Bank Buildings, Belfast
Bank Buildings
Client: Primark
Main contractor: McLaughlin & Harvey
Developer: Primark
Architect: Populous
Structural engineer: Waterman Structures
Value: £100M (estimated)
Following a major fire in August 2018 that destroyed the Bank Buildings on Belfast's Royal Avenue, retailer Primark had to assess the structural condition of this Grade B1 listed building to determine whether it could be stabilised and rebuilt.
The 130-year-old structure had suffered extensive fire damage across five floors, with severe degradation to the cast iron columns, steel beams, and masonry. The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building. Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
The 130-year-old structure had suffered extensive fire damage across five floors, with severe degradation to the cast iron columns, steel beams, and masonry. The original structure consisted of cast iron columns, wrought iron beams, and timber floors, with a perimeter wall of brick and stone facings. The side elevation onto Bank Street was damaged by a bomb in the 1970s, prompting some rebuilding with a partial steel frame in the north-west part of the building. Further refurbishment was underway in 2018 when a fire largely destroyed the internal structure.
400
tonne mass concrete counterweights for façade retention system
30km²
footprint was demolished and reconstructed safely
Our role
Our roleWentworth delivered comprehensive temporary works and construction engineering consultancy.
Our scope included:
Our scope included:
- Post-fire structural assessment
- temporary works design
- construction engineering from initial stabilisation through façade retention and new build construction
Capabilities
Capabilities- Buildings
- Adaptive Re-Use
- Cut and Carve
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnics
- Temporary Works
- Social Value and Sustainability
Fire damage assessment for safe demolition
Fire damage assessment for safe demolitionThe 1888 building contained cast iron columns and Victorian-era steel beams that had been exposed to prolonged intense heat. Cast iron becomes extremely brittle after fire exposure, and the extent of damage was unknown until detailed investigation. The structure had to remain stable during assessment works, but its remaining load-bearing capacity was uncertain, creating significant safety risks for investigation teams and demolition crews.
We designed temporary propping to support the floors and walls before conducting close-range structural inspections. Our engineers assessed each cast iron column and steel beam for heat damage, cracking, and loss of section. We developed load testing protocols to verify the remaining capacity and created a phased demolition sequence that removed damaged elements in a controlled order, maintaining structural stability at all times.
This assessment and methodology allowed McLaughlin & Harvey to mobilise demolition crews safely, knowing exactly which elements could support temporary loads and which required immediate propping or removal.
We designed temporary propping to support the floors and walls before conducting close-range structural inspections. Our engineers assessed each cast iron column and steel beam for heat damage, cracking, and loss of section. We developed load testing protocols to verify the remaining capacity and created a phased demolition sequence that removed damaged elements in a controlled order, maintaining structural stability at all times.
This assessment and methodology allowed McLaughlin & Harvey to mobilise demolition crews safely, knowing exactly which elements could support temporary loads and which required immediate propping or removal.
Designing façade retention system
Designing façade retention systemThe Grade B1 listed Royal Avenue façade had to be retained and stabilised, while the entire internal structure was demolished and rebuilt behind it. Traditional façade retention usually relies on internal support or external scaffolding, but the fire damage and complete internal demolition ruled out both approaches. The historic masonry walls needed substantial support to remain stable throughout the two-year demolition and construction programme.
We designed a façade retention system using four 400-tonne mass concrete counterweights positioned on Royal Avenue, with steel frames connecting the counterweights to the historic façade through carefully designed support points. Our 3D finite element analysis modelled masonry behaviour under various loading conditions, accounting for existing structural degradation, construction sequence changes, and long-term exposure to weather during the works.
The counterweight system kept Royal Avenue accessible to pedestrians and traffic while providing McLaughlin & Harvey with unrestricted internal access for demolition and reconstruction across the 30,000m² footprint.
We designed a façade retention system using four 400-tonne mass concrete counterweights positioned on Royal Avenue, with steel frames connecting the counterweights to the historic façade through carefully designed support points. Our 3D finite element analysis modelled masonry behaviour under various loading conditions, accounting for existing structural degradation, construction sequence changes, and long-term exposure to weather during the works.
The counterweight system kept Royal Avenue accessible to pedestrians and traffic while providing McLaughlin & Harvey with unrestricted internal access for demolition and reconstruction across the 30,000m² footprint.
Creating access routes through occupied buildings
Creating access routes through occupied buildingsThe demolition plant and materials needed access to the site, but Royal Avenue frontage was blocked by the façade retention system, and rear access was constrained by surrounding buildings. The adjacent Buildings A and B were occupied and structurally sensitive, but provided the only viable access route. Routing heavy demolition equipment and loaded skips through occupied Victorian-era structures required detailed assessment and temporary works design.
We conducted structural surveys of Buildings A and B to determine existing floor capacities, then designed temporary load distribution systems, including steel spreader beams and reinforced access routes. Our designs specified maximum plant weights, movement restrictions, and monitoring requirements to protect the adjacent structures. We created segregation details ensuring demolition access didn't compromise occupied areas, and developed contingency schemes for unexpected structural issues.
This access solution enabled continuous demolition and construction logistics while protecting adjacent property owners and maintaining business operations in surrounding buildings throughout the project.
We conducted structural surveys of Buildings A and B to determine existing floor capacities, then designed temporary load distribution systems, including steel spreader beams and reinforced access routes. Our designs specified maximum plant weights, movement restrictions, and monitoring requirements to protect the adjacent structures. We created segregation details ensuring demolition access didn't compromise occupied areas, and developed contingency schemes for unexpected structural issues.
This access solution enabled continuous demolition and construction logistics while protecting adjacent property owners and maintaining business operations in surrounding buildings throughout the project.
Outcomes
OutcomesWentworth’s construction engineering knowledge applied immediately after an emergency enabled this complex heritage rebuild to proceed with confidence. Our continuous involvement from initial fire damage assessment through façade retention design to reconstruction support gave McLaughlin & Harvey and Primark certainty throughout a technically challenging and commercially sensitive project.
Key results:
The Bank Buildings reconstruction was completed in 2022, with Primark's flagship store opening behind the restored historic façade.
Key results:
- Emergency response: Immediate post-fire structural assessment established safe working protocols and investigation access within days of the incident
- Heritage preservation: 400-tonne concrete counterweight system protected Grade B1 listed façade throughout demolition and reconstruction
- Contractor confidence: Detailed fire damage assessment and phased demolition methodology enabled McLaughlin & Harvey to safely dismantle the compromised Victorian structure
- Access solution: Temporary works design through adjacent buildings maintained construction logistics without disrupting neighbouring businesses.
The Bank Buildings reconstruction was completed in 2022, with Primark's flagship store opening behind the restored historic façade.
Awards
AwardsBCIA Awards for temporary works