Lovaine Halls & Flats
MGL Demolition demolished the former student accommodation Lovaine Hall and Flats to make way for the Centre for Health and Social Equity (CHASE) at Northumbria University.
The project began with a soft strip, removing non-structural elements and safely removing notifiable and non-notifiable asbestos. Following demolition, on-site stone processing minimised waste. Suitable recycled materials then formed the piling mat, promoting a circular economy.
Due to the site’s challenging city centre location, effective stakeholder management was crucial to the project’s success. The series of linked four-storey buildings ran parallel to Newcastle Central Motorway. We worked closely with Highways England to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards and minimise traffic disruption.
Student and staff safety was also paramount when working in a live university campus environment. The nearby Cassie Building remained operational throughout the project. Communication and collaboration were key throughout the project. Before work commenced, a site walkaround was undertaken, and we maintained open dialogue and coordination to facilitate smooth operations and minimise risks. All deliveries and collections were coordinated with the university’s security department.
It also provided a valuable learning opportunity for one of our demolition apprentices. Working alongside experienced professionals, the apprentice gained hands-on experience with safe demolition practices and industry techniques. To further enhance the project’s impact, the team supported the university through community engagement initiatives and dedicated time to volunteering activities; we also made charitable donations and worked to foster relationships within the community.
The client was impressed with how the team undertook the work safely and with sustainability in mind. Following the completion of the demolition, the campus director provided positive feedback.
CHASE will unite academics working on health, social care, education, wellbeing and equity issues across the University’s City and Coach Lane Campuses into one central base in the heart of Newcastle. It aims to develop and harness the University’s research, education, and knowledge exchange expertise to help meet the health and social needs of multiple stakeholders and communities in the city, region and beyond, as well as enhance the University’s capacity to continue contributing to developing the healthcare workforce of the future.
We are proud to have enabled the largest transformational project of Northumbria University’s current strategy.
