PROJECT PROFILE

St George's Island: Multi-Complex High-Rise Facade Remediation

INTRODUCTION

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.

ST GEORGE'S ISLAND, MANCHESTER

Project Highlights 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.

DURATION

18 Months

NUMBER OF HOMES

400+

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 façade 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.

Residential Façade Remediation Project in the Heart of Manchester

Adam Denton-Beaumont guides you through the St George's Island project as we explore this ground-breaking project across five high-rise blocks over 18 months. Adam guides you through the challenges and the successful outcome.

Our Expertise

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.

We carefully sequenced every stage to maintain momentum without compromising resident safety.

By successfully managing the largest Building Safety Fund-supported remediation of its kind, Starfish Construction has not only set a new standard for delivering large-scale façade projects but also reassured stakeholders of its ability to operate confidently at the very forefront of the UK's building safety sector.

St George's Island Manchester Facade remediation

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.

PROJECT CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Expert 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.

Open Communication

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

Setting the Standard for Safer, Sustainable, and Valued Homes

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.

BUILDING ENVELOPE

CLADDING

RESIDENT LIAISON

TECHNICAL SURVEYING

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

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.