Wates, a UK-based building and property maintenance company, has secured a £110.6m ($148.9m) contract for the refurbishment of the historic Victoria Tower in London.
The company, selected after a competitive tender process, will undertake work to preserve the tower for future generations.
The Victoria Tower, a part of the Palace of Westminster, was completed in 1860 and stands at the south-west corner of the complex.
It is significantly larger than the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, and is seen as a key part of parliamentary events, such as the State Opening of Parliament.
Scheduled to begin in mid-September, the restoration of the Grade 1-listed tower is expected to continue until 2031.
The project will encompass a range of essential safety measures alongside key restoration and conservation efforts.
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By GlobalDataOver the next six years, Wates, in collaboration with specialist companies and craftspeople from across the UK, will employ a blend of traditional skills and innovative methods.
The scope of work includes repairing and securing the site’s stonemasonry, restoring window glazing, replacing the roof, and refurbishing the 22.3m flagpole that distinguishes the tower’s height over the Elizabeth Tower.
The last significant works on the Victoria Tower were carried out in the early 1990s to protect the parliamentary records archive stored within from pollution damage.
Wates Construction London managing director Steve Holbrook said: “This project is a significant step forward for us in the public sector and heritage space, reflecting the outstanding work of both our preconstruction and delivery teams.”
In April this year, the UK’s Government Property Agency named Wates as the contractor for the Category B fit-out of the new government office at Manchester’s First Street, following the completion of the Category A fit-out and the start of the lease.
