Re Queen Anne's Gate

Land Securities Group Plc 18 May 2004 18 May 2004 LAND SECURITIES GROUP PLC ('LAND SECURITIES' / 'GROUP') LAND SECURITIES ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT FOR REFURBISHMENT OF 50 QUEEN ANNE'S GATE SW1 Land Securities has entered into an agreement with Government for the refurbishment of 50 Queen Anne's Gate, the current Home Office building constructed in 1977. The new occupant of the 305,000 sq ft building will be the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), formerly the Lord Chancellor's Department. Under the new agreement, the building will be refurbished in a contract run by Land Securities to a specification prepared by its professional team and approved by the DCA. Land Securities will undertake the refurbishment on a full risk sharing arrangement. A new extended lease to Government has already been agreed to allow the project to proceed. Francis Salway, Chief Operating Officer at Land Securities, commented, 'Together with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, we will revitalise and bring into full modern condition an older building that is both part of Land Securities holdings and, through the current lease, part of the Government estate. Through the mechanism agreed, the Government will enjoy good quality accommodation and we obtain a satisfactory return for our shareholders. 'We will undertake the refurbishment of 50 Queen Anne's Gate, on a full risk-sharing basis and a building maintenance and services programme for the term of the lease contract. We are combining our financial strength, development and FM expertise in a way that is unique within the property sector to generate earnings for the Group over the longer term. All areas of the business are working together on the project demonstrating our breadth of skills and ability to provide accommodation and a full range of property services.' Adam Skinner, Programme Director, HQ Estate at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, said, 'We are delighted to enter this agreement with Land Securities, which is one of Government's major lessors in London. This enables us to revitalise a major Government asset and convert it into modern accommodation of good quality for the longer term. It will provide flexibility for the Department in dealing with the demands that are faced by a large Government organization. This forms an important part of our long-term accommodation strategy for the Department which we have developed over a number of years within the existing Government Estate. The agreement also incorporates a risk-sharing mechanism in accordance with Government policy. This scheme will be another demonstration in practice of the Government's commitment to productive partnership with the private sector on market terms.' -Ends- For further information please contact: Land Securities Emma Denne/Melissa Winsor Tel: 020 7413 9000 Financial Dynamics Stephanie Highett/Dido Laurimore Tel: 020 7831 3113 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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