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Work on the new £44 million BBC Cymru Wales headquarters (HQ) in Cardiff is now complete.
Contractor ISG has now handed over the building at Central Square, which will become home to some 1,200 staff once fully operational.
Designed by architectural practice Foster + Partners, the new broadcast centre will feature ‘next generation' web technology and will be the first BBC facility in the UK to use live IP Technology. Overbury and Sheppard Robson will now begin an 18-month fit-out process for live broadcasting.
The handover also marks a major milestone for ISG at Central Square. The contractor is nearing completion on the adjacent 148,000 sq ft Two Central Square office bock, as well as improving the public realm space immediately surrounding the new development, at a combined contract value in excess of £100m. The Two Central Square building will be ready for occupation in September 2018.
Jon James, ISG's Regional Director, said: "Legacy is a fitting term to describe the immense achievement represented by this celebration today. The successful delivery of the BBC's new headquarters in Wales exactly on programme is a fine example of what our industry can achieve when it works collaboratively, embraces technology and innovation and works towards a common goal. There is an amazing sense of pride from every single person involved in this project knowing that the legacy of the BBC's move to central Cardiff will impact our city for generations to come."
BBC Director of Property, Alan Bainbridge, said: "To hand a building over of this scale and complexity exactly on time and budget is a real achievement. We signed the agreement for lease back in December 2014 and the predicted handover date was today – it has been a fantastic effort by all parties and we now look forward to completing the fit-out ready for occupation next year."
Chief Executive of developer Rightacres, Paul McCarthy added: "The on-time completion of the new BBC Cymru Wales headquarters is testament to amazing team effort put in by ISG and its sub-contractors. It marks an important milestone in the development of Central Square and has been a committed effort from start to finish."
(LM/MH)
