In November 2023, McAuliffe, a leader in geo-environmental consultancy and remediation, was commissioned by Court Collaboration / Gallagher Estates to undertake significant work on the former site of Digbeth’s landmark Irish Centre in Birmingham. This site had been a cultural cornerstone of the high street for over 50 years before relocating to a larger, 12-acre site on Wheelers Lane in 2020. Court Collaboration aimed to revitalize the area by developing a 48-storey Build-to-Rent project, providing 454 apartments, co-working spaces, and leisure facilities.
The project scope for McAuliffe included both geo-environmental consultancy and demolition works. Their consultancy division, Geostream UK, was tasked with conducting thorough ground investigations, Archaeology work and producing a Remediation Strategy. This strategy was essential for addressing and discharging planning conditions related to the site as well as meeting regulatory and safety standards before construction commenced.
Geostream UK's approach involved a detailed geotechnical assessment to evaluate soil conditions, identify any contamination, and recommend appropriate remediation measures.
One of the primary challenges faced during the project was to enable the site investigation activities in parallel with the demolition of the existing building. The site was constrained by limited access and its proximity to the new tram installations by West Midlands Transport, which required careful planning and execution to avoid disruptions.
To overcome these challenges, McAuliffe planned a sequential and phased demolition to enable early access for site investigation and archaeological investigations safely dismantling the structure within the confined space. This included coordinating with the local authority and transport officials on a daily basis to ensure that all operations were conducted smoothly and efficiently, minimizing any impact on the surrounding area.
The successful completion of the geo-environmental consultancy and demolition works ensured that the relevant planning conditions were discharged and the site was prepared for Court Collaboration / Gallagher Estates ambitious development project. By addressing the environmental concerns and safely removing the old structures, McAuliffe have facilitated the first stage of the transformation of the site into a modern urban living space.
The new development not only provides much-needed housing and amenities in Birmingham's bustling Digbeth area but also contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting new residents and businesses. This project exemplifies McAuliffe's expertise in managing complex urban redevelopment projects delivering a turnkey consultancy and full site remediation service within a tight development timescale.
| Client | Court Collaboration/Gallagher Estates |
| Site Area | 0.13 Ha |
| Time Frame | 12 weeks |
| Location | Birmingham |
