CASE STUDY 6
Client
Sheffield City Council / Queensbury
Project type
Heritage Preservation / Regeneration
Building type
Mixed-use commercial buildings with retained Victorian Façade
Value of project
£800k
Timescale of project
10 months
SUMMARY OF PROJECT
TRD’s work enabled the construction of Elshaw House, a new sustainable office building designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, which now anchors the development alongside Pound’s Park and Europe’s largest urban food hall.
Read more on Sheffield City Centre’s Strategic Vision here.
Our works involved:
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Full demolition of blocks B and C, along with the internal structures behind the retained façade;
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Structural support and protection of the Victorian frontage;
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Deployment of Liebherr R 954 C demolition excavator for high-reach works;
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Extensive hand demolition to protect heritage elements
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Night working to minimise disruption in a high-footfall city centre;
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Waste processing and recycling in line with environmental standards;
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Coordination with heritage consultants, structural engineers, and city planners;
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Site preparation for new-build construction including the construction of a piling mat.
Our specialist capabilities:
Retention of heritage Victorian facade, extensive hand demolition to protect heritage elements, night working, coordination with heritage consultants, local authorities, structural engineers and city planners.
Heritage Retention and Hand Demolition
The retained façade was a key planning condition and required exceptional care. TRD installed temporary steel bracing and worked closely with conservation specialists to protect the structure throughout.
Much of the demolition behind the façade was carried out by hand, allowing operatives to carefully dismantle internal walls, floors, and roof structures without compromising the integrity of the Victorian frontage. This method was essential in avoiding vibration damage and preserving original masonry and detailing.
Operatives used hand tools and small-scale equipment to remove materials in confined spaces, cataloguing key architectural features and ensuring safe separation from the demolition zone.
Machinery and Night Working
To dismantle the taller structures on site, TRD deployed its Liebherr R 954 C Litronic, a high-reach demolition excavator equipped with precision hydraulic attachments. The machine’s reach and stability were critical in navigating the tight urban footprint and working around the protected façade.
Due to the site’s location in a busy pedestrian zone, TRD also carried out night working operations, allowing progress to continue while reducing disruption to surrounding businesses, traffic, and residents. Noise control, dust suppression, and exclusion zones were implemented throughout.
Challenges and Execution
The combination of heritage retention, high-reach demolition, and manual dismantling required bespoke sequencing and constant communication between stakeholders. TRD coordinated with Sheffield City Council, conservation officers, and the design team to ensure every phase was executed safely and sensitively.
Outcome
TRD delivered the project on time and to specification, enabling the next phase of construction to begin without delay. The successful retention of the Victorian façade has been widely praised and now serves as a visual anchor for the Heart of the City II development.
TRD’s work exemplifies the balance between progress and preservation, supporting Sheffield’s transformation while honouring its architectural heritage
Read more about Sheffield’s Heart of the City II project here.