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Sir Robert McAlpine has been told to pay more than 拢1m after losing a legal row with developer Almacantar over its work to refurbish London鈥檚 landmark Centre Point tower.

The contractor had been in dispute with the developer after the pair fell out four years ago over the type of contract being used on the deal.

The two firms鈥� legal battle centred on a pre-construction contract signed in September 2012 which saw McAlpine paid 50% of the fee up front with the rest due once main works had begun.

In June 2014, McAlpine told Almacantar that it would not carry out the work under a design and build contract but would be prepared to work on a construction management basis or management contract form of procurement.

But the developer rejected the offer and the deal was terminated that September with Multiplex then being appointed as a replacement contractor, eventually starting on site the following January.

In September 2015, McAlpine claimed Almacantar owed it the full value of contract, which was just under 拢1m but the developer refused to pay. In April last year, an initial adjudication ruled in McAlpine鈥檚 favour.

But the firm has now been told to hand over 拢1.1m, which includes costs, after the High Court decided to overturn the original decision.

Almacantar boss Mike Hussey tweeted he had no sympathy for McAlpine following last week鈥檚 decision by Mrs Justice Jefford. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 get paid if you don鈥檛 turn up.鈥� McAlpine declined to comment.

The Centre Point tower (pictured), which was completed in 1966 by architect Richard Seifert, has been turned into 82 luxury flats by the architecture firm Conran & Partners. Rick Mather also carried out work on the scheme, designing the retail and public spaces.

The 33-storey high tower, which overlooks the eastern end of Oxford, was listed at grade II in 1995. Its tenants in the past have included business organisation, the CBI.

Work completed at the end of last year with one-bed flats starting at 拢1.8m and a five-bed penthouse being marketed for 拢55m.