Atlas Building

A towering triumph for tech city

Leading the construction of the tallest residential tower in London’s Tech City

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Atlas Building Project summary

Client

Rocket Development

Key partners

Morrisroe and Focchi, Make Architects

Services provided

Construction management, Construct

Sectors

Commercial, Hotels

Locations

UK - London and south-east England, UK and Europe

Project timeline

Start date
April 2015
Status
Complete
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Project story

Hundreds of tech start-ups have taken over East London’s Shoreditch and Hoxton districts since 2009. The area is now known as “Tech City” or the “Silicon Roundabout” and is widely regarded as one of the world’s major technology hubs, just behind San Francisco.

Atlas Building, Tech City’s tallest residential tower, was developed in response to the area’s growing community of professionals and businesses, offering 300 new homes, office space and a public piazza.

The building’s twelve stepped architectural blades soar at 152m high - a landmark design among East London’s skyscrapers. From fin structures and balconies, down to a live Underground tunnel added to the complexities of the project and required bold solutions that challenged conventional construction methods.

Mace’s experience in high-rise construction enabled us to push the boundaries of construction. Driven by our commitment to drive added value through the project, we developed modern solutions to deliver the tower with a raised standard of quality throughout.

The project also marked our first time working with Hackney City Council. One of the Council’s key requirements was to support local employment and skills. We connected with local talent and offered 23 apprenticeships, and we targeted local colleges, job centres and training providers to offer opportunities to people in the borough.

23 apprenticeships
152m tallest residential tower in “Tech City”

points of note

Supporting employment in Hackney

Mace engaged with Hackney Council to connect with local skills and talent for the project. We offered 23 apprenticeships and 27 adult improvisers roles on the project to people in the local area.

Gravity defying solutions

To overcome the challenges and risks associated with operating over a live tunnel we developed a gravity-based tower crane solution - something never seen before in the construction industry.

Huge savings

By pioneering a thermal bridging method, together with Morrisroe and Focchi, to deliver the building’s 300 balconies in record time, we saved 8-weeks on the concrete frame programme and realised savings of £400,000.