Gambier, Haliday and Ilex Houses
Principal Contractor - PJ Mear Ltd.
Delivered services
Scope of Works: Install access equipment | Survey concrete panels/repair defective areas | Survey Mastic/ repair defective areas | Apply protective coating | Pressure wash walls and clean windows
Islington Council’s planned maintenance to the Bison Blocks. The bison blocks consist of 3 tower blocks dotted cross the Islington, built in the early 1960s using the bison wall system.
Gambier House 19 Stories (Old Street)
Ilex House 16 Stories (Crouch Hill)
Haliday House 13 Stories (Highbury)
To ensure that the project would be completed with the communities’ considerations being at the forefront of the project brief all blocks would be enrolled on the Considerate Constructors Scheme. Works would be checked by product representatives (Sika) or (Hilti) to approve use and application. All works to be insured with Insurance backed guarantees. Access for the works would be done via mast climbers, not scaffold as would normally have been used.
The project started on 19th April 2021, with Gambier House being first on the list. Working closely with the TMO and Caretaker of the block we were able to deliver the required works with minimal disruption to the local area by using a local community centre as a site office. This, when greenspace had become such a premium for residents due to covid.
Ilex House was the next to receive the works, starting on 12th July. With minimal outdoor space available it was again the community hub, The Brickworks, located at the bottom of Ilex House, that accommodated us and provided the office space for the duration of the works to be completed.
Haliday House, the smallest of the blocks was the last to be completed, starting on 24th September and finishing in November 2021.
PJ Mear received Performance Beyond Compliance certificates for each of the blocks following visits by the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Monitor, and received thanks from the local residents.