Strip and façade demolition with attention to BREEAM

Demolition and dismantling of Utrecht Central Plaza

In over thirty years, Adex Group has become a market leader in the (circular) demolition and dismantling of buildings. “With over two hundred motivated and proud employees, we work daily on the most beautiful projects,” says project manager Paul Vreeswijk, highlighting Utrecht Central Plaza as an example.

Strip Run

“On behalf of contractor Ten Brinke bouw, we carried out the strip demolition and facade demolition of the former ‘Hojel City Center II,’ leaving the existing support structure completely intact,” Vreeswijk says. “We started the removal of the complete built-in package, including elevators, at the end of November 2024, also taking an important circular step. To meet the BREEAM-NL Excellent criteria, materials were harvested for circular reuse wherever possible. For example, ceiling tiles, glass walls and plaster walls were offered for reuse to various approved buyers. Parts that were broken or unsuitable for reuse were also carefully sorted for recycling.”

Facade

Following the strip demolition, Adex Group carried out a total demolition on the side of the old Jaarbeurs to enable the desired expansion. “This involved removing the old kitchen and the old atrium, for example,” Vreeswijk explains. “Then we continued with the demolition of the facades, including the heavy old parapets. Also special was the dismantling of the old steel window cleaning system, which was lifted in one piece from the building and reduced to scrap on the ground and using a 20-ton crane.”

Own people and equipment

In May, Adex Group completed the demolition work. “In order to meet this relatively short lead time, we were on site daily with fifteen to twenty tradesmen. To carry out all the work properly and safely, we deployed a wide range of our own equipment. From small bobcats and mini cranes to aerial work platforms, telehandlers and large demolition cranes. The biggest challenge here was the inner-city location. An enormous amount of traffic passed the construction site every day. This entailed specific safety provisions, but also ensured that we put ourselves in the spotlight nicely!”