Morrison steals £18m contract to convert police station

Morrison has nicked an £18m contract to convert a historic police station and magistrates' court in Westminster into apartments.

Located on Vincent Square and overlooking the playing fields of Westminster School, the development consists of 49 one-, two- and three-bed apartments and duplexes as well as 21 affordable units.

The Grade II-listed buildings housing the former police station and magistrates' courts will be rebuilt and fully refurbished behind retained Edwardian facades and a completely new structure built in between them.

The new buildings will consist of post-tensioned concrete frames with external envelopes of natural and reconstituted stone and brickwork with various roof finishes and high specification interiors. There will also be underfloor heating and basement car parking.

Demolition and piling began earlier this year ahead of the full contract award. Construction is scheduled to start immediately and finish in late autumn 2006.

Morrison has also been awarded an £8m contract to build a 200-bedroom block with students union and refectory facilities on the ground floor at Queen Mary University at Mile End in East London. Work on the one-year contract starts immediately.