Construction has officially started on the new Government Hub in Darlington, marking the next phase in the development of the Darlington Economic Campus and reinforcing the government’s commitment to regional growth.
Kier has commenced main construction works following a groundbreaking ceremony held on 16 January. The event was led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, alongside Cabinet Office Minister Anna Turley and representatives from the Government Property Agency (GPA). The ceremony marked a key milestone for the five-storey office building, which will eventually accommodate more than 1,600 civil servants.
The Darlington Government Hub construction project is being delivered by Kier on behalf of the GPA at the Brunswick Street site. Once complete, the building will form part of the Darlington Economic Campus and is scheduled to open in early 2028. It will bring together teams from seven government departments, including HM Treasury, supporting plans to expand the Civil Service’s presence outside London.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“The Darlington Economic Campus has brought hundreds of skilled jobs and real economic benefits to this town – and today we’re breaking ground on its permanent home.
“This new Government Hub demonstrates our long-term commitment to Darlington and to making economic decisions right across the country, not just in Westminster.”
Kier began ground remediation works at the site in September to prepare for construction. The project includes a strong focus on prefabrication, with Kier’s in-house mechanical and electrical team delivering offsite fabrication of key building elements such as risers. This approach is intended to support safety, efficiency and reduced disruption in the town centre location.
Stuart Togwell, chief executive officer of Kier Group, said:
“We’re proud to be playing our part in shaping the future and supporting the Government as it expands its geographic footprint across the UK. Today’s groundbreaking is an important milestone for this landmark project in Darlington, which is set to be a new home for a number of Government departments and will create significant economic and social benefits for the local community.
“Working together with the GPA and our network of local suppliers, we have been involved in this project from the design phase, helping us reduce risks and progress seamlessly through to engineering and construction of the main works. This whole-lifecycle approach helps us deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers and communities, which will be realised at the Darlington Economic Campus.”
The GPA said the Darlington Government Hub construction reflects its wider ambition to modernise the Civil Service estate and support regional economies.
Simon Hulme, the GPA’s Director of Capital Projects, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled that construction of another Government Hub is now underway. Today’s ceremony is not only a landmark occasion for the Brunswick Street development but also a huge milestone for the GPA as we continue our ambition to provide great places of work for the Civil Service and support regional growth across the UK. Once completed, this building will be a modern, sustainable and digitally enabled office space, supporting the work of over 1,600 staff from across government, while becoming a core building of the Darlington Economic Campus.”
The building’s façade will be formed using pre-cast concrete panels manufactured offsite. Kier has led the design process to ensure the panels can be craned into place, reducing waste and improving build quality.
Minister of State at the Cabinet Office Anna Turley said:
“Breaking ground on this new hub is a major milestone in our mission to bring the Civil Service closer to the communities it serves.
“Through our Places for Growth programme, we are ensuring that high-quality career opportunities are created outside of London, supporting economic growth across the entire country.
“This building is a visible sign of our investment in Darlington’s future, supporting and developing local talent to help deliver the government’s Plan for Change from the heart of the North East.”
From a sustainability perspective, the development is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and is on course to achieve a NABERS 5-star rating for operational energy performance, aligning with the GPA’s objectives for greener and more efficient government workplaces.
The project adds to Kier’s experience delivering government office developments, including Vulcan House for the Ministry of Justice in Sheffield and Palatine House for the Department for Work and Pensions in Preston.
