A landmark step in the reconstruction of one of the UK's most iconic buildings has been taken with a topping out ceremony at Marischal College.

The ceremony will took place on level four of the west wing, the highest point in the 100-year-old A-listed building, which is being transformed into Aberdeen City Council's new civic headquarters by Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd – one of the UK's leading building and civil engineering companies.

Among those taking part in the ceremony were Sir Robert McAlpine, Director Andrew McAlpine and Regional Director for Scotland Boyd McFee, Lord Provost of Aberdeen Peter Stephen, Council Leader John Stewart, Deputy Leader Kevin Stewart and Marischal College Programme Director Andrew Sproull.

The Lord Provost said: "This is a significant and exciting step forward in the Marischal College renovation programme. The topping out ceremony marks the hard work carried out to date not only by the firms involved but also by council officers who have ensured that the work has continued apace and considerably below the budget originally set for it.

"The new council headquarters are rapidly taking shape and I am confident that our staff are looking forward to moving from St Nicholas House and other buildings into this remarkable property, which will help the council realise considerable energy savings, next year.

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"Marischal College is a remarkable, stunning and world-renowned building which the people of Aberdeen are extremely proud of. It is fitting that Marischal College should be a public building for the people of the city."

Mr McAlpine said: "Sir Robert McAlpine is delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project as the redevelopment of Marischal College. We are pleased to have reached this significant stage and look forward to a successful completion."

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, which has almost a century and a half of construction experience, was awarded the £39.7 million building contract by Aberdeen City Council. The firm continues to progress the construction works on time and below budget, with a target completion date on summer 2011 and approximately 170 workers on site at the moment.

The new structural frame within the retained facades is complete and all new structural floors have been installed and the eleven façade retention towers used to stabilise the structure have all been removed. Another tradition during a topping off ceremony is fixing of a leafy branch to the building. This was done by Sandy Laidlaw, Works Manager on Site.

Roof works on the north and south wings are nearing completing and have begun on the west (Broad Street) wing. Windows are being installed in the north wing.

Stone cleaning and re-pointing works are complete to the main elevations and have begun on the quadrangle and high level pinnacles.

Mechanical and electrical installations are well in hand to the north and south wings and all utilities – gas, water and electricity – have been laid to the building.

The main focus is now on sealing Marischal College and making it wind and watertight to allow progression of the internal fit out works.

The total capital expenditure required for the Marischal College project is now £65.8 million – well within the original approved budget of £80.4 million.

The company joined a Marischal Project line-up which comprises a design team of the Holmes Partnership as architects, Arup Scotland as civil and structural engineers, and building services engineers Wallace Whittle. Doig+Smith are the chartered quantity surveyors for the scheme, and Gardiner & Theobald the project managers.

(GK/KMcA)