Holiday Inn Tower Christchurch

The deconstruction of the 18-storey Holiday Inn City Centre in Christchurch stands as one of New Zealand's largest "dirty demolition" projects, culminating in a significant recycling effort aimed at minimising landfill waste from the entire building.

Project Overview:

Initial engineering assessments of the Holiday Inn, located in Christchurch’s city centre, indicated that traditional deconstruction methods could be employed safely. However, as work progressed, it became clear that the situation was more complex than anticipated.

The Holiday Inn, which featured a car park basement, 16 concrete Dycore floors, and a penthouse with a steel frame and copper roof, had recently undergone refurbishments before the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. Despite initial assessments deeming the building safe, unforeseen structural issues emerged once deconstruction commenced.

Challenges Encountered:

• Unexpected Structural Damage: Despite thorough preliminary assessments, the building's actual condition revealed significant damage, leading to the issuance of a Section 34 notice from CERA, which classified the structure as high risk for collapse. This halted further traditional deconstruction efforts, which had included stripping internal linings, furnishings, and fixtures, and dismantling the steel and copper roof.

• Preservation of the Basement: The client required that the basement remain intact, particularly because it housed a crucial transformer supplying power to surrounding properties. Nikau's team installed over $60,000 worth of propping to protect the stairwells and preserve the basement's integrity.

Revised Approach:

With the building's condition posing a risk to surrounding properties, a rapid change in deconstruction methodology was essential. Nikau swiftly mobilised specialised machinery, including "Twinkle Toes," to the site. This mechanical deconstruction approach, which began at the former earthquake-damaged Farmers Carpark on Colombo Street and moved to Manchester Street, was meticulously planned to prevent uncontrolled collapses.

Achievements:

• Efficient Waste Management: The project resulted in the handling of over 20,000 tonnes of mixed demolition material, including concrete, steel, furnishings, insulation, and more. Through innovative onsite screening and processing techniques, Nikau significantly reduced waste sent to landfills, a move that potentially saved the client millions of dollars.

• Successful Recycling: The project's successful recycling and waste reduction efforts not only mitigated environmental impact but also demonstrated Nikau's commitment to sustainable demolition practices.

This complex deconstruction project highlights Nikau’s expertise in adapting to unforeseen challenges and underscores our dedication to environmentally responsible demolition solutions.