Mace has beaten off competition from Sir Robert McAlpine and HBG to land the main contractor’s role on a project for Standard Life in the City.

Building understands that Mace Plus, which handles projects worth more than £10m, has been appointed at 95 Gresham Street, a £30m new-build office.

Work on the 100,000 ft2 building is expected to begin on site next month with completion due by the end of the summer in 2009.

The existing building on the site will by demolished and replaced by a speculative office – a further example of the strength of the present commercial market.

The architect on the scheme is Rolfe Judd and the project manager is Buro Four.

Mace declined to comment on the appointment.

It is the second job Mace has won from Standard Life; it had previously being appointed on a £20m office, also in the City, at No 1 Old Jewry. It is due for completion later this year.

Mace Plus has been appointed at 95 Gresham Street on a £30m new-build office

Mace also beat off competition from Sir Robert McAlpine, HBG and Bovis Lend Lease to build the scheme.

Mace is also construction manager on the £350m Shard of Glass tower in London, which will be Europe’s tallest building.

Airport operator BAA said work had begun on the £40m extension to the main terminal at Stansted, west Essex, which Mace is building.

The Pascall & Watson designed extension will add almost 5,900m2 of floor space to the terminal, providing extra space for baggage carousels and enlarging the immigration and arrivals areas.

Completion of this scheme is scheduled for June next year. It is not expected to interfere with the operations of the airport.