Construction of the New Macau Central Library – Demolition, Foundation, and Basement Works

Project Status as of July 2025

Scope of Work:

This project involves the construction of the New Macau Central Library  at the site of the former Hotel Estoril on the Macau Peninsula, located southeast of Tap Seac Square. Our company is the main contractor for this project and is responsible for the first phase of construction works. The key components include demolition of existing structures, waste disposal, foundation piling, and construction of the basement structure.

The existing four-storey building to be demolished is L-shaped, with a total height of approximately 18 meters and a gross floor area of 2,640 square meters. The demolition area covers around 2,250 square meters.

The excavation support system comprises 593 bored mini piles (273mm diameter), which serve both as temporary earth-retaining structures during construction and as part of the permanent foundation. These will integrate with the reinforced concrete basement walls to form a composite retaining wall. For groundwater control, water-stop steel plates welded between piles and grouted columns outside the excavation form the waterproofing system. A multi-level steel strut system is used for internal support of the excavation. The foundation includes 125 bored mini piles (273mm diameter). The basement structure will be built using conventional reinforced concrete.

The new Macau Central Library is planned to have six levels in total: two basement levels (B2 and B1) designated for parking, book storage and technical facilities; a ground floor serving as the main entrance and lobby, also featuring an auditorium and vehicular access; and three upper floors (1/F to 3/F) primarily for library services, including book collections, reading areas, study zones, computer rooms, exhibition halls and meeting rooms.

Upon completion, the building will maintain its L-shaped configuration. The facade along Avenida de Sidónio Pais will measure approximately 97.0 meters in length and 23.5 meters in width, while the facade along Rua Filipe O'Costa, Sé will be about 62.5 meters long and 15.0 meters wide. The total building height will be +32.00 Msl, with ground level at +11.70 Msl, classifying it as a Class M building.

Current Project Progress:

As of mid-July, the project has achieved an overall completion rate of 86%. The first major milestone—the demolition of the former Hotel Estoril—was completed on schedule, and works for the second milestone are progressing smoothly as planned.

Thus far, construction has been completed for 719 mini steel pipe piles (273mm), 594 Marshall water-stop piles, all steel structural columns, the steel structure working platform, basement steel structural supports, basement excavation, pile cap and tie beam brick formwork, the application of the waterproof membrane for the basement slab, and the structural works of the basement slab.

Currently, concrete structural works for the first basement level are underway. The project remains firmly on schedule, with full completion targeted for December 2025.

Recent photos of the construction site: