removal of the original atrium in the previous period, the on-site team focused on the safe removal of asbestos from the building for much of Q4. 

Piling and concreting were also carried out for the structural base of the tower crane, which is required to enable the erection of the crane. The site team also began removing the building’s original roof and clearing the upper floors towards the end of the year.

Removal of the existing roof structure remained a priority for the on-site team throughout Quarter Three. In addition, most of the parapet walls were also reduced in height with coping stones and salvageable bricks stored for reinstatement and reuse during the construction process.

In September, the demolition of the existing substation and the removal of the atrium were also completed as steady progress continues to be made to the internal strip-out.

Throughout Quarter Two, the team’s focus remained on the necessary preparations for the commencement of construction works. In June, the delicate process of removing the existing roof began along with the demolition of the substation.

During this period, technical design team meetings continued between the main contractor and project consultants. Removal of the atrium also continued as well as that of an asbestos insulation board by specially appointed contractors.

The first three months of the year saw the on-site team commence and complete the demolition of the façade walls to the North and South of the atrium. Modern canopies were also removed on the same elevations in preparation for delicate restoration works.

As The Mill is Grade II listed, an inventory of protected elements was compiled to create a record of important items and determine what actions are required to maintain and protect them.