John F Hunt has been appointed by British Land under a PCSA to undertake the demolition and deconstruction package for the redevelopment of London’s Euston Tower site.

The specialist previously completed the soft strip back in 2024 and will now bring down the 36-storey building bar the reinforced concrete core which will be retained to its full 126 metres in height.

To enable this, a complex temporary works scheme has been designed by the John F Hunt engineering consultancy RKD, to strengthen the core enabling the removal of the surrounding structure.

Mark Blackmore, director of RKD, said: “We will be working closely with British Land’s engineers, Arup, throughout the entire design process. I think it’s the first time anyone will have engineered a 126-metre lift-and-stair core to be free-standing on any scheme in London. Despite its challenges, the project is very exciting and a superb example of what we do best.”

John F Hunt will be breaking with the traditional scaffold envelope for perimeter shielding, and instead use hydraulic frame technology to erect a 6-storey Climbing Protection Screen at the upper floor levels.

This will provide essential access and safety while reducing operative exposure to working at height. This bespoke, fully automated platform will progressively descend the tower as demolition work progresses.

Although the existing foundations are being retained, the basement is being extended to facilitate the increased footprint, which sees the new building go from 350,000 sq ft to 550,000 sq ft.

Basement, piling works and construction of the new ground floor structure, which facilitates subsequent phases of redevelopment, are all being undertaken while deconstruction continues some metres above.

Mace is main contractor on the £600m scheme.

Glen Clark, Managing Director of John F Hunt’s London business, said: “Euston Tower is a complex and exceptionally technically challenging project, and we are proud to continue our involvement with British Land, Mace and the wider team.

“Our early engagement and collaborative approach have enabled us to develop a solution that prioritises safety, sustainability and programme certainty. We look forward to playing our part in the transformation of this important site.”