The Mill Construction Updates

Work at The Mill site is moving forward steadily. Total Demolition, is keeping a strong pace while following all heritage and safety rules.

The main focus right now is on:

• Careful demolition of old buildings
• Removing old or unsafe materials
• Preparing the site for the next stages of construction
• The process is slow but steady because the site is historically sensitive

Works continued at pace into the second quarter, with demolition now reaching basement levels in a number of areas. Significant structural clearance was completed, with historical cast iron features retained in place pending further assessment. Key architectural elements such as original shutters and façade details were carefully removed and stored for future restoration, in line with the Listed Building Consent.

Preparations also began for asbestos removal in isolated areas to allow safe continuation of demolition. Scaffold adaptations continued internally and externally, while the new permanent power connection was successfully brought online—another important step forward for the development.

Major progress was achieved in the early months of the year, with the on-site substation now fully complete and ready to deliver permanent power across the development. This marked a key milestone, enabling future phases to move ahead more efficiently. Internal demolition works continued across several parts of the main building, including the removal of large industrial tanks, old window shutters, and redundant fittings, with many original materials carefully stored for future reuse in line with heritage approvals.

Temporary support structures were installed to ensure safe working conditions, while scaffold modifications progressed across the atrium and main elevations to support access and ongoing demolition.

Steady progress continued on-site throughout the final quarter of the year. Demolition works advanced across key areas, with structural elements and materials carefully removed and stored for future reuse in line with approved guidelines. Internal clearance also moved forward, preparing spaces for the next phase of development.

Scaffolding installations were largely completed on three sides of the main building and annex, with further modifications underway to support safe access and logistics across the site. Specialist teams completed the removal of notified asbestos from lower levels, and approvals for party wall agreements were secured, marking another important milestone for the project.

Significant progress was made with the substation structure completed and mains power connection work underway. Internal demolition also advanced while cast iron columns and window shutters were removed.

In the coming months, the site team will focus on constructing the cantilevered scaffold and removing loose materials in key zones across the site.

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.