Stanhope

More than £100 million of initial infrastructure work was required to unlock the development potential of these sites, left scarred and blighted following World War II bombing.

Previous attempts by others to come up with a viable development proposal had failed until we devised an ambitious plan to reconnect the two sides of the site, which were divided by a railway viaduct.

In partnership with British Rail, we proposed a scheme that met the rail company's desire to create the Thameslink route, linking services through London, whilst also freeing up the land currently occupied by the viaduct.  During an intensive two-year programme of work we demolished the viaduct and its associated train station, relocated the rail line underground, moved bridges, roads and services, as well as building a new station for the relocated rail line. 

Throughout the work rail services continued to operate, with the exception of a 20-day period during which we connected the existing rail line to the new link we had created and removed the old sections of railway.  In order to complete the job within such a constricted timeframe the works were scheduled down to the hour, and continued throughout the day and night.

A huge archaeological investigation followed, which uncovered the remains of part of London's mediaeval city wall, revetements and other items of historical importance.  The Museum of London removed the portions it wished to preserve elsewhere, whilst the remnants of the historical site were protected before construction began.

The effects of electromagnetic interference caused by trains passing through the site, as well as the associated noise vibration, were carefully assessed.  To accommodate the vibrations, the buildings were constructed upon rubber pads or large springs.

The project created a new London square, now named Fleet Place.