Balfour Beatty yesterday announced that its 50:50 Far East joint venture, Gammon Construction, has been awarded a HK$ 5.5 billion (c. £551.9 million) Works Contract (L2) of the Lyric Theatre Complex and Extended Basement by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) in Hong Kong to construct the final stage of the Lyric Theatre Development.

Works include the construction of a world-class theatre complex that comprises of a 1,450-seat lyric theatre, a 600-seat medium theatre and a 270-seat studio theatre, as well as numerous dance and rehearsal studios, restaurants, offices, and information and ticketing centre.

Gammon has supported the delivery of the development of the Lyric Theatre Complex since 2016 when it was awarded the first of two phases by WKCDA, delivering the foundation works, for which it twice received the WKCDA highest commendation for safety performance. In January 2018, a further contract award saw Gammon deliver the public infrastructure and extended basement works. This third contract forms the third and final stage of the Lyric Theatre development.

In line with Balfour Beatty’s 25 by 2025 strategy, which aims to reduce activity onsite by 25% by the year 2025, Gammon will adopt an ‘integrated digital project delivery’ system. This includes adopting modularisation and off-site manufacturing techniques, as well as utilising digital tools such as Building Information Modelling to improve quality, productivity and safety of works.

The Lyric Theatre Complex neighbours the M+ Museum project for which Gammon was appointed Management Contractor by WKCDA in September of this year. Both projects form part of the West Kowloon Cultural District development which aims to establish a vibrant world-class cultural quarter on Hong Kong’s harbour front that blends art, education and public space.

Thomas Ho, Chief Executive of Gammon, said: “We are delighted WKCDA has once again selected Gammon to work with them, for what will be the final stage of this world-class arts and cultural facility. Our skilled professionals will bring the level of service and quality necessary to realise the architect’s vision on this complex project, for the benefit of the dance and theatrical communities of Hong Kong and its patrons.”

Works are scheduled to commence in autumn 2019 and expected to be complete by the end of 2023. A workforce of 1,700 will be engaged at peak construction.