Laing O'Rourke turns its back on St Pancras

Laing O’Rourke has walked out on the £80m transformation of St Pancras Chambers in London after failing to agree terms for the second phase of the deal.

Galliford Try has been taken on by client Manhattan Loft Corporation (MLC) to plug the gap in the interim.

Work on the project, which involves turning the disused Grade I listed hotel into a 245-bedroom hotel and luxury apartment complex, had been at a standstill for more than three weeks.

Both sides had been locked in talks for that time after MLC reportedly sprung a surprise reshaping of the job. Laing O’Rourke was understood to be unhappy with the new terms and conditions – but declined to comment.

An MLC spokeswoman told CJ: “MLC and Laing O’Rourke were unable to agree mutually acceptable contract terms for the main works. MLC is now undertaking a review of the provision of its main contractor services for the second phase.”