TITLE TEXT HERE 1 - 5 Grosvenor Place Erith was employed by Sir Robert McAlpine to undertake the excavation and enabling works at 1-5 Grosvenor Place. The site was located in the City of Westminster and was bound to the north-west by Grosvenor Crescent, to the north-east by Grosvenor Place, to the south-east by Halkin Street and the south-west by the Forbes House. The properties within the site confines that were demolished included York House, 1-3 Grosvenor Place, 4-5 Grosvenor Place and 2 residential properties based within the courtyard area of the site. Access to the residential properties was granted via Pembroke Close. The majority of constraints on this Project related to its sensitive urban location and the proximity of nearby structures, residential properties and established urban spaces. Upon mobilisation to the site, Erith commenced with the installation of the stub sections of steelwork to transfer loads from the existing perimeter wall through to the newly installed secant piled wall. The bulk excavation for the capping beam works was undertaken in quadrants. The works were carried out methodically from one side to another with one excavator carrying out bulk excavation duties and loading away the arisings whilst a second machine reduced the piles down to the required height. Once the capping beam was completed, the bulk excavation down to the lower ground floor commenced. The bulk excavation in this quadrant was from a level of +5.900m. A large excavator (35Te – 45Te) was used to load the lorries with a one-way system being operated through the site. As the dig deepened, a smaller machine was utilised at the lower level of the excavation. This machine was utilised to lower the excavation to the formation level of blinding. As the dig depth was lowered, the newly installed bearing piles were broken down and cleaned down. This was carried out by a 5Te excavator that had a higher degree of control and accuracy at the hands of a skilled operator than a larger excavator. To enable the works to progress as efficiently as possible, Erith installed a steel bridge and ramp sections. The access structure was constructed upon the bearing piles that were installed. To safely carry out the excavation, Erith lowered into position two 13Te excavators with breaker and bucket attachments. These machines were used to excavate the work face and load two 6Te dumpers that transferred the excavated material to the mole point where the attendant telescopic excavator was used to grab and lift out the material and load it into awaiting road wagons. A large tracked bobcat with a loading shovel attachment was also used to accelerate this phase of the works. Upon completion of the bulk excavation, Erith’s focus moved to the bulk excavation for the swimming pools, plant rooms, lift pits and drainage runs. The excavated material was transferred to the mole point before being removed from the site. Location: Westminster, London SW1