Skanska starts construction of The Monument Building

Skanska, under the Workplaces by Skanska banner, has started construction on site at its 88,000sqft (8,175sqm) office-led development scheme at 11-19 Monument Street, London EC3.

Known as The Monument Building, the project will see the existing buildings at 11-15 Monument Street, 46 Fish Street Hill and 1-2 Pudding Hill replaced with around 85,000sqft (8,000sqm) of office space over nine floors, with floor plates offering approximately 10,000sqft (1,000sqm), plus 3,000sqft (460sqm) of ground-floor retail accommodation.

Skanska’s Neal Pickering said: “This is the second office development project that Skanska has invested in during the last three months. We are particularly excited to be bringing Skanska’s experience to the development of energy-efficient buildings in the City of London. We believe The Monument Building will set new occupational standards in terms of design and sustainability within the Square Mile.

“The level of interest from potential occupiers of our developments, even at this early stage, is very encouraging and further supports our belief that the UK office market is gaining momentum across the board.”

Skanska purchased the site in 2012. The scheme, designed by architect Ken Shuttleworth’s Make, was granted planning consent in April 2013. Completion is scheduled for the fourth quarter in 2015.

The Monument Building is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Features include LED lighting, showers, cycle parking and a roof terrace with photovoltaic panels. Skanska is now marketing the development to occupiers looking for office space of 10,000sqft (929sqm) or more.

Savills is acting as letting agent for the office space and Nash Bond for the retail accommodation. GVA advised on planning and Arup has been appointed as engineer.

Skanska will construct the building at a contract value of £33 million.

Skanska is also developing a 58,365sqft (5,422sqm) office development at 66 Queen Square in Bristol.