Constructing and raising the roof at The O2

One of the world’s premier entertainment venues: the O2 Arena sits inside the former Millennium Dome on London’s Greenwich peninsula.

The team, who had previously worked together on the hugely successful Emirates Stadium, were tasked with developing the vast 23,000 seat arena and its facilities.

With the arena constructed inside the existing structure, raising the roof was a significant challenge. Applying our engineering expertise, we built the structure at ground level before jacking it 40m into position.

We went on to develop the complex’s entertainment district. With multi-screen cinema, bars, restaurants and nightclub, The Waterfront is now a destination in its own right.

Raising the roof

Building and lifting the 4,500-tonne roof was a logistical challenge. Working inside an existing structure, we couldn’t use conventional lifting methods. So the entire roof was built on the ground before being jacked 40m up into position.

Reducing emissions

We reduced travel distances and fuel usage through contracting local labour and businesses where possible.

Sound advice

Early specialist input from our acoustic roof contractor and construction of a full size working sample section ensured the roof met all acoustic requirements before it was lifted into place.

Sustainability

Sustainability was built in at every step.

The arena’s ice plant made reuse of recovered plant from the nearby London Arena. Piles from the Millennium Dome’s exhibit structures were also reused.
The nearby Thames was used for deliveries.
Contracting local labour and businesses where possible, we reduced travel distances and fuel usage.