Skanska wins £242m Heron Tower job

Skanska has won a bid to build the controversial Heron Tower in London, in a contract worth £242m.

The contractor has already been involved in the project as part of a pre-construction services agreement in the design process, which included elements such as cladding, structural steel, mechanical and engineering services and lifts.

The 46-storey Heron Tower is expected to reach a total height of 202m.

Work demolishing the existing buildings at the 110 Bishopsgate site has been underway since the spring.

Main construction work will start in 2008.

The 2002 decision to give Heron Tower the go-ahead was criticised by English Heritage, which argued that the London skyline and particularly the view of the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral, would be spoiled.

Skanska UK chief executive David Fison said: “At Skanska, our whole focus is on integrated project management and eliminating waste so we are delighted that we have been chosen by Heron to do exactly that on this most prestigious of contracts.”