The reason a massive crane is dominating Darlington skyline

Ground was broken on the five-storey site in January, and it is expected to open in the first quarter of 2028.

Drone images released this week show how work is progressing with the concrete frame of the building emerging and a giant crane now dominating the Darlington skyline.

Once open, it will form part of the wider Darlington Economic Campus (DEC), consisting of three buildings, including Feethams House and Bishopsgate House.

Located on a former car park opposite St Cuthbert’s Church and next to the Darlington East End Club, the site is now dominated by a bright red tower crane and busy construction activity.

Tees Valley Mayor Lord Ben Houchen said: “Great to see real progress on the new Treasury building on Brunswick Street, with work moving at pace on site.

“When it opens, more than 1,600 civil servants will be based right in the town centre bringing good jobs, more footfall for local businesses and long-term investment into Darlington.

This is exactly the kind of project we fought to bring here – backing our town centres and putting Darlington right at the heart of government outside London.”

Site cabins, storage areas, and equipment are scattered across the compound.

The Treasury’s move to Darlington, first announced by the Conservative Party in 2021, was seen as a landmark decision to make central government decisions up north. 

The facility has been hailed as a “thriving hub” by council leaders, with 1,925 civil service roles currently based in the town across ten major government departments. 

This includes the Department for Education, HM Treasury, Office for National Statistics, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Competition and Markets Authority.

The Labour Government continued the project after receiving planning permission in 2024.