VINCI to build £100m Eden Project Morecambe

Billed as a catalyst for the coastal town’s regeneration, the attraction and educational facility has taken a huge step towards reality with the appointment of a contractor to build it.

Charity Eden Project and partners Lancaster City Council and Lancaster University have appointed VINCI Building as main contractor for the long-awaited £100m Eden Project Morecambe, marking a major step forward for the scheme, which secured planning consent for a series of revisions earlier this year.

Work is expected to start on site before the end of the 2026, with completion scheduled for 2028. Phase one – 1.5 acres of landscaped gardens – is expected to complete next year.

It is understood that VINCI was selected ahead of underbidder Kier Construction. The contract was procured via the North West Construction Hub.

The Morecambe scheme is VINCI’s second big win in the leisure sector so far this year after securing the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport in January.

Gary Hughes, regional director at VINCI Building, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as main contractor for Eden Project Morecambe – a landmark scheme with the potential to transform the town, the wider region and the national awareness and perception of Morecambe Bay.

“Our team brings extensive experience in delivering complex cultural and environmental projects and we are committed to placing local people, local businesses and local supply chains at the heart of delivery. We very much look forward to working collaboratively to realise this inspiring project.”

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, Eden Project Morecambe would be constructed on the 11-acre former Bubbles Leisure Complex and Superdome site on the town’s promenade.

The project underwent a “strategic recalibration” last year on viability grounds. While the version of the scheme approved in 2022 featured four domes totalling just shy of 200,000 sq ft, the built elements of the latest iteration total less than 100,000 sq ft.

Eden Project’s arrival in Lancashire has long been considered crucial to the regeneration of Morecambe and while many were unsure whether it would ever happen – given its scale, complexity, and prevailing market headwinds – the appointment of a main contractor indicates growing momentum around the development.

John Pye, project director for Eden Project Morecambe, said: “VINCI Building’s appointment marks an exciting acceleration for Eden Project Morecambe. Their technical capability, deep roots in the North West and strong commitment to sustainability and social value make them a powerful partner as we move towards breaking ground later this year.

“This is a nationally significant project for Morecambe and for the region and this latest milestone brings us another step closer to realising that vision.”

Ridge is acting as quantity surveyor and project manager on the scheme.