Leading retirement BTR developer’s Sidcup and Woking communities now operating Ready Lists Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has announced that two of its three communities are now at full occupancy and operating Ready Lists as demand for rented retirement homes continues to soar, far outstripping supply.
International hotel operator MEININGER is expanding into Edinburgh after agreeing a deal with property development company S Harrison, which will see a 1970s office building in the Haymarket area transformed into a stunning new hotel. York-based S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and has worked with Edinburgh based architect
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has announced it was named a leader in energy management software by independent industry analyst firm Verdantix in its Green Quadrant: Energy Management Software 2023�report. “Buildings contribute nearly 40% of global emissions and new levels of efficiency and sustainability can
300,000 sq ft of high-quality warehouse space across six units ready for occupation The prime Leeds Valley Park speculative industrial development, which strategically fronts the M1 and M621 motorways, has reached practical completion with units now ready for occupation. The scheme, delivered by Caddick Developments and funded by Greater Manchester
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has announced the appointment of Mark Hand as the Director of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Planning Aid England. Hand, who is currently Head of Service for the Physical Regeneration, Highways, Flooding, Planning and Building Control services at Monmouthshire County Council, brings over 20 years
The latest research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has shown that the property market could be in for a strong end to the year, as the number of homes completing in December has sat 6% higher than the average monthly total for the year over the last decade. However,
SteelTrace, is pleased to announce a significant achievement in collaboration with Subsea7. This partnership marks a milestone as SteelTrace embarks on its first pipeline project in the North Sea, reinforcing its commitment to increasing efficiency and quality standards while meeting the digital needs of the operator. SteelTrace is a pioneering
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, is on track to achieve a record-breaking turnover in 2023, thanks to successfully securing three new projects. Roann Limited has been appointed by some of the UK’s largest house builders to provide its bestselling Silestone worktops to three new developments, which have
SP Energy Networks has partnered with interpreting service, SignLive, to give customers the option to have their conversations translated into British Sign Language (BSL) for free. This collaboration will ensure that customers who are hard of hearing or have speech impairments can connect with the SP Energy Networks customer service
BDC 321 : Oct 2024
Leading retirement BTR developer’s Sidcup and Woking communities now operating Ready Lists Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has announced that two of its three communities are now at full occupancy and operating Ready Lists as demand for rented retirement homes continues to soar, far outstripping supply. Queensgate Apartments in Sidcup, which comprises of 74 one, two and three bed apartments, is now at over 98% occupancy, while Woodbank Apartments in Woking, which comprises of 51 one and two bed units, is at 96% occupancy. The occupancy rates represent a significant landmark for operator Birchgrove following M&G’s £69m acquisition of the two sites in January 2022. As a result of the full occupancy, both sites are now operating a Ready List – a waiting list of retirees looking to rent a unit once they become available, having already registered interest and undertaken a financial assessment. The Ready Lists represent another important milestone for Birchgrove, given older people renting in retirement was largely unheard of in the mid-market sector until Birchgrove introduced the model to the UK in 2017. Many of those on the Ready Lists have lived in Woking and Sidcup their whole life, and are looking to downsize from their family home into rental assisted living accommodation that is more flexible and better suited to their needs. According to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade. With demand for rented retirement accommodation already far outstripping supply, Birchgrove has invested in a further six sites across the South-East – with three communities under construction and now available for rental off-plan, and a further three London sites acquired. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “Every day in 2024, 1,000 people in the UK will turn 80. In ten years’ time, Birchgrove will have built 1,000 units – so enough for one days increase in need, or 0.1% of the more than one million retirees predicted to want to rent by then. “We’re delighted to have demonstrated that the mid-market rental model works. We’re thrilled to have acquired nine sites in six years. And we’re proud to be changing older people’s lives for the better, by helping them to live more flexibly. But with two of our three operating communities already at full occupancy, the sector requires far greater investment, development and ambition to meet this surging demand.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International hotel operator MEININGER is expanding into Edinburgh after agreeing a deal with property development company S Harrison, which will see a 1970s office building in the Haymarket area transformed into a stunning new hotel. York-based S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and has worked with Edinburgh based architect Comprehensive Design Architects on the transformational plans for the building, which will include 157 bedrooms and incorporate a bar and lounge area on the ground floor. The building, which is located just West of Edinburgh’s city centre, is close to the Haymarket tram stop, and only a short walk from Princess Street. A key player in the hybrid hotel market, all MEININGER hotels have their own individual style and offer flexible and affordable modern accommodation alongside a reception, lobby, lounge, breakfast room and bar, as well as a guest kitchen and games zone. Since MEININGER unveiled its first hotel in Berlin in 1999, it has grown considerably and now offers more than 19,000 beds in 26 European cities such as Kraków, Cologne, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Milan, Paris, Rome and Vienna. The 157-bedroom Edinburgh hotel will have 549 beds in a mix of rooms including classic doubles, and private multiple-bed rooms. It will also have a taxi drop off area, disabled parking and secure cycle store. Work will start on the new hotel early next year. Ann Scott, managing director at S Harrison said: “We’re very pleased to agree this deal and look forward to seeing our vision for Osborne House begin to take shape. Edinburgh remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations for tourists and business travellers, hence our decision to hold this asset to further strengthen our investment portfolio. “MEININGER has established an enviable reputation for offering modern, well-designed hybrid hotels in key cities throughout Europe that appeal to all types of guests. “When all this is combined with Osborne House’s location, in a very vibrant area, just a five-minute walk from Haymarket station and close to both Murrayfield Stadium and Edinburgh city centre, there’s no doubt it will become a very popular hotel.” Ajit Menon, CEO at MEININGER Hotels added: “We are excited to bring the proven and successful MEININGER hybrid hotel concept to Edinburgh, re-entering the United Kingdom and further expanding our presence in Europe. We believe that Edinburgh, with its lively, diverse and unique nature resonates with the MEININGER culture. Edinburgh attracts families, couples, backpackers, school groups, friends and business travellers alike, making the city a perfect fit for our brand.” S Harrison has made a substantial investment in Edinburgh in recent years and this latest hotel project follows the company delivering the landmark boutique hotel for Malmaison in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The work saw the Grade A listed Buchan House, on the north-west corner of St Andrew Square, converted into a stylish 72-bedroom hotel complete with Malmaison’s renowned Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie. The developer also recently secured planning permission for two purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) schemes consisting of 64 studio apartments, on East Newington Place, off Newington Road and 76 studios within the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile. In addition, S Harrison recently submitted exciting proposals for a residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith for planning approval. Time Out recently named Leith as one of the ‘world’s coolest neighbourhoods.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has announced it was named a leader in energy management software by independent industry analyst firm Verdantix in its Green Quadrant: Energy Management Software 2023�report. “Buildings contribute nearly 40% of global emissions and new levels of efficiency and sustainability can only be achieved through digitalisation,” said Johnson Controls Chief Technology Officer Vijay Sankaran. “Recognition as a leader in the Energy Management Software industry speaks volumes about our work and solutions that continue to create the spaces and places that improve well-being, achieve climate goals and save money.” This Green Quadrant: Energy Management Software 2023 report provides a detailed, fact-based comparison of the most prominent energy management software (EMS) vendors evaluated on their innovation and product strategy and customer satisfaction through product demonstrations, vendor responses and interviews. Through its analysis, Verdantix found a dramatic improvement of energy management capabilities in Johnson Controls’ offerings since evaluations in 2015 and 2018. Through the launch of OpenBlue and a targeted acquisition strategy to bolster and deepen capabilities, Johnson Controls has enriched its offering with additional energy and sustainability management features. Johnson Controls received high scores relative to fifteen leading EMS vendors both in capabilities (e.g., breadth and depth of functionality) and momentum (e.g., customer adoption, strategy investment). OpenBlue is rated higher than other EMS software providers for capabilities including autonomous operations and control, energy monitoring and reporting and innovation and product strategy. “As a Green Quadrant Leader in Energy Management Software, Johnson Controls has established itself as a leader in the energy management space and is helping customers unlock energy efficiencies, achieve sustainability goals, and harness digital insights,” said Harry Wilson, Industry Analyst, Verdantix. “We found the company’s offerings are transitioning from those of a traditional building technology manufacturer, to those of a software solutions provider with a deeper focus on equipment integration and control capabilities.” Already recognised as a leader in the Green Quadrant: IOT Platforms for Smart Buildings 2022, the cornerstone of the Johnson Controls energy management offering is OpenBlue, an industry-leading ecosystem of connected technologies, expertise and services. OpenBlue Enterprise Manager (OBEM) is a suite of software solutions that form a comprehensive building performance management platform to power a new class of smart buildings that are secure, healthy and sustainable. Combining data from across the building’s systems and utility bills, and using advanced digital experiences augmented with AI, OBEM provides actionable insights and controls that save more energy and reduce more emissions than possible with isolated systems. It also helps customers in simplifying carbon disclosure reporting and regulatory compliance with building performance standards. With deployments across the globe spanning commercial office spaces, healthcare, education, campuses and more, OBEM enables real-time data visibility across assets, people and processes, empowering customers to drive intelligent and proactive operations from a single pane of glass. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming smart buildings, please visit: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/OpenBlue. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
300,000 sq ft of high-quality warehouse space across six units ready for occupation The prime Leeds Valley Park speculative industrial development, which strategically fronts the M1 and M621 motorways, has reached practical completion with units now ready for occupation. The scheme, delivered by Caddick Developments and funded by Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), comprises 300,000 sq ft of high quality warehouse space across six units, ranging between 25,000 and 70,000 sq ft. CBRE, Carter Towler and Avison Young are marketing the urban logistics scheme on behalf of GMPF. Situated in a prominent position fronting the M621 and M1 motorways, the development is a short drive from J7 of the M621 and J44 of the M1 and is ideally placed to benefit from the transport infrastructure and connectivity to the city. The high spec units comprise haunch heights from 8m – 12m with a mix of ground level and dock loading doors, secured gated service yards and include high quality first floor offices and amenity services. The scheme boasts ESG credentials including EPC Target A and BREEAM Target Very Good ratings with an air source heat pump, LED lighting and EV charging points on site. Danielle Raunjak, Associate Director, CBRE Leeds team commented: “The Leeds Valley Park scheme is set to become a key strategic logistics site for the city and sector. The development benefits from being close to major motorways linking the north, south, east and west and will also provide major local employment opportunities. “There continues to be a healthy level of demand for well-connected, mid-box developments and Leeds Valley Park will hugely contribute to the growth and success of the industrial and logistics market of Leeds and West Yorkshire.” Kevin Etchells, Head of Real Assets, Greater Manchester Pension Fund commented: “Leeds Valley Park is a best-in-class scheme with high ESG credentials which offer an attractive proposition for occupiers looking to prioritise sustainability and future-proof their operations. The development delivers much needed warehouse space for the continued growth and success of the West Yorkshire market and economy. We look forward to welcoming tenants over the coming months.” Rob Oliver, Principal, Avison Young, commented: “We have been delighted with the interest shown to date in the scheme, both from occupiers already based in Leeds and the surrounding area, and from inward investors looking to establish a new West Yorkshire operation. It’s fantastic to have achieved practical completion on target, with the units presenting very well, and to be able to offer immediate occupation to companies.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has announced the appointment of Mark Hand as the Director of Wales, Northern Ireland, and Planning Aid England. Hand, who is currently Head of Service for the Physical Regeneration, Highways, Flooding, Planning and Building Control services at Monmouthshire County Council, brings over 20 years of experience working in the public sector in Wales as well as 7 years of experience with the planning system in Northern Ireland. In his current role as Head of Service at Monmouthshire County Council, Hand has responsibility for planning, building control, regeneration, highways, and flooding. In Northern Ireland, Hand worked with the Department for Infrastructure to review planning performance indicators, looking at best practices across the UK nations, and more recently has been working with Derry City and Strabane District Council to review the implications of the Northern Ireland Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports on the planning service. In recent years, Hand has been Chair of the Planning Officers’ Society Wales, an external examiner for Cardiff University’s planning course, and sat on the RTPI’s General Assembly. He previously worked at Newport City Council where he led the delivery of numerous large-scale regeneration projects. Hand will be taking up the position from Wales, where he currently resides with his partner, cat and dog. Hand will replace Roisin Willmott, who is leaving the role to take up a new position of One Planet Manager at Cardiff Council, working on the Council’s net zero ambitions. Willmott, who has been with the Institute since September 2007, started as National Director of Wales, extending to Northern Ireland in 2012, and then taking on responsibility for Planning Aid England in 2018. While working at the RTPI Willmott has helped influence national policies and built up the services offered to members in Wales and Northern Ireland. Speaking on his appointment, Mark Hand said, “I am delighted to be appointed as RTPI Director of Wales, Northern Ireland and Planning Aid England. Roisin has done a fantastic job and I hope to build on her achievements. “Planners have a central role to play in tackling the huge issues of the climate and nature emergencies, housing crisis and infrastructure delivery. This needs some brave decisions and collaborative working, drawing on the strengths and contributions of planners from all sectors. I look forward to working together with all built environment professionals throughout Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as supporting our vital network of Planning Aid England volunteers.” Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “Mark’s impressive track record of delivering for the public sector comes at a critical time for the planning sector across Wales and Northern Ireland. We’re delighted that Mark is joining the team at this exciting time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has shown that the property market could be in for a strong end to the year, as the number of homes completing in December has sat 6% higher than the average monthly total for the year over the last decade. However, don’t expect to receive a new home from Father Christmas, with sales completing on Christmas Day accounting for a minute proportion of market activity. GetAgent analysed the monthly number of properties sold in each month of the year over the last decade, as well as just how many homebuyers received a new home for Christmas last year due to completing on the 25th December. The research shows that while Christmas is often considered a traditionally quiet time of the year for the property market due to buyers and sellers putting their plans on hold until the new year, this certainly doesn’t mean there will be a dip in the number of transactions completing. In fact, over the last 10 years, an average of 83,616 property sales have completed on a monthly basis each and every month. However, when looking specifically at the month of December, this climbs to an average of 88.673 – a 6% increase. What’s more, in no less than 7 of the last 10 years, the number of transactions completing has actually increased between November and December. But while December remains a relatively busy time of the year for home sellers and buyers, the chances of finding a new home under the tree on Christmas Day are slim. GetAgent analysed sold price data from the Land Registry and found that, last year, just 6 sales completed between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. This equates to 0.001% of the 810,450 homes to have sold across England and Wales in 2022. Three of these sales completed on Christmas Eve, one Boxing Day and just two on Christmas Day itself. Co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “Christmas is often considered a bit of a lull period for the property market and this is true in some respects. There’s almost certainly a reduction in the number of motivated buyers and sellers pushing ahead to agree a sale, as plans are put on hold until after the festive break. At the same time, many progressing sales will see a slight delay due to the reduced office hours and staff numbers of estate agents, solicitors and other required parties. However, for those approaching the home selling and buying finish line, December is business as usual, and market activity has actually sat above the monthly average benchmark over the last decade during the month of December. Just don’t expect Santa to leave the keys to your new home under the tree, as sales completing between the 24th and 26th December account for an incredibly small proportion of the annual total.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SteelTrace, is pleased to announce a significant achievement in collaboration with Subsea7. This partnership marks a milestone as SteelTrace embarks on its first pipeline project in the North Sea, reinforcing its commitment to increasing efficiency and quality standards while meeting the digital needs of the operator. SteelTrace is a pioneering quality management automation platform that revolutionises transparency, traceability, and efficiency in the steel supply chain. Focusing its efforts in the chemical and petrochemical industry using state-of-the-art technologies including blockchain and cloud computing to seamlessly integrate quality management throughout the entire steel supply chain – from cradle to grave. By offering an end-to-end solution that ensures transparency and accuracy, SteelTrace enables manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders to maintain complete confidence in the quality of steel products needed for demanding applications in the oil and gas industry. Testament to its relationship with Subsea7, this is the second project the companies have collaborated on. This collaboration will see SteelTrace capturing vital structured data from manufacturers and automatically cross-referencing it against project requirements. This advanced functionality eliminates the need for any manual reviews, streamlining the process and reducing the possibility of human errors. Converting this data into a digital manufacturing record book, promises increased efficiency and a streamlined workflow. Ultimately benefiting the entire supply chain including the operator, who can use the collected data for the life extension studies, root cause analyses and turnaround simulations. In these challenging sea environments, steel pipes must be able to withstand harsh conditions and stringent safety standards. The complexities of seabed dynamics and the need for precise welding require an increased level of quality control and precision. SteelTrace’s comprehensive data capture ensures that all crucial information is meticulously recorded, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual data review, and providing the industry with a reliable and efficient alternative. SteelTrace’s CEO and Founder, Tom Meulendijks, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “As SteelTrace continues to push the boundaries of quality assurance and digital transformation within the steel industry, we are excited to secure our second project with Subsea7. Since our establishment in 2017, SteelTrace has developed a global client portfolio spanning Europe, the US, South East Asia, and upcoming ventures extending to Australia.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, is on track to achieve a record-breaking turnover in 2023, thanks to successfully securing three new projects. Roann Limited has been appointed by some of the UK’s largest house builders to provide its bestselling Silestone worktops to three new developments, which have a combined value of £180,000, with the potential for this amount to increase by up to 20% with upgrades. Among the projects is Highcroft, a Oxfordshire-based development of 33 new build homes by St Joseph Homes (a division of Berkeley Group), and Lime Grove, a Lincolnshire-based development by Bowbridge Homes, which includes a total of 68 new build homes. Roann Limited has also been selected as the exclusive worktop provider for Sunbeam, a former factory in Wolverhampton which is being converted into 180 modern apartments by Kuche Contracts. Silestone, a sustainable surface containing a minimum of 20% recycled materials, is made using 100% renewable electrical energy and 99% recycled water. The worktops are extremely hard-wearing, making it an ideal choice for contemporary family homes. The company’s success in securing these projects is testament to its unrivalled focus on quality, innovation and client satisfaction. As the year draws to a close, Roann Limited is poised to celebrate a record-breaking turnover and financial year, reflecting the company’s sustained growth and prominent position in the kitchen worktop manufacturing industry. “We are thrilled to announce our recent success in securing three new projects,” said Scott Wharton, Operations Director at Roann Limited. These accomplishments affirm our commitment to delivering high-quality worktop solutions to our clients, whilst positioning us for our most successful year to date. It’s a very exciting time for us here.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SP Energy Networks has partnered with interpreting service, SignLive, to give customers the option to have their conversations translated into British Sign Language (BSL) for free. This collaboration will ensure that customers who are hard of hearing or have speech impairments can connect with the SP Energy Networks customer service team for support via a qualified BSL interpreter. Using a Video Relay Service (VRS), BSL users can make video calls via their tablet, smartphone, computer or laptop and a professional BSL interpreter will provide two-way translation to a member of the customer service team, with text option also available on the video call. SP Energy Networks’ new partnership with SignLive comes as recent findings revealed that there are 11 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing and over 150,000 BSL users in the UK . This initiative will make the process of calling the customer service team easier and more interactive for many of those people. The SignLive service will remove barriers to communication for SP Energy Network’s customers, making services such as its Priority Services Register (PSR) more accessible than ever before. The PSR offers a wide range of support for customers who have special communication needs, are over the age of 60, have children under the age of 5, have a chronic illness or mobility issues. This includes proactive engagement if there’s a known power outage in the local area and providing access to a dedicated welfare number during periods of storms. The introduction of the SignLive service will ensure BSL users are able to access support they are entitled to with ease, something which is particularly crucial during the winter months. Kendal Morris, Customer Service Director at SP Energy Networks said: “We are committed to making our services accessible to everyone and our partnership with SignLive marks a significant step forward towards this. “SignLive has created an amazing solution for our customers who use British Sign Language or are hard of hearing, allowing them to engage in direct conversations with our team without relying on friends or family members. “Customers can now get in contact in a way that is easy and convenient for them and be reassured they are supported in the event of a power cut.” SignLive, founded in 2014 by Joel Kellhofer, has consistently aimed to eliminate communication barriers and enhance the quality of life for the deaf community through the highest quality interpreting services and technology. Fiona Mackay, Chief Operating Officer at SignLive said: “We’re so pleased to be working with SP Energy Networks and commend them for becoming more accessible to Deaf customers. This partnership will make communication simpler and easier for BSL users giving customers a way to get in touch at the tap of a button.” For more information about SP Energy Networks and its SignLive services, visit: spenergynetworks.co.uk
