At an estimated 20 tonnes, the Cape Physio building in Napier was a pretty straight-forward lift and shift.
But a fortnight ago, a 50-tonne two-storied stucco-clad house almost opposite it in Carlyle St was a slightly more challenging proposition for Atkin Construction and shifting contractors A1 Building Movers.
However, like this morning's
pre-dawn shift, that also went smoothly.
The two shifting operations were linked in with what will effectively be three shifts in the immediate Carlyle St/Faraday Rd area - spurred by the expansion of Bayswater Vehicles.
The residential property on the south side of Carlyle St was raised and shifted to a back section next door - to clear the site for the Cape Physio building which, until about 5am today when it was moved, had been on the north side of the street.
That 60-metre shift across the road then cleared the site for Bayswater Vehicles to expand their display yard to the other side of Faraday St.
"A lot of preparation and planning," was how Atkins Construction site foreman Brad Mason put it.
"We started on Monday and we should have it shifted and on its new piles by Friday."
A1 Building Movers' David Coley, who has been in the building lift and shift business for about 30 years, said the project had gone smoothly.
About 18 oil hydraulic jacks, each capable of lifting five tonnes, were placed under the Cape Physio building on Monday, with contractors severing foundation lines and concrete work as they began to take the weight of the building.
"Preparation is the key thing. You look at every aspect - you go through the whole process and take it slowly, step by step," Mr Coley said.
The physio business, at the moment working out of a medical centre beside the old site, is expected to be up and running, across the road, in about a fortnight.
Next Monday two sheds on the old site will be removed, and construction work on the Bayswater extension, designed by ADA Designers, is expected to get under way just after Easter.
