Lendlease set for £600m Google HQ

Construction News understands that Lendlease has been lined up as preferred bidder for the scheme, ahead of fellow bidders Mace, Multiplex and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Bids were submitted for the project in early November 2016, the week before the client announced it would be committing to the scheme.

The four bidders all came from outside developer Argent’s established contractor panel, which includes Bam Construct, Carillion and Kier.

The original plan to build a new HQ for Google was put on hold in November 2013 after the firm rejected initial designs by architect AHMM.

Bam Construct had been appointed as main contractor for the original scheme in March 2013 in a deal worth £300m.

The new London HQ, which has architects Heatherwick Studios, Bjarke Ingels Group and BDP attached as well as quantity surveyor Gardiner & Theobald, has an estimated construction value of more than £600m, including £400m for the shell and core, and around £200m for the fit-out.

Google said it planned to invest more than £1bn in the new building at King’s Cross. The building will allow the internet search giant to hire thousands more staff.

The firm’s staff are currently spread across offices in Covent Garden and Victoria, with the new scheme bringing them together under one roof, while the firm already has a presence at King’s Cross, having secured 6 Pancras Square.

Lendlease and Google have previously worked together on a bid to redevelop the White Bay Power Station in Sydney.

Lendlease declined to comment. Google has been contacted for comment.