Hard demolition begins on former Executive building

Following months of preparation, hard demo started on 15 May on the former government Executive Building at 100 George St, which will be removed from the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct to make way for the future multi-billion dollar integrated resort development.

The former Executive Building, the previous office of nine Queensland premiers, is the tallest building to be demolished in Brisbane’s history, standing at 15 storeys and more than 60 metres.

Set to gradually come down from the top, level-by-level, it is one of three non-heritage buildings to be demolished and removed by the end of the year.

The former Neville Bonner building at 75 William St as well as 80 George St, which spans across Margaret Street, are also set to be demolished to make way for Queensland’s largest development.

Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks said its appointed contractor Probuild, is conducting the demolition work after months of preparation.

“The former Executive Building was previously stripped on the inside and outside, wrapped in scaffolding and vinyl, before a 4.5 tonne excavator was lifted onto the rooftop in preparation for hard demolition,” Mr Crooks said.

“This heavy piece of machinery will dismantle each floor from the top down.

“Rubble will be safely deposited down the lift shaft to ground level, collected by trucks that will then be covered to minimise dust, before being transported off site.”

“The safety of workers, the community, and the nearby heritage buildings surround the site are a priority, so this demolition will be a methodical, safe and planned process.

“By the end of the year, and subject to state government approvals, we expect the site to be ready for excavation works to begin in 2018 for the underground car park.”