Big contracts and plans announced for locales around the country.

Otis UK Wins Maintenance for 340 Units at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick in West Sussex has appointed Otis UK the service provider for 340 elevators, escalators and moving walks in the U.K.’s second-largest airport. The five-year contract “marks a significant expansion of the company’s footprint in the U.K. major infrastructure market,” Otis UK said. It will have a team of onsite service engineers for the work. The airport transports 46 million passengers annually and serves more than 228 destinations in 74 countries.

“Prized” London Station Contracts Let

Building.co.uk reported in February that what it calls “the prized deals” for London’s new HS2 Ltd. rail stations at Euston and Old Oak Common had been let to international consultancy/ construction company Mace Group and international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty. The combined value of the jobs is approximately GBP3 billion (US$3.88 billion), with half of that being the work at Euston. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, this station will have 11 platforms, with other work including expanding the existing underground station and linking the complex to the nearby Euston Square tube station.

HS2 Project Director S4 Old Oak Common Matthew Botelle was previously quoted by New Civil Engineer that he wants Old Oak Common “to set standards for design with big, light, open spaces, excellent wayfinding and prominent lifts and escalators, [and] making it easier for passengers with luggage to move around.” Designs for Old Oak Common were drawn up by a team led by WSP and architect WilkinsonEyre. A Costain/Skanska team was also carrying out enabling works. Finally, Kent, U.K.-based firm Erith is working on the Old Oak site.

The stations will be built under construction management contracts. The Mace team includes Spanish firm Dragados, and Balfour Beatty has teamed with Vinci and transportation-planning consultancy Systra. Demolition work has been ongoing since last fall, and phased openings are planned to begin in 2026.

37-Story New City Court Plans

The Architects’ Journal reported in January that Allford Hall Monaghan Morris submitted plans to build a 37-story tower close to the Shard in London near London Bridge station. With more than 45,000 m2 of office space, New City Court would sit at 14/20 St Thomas Street and involve demolishing 1980s buildings on the site, which is within the Borough High Street conservation area. Tapering and stepping reduces the building’s footprint and reduces volume at the base and top. The plan has been in the works for the last four years and, if approved, would be built for Great Portland Estates.