Primark Belfast

DBFL are delighted to have provided Structural and Civil Engineering services for Primark on the re-building and repair of their iconic Bank Building store in Belfast city-center which is due to re-open next week following the devastating fire in 2018. The badly damaged historic façade was all that remained of the 200-year-old building following the fire.

The project presented many engineering challenges.

Services provided by our engineering staff included the design and detailing of the new internal 6 storey structural steel frame, concrete floors and reinforced concrete stability cores, and connecting this structure to the historic façade to provide permanent support to the outer walls.

Substructure design works included re-routing the culverted Farset River, which flows beneath the building, to facilitate the construction of a basement plant space, and piled foundations to support the new structural frame.

Our engineers also provided input into the façade retention system and design of temporary works structures to support the damaged masonry during the significant repair and replacement works by the specialist stonework contractor.

Well done to all who worked on this very challenging project and their contribution in bringing the building back to its former glory.