Steel helping to convert Old Street Post Office building

More than 900t of structural steelwork has been installed to help convert the former Post Office administration building at 160 Old Street in central London, into a modern commercial scheme.

The 1970s-built six-storey concrete-framed building is getting a complete make-over, as an extensive refurbishment will deliver 160,000ft² of open-plan office space within a new eight-storey structure.

Two extra steel-framed floors have been added to the Old Street elevation, increasing this side of the building from six to eight floors. Two further floors have also been added along the Bunhill Row elevation, increasing this part of the scheme from five to seven floors.

Another steel floor has also been added to the Banner Street elevation, while internally, a new four-storey steel element takes up approximately one-third of the inner space by replacing a 1980s-concrete addition that has been demolished.

“Using a lightweight composite solution of structural steelwork supporting metal decking to form the new upper floors and the new internal zone has meant there has been little or no strengthening works necessary to the foundations or existing concrete columns,” said Heyne Tillett Steel Project Engineer Krzysztof Marcinkiewicz.

Main contractor for the project is Wates, while Bourne Steel is the steelwork contractor. The job is expected to be completed by first quarter 2018.