Guildhall, Corn Exchange and Market Square set for refurbishment
Cambridge City Council is looking for a main contractor to handle the three-part redevelopment of the city’s historic centre.
The council has published a procurement notice inviting expressions of interest from potential contractors for its Civic Quarter Development, and plans to conduct an open tender later this month.
The Civic Quarter comprises the refurbishment of both the Guildhall and Corn Exchange, both grade II listed, as well as the overhaul of the Market Square.
A capital budget of £55m was allocated to support the project after updated plans went before a council committee last November.
The Guildhall, which is the main civic and office space for the council, is in line for a £41m refurbishment, which would make the building net zero and accessible.
There are also plans for a ground floor public cafe and a cultural offering that could involve relocating the Museum of Cambridge to the building.
The Corn Exchange entertainment venue would get a £22m refurbishment which would increase event capacity to 2,000 and see the installation of air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Half of the market square would be covered with a canopy with permanent stalls underneath.
Tender submissions will be invited on a two-stage design and build basis.
The projects are at the start of a RIBA stage 3 design and the contractor will be expected to work with the council and its design team through to a planning submission on the basis of a pre-construction services agreement, before entering into a build contract.
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