New Scotland Yard wins Prime Minister’s accolade

The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award has been given to New Scotland Yard at the 2017 British Construction Industry Awards.

The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award recognises excellence in publicly funded buildings and infrastructure and highlights projects that bring real change to communities, demonstrate innovative and efficient construction and deliver value for money.

The building has undergone a £58M remodelling project that has also extended the former Curtis Green building. The redevelopment has allowed the Metropolitan Police Service to move back to the Victoria Embankment, which they first occupied in 1890. The 1930s building was named after architect William Curtis Green, it sits within the Whitehall Conservation Area between the Norman Shaw Building and the Ministry of Defence, facing onto the Victoria Embankment. It boasts views across the River Thames to London County Hall, Westminster Bridge and the London Eye.

The new building offers:

• A modern, flexible and efficient office environment for the Metropolitan Police Service.
• Extended floor space that facilitates agile working and more interaction between staff.
• Innovative design an elegant curved glass entrance pavilion to enable greater access for the public.
• Value for money as the building was funded from the sale of New Scotland Yard’s previous site at 10 Broadway, which was vacated in 2016.
• A central hub, supported by nine local offices across the capital.

Work has been carried out as part of the Government Construction Strategy, designed to deliver £1.7Bn efficiencies in government construction by 2020.

Minister for Government Resilience and Efficiency, Caroline Nokes MP, said: “This award for Scotland Yard is testament to the government’s commitment to constructing public buildings which deliver value for money for the taxpayer and smarter public services.

“The building’s innovative design and use of technology helps the Met Police work in a more modern and efficient way. It was funded from the sale of its former building and acts as a central hub supported by nine local offices, putting police services more in touch with their local communities.

“The project shows what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together to deliver innovative and efficient construction, completed on time and on budget. It demonstrates all the principles set out in the Government Construction Strategy – our plan to improve productivity and deliver £1.7bn efficiencies in government construction by 2020.”

Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service said: “I am delighted that our new building has been commended. This building, in the heart of Westminster and close to the Met’s founding location, allows the Metropolitan Police Service to look forward to the future, providing excellent facilities and technology for our officers and staff.

“From our glass pavilion and Eternal Flame Memorial, to the iconic revolving New Scotland Yard sign, the design has incorporated the past, present and future of policing in London. Many congratulations to all the colleagues past and present who made this a reality”

Professor Tim Broyd, ICE President and BCIA judge, said: “Here is a building that is both functional for day to day police work and yet also accessible and welcoming to the public. The design is stunning, complementing its surroundings and demonstrating a redevelopment that has been completed to the highest standard.”

Image: Jeanette Teare / Shutterstock.com

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