Firm lands wins near Guildhall and above Crossrail station

Mace is being tipped for a £130m scheme to refurbish and extend the Woolgate Exchange in the City of London.

The firm is understood to have seen off remaining rival Sir Robert McAlpine after bids from Multiplex and Skanska failed to make the final cut.

Demolition firm Keltbray is already on site carrying out work ahead of Mace starting construction proper in the first quarter of next year.

The plans for the nine-storey office building include a two-storey roof extension with a roof terrace on the north-west wing and a large new rooftop ‘pavilion’ with planters and seating.

woolgate 3 pic

Built in 2000, Woolgate Exchange is to get a green makeover under new plans by Stanhope

The building at 25 Basinghall Street, opposite the Guildhall and between Moorgate and Bank underground stations, will also get a green facelift with curved balconies cantilevered from the existing structure and a portico created by the balconies above. The entrance will also include a double-height colonnade.

Stanhope was appointed two years ago to lead a revamp of the building for the applicant Woolgate Exchange Unit Trust.

Architect Stiff & Trevillion said the scheme will retain 98% of the existing building with others working on the job including Heyne Tillett Steel on structures, services consultant Sweco, project manager Third London Wall and QS Exigere.

Originally designed by Sidell Gibson and completed in 2000, Woolgate Exchange was developed by property investor MEPC in 2000 and leased to German bank West LB before being bought by Canadian investor Ivanhoe Cambridge in 2013 for a reported £265m. The building has been empty for more than a year.

Meanwhile, Mace has been picked to build a 10-storey office building which will form part of the new Elizabeth line complex above Moorgate station for Aviva Investors and Allianz Real Estate.

The over-station development, known as 101 Moorgate, will form part of the Moorgate entrance for the new Crossrail station at Liverpool Street.

101

The 101 Moorgate scheme will include eight floors of office space

Designed by Orms, the scheme is next door to Mace’s main London office at 155 Moorgate. Main construction will begin in October, with completion expected in September 2024.

As well as eight floors of grade A office space, the development will include a mezzanine-level business lounge and retail spaces, as well as a roof terrace and additional outdoor green spaces at lower levels.

Others working on the job include QS Alinea, structural engineer Waterman and M&E engineer Atelier Ten.