Laing O’Rourke lined up for major City fringe office block

Laing O’Rourke is in pole position to be appointed on a 20-storey City fringe office block thought to be worth upwards of £200m.

The contractor is leading the construction management plan for the scheme, known as Edge Shoreditch, which has been designed by architect AHMM for a joint venture between Dutch developer Edge and Japanese developer Mitsui Fudosan.

Plans submitted to Hackney council at the end of last month show a stepped block including two basement levels and ground floor retail with a large atrium at its centre.

Located on a 4,400sq m site close to the Broadgate development on land bound by Wilson Street, Christopher Street and Earl Street, it would see the demolition of two existing six-storey buildings including the 1962 Technico House.

Also on the project team is project manager Gardiner & Theobald, structural engineer AKT II, MEP engineer Atelier Ten, planning consultant DP9’ landscape architect MRG Studio and vertical transportation consultant Sweco.

The scheme replaces previous plans drawn up by Make Architects for the site’s former owner The London Stock Exchange before it was sold to Edge and Mitsui Fudosan. 

The former proposals, which were approved in 2021, would have retained the 19th century facade of the building at 58 Wilson Street, which AHMM said in planning documents was of poor quality.

A main contractor for the new proposals is not expected to be appointed before late 2024, with a start on site scheduled for the first quarter of 2025 and completion slated for 2028.

Around 500 operatives and 100 staff are anticipated to be on site at the peak of construction, which Laing O’Rourke said will employ modern methods of construction and significant off-site manufacturing.

The contractor said the majority of the building’s super structure, frame and facades will be modularised to reduce vehicle movements. Low carbon concrete will also be used with the possible combination of CLT and other prefabricated materials to reduce carbon, the firm added.

The scheme would be Amsterdam-based Edge’s second London project after the 27-storey Edge London Bridge tower next to the Shard, which has been designed by Pilbrow & Partners and approved in 2021. This is being built by Mace.

Mitsui Fudosan projects in the capital include the £400m extension to the British Library, approved in January, and the £500m redevelopment of the former BBC Television Centre, both of which it is developing in joint venture with Stanhope.