Published: 2 months ago

Berkeley Square February 2025 Update

February has been another busy month at Berkeley Square Manchester, with great progress across all areas. Now at week 96 of 139, the project…

• February 26, 2025

February has been another busy month at Berkeley Square Manchester, with great progress across all areas. Now at week 96 of 139, the project remains five weeks ahead of schedule, with final fixes and testing well underway.

What’s Been Happening

Façade and External Work: The insulation, render, and brick slip installation are now progressing across all elevations.
Internal Fit-Out: Internal partitions are being installed up to level 8, while mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works continue. Second and final fixes are progressing on level 2, with first fixes underway on levels 5 and 6.
Lifts and Apartments: The third lift (core 2) is now complete, and installation has begun for the final lift in core 1. Meanwhile, floor finishes and first coat painting are progressing on level 4. Apartments on level 2 are receiving final decorations, while snagging is ongoing for ground and first-floor apartments.
Testing and Utilities: The combined sprinkler and domestic water tank installation is now complete. Seventeen apartments have passed air tests, with an impressive average result of 2.74. Acoustic testing is 40% complete, with results described as “very good.”
Power and Water: The high-voltage installation and transformers are now in place, with full power expected by the end of March. Water connection works are scheduled, pending final approvals.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, the focus will be on:

Continuing façade insulation, rendering, and brick slip installation.
Advancing internal partitions, firestopping, and corridor completions.
Fitting out kitchens, flooring, tiling, and joinery to levels 2 and 3.
Installing the final lift in core 1.
Completing water and power connections, enabling final commissioning of apartments.

Design and Quality

The design team has issued updated window schedules and revised site plans. Planning conditions are being finalised, with responses submitted to queries raised by inspectors. Quality checks continue, with 2,862 inspections recorded across the project.

Health and Safety

With 210 workers on-site daily, the latest safety audits noted only minor actions, all of which have been resolved. Independent scaffolding audits have also been carried out, ensuring high safety standards.