Laing O’Rourke appointed by One Heritage as preferred contractor for £160m Salford Tower
20.05.20A partnership between Laing O'Rourke and KBR has been awarded a $250 million contract to deliver the South Works Package within the next stage of the NSW Government’s More Trains More Services program of works.
Laing O’Rourke Australia Managing Director Cathal O’Rourke welcomed the opportunity to work with Transport for NSW again.
“We are delighted to once again partner with Transport for NSW to deliver another piece of vital rail infrastructure for NSW,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Developer One Heritage has appointed contractor Laing O’Rourke as its preferred bidder to construct a 55-storey residential tower at Greengate, Salford, overlooking Manchester arena.
The two companies have signed a pre-construction services agreement whilst they negotiate the details of the construction project.
The scheme, called One Heritage Tower, will comprise 545 apartments, secured underground car parking, a residents’ library and gym, as well as ground floor commercial space and extensive public realm, to include a new riverside walkway. The project design team has also been instructed to progress to RIBA Stage 4 design.
Commenting on the agreement with Laing O’Rourke, director of One Heritage Jason Upton said:
“We have undergone a rigorous assessment process to reach this stage and it’s a credit to the development and project management teams for getting us to this key milestone. This is a flagship scheme for the north west and it’s fitting that we’re working with a globally-recognised contractor.
“Laing O’Rourke have responded energetically to the challenge and demonstrated their appetite for working alongside us. I look forward to continuing the fantastic momentum on this project.”
Work is expected to start on site in Q3 of this year, with the scheme targeted for completion in 2024. Consultant project director Awais Shahid from Atzaro Real Estate says he is delighted with progress to date:
“In spite of the problems posed by covid-19 we’ve remained on target, with no slippage to our programme. The project team has worked collaboratively under trying circumstances and we’re pleased to have been able to keep valued members of the professional community in work. Once construction begins there’ll be a further substantial boost to the local economy.”
Shahid has revealed that, subject to contract, much of the tower’s components would be pre-fabricated off-site by Laing O’Rourke in sterile factory conditions, making new social distancing guidelines easier to fulfil.
“We’ll also be able to minimise the number of bodies on site as a result, which will make our site work safer,” he added.
Commenting on the agreement with One Heritage, Ceire O’Rourke, Director of UK Clients and Markets at Laing O’Rourke said:
“We are delighted to have secured preferred bidder status for One Heritage Tower, a landmark building that will provide quality homes in Salford and wider benefits for the local community. We are looking forward to working with the forward-thinking team at One Heritage, who recognise the advantages of our approach based on early engagement between client and contractor. The project will maximise the use of digital engineering and off-site manufacture using a kit of parts from our factory in the East Midlands. There is much work ahead, but we’re excited to have the opportunity to deliver this stunning project.”
The principal consultants on the project are OMI Architects, Box Clever Consulting (project management), Crookes Walker Consulting (building services), DP Squared (structural engineering), BB7 (fire engineering), Gardiner & Theobold (quantity surveying) and GIA (wind and rights to light).