London Shard to get underway

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 26-03-2009

The Shard project in the capital's London Bridge Quarter is one step closer to getting underway after Byrne Bros was awarded the concrete frame package for the building in a deal worth £50 million.

Once completed, the structure will offer 1.4 million sq ft of office space and will be one of Europe's tallest mixed-use office developments.

However, Byrne Bros had not been the favourite to secure the contract until the very last minute, when the firm undercut rival bidder Doyle to obtain the deal.

One source close to the project said: "This is the way contracting is going now. The market is very tight and relationships with the supply chain contractors are coming under pressure."

Elsewhere in the capital, recently refurbished office building 28 Dorset Square has been sold to a private investor for £17 million.

The complex was completed in 2006 and offers 23,530 sq ft of grade A office interior space. It is situated next to Marylebone railway station.