HOK has won the £32 million contract for the refurbishment of the Old Bailey that has already been delayed for the past three years.
The contract, which is worth £60 million, was put out to tender in 2011 by the Corporation of London, the owner of the building.
Due to the economic situation, the project has been delayed a number of times but the winning consulting team comprised of Aecom and Parsons Brinkerhoff under contractor Interserve was finally announced in early December 2013.
The construction works will involve restructuring of the entrance to maximise its accessibility.
According to the brief, the redesigning of the 10,700 square metres grade I listed building and replacement of services will have to be carried out.
The 18 courts within the Old Bailey handle around 1,500 of Britain’s most serious criminal cases a year and can only be shut down a few at the same time. Therefore the contract runs until the middle of 2023.
London’s Central Criminal Court opened in 1907 and is currently in a poor state as its services are outdated. The refurbishment scheme will include the replacement of the 1960s boilers as well as other services.
The Old Bailey is located on the site of the famous Newgate Prison. There is still a hatch to the “lost” River Fleet under the basement and a section of Londinium’s original Roman wall is also visible.
HOK recently completed a similar scheme of Newport Magistrates Court, which opened in December.
Photo: Building Design