Mace to project manage ailing Viñoly arts centre

Mace has won a project management role on the troubled Rafael Viñoly-designed Colchester visual arts centre project.

The scheme is half-built, rain-damaged and £9m over its £17m budget. In April, Banner Holdings, the main contractor on the scheme, left the site. The council brought in Mace in June to write a report detailing how the project could be put back on track, but has previously said that any further work would be tendered through the Official Journal.

A source close to the situation said Mace’s report, which was presented to Colchester council officials last week and is due to be made public next week, recommends that a firm be brought in as project manager, replacing Turner & Townsend, which left the project in June.

The report will say it is possible to complete the building by the end of next year, despite the fact that its drylining has been left open to the elements.

It is not clear whether Mace would then be forced to tender for contractors and specialists under Official Journal rules.

A spokesperson for Mace said: “Mace has this week submitted it’s delivery strategy report to Colchester council. We are delighted to join the team dedicated to delivering an iconic building and visual arts facility to Colchester. There are a number of challenges ahead and we are looking forward to getting on with the task in hand.”