St George's Island:
Setting a New Benchmark for
High-Rise Façade Remediation
At Starfish Construction, we see façade remediation as more than a technical challenge — it's an opportunity to safeguard communities, enhance building performance, and set new standards for the future of our industry.
Our project at St George's Island, Manchester, stands as one of the UK's most significant residential high-rise remediation schemes. Supported by the Building Safety Fund, the programme involved the complete remediation of five residential blocks comprising more than 400 homes.
At a Glance
- Largest Building Safety Fund-supported remediation of its kind in the UK
- Five residential blocks remediated, totalling 400+ homes
- Live environment: residents remained in place throughout the works
- Alignment with the Building Safety Act and Golden Thread principles
- Environmental sustainability measures incorporated, aligning with our commitment to reduce carbon emissions and enhance building longevity.
Raising Standards for Hi-Rise Building Envelope Remediation
In our Project Profile video, below, Adam Denton-Beaumont, Starfish Construction Director - London South Business Hub, walks us through the project, taking you inside the journey from overcoming technical and logistical challenges to pioneering resident-first communication and setting a new benchmark for compliance, sustainability, and industry leadership.
St George's Island is not just the story of a remediation project. It's a demonstration of how unique, innovative, and inclusive approaches can transform high-rise living, protect communities, and shape the future of safe, sustainable construction.
Embracing the Challenge
Surveys identified non-compliant façade and balcony materials that posed serious fire risks. With hundreds of residents at stake, a full-scale remediation was the only solution.
Addressing the issue required much more than cladding replacement. Works included dismantling unsafe materials, re-engineering balcony structures, and ensuring that every detail of the façade system met the latest compliance standards.
Our integrated divisions and knowledgeable people enabled a multi-layered approach — from technical condition surveys, commercial management, and budget control, through to project management, remediation delivery, and resident engagement.
Successfully Managing a Complex Remediation
Few projects in the UK match the scale and complexity of St George's Island. Coordinating remediation across five interconnected blocks required seamless planning, design, logistics, and effective communication with residents.
Through advanced sequencing, phased works, and strict safety protocols, we maintained progress while minimising disruption, ensuring residents could continue their daily routines safely.
Technical Surveys and Pre-Construction Planning
Before physical works began, our teams carried out extensive surveys and 3D modelling to understand the exact façade and balcony build-ups. These investigations:
- Informed safe and sustainable design decisions
- Defined the scope of works for compliance
- Prevented delays, overspend, and safety risks
By embedding Golden Thread principles from the outset, every decision and procurement step was documented, traceable, and aligned with statutory requirements. Our approach reassured stakeholders of the project's viability and demonstrated the value of working with a partner capable of delivering a turnkey remediation solution.
Design and Material Innovation
Replacing façades was not a like-for-like swap. Our commercial and design teams collaborated with designers and suppliers to identify fire-safe, durable, and sustainable materials that would both:
- Achieve full compliance under the Building Safety Act
- Enhance long-term building performance and energy efficiency
This dual focus on safety and sustainability positioned St George's Island as a model for modern high-rise living. Residents now benefit from safer homes aligned with the UK's sustainability targets.
- Largest Building Safety Fund-supported remediation in the UK
- Resident-first delivery in a live environment
- Full compliance with the Building Safety Act and Golden Thread principles
- Innovative design and material solutions
- Setting a new industry benchmark
- Praised by Homes England as a model for responsible remediation, leaving a legacy of safer homes
18 Months
Duration
400
Number of Homes
Resident and Stakeholder Hub
Working in a live environment demanded a people-first approach. To support residents, we developed an innovative online Residents and Stakeholders Hub, providing:
- Clear scope of works, project phases, and timescales
- Regular project schedules, updates, and safety information
- Direct contact with our Resident Liaison Officer and project team
This transparent and accessible communication built trust, reflected Golden Thread principles, and demonstrated that remediation success depends as much on empathy and engagement as it does on engineering solutions.
Safety, Compliance, and Long-Term Assurance
Central to the project's success was complete alignment with the Building Safety Act. Underpinning every phase of our delivery was structured reporting, product traceability, and compliance audits.
This transparent record — covering materials, warranties, and verification — provides long-term assurance for residents and maintenance teams, ensuring the integrity of the building envelope for decades to come.
Leaving a Positive Legacy
The project's completion delivered more than safe façades and balconies:
- Residents gained peace of mind and improved living standards
- Each aspect of our work enhanced value, performance, and insurability
- Aligned with Manchester's broader sustainability goals
Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, praised the scheme as a model for responsible remediation, underlining the importance of remediation within the UK's affordable, high-quality homes in well-designed places.
Starfish Construction's Operations Director, Shaun McCluskey, commented:
"For Starfish Construction, this recognition and successful project completion reinforced our reputation as a trusted partner capable of transforming complex challenges into lasting improvements for residents, duty holders, and the wider built environment."
Looking Ahead: A Model for Future Projects
From pre-construction to final handover, our management of the St George's Island building envelope remediation provides a framework for façade remediation projects across the UK:
- Technical rigour through early surveys and planning
- Transparent, resident-focused communication
- Alignment with the Building Safety Act and Golden Thread principles
For Starfish Construction, this is not just a milestone — it is a landmark project that confirms our capability, knowledge, and credibility to deliver safe, sustainable, and community-focused solutions nationwide.
For property managers, building duty holders, or consultants seeking expert support with façade remediation, our team is ready to share our knowledge and deliver with confidence.
"St George's Island stands as a landmark project for Starfish Construction and a defining moment for building safety in the UK. We set a new benchmark for delivering complex, occupied residential projects through collaboration, innovation, and our commitment to sustainable solutions."
Adam Denton-Beaumont, Starfish Construction Director - London South Business Hub
