Paynter Dixon Remedial delivered the design and construction of remediation works at the 140-year old, heritage-listed Grafton Bond building in Sydney’s CBD. Originally designed by William Wardell, the former warehouse once stored thousands of tonnes of cargo daily. Today, it houses small businesses and required urgent heritage restoration.

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Paynter Dixon Remedial’s role was engaged for the design and construction of the remediation works. Works including, timber frame re-coating and repair, parapet capping works, masonry repointing and crack stitching, balustrade corrosion works, cavity flashing works and slate roof tile repairs.

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The project was undertaken in a live environment, with construction occurring while the building remained fully occupied and adjacent to Barangaroo’s busy pedestrian and vehicle thoroughfares. Restricted access and heritage constraints called for creative scaffolding and construction solutions to protect the building’s historic façade. The discovery of hazardous materials, including lead, meant careful management and specialist approvals from Safework NSW and hygienists were required. To minimise noise and disruption for tenants and the public, works were scheduled seven days a week, with much of it occurring outside standard business hours.

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The team used a heritage-sensitive scaffolding system designed with engineers, utilising existing air vents to avoid drilling into the façade. Instead of replacing rusty steel and window frames, original materials were restored and reinstated, preserving heritage and reducing costs. Adaptive planning allowed the management of issues like hazardous material removal and roof remediation without program delays. Close collaboration with City of Sydney, Infrastructure NSW, and Safework NSW ensured smooth approvals for hoardings, road closures, and materials handling.

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Despite the complexities of a live, heritage site, the project was delivered on program, meeting the standards required by the client and heritage council. Through careful planning, sustainable solutions, and innovative thinking, Paynter Dixon Remedial preserved the building’s heritage character while ensuring safety, quality, and minimal disruption.