High-level steelwork completes on London residential towers

Forming external rooftop plant enclosures, high-level steelwork erection has been completed on two of London’s tallest residential towers.

Working on behalf of Multiplex, Bourne Steel has erected approximately 105t of steelwork on the 42-storey River Tower, and most recently on the 56-storey City Tower (pictured), both located in Nine Elms, south London.

As well as the rooftop steelwork, the company has also erected an 18m-long link bridge, that connects the two towers.

In order to limit risk, the amount of working at height and the number of crane lifts, the rooftop steelwork was modularised. This consisted of fully welded assemblies being brought to site that consisted of up to three 6m-high beams and connecting crossbeams. The heaviest assembly weighed 3.5t.

“On the River Tower, the steelwork was brought to site piece-small and bolted into assemblies on the ground before being lifted into place,” says Bourne Steel Project Manager Duncan Wyatt.

“For the City Tower, we rationalised our work and decided to pre-weld the assemblies offsite, which was a safer and more economic method.”

On completion, the scheme will provide in excess of 67,800m² of residential apartments, as well as a 173-room luxury hotel that will occupy the lower levels – up to floor 18 – in the River Tower.