The British consortium, who insidethegames reported in March would be awarded the contract, will transform the 1.3 million square feet media hub into quality mixed-use office and business space after the Games, larger than Canary Wharf tower, providing a legacy of over 8,000 new jobs in Hackney.

 

The partners been expected to contribute up to half the cost of the venue in exchange for a share of the rental income after the Games.

 

However, it was reported last month that difficulties in raising bank finance means that the burden may be shifted back on to the taxpayer.

 

But ODA chief executive David Higgins said that there will be "significant private sector investment".

 

The ODA said it expects planning permission and final designs to be agreed later this year.

 

This will trigger the private sector finance for the scheme to be in place ready to start construction next Spring as planned.

 

The details of this significant private and public sector investment for Hackney will be given when planning permission has been secured.

 

Higgins said: “We now have world class teams in place to deliver four of the ‘big five’ Olympic Park venues.

 

"The agreement to develop the IBC/MPC will represent a significant private sector investment into the regeneration of Hackney, which has some of the highest unemployment levels in the country.

 

“Carillion Igloo will bring a combined construction and regeneration excellence to create the media hub to transmit the London 2012 Games across the world but also to transform the venue into a vibrant and sustainable employment space in legacy.”

 

Previous Carillion projects include Government Communications HQ, the News International printing operation and the regeneration of a 138-acre site in Swindon .

 

Previous Igloo regeneration projects include Leeds Holbeck, Bermondsey Square and Cardiff Bay .

 

The IBC/MPC site has been cleared.

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: “Today’s announcement is a significant step towards the provision of the best possible working environment and technology for the 20,000 members of the world’s broadcasters, press and photographers in the summer of 2012.

 

“Millions of people around the world rely on the international media to relay the stories of human endeavour on the field of play.

 

"The impressive facilities we have planned will give us the best possible foundations for telling all the stories from the London 2012 Games whilst leaving high performance workspace for the east of London .”

 

Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell said: "This is excellent news – this deal will not only provide state-of-the-art broadcast and press centres during the Games, but after 2012 will deliver much needed jobs in modern and creative industries to an area that suffers from high unemployment.

 

"This demonstrates yet again how serious we are about using the Games to benefit the people of London and the whole UK for generations to come."

 

The Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, said: “The Media Centres are a once in a generation opportunity for the East End , and Hackney as a location represents a fantastic opportunity for media industries.

 

"By 2012 the transport links into Hackney Wick and Stratford will be amongst the best in the UK .

 

“This Borough is already home to a vibrant new media and creative industry sector.

 

"Many of London ’s media professionals already live in Hackney, attracted by its combination of affordability and creativity. 

 

"Hackney is the ideal location for a new digital media village.

 

"There is already significant interest in the centres from the industry, and we will work closely with Carillion Igloo and our London 2012 partners to ensure this lasting legacy is achieved.”

 

During the Games the IBC/MPC will provide 20,000 of the world’s print, wire, digital and TV media with state-of-the-art facilities to tell the story of the London 2012 Games to a global audience.

 

The facilities will utilise the latest wind and solar power generation technology and will feature high-streets, studios, offices and a range of innovative temporary features, all staffed by a 1,000 strong workforce.

 

In legacy, Carillion Igloo plan to utilise what is being provided for the Games as much as possible to ensure sustainable development.

 

The developer plans to transform the site in legacy into creative media workshops, studios and offices and residential uses.

 

The MPC offices will be available for occupation by a range of companies from major news organisations to smaller pre and post production film, television and new media firms.

 

The new neighbourhood is being designed by the developer to deliver a vibrant new media/digital and creative industries quarter for London with studio space, high spec commercial offices, studio lofts, street cafes, shops, exciting public areas including pedestrian streets canal-side walkways and cycleways.

 

The overall masterplan and detailed uses and designs will be finalised in tandem with the London Development Agency’s (LDA) consultation on the Legacy Masterplan Framework plans for developing the Olympic Park legacy, which is currently being consulted on.

 

The Framework will form an outline planning application for developing the Olympic Park site after the Games.

 

It is part of a wider LDA-led regeneration strategy for the area which also takes into account social and economic regeneration.

 

For more information about the consultation visit www.legacynow.co.uk

 

Tom Russell, Group Director for Olympic Legacy at the LDA, said: "The importance of the IBC/MPC project to our regeneration objectives cannot be overstated.

 

"In providing over £1 million sq ft of high quality office and business floorspace, it will lead the economic revival of East London , attracting high quality businesses and jobs to the area. 

 

"Much remains to be done to ensure that this potential is realised, but the appointment of Carillion Igloo is a significant milestone in this process.”

 

Facts and figures about the IBC/MPC

 

· During the Games the facilities include three buildings totalling 1.3 million square feet, 1.3 times the size of Canary Wharf tower, and a multi-storey car park partly powered by roof-top wind turbines

 

· The Main Press Centre (MPC) and International Broadcast Centre (IBC) Head will be high-spec offices during the Games and in legacy

 

· The two storey 75,000 square metre IBC itself will form connected studio space during the Games and in legacy  will be transformed into a network of  mixed-use business facilities, shops and cafes connected by streets, walkways, river paths

 

· The four storey 45,000 square metre Main Press Centre, providing over 100 private offices for written press and photographers, will feature solar panels that double as shades to manage light and heat in the building

 

· During the Games the buildings will also include services such as restaurants, a bank, hair salon, general store post and courier services, as well as TV studios, workrooms and media conference rooms with simultaneous translation

 

· The legacy development will generate more than an estimated 8,000 jobs

 

· The legacy ambition is to create a new hub for high-technology and media companies and professionals utilising the high-specification infrastructure installed for the Games and in legacy