Asbestos Removal, Demolition and façade retention

Nationwide Building and Civils was appointed to deliver asbestos removal, demolition, and heritage façade retention works in Manchester City Centre to enable the construction of the new NXQ development, a 12-storey commercial office building.

Operating within a dense urban environment, the project required the careful removal of existing structures while preserving key heritage façade retention, ensuring the site was planning compliant. As a critical enabling works package, the scheme demanded a coordinated approach to demolition, structural support, and site preparation to ensure the site was ready for redevelopment.

The project involved unstable buildings, road and footpath constraints, and the retention of heritage façades within Manchester City Centre.

A phased demolition and enabling works strategy was developed in collaboration with the client and environmental consultants. Temporary works were designed to safely retain the existing façades while demolition progressed behind the retained structures.

Asbestos removal and soft strip works were completed in controlled stages, followed by carefully sequenced demolition using a combination of mechanical and manual methods. Remediation and ground preparation works were undertaken in parallel, ensuring the site was efficiently progressed toward development readiness.

The project was delivered safely, on programme, and in full compliance with all environmental and planning requirements. Close coordination between demolition, remediation, and civil engineering teams ensured efficient sequencing and reduced interface risks.

• Successful preservation of heritage façades
• Safe and compliant asbestos removal and demolition
• Development-ready site delivered on programme