Contractor knocked out of the race for Google’s £300m King’s Cross headquarters job, leaving three firms standing

Google HQ - King's Cross

Google HQ - King’s Cross

Balfour Beatty has been knocked out of the race for Google’s £300m King’s Cross headquarters job, leaving three firms to vie for the high-profile project.

Building understands that Balfour Beatty is no longer in the running for the £300m main construction contract for the internet giant’s King’s Cross HQ, after bidding at a higher price than the remaining three firms in the running - Skanksa, Carillion, and Bam.

The appointment of the preferred bidder is expected in the coming weeks.

Google announced in January that it had completed the purchase of 2.4 acres of the 67 acre King’s Cross development zone, which will be used to site the 1 million sq ft HQ.

The site is located immediately to the north of the new concourse at King’s Cross station and sits to the east of King’s Boulevard and south of the Regent’s Canal.

The Allford Hall Monaghan Morris-designed building ranges in height from 7 to 11 storeys and will include retail units, with shops, cafes and restaurants.

The building is scheduled for completion in 2016, enabling Google employees to relocate from the firm’s current premises in Victoria and Holborn.

Subject to reserved matters approval being received from Camden council – which is expected before Spring - construction is scheduled to start on the building in late 2013.