Andrew Barraclough, Wates Construction | Richard Crosby, Blacc | Tim Embley, Costain | Simon Frawley, Sir Robert McAlpine | Wayne Hill, L&Q | Lucy Homer, Lendlease | Kenny Ingram, IFS | Jaimie Johnston, Bryden Wood | Phil Wilbraham, Heathrow | Sarah Williamson, Laing O'Rourke | Zak Garner-Purkis, Construction News (chair)

So who was brave enough to take on these challenges? The Manhattan Loft Corporation (MLC) stepped up, unable to resist the chance of turning those gloriously gothic, steep roof spaces into modern flats. “We introduced the concept of loft living to the UK, and there’s probably no better attic in the UK,” says Harry Handelsman, the firm’s founder. “I saw it as a chance to create a distinctive identity for a building everyone was in awe of.” The rooms were divided into three groups, according to their historical significance. Seven were classified as “very important”, which means they have to be restored to their original condition. Most of the “not very important” rooms are in the roof, and RHWL has been allowed free rein on them (see below). Elsewhere, English Heritage has allowed fireplaces to be moved slightly and doors to be switched around. Most of the birds were “tired”, according to Humphreys, so a decision was made to conserve two and recreate the rest. The birds were traced and scanned into a computer. From this, an elevation of the decorative scheme could be created. The computer can also be used to control cutting equipment to slice through the self-adhesive plastic film used as a stencil.Stop The Spread is a great initiative that has given us a lot of confidence as the kids return to school. The parents really appreciate having the station as they come in. Being so user friendly and positive, the stations really are encouraging the kids to wash their hands regularly. Thank you so much.” The firm wanted to develop the building jointly with Whitbread, which held the UK franchise for Marriott hotels, but after Whitbread sold its franchise, MLC decided to develop the hotel and apartments alone, then lease the hotel to Marriott. Once in control of the whole building, MLC raised the number of apartments to 67 and extended them to the second floor. “We preferred to have more apartments, as the hotel was more risky,” says Handelsman, “but the way the area has developed, the hotel will probably be the more lucrative element.”

The new plan also meant the design team had to design the lower parts of the building much earlier than planned. More than 30 colours had to be matched and redone. Finally the paper was cut into sheets to match the size of the original and put up on the walls of the bedroom. Two good things have happened to the building since it was abandoned as a hotel, however. First, in 1965 English Heritage gave it a Grade I listing. Second, in 1994 its roof was reslated to stop it falling into terminal disrepair. But still no permanent use could be found until Manhattan Lofts came on the scene and took on the restoration challenge. So in seven high profile areas, rooms are being painstakingly restored to their Victorian splendour right down to their fixtures and fittings. One ceiling in what will be a private dining room is demanding three months of specialist painting. Elsewhere heritage issues are managed by installing en-suite bathrooms as pods that simply sit in the corners of rooms. We’ve said that we are going to pump-prime it by having logistics hubs around the country. The main reason is that we think these hubs will be based around supply chains in factories that will make components for Heathrow’s construction.”Paint colours are matched in traditional oil colours and mixed into a matt oil paint. Finally, additional detail is painted on by hand. Humphreys says it took a total of four months to do the job, with eight people working in the corridor for two months on the painting. English Heritage’s philosophy was clear - either restore exactly as was, make any changes reversible, or simply cover over what is there. Restoring the George Gilbert Scott building was part of the 1996 deal to turn the station into a new terminal for high-speed Eurostar trains to Europe. Owner Manhattan Loft Company turned the top four floors into three floors of apartments, which were completed in 2009. As Mr Hill put it: “There isn’t a single vocational or academic qualification in the construction industry that has manufacturing as even a module. So, we are training internally, but we need the change to happen at universities.

Yet few realise that this stunning façade is not that of the station at all - but of the Sir George Gilbert Scott-designed Midland Grand Hotel. Even fewer realise the building has lain vacant since 1986, and indeed was last used as a hotel in 1934.Leinster were 12-point favourites before the teams were named yesterday and that handicap has been pushed out to 15 after the match-day squads were known.