UKheadquarters for the European Union
The European Parliament and the European Commission have completed the purchase of a new joint headquarters for their UK offices. The building at 32 Smith Square is convenient to the Houses of Parliament, to the major political party headquarters, government departments and the political media in the Palace of Westminster and on Millbank. The building itself, formerly Conservative Central Office, is a well-known political landmark.
Commenting on the purchase, Gerard Onesta MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, said: “This excellent deal will provide a suitable and convenient Europe House in the UK. Our ambition now is to refurbish the building to the highest standards of environmental excellence, fit for the 21st century, to serve the citizens of the UK.“
For the Commission Reijo Kemppinen, head of the Commission Representation in the UK said: “This will be a genuine House of Europe, home to political debate and communication as well as artistic expression, and open to all those who want to work with us.“
The building will host a conference centre for up to 150 people, exhibition space and an info centre. The joint premises, at 2325 square metres equivalent to the total space occupied by the Parliament and Commission in London at present, will provide economies of scale and greatly improved facilities for the general public and for conferences.
The purchase price of £20 million represents a considerable saving over the medium term compared to continuing to rent the buildings occupied at present.
Following the selection of architects, the work of refurbishment will be put out to tender. The property will undergo major renovation introducing the latest energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technologies and occupation is expected in early 2010
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