McAlpine tipped for £50m Aberdeen office project

Industry insiders are putting their money on Sir Robert McAlpine to carry off a £50m high-profile redevelopment deal in the heart of Aberdeen.

The contractor is tipped to beat-off a challenge from local firm Stewart Milne - the only other contractor to pitch for the revamp of the historic Marischal College site.

A source claimed: "McAlpine put in a low price for the project. Some firms can afford to cut their prices in these times of economic gloom in order to win work.

"But not every contractor has the resources or indeed the inclination to do that."

The job, procured under the design-and-build single-stage process, involves transforming the college into a new 19,000m² office complex.

Construction work on site is expected to begin towards the end of June.

Completion is due by the close of 2010 or early in 2011.

An insider said: "McAlpine may have the job in its sights, but it isn't an easy undertaking -not at all like working on a new development on an unrestricted site.

"The innards of the Marischal College building will have to be completely ripped out.

"The new construction works will take place behind the facade of this impressive Grade A-listed building, which of course will be retained as it's of great historic significance and highly regarded by local people."

Aberdeeen City Council, which is promoting the scheme, is expected to officially announce the winner of the contract during the first week of June.