Firms line up for Walkie-Talkie

Land Securities’ decision to go ahead with its Walkie-Talkie skyscraper in the City of London has unleashed a flurry of interest among contractors.

Building understands that Bovis, Brookfield, Skanska and Mace are all waiting for documents from the client to provide estimates for the 500ft-high tower, which had a reported price tag of £300m before it was put on hold 18 months ago.

Laing O’Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine have also been linked to the job.

A Land Secs spokesperson said: “Costing it in the current market is one of things we’re doing. We have asked a fair market spread to look at it, and it’s right to say there’s not many that would be able to take on a project that size.

“The figures will help us get a possible start date.”