Hackney Central residents evacuated from homes following sudden structural threat
Amazing! BBC London are using my photo of the Amhurst Crack pic.twitter.com/nUeI9N9GuX
— Josh Spero (@joshspero) November 23, 2013
Eight residents have been evacuated from their Hackney Central homes in a terrace which also includes the Cirrik and Raw Duck restaurants. Part of Amhurst Road has been closed to allow for the demolition of a terrace which has become structurally unsound.
Access to Hackney Central Overground station has also been restricted to pedestrians via the Northern entrance.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “Hackney Council has arranged for the urgent controlled demolition of 1-5 Amhurst Road following reports that the building has become structurally unsound and posed an immediate risk to public safety.
“The council was informed of damage to the building following calls from members of the public to London Fire Brigade.
“Residents of the terrace have been evacuated and Amhurst Road remains partially closed while works to safely demolish the building continue. An investigation into the cause is underway.”
Amhurst Road will be closed until further notice between Mare Street and Pembury Junction. The Overground service will continue to operate at Hackney Central. Cllr Vincent Stops, chair of the council’s planning committee is providing updates via twitter.
Tom Gibbon, Managing Director of GMS Estates Ltd, which carried out a major refurbishment of the property just over one year ago and had spent in excess of £1m in restoring the property to its original condition, said: “GMS Estates Limited is sad to have to announce that, following building works on a neighbouring site at 7-19 Amhurst Road London E8, there has been a major structural failure to the party wall between its property and the neighbouring construction site.
“Whilst investigations are being carried out as to ascertain the exact cause of the failure, it is becoming apparent that a major part of the Company’s building may have to be demolished by the Hackney Borough Engineer. GMS Estates is working with the Hackney Borough Engineer, who has issued a Dangerous Structures Notice and has control of the site, in trying to salvage as much of the property as possible.
“Sadly it will be many months before the building will be able to be fully reinstated. GMS Estates is assisting its tenants in finding new accommodation.“
1/2 of the Gibbons bdg in Amhurst Rd saved from fire10 years ago. Now looks like a further element will be lost. Sad pic.twitter.com/ekpIrNeIPi
— Vincent Stops (@VincentStops) November 23, 2013
Cranes arrived on site to try and save what can be of Gibbons Building, Amhurst Rd pic.twitter.com/dOuG7nxDAX
— Vincent Stops (@VincentStops) November 23, 2013
We’re so so sad to say that the building we are in cannot be saved and the council are demolishing it today. This is a sad day. RIP Rawduck
— RawDuck (@Raw_Duck) November 23, 2013
More boring flats to replace it I am sure. Bring it on Hackney Council…
No doubt an unsightly block of one bedroom flats for victims of the accursed Bedroom Tax.
I would think the cause is fairly self-evident. The massive hole that’s been sunk to the right of the run of buildings, with shored-up steel flanks going about 30ft into the ground. Feel so sorry for the people in these buildings, some really lively businesses there and a great-looking building. Demolished for a crap hotel.
Went past today as this was unfolding, no idea the outcome would be so massive, I really feel for the residents and the business owners. I hadn’t even had the chance to make it into Raw Duck yet. I agree with Gary, the gaping great hole is likely to be the cause – the building itself looks in pretty good nick. I hope the motel people are made to rebuild what was there. It was shaping up to be a real asset and is a lovely building.
It can’t possibly be that hole because the Hackney buildings control department would have done rigorous checks and consequently would have approved the motel construction works and made absolutely sure that there would be absolutely no adverse effects on existing surrounding buildings.
The hole itself is not the issue. However, the digging of the hole would have certainly created problems as modern machinery will ultimately have more detrimental effects than fire damage. The appropriate bodies would have estimated to the “best of their ability” but obviously got it wrong on this occasion.
Something sounds fishy. Hackney Council just found the perfect excuse to level some housing to make way for expensive shoe box flats for investors.
Hackney RIP.
Seriously a f-ing hotel?
What a complete waste.
It’s (mis)plan one, get one free at Hackney Council tonight. Yay!
Anyone got any photos of cracks / other damage and the excavation and earthwork support next door? Might be interesting.
Who owns the building? Were they looking to redevelop? Had any of the tenants been asked to vacate?
You can bet the redevelopment wont be a like for like replacement and will probably result in a much larger and more valuable building not unlike the new build next door.
This I how its done in the development game when you want to redevelop a valuable site and land is in short supply.
I agree with Phil, it can’t be anything to do with the massive foundations being dug right next to it.
Wait. WTF? They’ve spent the last decade shoring up and fixing the west end of that building, it must have been endlessly surveyed and assessed. Huge excavations like that are going to have no effect? Get real!
Either the plans for the Travelodge were fatally flawed and shouldn’t have been approved, or someone didn’t follow the plans. I hope the owners and tenants sue the pants off the developers and, if necessary, the council.
And I hope Cirrik quickly finds a new home nearby too.
Another great business venture in Hackney. This is pretty much in line with Hackney Council’s plan for Mare St Narrow way after closing it to bus traffic, thus kindly adding up to 10-15 minutes to some journeys.
It was the Victorian architecture that attracted me to Hackney and I have been here for over 20 years. It feels perplexing that such iconic buildings are being systematically removed to make way for what could be a carbuncle set in the middle of a area of immense historical and architectural value. Hackney is a borough of secrets and hidden mysteries which make it fascinating. Lets hope that those in the know of these secrets are not allowed to go any further in hiding Hackney’s glories any more.
I’m a resident in flat 1 and we’ve just been told that they think they can save our building, the problems were caused by the building of the Travelodge, fingers crossed for good news tomorrow, number 5 is being demolished tonight, my thoughts go out to the residents, who were unable to collect their possessions. X
Hopefully the cost of repairing the damage they have done will put travelodge off building a monsterous hotel.
I can’t believe we’re getting a Travelodge!!!!!
No doubt the council agreed to the building of the
( even worse than a Premier Inn!!!) Travelodge as it’s cheaper to accommodate homeless families in budget hotels than housing them in private accommodation.
Maybe we just need more affordable homes built?
So basically we’ve got a pedestrianised high street that none of the shops wanted, we’re getting a 7 storey building and fashion hub on morning lane that people protested about and now a soon to be tacky hotel is probably responsible for the destruction of a beautiful Victorian building.
Thanks Hackney Council……..you’re the best!!!
Notwithstanding the facts that the exact cause of the problem has not been established and that Travelodge are not the construction company anyway, what has everyone got against a mainstream hotel moving to Hackney?