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Milburngate’s 4,000 tonne steel frame completed

Updated: Apr 21, 2021

The latest landmark in the construction of Milburngate has been achieved with the completion of its steel frame at the £120m riverside development.

Comprising of 40,000 individual pieces of steel weighing a combined 3,800 tonnes, the key structures that will make up Milburngate are now complete on Durham City’s riverside.


Following a 54-week build programme, the steel frames of the Premier Inn hotel, apartment blocks, boutique cinema, retail and leisure units and the One Milburngate office building are now in place ready for the construction of the exterior of the developments including brickwork and windows.


In addition to forming the Milburngate’s frame, which utilises 20,000 welded shear studs, the steel has been used to create 101 flights of stairs through the development.


Further strengthening the frame are 5,500 square metres of pre-caste concrete planks, which were installed into the structures.


More than 30 operatives delivered the steel project, successfully adhering to Covid safety guidelines including social distancing, which only caused minimal delays to the programme.


Phase one of Milburngate is on course for completion in the first quarter of 2022.


Led by Milburngate’s main contractor Tolent, it was delivered in conjunction with County Durham-based constructional steel company Finley Structures and structural engineers Atkins.


Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, the joint venture developer of Milburngate with Richardson, said:


“Erecting 40,000 pieces of steel in this timeframe in a riverside location against the backdrop of a pandemic is quite a feat of engineering. It is testament to the expertise of our construction team and their supply chain to deliver such an impressive structure.

“This is an important point in the development of Milburngate, not only for its construction but to support attracting new occupiers. They are able to see first-hand the presence Milburngate will have on the riverside and the views we’re creating from Milburngate across the city.


“When they visit Milburngate they can visualise the important role it will play as a living, working and leisure destination attracting people to Durham from across the region and further afield. This is already playing dividends with the potential occupiers we are engaging with, as interest in Milburngate has grown significantly in the first part of the year.”

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