Carillion and HBG eye £130m King's Cross regeneration

Two contractors have gone head to head in the tussle for a £130m deal - part of the first phase of the £2bn-plus plan to redevelop 27ha of London's King's Cross Central area.

HBG and Carillion, two of the three contractors that developer Argent has lined up to tackle the massive scheme, are vying for the Eastern Goods Yard project. Kier was the third firm.

The deal centres on the construction of the University of the Arts, a new complex that will span around 40,000m2.

Also featured will be a new public square, the renovation of the West Transit Shed and the refurbishment of a Victorian goods area known as the Handyside canopy.

Argent is likely to choose the winner of the duel in early autumn for a start on site during the first quarter of 2008. Completion is expected within 30 months.