Myer Frankston Redevelopment.

The former Myer Frankston department store formed part of the broader Bayside Shopping Centre redevelopment within Frankston's commercial centre.

As part of the building's transformation for future use, extensive demolition and strip-out works were required to portions of the existing structure. Sheer Force Engineering was engaged to develop demolition methodologies, temporary works strategies and structural advice to facilitate the safe removal of significant building elements while protecting the retained structure.

The project involved a combination of façade demolition, lift and escalator removal, temporary support systems, demolition staging and assessment of existing suspended structures to accommodate demolition activities and plant movement

Large-scale redevelopment projects often focus attention on what will be built.

However, before construction can begin, existing structures must be carefully dismantled in a manner that protects workers, surrounding assets and retained building elements.

The former department store contained a range of structural and non-structural elements requiring demolition, including:

• Multi-storey escalator systems.

• Passenger and goods lifts.

• Masonry façade elements.

• Internal blockwork walls.

• Tenancy fit-outs.

• Services infrastructure.

• Existing plant areas.

The challenge was not simply removing these elements.

The challenge was developing a sequence that allowed demolition to proceed safely while managing load paths, temporary stability requirements, demolition plant loading and interactions with the retained structure

Sheer Force Engineering developed a staged demolition methodology covering multiple areas of the building and various demolition scenarios.

The methodology addressed:

• Demolition sequencing.

• Façade demolition.

• Temporary scaffold and gantry arrangements.

• Suspended slab load assessments.

• Demolition plant limitations.

• Lift removal strategies.

• Escalator removal methodologies.

• Temporary structural support requirements.

Rather than approaching the project as a collection of isolated demolition tasks, SFE considered the building as a complete structural system.

Particular attention was paid to how loads would transfer through the structure during demolition and how construction activities could be staged without overloading suspended floor systems. Detailed guidance was also provided regarding permissible demolition equipment and restrictions on material stockpiling.

A key aspect of the work involved demolition engineering for large vertical transportation structures, including development of methodologies that reduced the need for high-risk dismantling activities at height while maintaining control over large structural elements during removal.

The project provided the contractor and project team with a detailed framework for carrying out complex demolition activities within an existing multi-storey building.

The resulting documentation established clear demolition sequences, temporary works requirements and construction-stage controls that assisted the safe execution of demolition works while protecting retained structural elements.

The project demonstrates that successful redevelopment relies not only on the design of new structures, but also on the careful engineering of how existing structures are dismantled and transformed.