GS Renovation removes load-bearing walls throughout Holland Park, where the W11 streets are lined with substantial period villas and bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Drawing on more than 30 years of structural work across the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, we open up these homes safely, install engineer-sized steel and leave the room properly supported.
Taking out a supporting wall in Holland Park
In Holland Park's Victorian and Edwardian terraces the wall between the front reception and the rear closet wing is very often load-bearing, carrying floor joists and the masonry of the storeys above. Because these W11 homes have been altered many times over their long lives, we never assume. A structural engineer inspects the wall first, works out exactly what it supports and sizes a steel beam to carry that load.
The RSJ is calculated to suit the span, then set to bear onto concrete padstones at each end so the point loads pass safely into sound masonry. We prop the structure with adjustable steel supports before any demolition, take the wall down in careful stages rather than all at once, lift the beam into position and only remove the temporary props once everything is bearing correctly and the load path is complete.
Party wall duties and building control in W11
Many of these substantial villas and garden-square terraces share a party wall with the neighbour, and if the beam bears into that shared wall, or you cut into it to form the new bearing, the Party Wall Act applies. We serve the correct notice on the adjoining owner before work begins, so the legal side is settled early and there are no disputes once the props go up and the wall comes down.
Removing an internal load-bearing wall is governed by the Building Regulations, not planning permission, so the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's building control signs off the steelwork rather than a planning officer. Planning only enters the picture for exterior changes in a conservation area or on a listed building. We arrange the inspections, provide the engineer's calculations and hand over the completion certificate at the end.
- Building control sign-off and party wall notices
- Assessment of whether a wall is load-bearing
- Structural engineer calculations and beam sizing
- RSJ and steel beam installation
- Temporary propping and safe demolition
The GS Renovation Difference in Holland Park
Holland Park homeowners choose GS Renovation because one accountable team handles the whole job. We bring in the structural engineer, size and fit the steel onto padstones, serve any party wall notice, manage building control and keep an occupied W11 home clean throughout. More than 30 years across the Royal Borough stands behind every beam we install.
- Free, no-obligation quotations
- Over 30 years of experience
- Dedicated project management
- Fully insured and guaranteed work
- Building control and planning support
- Clean, tidy and reliable tradespeople