Construction of back stage facilities to Old Opera House commenced

The new stage entails the demolition of the Police Station and the ex-BOV building on South Street.

The demolition of the Police Station commenced today and is expected to be completed within three weeks and will be followed by the demolition of the ex-BOV building.

On completion of demolition works, excavations will start in South Street and Victory Street and are expected to be completed in January 2012, when construction of back stage facilities will commence.

The restoration works on the ‘Old Opera House’ have been completed, and works on the foundations of the stand structure and the perimeter columns are due to commence shortly. RPBW are currently working on the designs for these works which were listed as ‘reserved matters’ in the original MEPA permit.

Works on the ‘substructure’ of the Parliament Building are now at an advanced stage, and due for completion by end August 2011. The ‘superstructure’ contractor will start mobilisation on site in mid July and the first steel structures are due to arrive on site by the end of July. Construction of the staircase core of the main Parliament Building will start towards the end of July.

Phase 2 of the demolition of Freedom Square arcades, which commenced in early May are also progressing as planned. This phase will consist of the preparatory works of the two staircases leading from the Ditch to the new City entrance. Works on the St. James Ditch are at an advanced stage and now works on St’ John’s side are due to commence. The production of the stone slabs to be used on the City Gate project are ongoing, under the supervision of the contracted quarry master at the Qala quarry.