Contractor to strip back, re-clad and extend existing tower

The Tower Old Street

Developer Helical has picked Skanska for the £73m redevelopment of a tower on London’s Old Street roundabout.

The scheme, known as The Tower, is part of a larger Helical development that will deliver 171,000 sq ft of offices and 7,300 sq ft of retail space.

Skanska will strip back the existing building to its original frame and add three new floors, extending the floor plates by about 15%. The building will be re-clad, with new washrooms and two extra lifts installed.

The scheme is targeting the BREEAM Excellent environmental rating. Works are expected to finish in June 2018.

Steve Holbrook, Skanska managing director, said: “It’s great to be working with Helical on another scheme. At Old Street, we’ll be able to showcase our wider expertise in sustainable refurbishment work and mixed-use developments, helping to redefine the building and create a modern workplace in this thriving part of London.”

Pavlos Clifton, senior development executive at Helical, said: “Following the successful completion in November by Skanska of One Creechurch Place, London EC3, on time and in budget, we are pleased to be working together again and look forward to a similar high quality of delivery.”