The tallest of the towers, Hampton Tower, soars to 214.5 meters, making it the third-tallest residential skyscraper in London. Accompanied by Berwick Tower at 115.2 meters and Harcourt Gardens at 192 meters, these structures will provide 1,383 residential apartments, along with 6,000 square meters of public space and numerous retail and dining options.

The development began with the demolition of older office and retail buildings dating back to the 1980s. Berkeley acquired the site in 2014, and planning permissions were secured by the end of 2015, with support from Tower Hamlets Council and the Mayor of London. The project has been divided into three phases. Phase One, completed in 2021, saw the construction of Hampton Tower. Phase Two, which includes Harcourt Gardens, is set to finish in 2024. Phase Three, involving the Berwick Tower, will commence in 2025 and conclude by 2028.

Conquering Common Challenges

Working on tall structures like South Quay Plaza presents a unique set of challenges. Among the most daunting is the weight and rigging of ropes. For a building that reaches heights of 200 meters or more, the team must handle up to 450 meters of rope per set of rigging. This involves carrying the ropes, opening them out, and preparing them for rigging—a process known in climbing terms as "flaking" the rope. This meticulous task is essential to ensure that the ropes are free of tangles and ready for use.

Wind conditions add another layer of complexity. Even a slight breeze can twist ropes or blow them around corners, making it a nightmare to manage. To mitigate this, the team often bags the ropes—200-meter bags for each rope—and descends with the bags attached. While this method helps control the ropes, it also adds significant weight, making the descent more challenging, especially for lighter abseilers.

Once on the ground, the team must ascend back to the roof, gather their tools, and begin their work. The weight of the ropes, now acting as a drag, complicates the descent further. This requires not only physical strength but also mental resilience, as the height and exposure can be intimidating.

After completing their tasks, the team faces the arduous job of pulling up the ropes—450 meters per operative. This demands considerable arm strength, a fact that often surprises new recruits who may struggle to manage even a fraction of this length without assistance.

Inspections and Maintenance

Inspections and maintenance are integral to ensuring the ongoing safety and quality of South Quay Plaza. Inspections are typically client-driven, focusing on specific materials or structural elements. Maintenance tasks, such as cleaning, follow the same principles as those for lower buildings but require careful planning and execution due to the height involved.

Training and Certifications

To ensure competence in abseiling tasks, every team member holds a valid, in-date IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) certification, ranging from Level 1 to Level 3. This certification guarantees that each abseiler is trained to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.

Managing Weather-Related Risks

Weather is a constant variable in the world of abseiling. Wind speed, in particular, poses significant risks.

The team uses anemometers to measure wind speeds and adheres to strict safety limits documented in the Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS). If the wind exceeds these limits, work is halted. Occasionally, working on the side of the building opposite the wind direction can provide some respite, but this is not always feasible due to the nature of the tasks.

Installation of External Features

City Abseiling plays a critical role in the installation of external features such as windows and facades. For glass installation or replacement, the Level 3 technician is responsible for attaching the glass to the equipment and ensuring its secure placement.

This task requires not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of safety protocols, as there is no room for error.

Safety Protocols

Safety protocols for high-rise buildings like Hampton Tower are rigorous. These protocols are similar to those for lower buildings but require heightened vigilance due to the increased risks. Every piece of equipment is thoroughly checked, and all items are securely tethered to prevent accidents.

Coordination with Other Construction Teams

Effective communication is key to seamless operations on-site. Daily meetings between site managers ensure that all trades are coordinated, and any issues are addressed promptly. Direct verbal communication is crucial when unexpected challenges arise.

Equipment and Precision

The equipment used by City Abseiling meets stringent industrial standards, which are more rigorous than those for rock climbing. This ensures both safety and efficiency in their work. The precision required for dealing with complex architectural designs often involves improvisation, especially during maintenance when designs may not be as practical as they appear on paper.

Contribution to High-Rise Projects

The team's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to safety have significantly contributed to the success of high-rise projects like South Quay Plaza. Their work ensures that every aspect of the building is not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and safe for residents.

Under Dorin Pavel's leadership ( owner of City Abseiling Ltd) and Ashleigh Berridge, the Technical Lead, City Abseiling continues to set the standard for excellence in the construction industry, proving that with the right skills, training, and dedication, even the tallest challenges can be overcome.

Project Details

City Abseiling played a significant role in the Leadenhall project from 2012 to 2014. The architectural marvel features a unique tapering, perimeter-braced diagrid structure, integrating office floors with a northern support core housing lifts, utilities, and essential infrastructure.

The primary structural grid, measuring 16m x 10.5m, enables expansive spans with only six internal columns on the largest floors, showcasing engineering prowess. The exposed steelwork distinguishes office and service spaces visually.

The project architect elaborated on the development of the external mega-frame, allowing for a non-standard floor plan. This strategic approach resulted in an expansive public space at the base, highlighting the project's commitment to both aesthetics and functionality.

City Abseiling involvement in the Leadenhall Project began in 2012 and continued until 2014.

We collaborated with other façade companies deploying over 20 skilled technicians on-site. Our tasks ranged from intricate Mega Bracket installations on mega floors, requiring numerous abseilers due to steel beam complexities, to meticulous glass installations and mastic works from ground to the 52nd floor of the Mega frame structure, meeting client-specific requirements.

One Nine Elms

One Nine Elms, an imposing mixed-use skyscraper scheme, is currently taking shape in the vibrant district of Nine Elms, London. Initially conceived by Wanda One, a UK-based subsidiary of Dalian Wanda, the project witnessed a significant transition in ownership when it was acquired by R&F Properties, another prominent chinese corporation, in 2018. This dynamic development has been meticulously designed by the esteemed architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox.

City Abseiling embarked on a crucial role within the One Nine Elms project, commencing its involvement in June 2020, and as of the writing of this article in September 2022, remains an integral part of the ongoing construction process.

Project Details

Their multifaceted contributions span a spectrum of complex tasks that have been integral to the project's success.

Among the myriad challenges undertaken by City Abseiling from the project's inception are comprehensive water tests conducted across all levels and elevations, alongside the intricate installation of waterproofing systems.

Their expertise extends to the precise placement of glass elements, including crane tie locations, on various levels of the tower. Moreover, they have played an important role in the installation and replacement of stone units, encompassing all levels and elevations. The replacement of glass panels at multiple levels and elevations further demonstrates their proficiency, as does their work on glass unit adjustments and the installation of podium sides, spanning from level 6 to the pinnacle.