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The Government Property Agency (GPA) has appointed Wates to carry out a Category B fit-out of 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon creating a centralised hub for civil servants.
Wates will transform the 10-storey, 330,000 sq ft building, which forms part of the wider Government Hubs Programme, designed to create a network of modern, digitally enabled, shared workspace for the UK Civil Service.
Due for completion in September 2024, the project will enable the Home Office to bring various functions together in one building for the first time in 30 years, moving civil servants from three existing locations in Croydon to one centralised hub.
The building, set to house 5,000 civil servants, will offer an effective mix of flexible and hybrid workspaces to support neurodiversity, collaboration and wellbeing, along with fully inclusive refreshment hubs, home zones and meeting rooms.
Wates will also be providing mechanical and electrical engineering, planned preventative maintenance and round-the-clock security services throughout the programme of works. This will be the second Government Hub on the nearly four-hectare site, located adjacent to East Croydon station.
Scott Camp, Managing Director of Wates fit-out and refurbishment operation, commented: “Our work at 2 Ruskin Square allows us to continue to build our relationship with the GPA following a previous Category B fit-out at the Darlington Economic Campus in 2022. Our continued partnership with the GPA represents our commitment to creating modern, sustainable workplaces where teams can thrive and the transformation of 2 Ruskin Square will provide a centralised hub specifically designed for collaboration, bringing together previously separate business functions. I look forward to seeing the completion of the building and the positive impact of our social value activities on the local community.”
Throughout the project, Wates will be involved in a series of social value initiatives in Croydon to support young and vulnerable people. Wates has partnered with a local boxing club, ‘Gloves Not Gunz’, to refurbish the club’s facilities and offer work experience to members. Wates will also offer mentoring opportunities to Croydon Careers and through ‘Lives Not Knives’.
Clive Anderson, Director of Capital Projects, Government Property Agency said: “As leaders in one of the largest and most ambitious workplace transformation programmes in the UK, we are pleased to be able to work in partnership with Wates on this project. Ruskin Square will play a significant part in helping us to develop a smaller, better connected, higher quality, and greener property estate to support the work of civil servants.’’
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