Enabling Works & Soft Strip Demolition for Whiteleys of Bayswater Grade II Listed Façade

Designed by John Belcher and John James Joass, Whiteleys of Bayswater was opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 21 November 1911 and at the time it was claimed to be the largest shop in the world.

The opening of larger shopping centres in the locale meant that in 2018, after a number of changes to its usage, Whiteleys was closed. It is now in the midst of a £1 Billion development to transform it into a Norman Foster-designed mixed-use venue comprising of apartments, a Six Senses hotel, and retail units on the ground floor.

The colonnaded façade that will dominate the structure upon completion is of particular importance, completed in 1925, it is Grade II listed. Every effort must be made to protect the façade of what used to be the epitome of a prestigious department store.

UKG were retained in November 2021 to complete a range of enabling works and soft strip demolition to the façade to allow for PAYE Stoneworks to carry out the reinstatement of the renowned Whiteleys external columns and rotundas.

All aspects of this project require our team to work from height on this prestigious 1911 building. The original materials used in its construction require repair, and with, the erection of addition floors within the structure, the façade needs to be strengthened to allow for the additional loadings

UKG are using a range of products to carry out the repairs to the columns and beams, with emphasise on low compression and high build values. Its to this end that we have managed to get Sika Monotop approved by the engineers. Both Monotop 612 and 614 are being used to enable the build of the columns to encompass the slab support brackets. The Monotop range is perfect for this application as both the hand applied, or pourable options can be advised depending on the bracket and substrate strength.

This project will continue throughout 2022.