McArthur’s Yard

Weaver Demolition was appointed as Principal Contractor to prepare the derelict McArthur’s Yard site on Bristol’s harbourside for redevelopment. The project included demolition, asbestos removal, site clearance, salvage of historic materials, and on-site crushing of arisings. Delivering all of this safely and efficiently in just 21 weeks, Weaver enabled the transformation of a long-vacant malt house site into a vibrant mixed-use development.

Key facts

Sector:

Industrial

Timeline:

21 weeks

Location:

McArthur's Yard, Bristol

Services:

Demolition, Remediation, Asbestos Removal, Crushing & Screening

History

Originally constructed in the early 19th century as a malt house, McArthur’s Yard sits prominently at Bristol’s floating harbour. It served as the headquarters of the historic McArthur’s Group, a metal merchant enterprise, and later housed warehouse structures. Following decades of vacancy—some say over 20 years—the site stood as one of the city’s most high-profile undeveloped plots. Its redevelopment marked a milestone in the rejuvenation of Bristol’s harbourside district.

Project Overview

Weaver Demolition’s scope focused on comprehensive enabling works delivered in a compact timeframe:

  • Site clearance including removal of debris and remediation of redundant structures.
  • Asbestos decontamination covering both licensed and non-licensed removal across historic buildings.
  • High-reach and mechanical demolition to dismantle multiple structures while ensuring controlled collapse and safety.
  • Salvage operations, carefully extracting key architectural elements for reuse in the new development.
  • Strict adherence to party wall agreements, particularly critical given proximity to the SS Great Britain, Albion Dry Dock, and neighbouring commercial and residential buildings.
  • Bespoke Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) developed to meet site-specific safety and logistical needs.
  • On-site crushing of brick and concrete arisings to 6F2 aggregate, stockpiled for future reuse.

Project Requirements

The client’s demands were multi-faceted:

  • Sensitive demolition of industrial structures with heritage value.
  • Protection of adjacent historic and operational sites, such as the SS Great Britain and dry dock.
  • Minimising environmental impact through recycling and material reuse.
  • Precision within a tight schedule, delivering a construction-ready site within 21 weeks.

Environmental Impact

Weaver placed sustainability at the heart of their operations:

  • On-site material recycling, reducing HGV movements and promoting circularity.
  • Salvaged items ensured historical continuity was woven into the new development.
  • Careful staging and control protocols helped limit disruption to nearby heritage sites and residents.

Key Benefits to the Client

Weaver’s execution provided multiple concrete advantages:

  • Fast-track delivery, preparing the site for construction within 21 weeks.
  • Conservation of heritage, preserving elements for reuse while still enabling modern development.
  • Reduced costs and carbon footprint through local crushing and material reuse.
  • Single-point accountability with integrated RAMS, demolition, decontamination, and logistics under one contractor.

Project Summary

McArthur’s Yard was one of Bristol’s most emblematic redevelopment projects. Weaver Demolition enabled its revival by delivering a technically complex, environmentally sensitive, and heritage-aware demolition package in just 21 weeks. Through careful planning and execution—including asbestos removal, mechanical demolition, salvage, and aggregate recycling—Weaver helped clear the way for the site’s transformation into a thriving mixed-use development on Bristol’s historic harbourside.

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