BAM was originally handed the job in June 2015 under a pre-construction services agreement but was not able to reach agreement on the second stage with the DfE. The £50m contract was therefore retendered in April 2017 through Scape’s national major works framework.
The £50m project will make 23,000 m² of the Old Admiralty Building in Horseguards Parade fit to house 16,600 DfE civil servants, who will relocate from Sanctuary Buildings in Great Smith Street. Work includes upgrading the building services to introduce new mechanical ventilation and environmental controls.
Old Admiralty previously housed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
DfE commercial director Mike Green said: “The Old Admiralty Building is important for government as a large and strategically placed freehold. By renovating and upgrading the building, we are maximising the value of this important heritage asset and providing a good home for the department.”
The project will be delivered at the same time as Willmott Dixon is rejuvenating another famous Grade II listed building, the east wing of the Alexandra Palace.
Willmott Dixon Interiors chief operating officer Mike Hart said: “We are excited about being tasked with such an important contract and we’ll work to ensure the refurbishment is complete so that the DfE can move into their new home in autumn 2018. It will be delivered by an experienced team who are familiar with the security, logistical and technical challenges that working on high profile London projects provide.”
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