The £20m job attracted interest from all the big London fit-out specialists including Como, Kier Wallis, ISG and Overbury.
One contractor told the Enquirer: “It’s starting to look like Wates is ahead of the field on this one. We’ve heard they’ve had their bills called so they must be feeling quite confident.”
A decision on the winning bidder for the 100,000 sq ft refurb at 20 Moorgate is expected shortly to allow staff to move into the offices before the end of 2012.
The office building will the become home of the Bank of England’s new financial regulator, the Prudential Regulation Authority.
This will be created once the government completes its proposed break-up of the Financial Services Authority.
The offices will be bought as a shell and need to be completely re-fitted to make them fit for purpose.