Laing O’Rourke seals £95m Manchester library revamp job

Contractor will overhaul the city’s central library and town hall

Laing O’Rourke has signed a £95m contract with Manchester city council to overhaul the city’s grade-II listed Central Library and town hall.

The contractor will refurbish the two 1930s landmarks and connect the buildings for the first time.

Other works include the installation of a glass and steel feature stair and lift in the Central Library and the creation of a new public ground floor exhibition and entertainment space.

Laing O’Rourke said it was working closely with English Heritage on the overhaul of the buildings, which were originally designed by renowned architect E Vincent Harris. The contractor will use BIM level four on the project.

Callum Tuckett, business unit leader for Laing O’Rourke’s Construction North, said: “I am delighted to sign the contract for this important scheme, which draws on Laing O’Rourke’s proven capability to deliver complex projects with significant engineering challenges.

“We are looking forward to taking to the next level the ethos of partnering and collaboration our organisations have nurtured over many successful projects delivered together.”

John Lorimer, Manchester city council’s head of capital programmes, said: “This signing of this contract marks a significant milestone, not only in the transformation of these grade-II listed buildings but in demonstrating our commitment to delivering first-class services to our customers.”