(5 Aug 2010)
Laing O’Rourke is this week awarded £90m contract by Manchester City Council to transform the city’s Grade II-listed Town Hall Complex.

The project, to be delivered by 2013, will sympathetically restore the iconic Central Library and Town Hall Extension, and includes works to transform St Peters Square.  It will deliver a world-class civic complex, including an integrated Customer Service Centre and improvements to the energy-efficiency of the buildings

Laing O’Rourke’s Construction North business was awarded the contract, the first to be tendered through the North West Construction Hub High Value Framework.

The project will generate significant work for specialist contractors, as well as creating new jobs for local people.

Construction North Leader Andrew Jackson said:

“Securing this exciting and unique project will enable Laing O’Rourke to build on our solid reputation for delivering landmark projects. It is a complex and challenging project, and one of huge value architecturally, culturally and civically. We look forward to partnering once again with Manchester City Council.”

The twin goals of the project are delivering better Council services while preserving and enhancing historic buildings and spaces for future generations. A vital element of the programme is the creation of a permanent Customer Service Centre, which will ultimately allow people to access all the council services they need in a single visit.

The iconic buildings, designed by architect Vincent Harris, are described by the City Council as the jewels in Manchester’s crown.