The Government of Jersey moved out of Cyril Le Marquand House and into the former RBC building in Broad Street earlier this year. Some services also moved to the Social Security building in La Motte Street. However, those solutions are currently only temporary, as the government intends to press ahead with plans for a new all-in-one States headquarters.
Previously it had been mooted that Cyril Le Marquand House could be turned into staff accommodation or sold for redevelopment after staff had vacated the site.
A spokeswoman for the States said the building was now empty and added that a public announcement about its future was imminent.
‘A decision on the future use of Cyril Le Marquand House is due to be announced in the coming weeks,’ she said. Declining to give any more information, she added: ‘Any further questions will be answered when an announcement is made about the building’s future.’
Last year States chief executive Charlie Parker told a Scrutiny panel that the plans for a central government building would pave the way for a new use for several States buildings, including Cyril Le Marquand House.
He admitted, however, that Cyril Le Marquand House was ‘not configured very will for adaptation’.
Mr Parker said that bringing the government under one roof would remove the ‘silo mentality’ and deliver cost savings for the taxpayer.
Earlier this year senior civil servants were asked to provide reports on alternative sites for a new States headquarters after Ann Court was taken off the table and retained for social housing.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré had paused the housing project for several months to explore other potential uses for the site – believing it was the ideal area for an all-in-one States HQ. However, Deputy Steve Luce successfully blocked the move and allowed social-housing provider Andium Homes to progress its plans to develop the site.
