Sir Robert McAlpine is a leading UK building and civil engineering company.
The firm is family-owned and has accumulated vast amounts of experience over its 140 years of existence. Working with clients across all the major market sectors the company offers numerous services including construction, design, capital ventures and project development.
Recent high-profile projects include the O2 Arena, Emirates Stadium, the Eden Project, Cabot Circus in Bristol, the M74 Completion in Glasgow and the Olympic Stadium. The team work in various sectors including undertaking projects in the commercial, industrial and energy, residential, defense, retail, education, sport and leisure, healthcare, transport and infrastructure arenas.
Sir Robert McAlpines construction and civil engineering services span all the major market sectors. The firm works in partnership with private and public sector clients, tailoring services to meet their specific requirements. Having established strong relationships across the industry the company are ideally placed to advise in areas such as works packaging strategies and specialist contractors, as well as being able to propose alternative materials or beneficial construction methods.
With regards to design services Sir Robert McAlpines works with clients from concept through to completion, we providing innovative, cost-effective, sustainable solutions. Their expertise includes architectural, civil, structural and geotechnical design and covers both permanent and temporary projects. The design team also has extensive experience in nuclear-related structural and civil design, providing a wide range of services including safety case studies.
Sir Robert McAlpine was involved in the construction of the Olympic Stadium which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics in 2012 as well as athletics and field events. The site was constructed on a 40 acre site to the southern side of the Olympic Park in Stratford; the 80,000-seat venue was designed to be converted into a 25,000-seat venue after the Games. The main accommodation for athletes, venue management, VIPs and media is provided in the west stand of the stadium. The construction process began in 2008 on behalf of the Olympic Delivery Authority and was completed by 2011 in time for the grand opening ceremony.
Another recent project the firm was involved in was The Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome which will act as a host venue at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The 6,500-seat indoor arena features a hydraulically operated 200 metre running track, jumping and throwing areas, a warm-up straight and sports halls. The 2,000-seat velodrome houses a 250 metre high-banked cycle track with a multi-use infield area. A ‘hub’ housing ancillary facilities links the arenas.
The scheme also includes a community sports centre, four floodlit five-a-side pitches and a 1 kilometre outdoor cycle track. The projects clients; Glasgow City Council, commissioned works to begin in 2009 and the scheme was completed by 2012.
62 Buckingham Gate is another scheme that the company was heavily involved in, which took three years to construct. The site provides 24,000m2 of premium office space and 1,500m2 of street level shops and restaurants. The 13-storey development is designed for maximum tenant flexibility and the site includes a new canopied pedestrian area connecting the surrounding streetscape. There is also space for pavement cafés and outdoor public seating.
The firm led the development of the complex cladding for the tilting glass planes that form the building’s envelope. The Design Group also worked with the project structural designers on an alternative to the proposed secant wall for the basement, installation of which may have encountered difficulties due to the number of services around site. A less invasive solution was developed which had the added advantage of being quicker and quieter to install.
Sir Robert’s ethos is founded on openness, integrity and trust, and has enabled the company to cement long-term relationships with clients. The firm work in partnership with clients, designers, subcontractors and suppliers who all form part of the supply chain. The working process is always a collaborative one, meaning the firm is frequently involved in projects from an early stage, providing input such as design, value engineering, construction reviews and optimum procurement strategies.
A spokesman for the company said:
“The strength of our approach means we are well placed to meet clients’ requirements and expectations, providing professional, innovative and imaginative services within a framework of strong relationships.”
