Talk:Thames House
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They didn't move Curzon Street -> Thames House. They were in Gower Place before Thames House.
Also currently used by the Northern Ireland office? I *think* MI5 only have 1/2 of it. 81.187.43.179 08:21, 13 May 2005 (UTC)
There is a government produced pamphlet on the cost overruns during the conversion. Secretlondon 17:31, 18 July 2005 (UTC)
Notes from National Audit Office pamphlet:
Was owned by ICI. In 2 parts - north and south. north part occupied by ici. south partly held by property services agency on leases expired 1982 - used by dept. of energy. dispute re tenancy and negotiations with ICI to buy freehold. Govt withdrew and ICI sold both to Berkley House for £75.6 mill. in June 1987. Berkley negotiates with govt - £150 mill freehold starting offer. Security service interested in freehold. Ministers say up to £80 mill before 31 March 1988. From 1 April 1988 it would become obvious as part of the FCO or MOD votes. Berkley lowered offer to £110m. Berkley sold to Leigh Estates for £80.6m. In Jan 1988 Leigh offered to sell to property services agency for turnover of 20%. Govt pays Leigh £82m in March 1988. Page Street closed and north and south buildings joined. Occupancy May 1994.
Refurbishment costs originally £60m. Revised to £115-145m in Nov 1987. Final costs £227m. NAO say £43m extra for increased security, reinforced shell for heavy plant and computer equipment, technical areas, blast protection and back-up systems. Cabinet Secretary asked PM for permission to start refurbishment in August 1990. Est. cost given as £251m. Final cost £227m. Fit out cost extra £17m. Refurbishment finished Jan 1994. Fit out finished June 1994. All staff moved by Dec 1994.
242,500 ft2 offices (49%), 19,100 ft2 computer suites (4%), 89,000ft2 technical areas (18%), 96,100 ft2 other (conference, catering, training, file storage) (19%). Secretlondon 22:25, 4 August 2005 (UTC)