A Portrait of Achievement

Historical Projects, 2000-2008

From the Eden Project to the Emirates Stadium we overcome complex construction challenges to delivered some of the most Britain's iconic landmarks.

  • Eden Project, Cornwall 1998–2006

    One of the most ambitious gardens ever conceived, the Eden Project is a showcase for global biodiversity and man’s relationship with plants. Built in a disused china clay pit near St Austell in Cornwall, this visionary project pushed construction technology to new limits.

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  • ExCeL London, London 1999–2010

    ExCeL London is the capital’s largest exhibition and conference venue and hosts some of the biggest trade and consumer events in the UK. Following the successful completion of the original 65,000m² venue in 2001, contracts have included provision of a dedicated energy centre, enhancement of conference facilities and modifications to enable the venue to host the Boat Show. We have since returned to the Docklands venue to construct a 40,000m² extension.

  • Imperial War Museum (North), Manchester 2000–2002

    A building defined by the complexity of its geometry, this landmark museum on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal houses exhibits including a T34 Russian tank and a Harrier jumpjet.

    One of the most striking elements of the museum is the floor of the main exhibition hall which is designed to replicate part of a larger sphere and is curved in all directions.

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  • Bullring, Birmingham 2000–2003

    Redevelopment of the Bullring shopping centre changed the face of Birmingham city centre. Covering 26 acres and featuring iconic architecture, it was one of the biggest retail developments built in Europe for over a decade, providing 100,000m² of retail space in 150 stores.

  • The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland 2000–2008

    Among the most exciting contemporary gardens created in Europe in the last 100 years, this 12acre attraction features one of the biggest treehouses in the world at 18 metres tall. The garden is also home to The Grand Cascade, the largest water feature of its kind in the UK. Additional contracts completed over the last decade include The Garden Pavilion and Visitor Centre, The Serpent Garden, The Poison Garden and The Bamboo Labyrinth.

  • Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 2002–2004

    Constructed on reclaimed land overlooking Cardiff Bay, Wales Millennium Centre is host to an international showcase of musicals, opera, dance and ballet. A 1,850seat main auditorium establishes the centre as a worldclass venue.

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  • Metrocentre, Gateshead 2002–2016

    The company constructed a twostorey mall extension at the Metrocentre in Gateshead. Housing a department store and 28 new outlets, the 34,500m² development made the centre Europe’s largest retail and leisure complex. The company was also responsible for construction of West Quay in Southampton, the refurbishment and extension of the Frenchgate Centre in Doncaster and delivery of the Kingsgate Centre in Huddersfield.

  • Cardinal Place, London 2003–2005

    Rising in a dramatic 10storey arc of glass and steel, Cardinal Place in Victoria comprises two office buildings with a total floor area of 94,500m². As on a number of London city centre projects, the contract involved demolition and construction works over and around underground rail lines.

  • HBOS Headquarters, Edinburgh 2004–2006

    Adding to a catalogue of projects delivered across the Scottish capital, refurbishment of the HBOS headquarters on The Mound restored to its former glory a landmark building which has dominated the city’s southern skyline for 200 years.

  • Colchester Garrison, Colchester 2004–2008

    A prime example of the company’s expertise at delivering largescale projects, the redevelopment of Colchester Garrison is one of the largest defence accommodation Private Finance Initiative schemes undertaken. Completed five months ahead of schedule, the project included the design and construction of more than 110 buildings across a 185hectare site.

  • O2 Arena, London 2005–2007

    Constructed entirely within the structure of the former Millennium Dome, the O2 Arena on London’s Greenwich Peninsula is one of the world’s premier venues.

    With conventional lifting methods ruled out because of its location within an existing structure, the arena’s 4,500 tonne roof was built at ground level and then raised into position using computercontrolled strand jacks.

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  • Kings Place, London 2005–2008

    Flanked on two sides by the Regent’s Canal and home to the first new concert hall built in London for 25 years, Kings Place provides a mix of commercial offices, cultural facilities and waterfront restaurant spaces. Creating the building’s underground auditorium required what at the time was the deepest single prop excavation undertaken in the UK.

  • City Campus East, Newcastle upon Tyne 2006–2007

    Featuring a host of measures designed to reduce its environmental impact, this city centre campus for Northumbria University demonstrates the central role sustainability can play in urban renewal. One of many higher education facilities constructed by the company at universities and colleges across the country, the campus’s two buildings house the schools of Business, Law and Design.

  • International Airport Control Tower, Newcastle 2006–2007

    Standing twice as tall as the Angel of the North, this control tower is one of a number of projects delivered as part of the airport’s ongoing redevelopment. Contracts completed include the extension of the main terminal building and provision of fuelling facilities.

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  • Cabot Circus and Highcross, Bristol and Leicester 2006–2008

    Opened within three weeks of each other, Cabot Circus and Highcross extended the company’s involvement in the evolution of the modern shopping centre.

    The two schemes were among a number of major retailled redevelopment projects completed by the company in this period. 

  • Chill Factor, Manchester 2007

    Chill Factore is one of three real snow indoor skiing and snowboarding venues built by the company. Its construction followed delivery of Xscape in Milton Keynes, the first integrated sports, leisure and retail complex of its kind in Europe. In 2009 the company also completed the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

  • Watermark Place, London 2007–2009

    Watermark Place provides 50,000m² of high quality office space in a key riverside location in the City of London. A commitment to sustainable development underpinned the design and construction of the scheme which retains a third of the building it replaced. Located on an adjacent site, the 10storey Riverbank House extends our involvement in the transformation of this stretch of the Thames.

Our Portrait of Achievement

  1. Festive photograph of Glenfinnan Viaduct in the winter

    Historical Projects, 1869-1919

    07 Jan 1900

    From a mine chimney in 1869 to construction during the Great War, we have been building Britain's future heritage from our very first project.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 1869-1919
  2. Mulbery Harbour

    Historical Projects, 1919-1945

    06 Jan 1900

    From Wembley Stadium and The British Empire Exhibition to supporting the D-Day landings in Normandy, engineering excellence is at the heart of everything we do.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 1919-1945
  3. Cutty Srk Dry Dock

    Historical Projects, 1946-1970

    05 Jan 1900

    From iron and steelworks to power stations and motorways, we played our part in helping rebuild Britain's industrial strength after the Second World War.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 1946-1970
  4. O2 Arena on River Thames

    Historical Projects, 1972-1999

    04 Jan 1900

    From Sellafield to Canary Wharf, Hampden Park to the Millennium Dome, our projects changed landscapes across the length and breadth of Britain.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 1972-1999
  5. Marischal College

    Historical Projects, 2009-2013

    02 Jan 1900

    From the London Olympic Stadium to the M74 Completion in Glasgow, we played a significant role in shaping communities through infrastructure, leisure, and education projects.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 2009-2013
  6. Victoria Gate Leeds

    Historical Projects, 2014-2016

    01 Jan 1900

    From education institutions to mixed-used retail and entertainment complexes, and the New London Embassy, we proudly building Britain's future heritage.

    Read more about Historical Projects, 2014-2016