Mace Nova site finishes late and busts budget

Grant Prior 7 years ago
Share

Land Securities has confirmed its Nova project in Victoria has busted the budget and overrun by nine months.

The first phase at Nova was completed last month
The first phase at Nova was completed last month

The first phase of the scheme, where Mace was main contractor, was completed last month.

The developer said: “The complexities of construction – together with competition for labour in a busy sector – delayed final completion and impacted costs.”

The scheme was also hit by the failure of main concrete specialist PC Harrington.

Work was due to finish last summer and cost £248m.

In its latest results today Land Securities said is has “paused for breath” in its major development cycle as it has largely completed its latest speculative development programme.

The developer revealed a strong set of annual results today and confirmed it has its eye on the next round of opportunities in the property market.

Chief executive Robert Noel said: “Put simply, our markets remain in good health but they’ve paused for breath.”

“The foundations of the business are rock solid, underpinned by our resilient portfolio and low leverage.

“We’ve achieved our plan to have minimal development exposure and longer lease terms in London offices, a transformed retail portfolio and low gearing at this point.

In the short term, with significantly reduced risk and a portfolio of first class assets, we go forward in excellent shape, ready to make acquisitions when the time is right.

“Longer term, we remain confident in our market and our ability to deliver sustainable growth.”

Plans are being drawn-up for a second Nova East phase and Land Securities also has planning at 21 Moorfields in the City where demolition is complete with piling work set to start shortly ahead of construction of a raft that will sit above the eastern entrance to Liverpool Street Crossrail station.

It will be the platform for 522,000 sq ft of space across two buildings.

The firm said: “Completing the raft in July 2018 will mean we can complete construction of the buildings in 24 months, providing an excellent prospect for the pre-letting market.”

Land Securities also has planning consent for a 142,000 sq ft mixed use scheme in Westminster at 1 Sherwood Street, W1 and a 134,000 sq ft development in Southwark, at Sumner Street, SE1.

Latest news

Vinci Building and FM arms rack up big losses for second year

Inaugural consolidated accounts for all Vinci UK operations slip into the red
3 hours ago

Plan lodged for two Birmingham student towers

Sama plans nearly 2,000 student rooms in 48 and 41 floor buildings at Lancaster Circus
3 hours ago

Galliford Try delays annual results announcement

Accountants want more time to go through books
3 hours ago

CITB urged to give everyone a say over need for levy

Consensus process slammed as a "charade"
4 hours ago

Subcontractors wanted across north London

Constructionline event to highlight work opportunities: Register now
3 hours ago

Latest construction hotspots appear outside London

Research reveals fastest growing areas for contract awards
3 hours ago

Bachy Solentanche rejigs business in new growth plan

Business split into two regional and a major projects division
5 hours ago

BAM, Arup and Amey win £2bn Network Rail contract

Largest single contract by value ever awarded by Network Rail.
3 days ago

Luton airport £2.4bn expansion decision delayed

Application decision deadline pushed back 3 months to January 2025.
3 days ago

Plan in for 2m sq ft Hertfordshire data centre campus

Proposed £3.75bn construction project near M25 would sustain 500 jobs
3 days ago

Balfour Beatty wins £363m electricity grid upgrade job

Work to start next year on 29km Bramford to Twinstead high voltage project
3 days ago

Winchmore wins £10m brickwork package with Lovell

Specialist will lay nearly 1m bricks on Thamesmead job
3 days ago

Green light for £125m Camden student scheme

Work to start later this year on site next to iconic Roundhouse
3 days ago

Strong revenue and profit growth puts Kier on firm footing

Revenue recovers to £4bn again with profit ahead almost a third to £68m
4 days ago

Galliford Try steps-in to build £57m Banwell bypass

New contractor found after original winner Alun Griffiths walked-away from job
4 days ago

Hotel M&E specialist Gallant files administration notice

Gallant Building Services is working on hotel, flats and care home projects
4 days ago

Torsion to deliver £43m Leeds student scheme

Construction to start next month on latest project for joint venture
4 days ago

Go-ahead for London Barbican office to flats project

London developer Hub aims to create over 170 co-living homes
5 days ago

Traditional builders dominate £800m MMC framework

20 out of 22 places on modular housing deal go to local contractors
5 days ago

Dubai contractor sells 15% stake in Costain

ASGC sells stake for £38m after investing £25m in fund raise four years ago
5 days ago

Amazon to invest £8bn in hyperscale datacentres

Data centre sector heats up as cloud computing giant AWS unveils big expansion plans
5 days ago

Plan lodged for Square Mile’s fifth tallest tower

54-floor 99 Bishopsgate tower will provide 1 m sq ft of office space
5 days ago

Morgan Sindall pulls off contracts league double

Firm swoops to top monthly and 12-month contracts league rankings
5 days ago

Hadden Construction goes into administration

66 jobs lost at £30m turnover Perthshire contractor
6 days ago

McAleer & Rushe wants to meet subcontractors across Scotland

Register now for Meet the Buyer event: Full list of suppliers wanted
5 days ago

Construction output slide in July ends two-month growth spurt

Recovery stutters along as construction activity dips 0.4%
5 days ago

Laing O’Rourke finance chief to join plastic products firm

Rowan Baker to join Essentra in November
5 days ago

Tight cost control returns Laing O’Rourke to profit

Group margin back to 1.9% as orders swell to record £10.8bn
6 days ago

Kier to noise-proof 20,000 homes around Heathrow

Eight-year programme will involve new windows, doors, loft insulation and upgrade ceilings
6 days ago

Caddick to build £42m Schneider Electric factory

New facility at Scarborough Business Park will open next year
7 days ago

Contractor services