GRE Properties Ltd - The Royal Exchange, City of London
Project Description:
Since the original Royal Exchange building was finished in 1566, the Exchange has been completely rebuilt twice. The current Grade I listed building was 145 years old when it was refurbished again to its current condition.
Due to its location at the heart of the city with thousands of commuters streaming to and from work each day, site access where extremely difficult. Working gantries were erected above the shops to allow free access where the extent of the scaffolding was determine by the strictly limited space and pavement area around the building.
Bath & Portland Stone won the stonework contract which included supplying and fixing around 1000m3 of stone, much of it intricately carved, inside a 15 month timescale on site.
Key Challenges:
- The permanent occupation by the London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE) on the ground floor - the trading centre had to be completely unaffected by the works going on around them.
- At street level, protection was given to 21 shops situated around the building which continued to trade.
- Restoring the Grade I listed interior to the offices on the 1st floor.
Form of Contract: Management
