Shortlist revealed for scheme to turn former home of Cancer Research UK into building for London university

The Marshall Building at 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields for LSE

Five bidders have made the shortlist for a high-profile scheme in central London to turn the former home of Cancer Research UK into a new building for the London School of Economics (LSE).

Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Sir Robert McAlpine and Skanska are all understood to be in the running for the £140m deal at 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Westminster city council gave the building the green light last week. It has been designed by Irish practice Grafton Architects, which saw off a shortlist that included Herzog & de Meuron, Amanda Levete’s Al_A and David Chipperfield.

The team includes: AKT II (structural engineers); Gardiner & Theobald (project and cost manager); Chapman BDSP (MEP consultant); and Turley (planning consultant).

Meanwhile specialist contractor McGee has picked up the demolition contract due to begin later this year with the building expected to be completed in early 2021.

A spokesperson for McGee said: “We have been fortunate enough to secure the project and are looking forward to working with LSE and their professional team.”

The building will be known as The Marshall Building - after hedge fund manager Paul Marshall, who is worth an estimated £300m.

Two years ago, Marshall gave £30m - the university’s largest private donation - for the creation of the Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship.

The LSE bought the eight-storey building in 2013. Its replacement will house the academic departments of accounting, finance and management and research centres, including the Marshall Institute. It will also contain teaching, sports and arts facilities.

The LSE, Kier, Sir Robert McAlpine have been contacted for comment. Laing O’Rourke, Mace and Skanska declined to comment.