Google’s Groundscaper

Google has confirmed plans to build a massive new UK headquarters in London which is seen by political commentators as a huge vote of confidence in post-Brexit Britain.

Google already has another two buildings under development at King’s Cross but this new 650,000 square foot complex will make up more than half of the company’s total campus. Although only 10-storeys in height, the scheme is 330m in length making it is as long as Renzo Piano’s Shard is high and therefore, a ‘groundscraper’.

The scheme has had a turbulent past with a history of delays and worse, the first plans – designed by last year’s Stirling prize winner, AHMM – were dubbed as lifeless and boring. Google reacted by bringing in new designers, Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group, and the US-Danish Architectural team – responsible for the design of Google’s new California home – stated their objectives were now to:

“…create an interestingness that fits the scale and the community of King’s Cross. The Silicon Valley startup garage meets the London train sheds in a building that couples clarity with eccentricity and anchors innovation with heritage.”

In addition to welcoming a new design team, BAM Construction will also be replaced as principal contractor. The revised contract value is anticipated to be in the region of £650million and therefore, it will be delivered by one of UK’s major main contractors: Lendlease, Mace and Multiplex are all in the running.

Google are looking to award before Christmas and competition is already heating up with one bidder admitting:

“This is the major office scheme going right now. We’ve thrown the kitchen sink at it and everyone else has as well.”

Google’s decision makes them the second tech-giant to commit to the UK in as many months with Apple recently declaring they will build a UK headquarters as part of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment.

Both projects are brilliant for UK Construction and C-Link anticipate major Specialist packages being out to tender on both in the early part of 2017. C-Link is home to exciting projects across the UK and Specialist Contractors, Suppliers and Consultants are winning contracts daily with C-Link.

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About Paul Heming

Paul was a Quantity Surveyor who gained 10 years experience of managing £200 million worth of flagship UK projects, including 20 Fenchurch Street and Battersea Power Station. In 2015, Paul founded C-Link with the intention of sharing his expertise of managing major projects with the SME market.