Bachy Soletanche has completed the piling work at Spire London one week ahead of schedule.

Spire London is a 67-storey building located in Hertsmere Road, in the heart of London’s Docklands, and when complete will be western Europe’s tallest residential tower.

Appointed by Greenland Group, Bachy Soletanche undertook the role of Principal Contractor to deliver the enabling works and geotechnical package. The team carried out the design and installation of 66 large diameter rotary bored piles, with diameters of 1.8m and 2.1m, drilled under bentonite support fluid, to a depth of up to 67m. In addition to this, a secant piled (CSP) retaining wall, 220m in length and bored to a depth of 15m was constructed around the perimeter of the site. During the initial test pile phase, the team set a new UK record for the static load testing of piled foundations, achieving a maximum loading force in excess of 100 MN, using the Osterberg Cell® technique.

Taotao Song, Managing Director of Greenland (UK) Investments Ltd, said:

“The construction milestones we’ve achieved to date in the build of Spire London are testament to the quality of the team on board and we’re pleased with progress. We look forward to embarking on the next stage of development, which will see earth start to be dug and the future basement of the building take shape.”

Chris Merridew, Managing Director of Bachy Soletanche added:

“Spire London is a prime example of how Bachy Soletanche’s expertise and experience, when operating as a Principal Contractor from an early stage, can help deliver real value to developers in the UK market.”

Onsite, the work continues with the next step consisting of installing the capping beams before the initial bulk dig begins for the double-storey basement.