The project involves the demolition of the current fire station, adjacent to Parker’s Piece in the centre of the city, and replaced with a new fire station.
As part of the redevelopment, which will be called Parkside Place, Willmott Dixon will also build 99 apartments over the station. The apartments, designed by architect Glenn Howells, will be a mix of one, two and three bedrooms with 39 being affordable. Work will start in summer 2011 and is scheduled to be complete in March 2013.
While the redevelopment is taking place, firefighters will be based on a temporary site owned by the Territorial Army on Coldhams Lane. When complete, the new fire station is expected to save substantially on the estimated £4m running costs of the current facility over the next five years.
Willmott Dixon was one of six firms bidding for the contract and this is the contractor’s first ever contract for Grosvenor.
Willmott Dixon managing director Tim Carpenter said: “We have a long and proud track record in Cambridge, including working with the University of Cambridge on several projects such as the Hauser Forum, Physics for Medicine and Plant Growth Facility, and have also been responsible for the recent Netherhall and Borough Green schools, plus Bassingbourn Children’s Centre.”
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