The winning team will carry out a condition survey and feasibility study looking into options for a major overhaul of the landmark George Dance-designed 1740s structure which is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London and last saw significant upgrades in the 1990s.
The study will focus on Mansion House’s fabric and mechanical and electrical services and will result in a high-level overview and schedule of repairs that will be used to shape a programme of restoration works brining the complex up ‘to a suitable condition to continue serving its purpose.’
According to the brief: ‘A major refurbishment of the Mansion House was undertaken in 1991-93. This included a complete shut-down of the House for 12 months to complete major structural and invasive works.
‘Since then works have been mainly carried out during the summer shutdown in August under the Cyclical Works Programme (CWP). This has limited the amount and type of work possible and created a backlog. Some major works have been identified as urgent and the possibility of again closing the House for a 12-month Capital Project is being discussed.
‘The Condition Report and Schedule of Repairs will inform the scope and programme necessary to address the backlog of works and return the building to a suitable condition to continue serving its purpose.’
Located at Bank interchange, Mansion House is a large civic and residential complex used to house the leader of the City of London Corporation. The building is located a short distance from OMA’s 2012 Stirling Prize-shortlisted Rothschild Bank headquarters.
The search for a consultant team comes three months after the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) announced a competition – backed by the City of London Business Improvement Districts – for a series of ‘playful’ public realm installations within the Square Mile.
In 2021, the LFA held a contest for the City of London, won by Unknown Works, to rethink the traditional police box – the inspiration for Doctor Who’s Tardis. A scheme by Re-Fabricate and The DisOrdinary Architecture Project won an LFA for a series of co-designed public realm installations in Smithfield and east London in 2022.
Major developments within the Square Mile include the City of London Corporation’s Culture Mile initiative, intended to transform the north-west corner of the Square Mile between Moorgate and Farringdon into a cultural hub over the next 10 to 15 years.
The district will include three major building projects: the transformation of Beech Street; the new Museum of London designed by Stanton Williams and Asif Khan; and a competition-winning renewal of the Barbican Centre by Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio.
Other planned developments include Studio Egret West and HawkinsBrown competition-winning regeneration of the Grade II*-listed Smithfield market and Architecture00 + Studio Weave won contest-winning Finsbury Circus Gardens and Pavilion.
Bids to deliver the contract will be evaluated 50 per cent on quality, 15 per cent on responsible procurement and 35 per cent on cost. Applicants must hold employer’s liability insurance of £5 million, public liability insurance of £5 million and professional indemnity insurance of £5 million.