150 Robson St Facade Retention

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Scope of work 

This project required careful project management and close coordination between Pacific Demolition, BelPacific, and KWH Constructors to sequence demolition, excavation, and shoring around existing structure supports, dense buried utilities, and variable ground conditions. The teams worked together with project engineers to plan and execute each phase safely and efficiently. 

Historic Façade Support 

A key element of the project was preserving and stabilizing the building’s historic masonry façade throughout demolition and excavation. 

• Planning and design of the façade retention system were completed in collaboration with KWH Constructors and project engineers to maintain façade integrity during all stages of construction. 

• Steel façade retention frames and micropile supports were installed before demolition to hold the façade securely in place. 

• Continuous monitoring and engineering reviews ensured that loads and movements remained within safe tolerances as demolition and excavation progressed. 

• During foundation removal and excavation, the façade was temporarily supported on micropiles and monitored in real time while heavy structural elements beneath it were removed. 

• Once excavation and shoring were completed, the façade supports were carefully dismantled in coordination with the construction of the new permanent structure. 

Building Demolition 

• Hazardous materials abatement and complete building strip-out to expose the structural frame. 

• Installation of building shoring and sawcut separation of the façade walls from the interior structure. 

• Demolition of the interior structure section by section to avoid impacting the supported façade. 

• Coordination with BelPacific for the safe removal of foundation elements during excavation. 

 

Excavation & Shoring 

• Sequenced work with Pacific Demolition to remove the remaining parkade structure section by section. 

• Excavation to a depth of 80 feet for a new underground parkade. 

• Monitoring and protection of micropiles supporting the suspended façade during all drilling and anchoring work. 

• Anchoring around dense buried utilities and existing façade support structures. 

• Management of silty sand and glacial till at the excavation base and remediation of contaminated soils. 

Together, Pacific Demolition, BelPacific, and KWH Constructors executed a highly coordinated demolition, façade retention, and deep excavation operation, ensuring the safe preservation of the historic structure and the successful preparation of the site for redevelopment. 

Overall Impact 

Combining project management, demolition, excavation, and shoring expertise under Norland’s group of companies simplified coordination and minimized schedule risk.
  

Key outcomes 

• Streamlined project management through shared planning and logistical support. 

• Safe, on-schedule delivery of a technically demanding project in a congested urban setting. 

This project demonstrates how Norland’s integrated approach and experienced teams like Pacific Demolition and BelPacific help clients to execute large-scale, technically complex work safely and efficiently.