John Lewis, Birmingham New Street

The 23,000 m2 Department Store for John Lewis comprises of four sales floors with storage, staff accommodation and roof level parking and plant; all built over the existing Birmingham New Street Station.

The steel frame was designed to minimise the loads applied to the existing 1960’s structures in addition to minimising the effects on the main line station below.  This was achieved by the introduction of a number of transfer structures.

In order to create a column free area to the Spanish Steps a 27m span plate girder is used to support all floor levels and to ensure the existing concrete structure was not overstressed, monitoring and jacking of the structures were undertaken in a number of locations.

A system of movement bearings allowed for differential movement between the new steel structure and the existing concrete frame.

Client: Birmingham City Council/Network Rail

Location: Birmingham, UK

Architect: Haskoll

Structural Engineer: MACE

Completed: 2015