The new £32 million City of York Council Headquarters, being built by Miller Construction for York Investors LLP, has taken a further step closer to completion following a topping out ceremony to celebrate the progress being made.
Chris Webster, Chief Executive, Miller Construction, was delighted to be joined by Councillor James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council, Martyn Harrison, York Investors LLP, Bill Woolley, Director of City Strategy & Deputy Chief Executive, City of York Council and Sandy Smith, York Investors LLP, in creating a ceremonial brick to mark the occasion.
The topping out was commemorated by an ancient Persian ritual, believed to be 500 years old, in which symbolic elements are added to a concrete pour to ensure the prosperity and success of the development.
Chris Webster, Chief Executive, Miller Construction, said: “We are delighted to be able to mark the continuous progress being made at West Offices and are enjoying our on-going relationship with City of York Council which will see the delivery of the finished building next autumn.
“To date Miller Construction has played a pro-active role in the York community, through our work with York Cares, local supply-chain businesses and the recent successful archaeological dig. We look forward to continuing our work in York which will see us hand over this wonderful new facility which will deliver cost savings for the community.”
The new headquarters building (West Offices), located in the city centre will contain a purpose built York Customer Centre, with modern, flexible business and staff facilities. The project is part of a wider transformation programme which aims to introduce more efficient ways of working and will see the council move from 16 buildings to just four.
Councillor James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted at the progress being made at West Offices. This continues to be an exciting project that will bring real benefits and cost savings for the people of York.
“The move to the new building will not only save council tax payers money in the long term, but will also enable us to work more efficiently and effectively, providing a one-stop-shop for customers wanting to access council services.”
The Persian ritual consists of a number of different elements being added to the ceremonial brick. Councillor James Alexander was invited to begin proceedings by adding oil, to preserve liberty at the new HQ building; the wine was added by Martyn Harrison, representing fertility and wisdom; the corn was added by Sandy Smith, to enable the property to ripen in abundance – representing City of York Council’s continued success as its staff move into their new HQ. Bill Woolley added salt, illustrating the purity of the partnership with City of York Council. Chris Webster completed the ceremony by adding the yew branch, a traditional symbol of rebirth and regeneration.
The new building is expected to be handed over at the end of September 2012, with a phased move of council staff and services from next autumn until early 2013.
York Investors LLP is a joint venture comprising Buccleuch Property and York-based S Harrison Developments Ltd.