Today Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the January 2024 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of December 2023, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures
Prologis UK, a leading owner, developer and investor of logistics property, has secured planning permission for four new units in a second phase of development at Prologis Park Beddington in Croydon, South London. Located at a prime urban logistics site, with excellent access to central London and surrounding areas, the
January 2024, London: The speaker programme at Workspace Design Show (27 -28 February 2024, Business Design Centre, London) has been an integral part since the event’s inception in 2021and this year is no exception with over 120 speakers featuring across four key elements of discourse. The Workspace Design Talks programme,
Paramount has won a contract to continue the transformation of one of the most prominent buildings on Cardiff’s commercial landscape, Hodge House. The Cardiff-headquartered design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist will spearhead the ongoing refurbishment of the city centre’s Hodge House for owners Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM). Paramount
IF STACKED in a line, the access covers sold by Wrekin Products in 2023 would reach the depth of the Mariana Trench – five and a half times over. The civil engineering solution specialist has enjoyed a hugely successful year despite the challenging construction environment, selling more than 550,000 iron products, releasing two
Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has collaborated with its sister brand George Boyd to deliver kitchen and bathroom solutions for providers of social housing.Renowned in the industry as an ironmongery and door set specialist, George Boyd is undergoing an expansion project which will see it add a wealth of new products
With the choice of three colour temperatures and five bezel finishes, the CFR5CCT fire-fated downlight from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – is able to adapt lighting to fit the demands of every location. Providing a versatile three-in-one lighting solution, the CFR5CCT
Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has acquired Eco Readymix Ltd, a leading producer of mortar and concrete in the north-west. The acquisition will reinforce Aggregate Industries’ position in the north-west market and also help establish its place in the UK mortar market. Eco Readymix was established in
HG Construction has been named as the main contractor on a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme for Studio Hive in Bristol. Silverthorne Lane Plot 6 will comprise 706 student rooms including cluster bedrooms and studio rooms along with amenity spaces. The development will form an important part of the regeneration
Leading property regeneration and placemaking specialist, Scarborough Group International (SGI) has today (Tuesday 9 January 2024) announced the evolution of the Group’s business strategy with the revival of its fee earning division. In response to the rising demand from property owners and investors exploring alternative avenues to maximise value from
Today Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the January 2024 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of December 2023, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. 2024 commences on a slightly more positive note, following a universally grim 2023. Seasonal factors helped drag the value of project-starts down during the final three months of the year. However, when seasonally adjusted, starts actually rose 4%, compared to Q.3. Even more encouragingly, some verticals rallied, especially private residential construction, which contributed to 14% overall residential sector increase in Q.4. In the non-residential realm, the community and amenity, hotel and leisure, and retail categories also posted strong results during the Index period. However, this good news was somewhat tempered as overall starts nose-dived against last year, down 20% on 2022 figures. All other vertical performance was weak, with most non-residential project-starts falling a third overall on a year ago. Commenting on the picture painted at the year’s outset, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen says, “As expected, seasonal factors affected work commencing on-site during the final quarter of the year. However, after adjusting for the Christmas wind-down, starts managed to edge slightly higher during these three months. This was partly driven by a modest rise in private housing projects, indicating that developers may be entering the New Year with renewed confidence. “Less encouraging were the declines in non-residential and civil engineering project-starts, which have continued to weaken. This suggests the construction sector can expect tough times in the near term. It means March’s Spring Budget will be hotly anticipated. Many contractors will be expecting the Government, especially in an election year, to clarify or update on the big infrastructure projects put forward in 2023, particularly following the rollback on HS2 plans last year, as part of a wider package to kick-start activity.” Taking a closer look at the sector verticals and regional outlook… Sector Analysis – Residential Residential construction starts increased 14% during Q.4 2023 but stood 8% lower than a year ago. Whilst private housing increased 19% against the preceding three months, starts were 9% weaker than 2022 levels. Social housing performed poorly on both counts, with work starting on-site falling 2% against the preceding quarter, standing 5% down on the previous year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Performance in non-residential verticals was something of a curate’s egg. Surprisingly, community and amenity starts experienced a period of strong performance, with the value of underlying project-starts rising 6% against the preceding quarter, 28% higher than a year ago. Retail starts also had a positive Q.4, growing 20% against the preceding three months, and 6% against the previous year. Hotel and leisure increased by a whopping 119% against the preceding three months but fell back 26% against the previous year. Performance was poor across the remaining verticals, with industrial and office projects both slipping back 48% compared with the year before. Both verticals also declined against the preceding three-month period, dropping 20% and 17%, respectively. Education project-starts also suffered, decreasing 24% during Q.4 2023 to stand 22% lower than a year ago. It was a similar story for health starts which fell back 37% against the preceding three months to stand 41% lower than 2022 levels. Civils performance slipped back 4% in Q.4 2023, to sit 26% down on a year ago. This can be attributed to a significant drop in infrastructure starts, which tumbled 30% against last year and 6% against the preceding three months. Utilities starts remained flat against the preceding three-month period, standing 17% down against the previous year. Regional Analysis Regional performance was mixed. London stood out, with project-starts increasing 29% during Q.4 despite falling back 11% on the same period in 2022. The South East also experienced relatively strong growth, increasing by 16% against the preceding three months but declining 29% on 2022 levels. The West Midlands and North East both performed well, with the value of starts increasing 11% and 31% during Q.4 2023 to stand 16% and 14% up, respectively, against the previous year. The East of England experienced a poor performance, with the value of starts decreasing 11% against the preceding three months and remaining 32% down against the previous year. The value of starts in the South West declined against both the preceding three-month period and the previous year, falling back 5% and 4%, respectively. Scotland remained flat against the preceding quarter but stood 14% down on the previous year. Some areas of the UK performed particularly poorly, including Northern Ireland and the East Midlands where the value of projects fell 39% and 51% on a year ago. This was also the case in Wales, Yorkshire & the Humber, and the North West which also suffered falls in project-starts against 2022 levels. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis UK, a leading owner, developer and investor of logistics property, has secured planning permission for four new units in a second phase of development at Prologis Park Beddington in Croydon, South London. Located at a prime urban logistics site, with excellent access to central London and surrounding areas, the new scheme will provide an additional 93,935 sq. ft. of high quality development. Winvic has been appointed as the main contractor, with groundworks due to start on site in May 2024. In line with Prologis’ commitment to achieve net zero by 2030 in all areas of operation, the new units will be built to a high sustainability specification, with BREEAM “Excellent” and EPC A+ target ratings. With a wealth of low-carbon design features built-in, the units will be carbon neutral in construction and net zero carbon in operation for regulated energy use. To support customers in achieving their sustainability goals, each of the new logistics facilities will include an advanced photovoltaic (PV) array within the base build, alongside being infrastructure-ready for the further installation of onsite PV and energy storage systems. They will also have electric vehicle charging infrastructure as standard. The expansion of Prologis Park Beddington Lane is good news for the local community, with the development bringing some 50 jobs during construction and around 270 jobs when the site is operational. Simon Perks, Director of Capital Deployment and Leasing at Prologis UK said: “We are delighted to reach the point of being able to implement our consent and bring phase two of Prologis Park Beddington Lane to market, continuing on from the successful completion and leasing of phase one. We would like to thank the Local Planning Authority with their involvement in getting to this stage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
January 2024, London: The speaker programme at Workspace Design Show (27 -28 February 2024, Business Design Centre, London) has been an integral part since the event’s inception in 2021and this year is no exception with over 120 speakers featuring across four key elements of discourse. The Workspace Design Talks programme, which will take place in a dedicated space, the Design Talks Lounge, designed by global design and architecture firm Gensler, will feature inspiring sessions from leading industry professionals over the event’s two days. Speakers include Helen Berresford, Head of ID:SR, Sheppard Robson; Alan Bainbridge, Director of BBC Workplace; Naomi Sakamoto, Principal, Gensler; Matt Jackson, CEO, BDG architecture + design and Grant Kanik, Partner, Foster + Partners. The latter will be speaking as part of a panel entitled ‘Insights and perspectives on the convergent future of workplace’ which also features panellists Yasmin Al-Ani Spence, Director, WilkinsonEyre and Nicola Gillen, EMEA Lead, Total Workplace, Cushman and Wakefield, chaired by workplace design journalist and author Helen Parton. Sustainability Works returns for 2024 and is held on 27 February, once again bringing together a selection of key figures behind the workplace market’s leading sustainable initiatives and projects. Curated by Mick Jordan, Editor of Works magazine confirmed speakers include Golnaz Ighany, Sustainability Director, BDP; Gurvinder Khurana, Director, M Moser; Pernille Bonser, CEO, Resonate Interiors and Mario Viera, Head of Sustainability, Scott Brownrigg. The Occupiers Forum, held on 28 February, is the complete ‘The View from HQ’. Located in the Insights Lounge, it willprovide unique insights into what employers are doing to create an engaging workplace experience. The Forum’s speakers include Steve Wright, Director of Workplace Design & Change Management, GSK; Sarah Murdoch, Corporate Real Estate Director, Visa; Sue Glew, Programme Director, The Better Workplace Programme, BT and Kate Smith, Executive Director, Occupier Consulting UK, CBRE. Both the Sustainability Works session and the Occupiers Forum will be held in the Insights Lounge designed by BDP. Also returning for this year across both days of Workspace Design Show is the FIS Conference, a crucial in-person gathering for the not-for-profit representative body of the finishes and interiors sector in the UK. Sessions held on both 27 & 28 February will provide a platform for the latest industry thinking, supporting the organisation’s aims of improving safety, minimising risk, enhancing productivity, and driving innovation in the sector. The conference will include professional insight from the likes of Chris Webb, Head of Sustainability, tp bennett; Helen Gawor, Group Director of Strategy & Innovation, ISG; Vidhi Sharma, Creative Director, Modus Workspace and Ana Rita Martins, Sustainability Lead, MCM. Once again, Workspace Design Show will gather together leading architects, designers, real estate professionals, tenants and other industry experts to exchange their insights around the world of workplace design. Online registration is free for all visitors, and includes access to all four conferences, show features and the networking party. Register now to attend Workspace Design Show. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Paramount has won a contract to continue the transformation of one of the most prominent buildings on Cardiff’s commercial landscape, Hodge House. The Cardiff-headquartered design, build, fit-out and refurbishment specialist will spearhead the ongoing refurbishment of the city centre’s Hodge House for owners Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM). Paramount has been given the approval to lead on the renovation of the first and second floors of Hodge House in a project that will provide 43,000-sq ft of prime office space. Stride Treglown is the architect for the scheme, with a project team including JLL, Currie and Brown and Hoare Lea. A modern ‘plug-and-play’ style fit-out will be delivered by Paramount across the remaining office space at ground floor level. Helen Bartlett, Paramount Design Director, said: “With our own HQ based in Cardiff, we are proud to have been entrusted with the responsibility for restoring a historic and much-loved building to its former glory. “This is an important seal of approval for our dedicated and experienced team and it’s great to see how far the project has advanced since we began working closely with Legal & General after the Hodge House renovation got under way nearly five years ago”. It marks the latest phase of LGIM’s partnership with Paramount who completed the first phase refurbishment works at Hodge House in 2020. Most recently the company oversaw the refurbishment of the landmark clock tower. As well as leading the refurbishment, Paramount has also completed the fit-out for new tenants Veezu’s offices, as well as Menzies, Ogi and Freshwater. Constructed in 1915, Hodge House, which runs along St Mary Street with its main entrance on Guildhall Place, provides a total of 140,000 sq ft of office space across eight floors. The new phase of work will include structural updates, mechanical and electrical systems upgrades, and interior fit-outs to deliver high-quality, contemporary office spaces to boost the local business community. The latest refurbishment work is set to be completed in spring 2024 and follows upgrades to the reception, atrium and common areas, with new occupiers enjoying a range of suites from 3,500 sq ft, as well as flexible floor plates. Richard Jones, Paramount Chief Executive, said: “It’s great to see Hodge House taking shape so nicely. We’ve collaborated very closely with all of our partners to make sure Hodge House will continue to be a landmark building that people will be proud to call their workplace, featuring modern amenities that will enhance user experience and encourage occupiers to meet, collaborate, and relax. “I am certain that this prime location will not only provide top-class workspace for Cardiff companies but will also attract companies outside a thriving city to set up offices in the heart of Wales’s capital city.” The Hodge House contract is the latest in a long line of Paramount successes including the company’s appointment by Tene Living to lead a £18-million construction development in Greater Manchester. The company is well known across Wales and England where it has created high-quality spaces for a number of leading companies. These include former Wales football star Gareth Bale’s Par 59 bars in Cardiff and Bristol and the Development Bank of Wales HQ refurbishment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
IF STACKED in a line, the access covers sold by Wrekin Products in 2023 would reach the depth of the Mariana Trench – five and a half times over. The civil engineering solution specialist has enjoyed a hugely successful year despite the challenging construction environment, selling more than 550,000 iron products, releasing two new geosynthetics products and launching a new steel installation service. The Midlands based business has also revealed that it raised a record number of quotes, extended or secured work on four major frameworks, and raised more than £1,000 for charity this year. Three new starters and a senior promotion has seen Wrekin’s geosynthetics division become the one to watch. The extra investment saw the launch of new geosynthetic clay liners and a composite geogrid – as well as a streamlining of the existing product ranges to further and better supply merchants, all resulting in a record year for the comprehensive geosynthetics provider. Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products, said: “In almost all measures of business we’re seeing year on year growth across iron, steel and geosynthetics. We’ve been hard at work this year streamlining and optimising our offering so that our high-quality products that we’re known for are even more useful and accessible to our customers. From Belfast to Great Yarmouth our solutions have been making their desired impact. “This continues our design and operational aim to make every day better. Our innovations have led the civil engineering sector this year and we will continue to do so as we trailblaze into 2024.” Additionally, Wrekin launched its first white paper this year titled Potholes: More Than a Surface Issue, which was produced in collaboration with multiple local authorities and Gaist to investigate the correlation between potholes and substandard ironwork and installation. Simon continued: “Developing the whitepaper was a new adventure for us with the aim of utilising our expertise and sharing our industry knowledge to benefit our business partners. Though we understand the importance of high-quality ironwork and installation, it was a creative and thought-provoking way of shining a light on issues like this, and is something we may look at doing more of in the future in relation to challenges faced by the construction and civil engineering industries. “Ultimately, the hard work of the team across the business has put us on an excellent footing to start the new year moving from strength to strength. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for all of their perseverance, diligence, and passion.” To find out more about Wrekin’s industry impact, visit its website here: https://www.wrekinproducts.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) has collaborated with its sister brand George Boyd to deliver kitchen and bathroom solutions for providers of social housing.Renowned in the industry as an ironmongery and door set specialist, George Boyd is undergoing an expansion project which will see it add a wealth of new products and services to its offering.Kitchens and bathrooms are the first phase of this venture, with a dedicated contracts team sitting under newly recruited Business Development Director, John Moss. He will work alongside Brian East, Kitchen and Bathroom Solutions Director, who has over 35 years’ experience of supplying kitchen and bathroom products into the UK marketplace.JPS and George Boyd will now work together to offer councils and housing associations an elevated service, enabling them to easily source kitchen and bathroom solutions that help them achieve compliance with the Decent Homes Standard and other regulations.Scott Cooper, Managing Director for JPS & George Boyd, said: “Our ongoing mission is to continually identify relationships that deliver, elevating our service to help customers create safe, modern and comfortable homes. George Boyd’s heritage and experience in the market as product specialistsprovides the perfect platform for the expansion into kitchen and bathroom solutions. Working together is a very natural fit and we know that our synergy is going to help local authorities and housing associations across the country to create spaces that their residents can be proud of and reassured by.”John Moss added: “Kitchens and bathrooms solutions are the first in a line of product ranges we plan to add to George Boyd as part of our expansion project, with all being made available to the social housing sector via JPS. “At our core, we are ironmongery specialists but there is an opportunity to evolve our brand and help customers to better navigate the various challenges they’re facing today.“The combination of our new product ranges with JPS’ footprint in the market means we can increase our reach while providing high quality solutions that help those who need it most.” For enquiries, visit the JPS and George Boyd websites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the choice of three colour temperatures and five bezel finishes, the CFR5CCT fire-fated downlight from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – is able to adapt lighting to fit the demands of every location. Providing a versatile three-in-one lighting solution, the CFR5CCT features tri-CCT that provides three colour temperatures: 3000K, Warm White; 4000K, Cool White; and 5500K, daylight. Supplied with a white bezel as standard, the CFR5CCT can be accessorised with interchangeable bezels in five finishes – brushed chrome, matt black, polished chrome, white and brass. Robust, durable, and easy and quick to install thanks to push-fit terminals for loop in/loop out connections, the downlight meets fire safety standards, being rated for 30/60/90min in solid timber, 30min in web joist, and 30min in I-joist (Staircraft). Providing up to 115lm/W, the CFR5CCT downlight is also acoustic rated, minimizing noise interference, and is insulation contact-rated, as well as rated IP65 for dust and water-tightness. It has a three-year warranty and is designed for use with Trailing Edge dimmers. For further details of the Knightsbridge innovative wiring accessories and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has acquired Eco Readymix Ltd, a leading producer of mortar and concrete in the north-west. The acquisition will reinforce Aggregate Industries’ position in the north-west market and also help establish its place in the UK mortar market. Eco Readymix was established in 2004 and has sites in Wrexham and Ellesmere Port with a third site due to open in the Midlands. It produces Ready to Use mortar and Dry Silo Mortar and serves national house builders, groundworkers and civil engineering firms alongside the domestic market. It also produces ready mix concrete, liquid and traditional screed, concrete masonry blocks and aggregates. The company has strong sustainable credentials. Its Wrexham site is almost entirely powered via a biomass system alongside both wind and solar power. It employs 52 people across its sites. Dragan Maksimovic, Chief Executive Officer of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Eco Readymix and welcome them to Aggregate Industries. “As a business, it has clear sustainable values very much in line with our own, and will strategically add to our strong footprint in the north-west. “This also marks our entry into the UK mortar market with a knowledgeable and ambitious management that has multiple synergies with our own. The acquisition supports our long-term strategy to continue to grow our business in order to become the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and solutions.” Gary Billington, Managing Director of Eco Readymix, said: “We’re really looking forward to taking the business forward with Aggregate Industries. This allows us to continue our ambitious growth plans and to develop our offering. “It is really beneficial to be part of a leading UK company which has a clear vision for sustainability and to be able to have access to their networks and expertise.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HG Construction has been named as the main contractor on a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme for Studio Hive in Bristol. Silverthorne Lane Plot 6 will comprise 706 student rooms including cluster bedrooms and studio rooms along with amenity spaces. The development will form an important part of the regeneration of land off Silverthorne Lane, in Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone (TQEZ), which will see c£375 million being invested into residential, student accommodation and commercial developments, as well as a new comprehensive school. The new student accommodation scheme is split over four blocks ranging from five to 15 storeys high, with blocks being interconnected in pairs. A landscaped external courtyard at the centre of the buildings will provide an important meeting place for students, with sports and games facilities along with quieter areas for relaxation. HG Construction has a strong track record of delivering high-quality large-scale student accommodation projects across the UK. HG will be self-delivering the piling and prefabricated utility cupboards on this scheme, securing quality and programme benefits for the client. Adam Quinn, CEO HG Construction said: “We are delighted to be involved in the regeneration of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. This is our first scheme for Studio Hive and it’s a pleasure to be working in partnership with them on this landmark PBSA development. With a carefully thought-out design which will benefit the local community and enhance the student experience, the scheme will make a very positive addition to Silverthorne Lane. As our first scheme in Bristol, we’re looking forward to getting to know the local area and will maximise opportunities for local employment and community engagement throughout the construction of this project.” Jason Collard, Managing Director of Studio HIVE Ltd said: “We have been involved in the Silverthorne Lane Masterplan for a number of years and it is now very exciting to have HG Construction on board and delivering a great new piece of regeneration for this part of Bristol. Our partners Far East Orchard, Woh Hup and Atlas Land are equally excited about this new PBSA scheme which is acting as a catalyst for private investment in the TQEZ.” Studio Hive are working in partnership with Far East Orchard, Woh Hup and Atlas Land who acquired the site in June 2022 as part of the wider Silverthorne Lane masterplan. The scheme is well located for the nearby Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus as well as key transport hubs and will benefit from the proposed improvements to pedestrian and cycle connections through Silverthorne Lane to the wider Temple Quarter. It is expected to complete in 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property regeneration and placemaking specialist, Scarborough Group International (SGI) has today (Tuesday 9 January 2024) announced the evolution of the Group’s business strategy with the revival of its fee earning division. In response to the rising demand from property owners and investors exploring alternative avenues to maximise value from complex, underperforming or distressed real estate assets, SGI is poised to offer its expanded range of services spanning development advisory, project management, asset management, property management and serviced office management. The launch of Scarborough Management Services, as it is to be known, represents a significant milestone in SGI’s growth trajectory, re-uniting the esteemed legacy and expertise of one of the Group’s former divisions, Teesland, with the proven track record of its core development expertise. SGI originally acquired Teesland in the early 1990s and the two brands quickly became synonymous with high-quality real estate development, investment and management, having undertaken a vast number of successful projects across the UK, Europe and the Far East. At the height of its success in 2002, Teesland became listed on the London Stock Exchange with its operations expanded to such an extent that it ultimately boasted a portfolio of funds under management across Europe with a value in excess of £5bn. More recently however, SGI’s has shifted solely towards delivering its own projects across the UK. Operating from multiple offices in Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Scarborough and Sheffield, the Group boasts a development portfolio encompassing approximately 9.1 million square feet of commercial space and 4,000 residential units, with plans for over 3.9 million square feet of additional commercial space and 1,600 residential units in the long-term pipeline. Simon McCabe, Chief Executive at SGI, commented: “By amalgamating SGI’s extensive experience and established track record in delivering large-scale regeneration projects with the prestige of Teesland’s legacy, we’re strategically poised to address the multi-faceted challenges within today’s dynamic real estate landscape. “With the launch of Scarborough Management Services, where we have established offices in Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London and Edinburgh, our goal is to curate a comprehensive suite of Management Services tailored specifically for property owners and investors seeking to unlock the latent value within their property assets.” For more information on Scarborough Management Services and its comprehensive suite of real estate solutions, please visit www.scarboroughgroup.com/scarborough-management-services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
