Trollope & Colls
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction, civil engineering |
| Predecessor | George Trollope & Sons, Colls & Sons |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Fate | Acquired by Kvaerner and absorbed into Skanska |
| Headquarters | City of London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, Far East |
| Parent | Trafalgar House (from 1969), later Kvaerner Trollope & Colls |
Trollope & Colls was a prominent British construction firm formed in 1903 through the union of two long-established London companies, George Trollope & Sons and Colls & Sons, both tracing their origins back to 1778. Originating from families experienced in interior decoration, these businesses evolved into major construction enterprises serving distinguished clientele. The combined entity focused primarily on civil engineering projects.
Throughout World War I, Trollope & Colls was at the forefront of developments in reinforced concrete technology, undertaking the construction of docks, viaducts, and railway bridges. Due to wartime labour shortages, the firm notably employed women in skilled trades such as carpentry. Following the war, the company expanded its operations overseas, including ventures in the Far East. After World War II, it contributed significantly to postwar rebuilding initiatives.
In 1969, Trollope & Colls became part of the British conglomerate Trafalgar House (company), functioning as a subsidiary while maintaining its original brand identity. During the early 1990s, it merged its two principal divisions—which previously competed within Greater London—and moved its headquarters to the City of London. By 1994, it had risen to become the United Kingdom’s largest contractor by revenue.
On 18 April 1996, Norwegian engineering and shipbuilding corporation Kvaerner purchased Trafalgar House for £904 million, acquiring Trollope & Colls as part of the deal; the company then operated under the name Kvaerner Trollope & Colls. Eventually, it was absorbed into Skanska. Among its significant projects were the Ministry of Defence Main Building, Trawsfynndd power station, and Hull Royal Infirmary.
Major projects
The company and its antecedents were responsible for several landmark constructions including: Her Majesty's Theatre (1869), St Philip's Church, Battersea (1870), the Institute of Chartered Accountants building (1892), Claridge's (1897), the Baltic Exchange (1903), Debenhams Headquarters, Wigmore Street (1908), Lloyds Bank, Lombard Street (1931), the Ministry of Defence Main Building (1959), Trawsfynydd power station (1962), Hull Royal Infirmary (1965), Northwick Park Hospital (1970), and the Stock Exchange Tower (1972).
In addition to new builds, Trollope & Colls had expertise in renovating notable structures such as the Oxo Tower and New Zealand House. The firm also secured numerous contracts for modernization and expansion projects with major clients like the London Underground, underscoring its influential role in infrastructure development.
Further reading
- Trollope & Colls, City builders for 200 years 1778-1978, Published in 1978 by Precision Press for Trollope & Colls, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
External links
- Articles with short description
- Construction and civil engineering companies of the United Kingdom
- Companies based in Buckinghamshire
- British companies established in 1903
- Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1903
- Consulting firms established in 1903
- 1903 establishments in England
- 1996 disestablishments in England
- Defunct construction and civil engineering companies
- British companies disestablished in 1996
- Construction and civil engineering companies disestablished in the 20th century