Television broadcaster Sky has enlisted architect Aukett Europe to assess plans for a studio in west London
Market sources say the broadcaster has bought a property – the exact location is as yet unknown – which it plans to refurbish. However, sources at Sky said a final decision to go ahead with the studio had not yet been reached.

Sky is understood to be considering a management contract to oversee the project, which will create a state-of-the-art studio for Sky News and Sky Sports by next year. One source put the value of the project at up to £25m. It is understood that Bovis Lend Lease, Interior, Mace and Schal are considering bidding for it.

A source said: "The job needs to be turned round very quickly. Given the high specifications needed for the scheme, there's only a few firms that can do this."

The firm has also brought in project management expert David Adamson as group head of property and facilities management. He oversaw accountant Ernst & Young's move to the More London Bridge site, next to City Hall, last year.

Market sources said Sky was keeping tight-lipped about the programme. One said: "It's the way they do business." However, the refurbishment is a change to the firm's plans from earlier this year, which were to put up a purpose-built shed to house the studio.

The project will be an addition to the group's headquarters, in Osterley, west London. The studio and office complex, designed by architect Lister Drew Haines Barrow, was completed in 1989.

Aukett refused to comment and Sky was unavailable to comment on its plans.