Contractor Carillion could seal two major central London contracts worth a total of £100m in the next month.
The firm is tipped to beat rival Bovis Lend Lease to a £40m deal to build a 240-flat development in Paddington Basin. The scheme, called the Windings, is part of the huge 800,000 m2 Paddington regeneration project next to Paddington train station.

The scheme's client, developer Chelsfield, declined to comment on the choice of contractor but confirmed an appointment was imminent. The project team includes architect Jestico + Whiles and project manager Mace.

Carillion is also one of two contractors pitching for a £60m speculative office block in Fetter Lane, central London, for developer Delancey Estates.

It’s puzzling why they are going so fast, though they have a clause in the contract to put it on hold

Market source

The firm is vying with Mowlem for the deal – two other rivals, Kier and Bovis Lend Lease, dropped out of the running for the 34,500 m2 project last week.

Sources claimed a decision would be made in early February. One source said the speed with which the contractors were to be chosen was a surprise, given the flat state of the office market in central London. The source said: "It's a bit puzzling why they are going so fast, although they do have a clause in the contract saying they can put it on hold."

The project involves the demolition of an existing building and the construction of an eight-storey block, designed by architect Woods Bagot.