royal makeover
The jewel in Sydney's retail crown, the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), has undergone a $48m refurbishment that marries the best of the old with the new
It's the building that defines the Sydney retaildistrict now more that ever. The multi-million dollar refurbishment of the QVB, designed by Ancher, Mortlock & Woolley, has restored the building to its former glory, and updated it to meet modern-day commercial and retail requirements.
ACD Enterprises, a company that specialises in structural steel fabrication and architectural metalwork, undertook a key role in the project.
Working closely with the main contractor, Built, ACD manufactured and installed support trusses, complete with Macalloy hanging rods, for the north and south ends of the building. The company also manufactured and installed exterior ventilation platforms and support platforms for the new escalators, and provided ground-floor strengthening. This required an 11m-long, 6-tonne beam plus support beams. In addition, ACD provided beam strengthening for the floor supports, and curved beams for the facade around the void.
Project manager Anthony Dash says working on a century-old building provided many construction challenges. To help ensure accuracy, ACD engaged the services of Paul Collings from Visionsteel Drafting, who used 3D drawing technology to provide detailed drawings for the project.
"These drawings and information provided accuracy during fabrication and erection, eliminating any costly errors," says Anthony Dash. "The drawings were so accurate, the installation of the trusses for the Macalloy rods was within 5mm of centre."
Because the QVB had to remain open throughout the construction period, ACD Enterprises was restricted to undertaking all site work and installations after hours. Access was also a challenge several glass ceiling panels in the building were removed to allow a crane to lower the steel work through the roof. ACD designed purpose-built trolleys to transport the steel through the building.
Anthony Dash says ACD has always built strong, lasting and fruitful relationships with its clients and associates, by conducting its business in an honest, ethical and friendly manner. ACD has worked with Built on a number of other projects, including The Post at Potts Point, and the Qantas First Class lounge fit-out.
For more details, contact ACD Enterprises, 29 Ace Cres, Tuggerah, NSW 2259, phone (02) 4353 5122. Email: sales@acdenterprises.com.au. Visit the website: www.acdenterprises.com.au.
Story by: Trendsideas
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