Virgin Media O2 has signed a commitment to invest in a new state-of-the art office space in central Manchester, agreeing a contract with Island that will see the new and innovative net zero carbon workspace become the company’s central Manchester office location from late next year. With the lease of
New 78-unit assisted living rental community close to Hampton Court Palace set to open next year Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has celebrated its latest construction milestone with the topping out of Hampton Court Estate, a new 78-unit development close to Hampton Court Palace. The ceremony
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. The September 2024 findings show that over the next three months, architects continue to expect higher workloads and staffing levels, with
SEGRO plc has completed the sale of SEGRO Park Victoria Road, a 10-acre urban warehouse estate in Park Royal, West London, to Imperial College London for £115 million, marking a strategic milestone for both parties. This sale, made at a premium to the asset’s book value, highlights SEGRO’s successful management
Having long called for greater investment in the development of brownfield land, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has welcomed £68 million to turn brownfield land into new homes, as announced by the Prime Minister. But the Institute cautioned against focusing solely on residential projects for urban brownfield sites, warning that
TWO major contracts have been awarded through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework, which will shape the future of the London Underground’s famous Piccadilly line. The ambitious Piccadilly Line Upgrade project will modernise one of London’s busiest Underground lines, which originally opened in 1906. The work will see the introduction
A renewable energy installation specialist has received national recognition for its efforts to tackle fuel poverty across the UK. UK Energy Management (UKEM) last week [11 Oct] won the ‘Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Customer Support of the Year’ award, at the National Energy Efficiency Awards. Taking place at Birmingham’s Hilton
BDC 321 : Oct 2024
Virgin Media O2 has signed a commitment to invest in a new state-of-the art office space in central Manchester, agreeing a contract with Island that will see the new and innovative net zero carbon workspace become the company’s central Manchester office location from late next year. With the lease of its Wythenshawe office due to expire in early 2026, Virgin Media O2 undertook a comprehensive review of its property options in the area, drawing up a shortlist of several properties within 10 miles of central Manchester that could act as a base for employees to get together in person, while also supporting Virgin Media O2’s flexible working policies. Island, a net zero carbon workspace being developed by joint venture partners HBD (part of Henry Boot plc) and Greater Manchester Pensions Fund, was the company’s preferred choice, with employees set to benefit from excellent local amenities and in-building facilities. The site has strong transport links, excellent cycle storage and shower facilities, and features a rooftop terrace among its 12,500 sq ft of communal spaces, which include a wide range of food and drink options for employees. Among the teams moving to Island will be Virgin Media O2’s multi-skilled customer service teams who provide bespoke and specialist support on a range of customer issues, including sales and retentions, service issues, bereavement and telecare support. Having first moved to Wythenshawe in 1991, this new agreement with Island further extends Virgin Media O2’s long-term association with, and investment in, the Manchester area. Island is targeting an Excellent BREEAM Sustainable Building Certification, demonstrating the innovative strategies and green technologies it uses to achieve an exceptional level of environmental performance. A net-zero workspace from day one, Island’s sustainable features include centralised air handling units and demand-controlled CO2 sensors to improve indoor air quality, 350m² of solar panels, real-time energy consumption data screens, efficient lifts and LED lighting. This major investment from Virgin Media O2 will provide a modern, future-proof space for its people to meet and collaborate in the North West, consistent with the company’s flexible working policies. Virgin Media O2 will provide clear communication and support for employees currently based at Wythenshawe to ensure a smooth transition next year. Patricia Cobian, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to retaining a sizeable presence in Manchester, with a flagship new office that places us in the heart of the city’s thriving technology hub. “The state-of-the art office will provide a vibrant space for our employees in the North West to get together in person and collaborate, meeting our needs now and helping to attract future talent. Improving our people’s experience was a key focus in the selection process, and Island offers our employees a wide range of amenities and facilities that are not currently available to them. “With enviable environmental credentials and excellent transport links, this move will help reduce our carbon emissions and make it easier than ever for our employees to choose more environmentally-friendly modes of transport.” Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director at HBD, said: “Virgin Media O2’s decision to invest in Island and call this remarkable building its new home in Manchester is testament to the exceptional space we have created here. Island has been carefully designed around the needs of the occupier. Not only is it a highly intelligent and sustainable building, but it’s one which prioritises people’s health and well-being. Virgin Media O2’s values are perfectly aligned with ours and we’re proud to welcome them to Island. “At Island Virgin Media O2 will enjoy a building which has achieved Well Building Gold Rating. Designed to ensure that occupiers can be highly inclusive, Island features design elements and spaces which support neurodiversity, people of different faiths and gender identification as well as spaces for nursing mothers. “There is strong interest in the remaining space that is available at Island, with plenty of options to join Virgin Media O2 across the remaining four floors.” Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “It’s very positive to see Virgin Media O2 bring their new North West HQ to Manchester in a state-of-the-art facility with net-zero carbon workspaces that enhance our carbon neutral plans. This multi-million-pound investment will bring a significant boost to the city-region and highlights Greater Manchester as a place where companies want to invest.” Island will become Virgin Media O2’s third major new office space since the merger in June 2021. The company is currently preparing to move teams into a new state-of-the-art HQ in Paddington by the end of the year, while it was recently confirmed that staff in Lanarkshire will transfer to a new office in Maxim Park in early 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New 78-unit assisted living rental community close to Hampton Court Palace set to open next year Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has celebrated its latest construction milestone with the topping out of Hampton Court Estate, a new 78-unit development close to Hampton Court Palace. The ceremony was attended by a number of potential residents as well as Birchgrove CEO Honor Barratt, who inserted a ceremonial roof tile to mark the conclusion of the project’s construction. Hampton Court Estate will offer contemporary, self-contained assisted living one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available to independently minded renters aged over 65, together with extensive communal facilities including a restaurant, club room, licensed bar, wellness suite, library and landscaped gardens. Research commissioned by Birchgrove shows that the project will deliver 107 bedrooms and help free up a further 179 bedrooms of family housing in the local area; as a result, a net increase of 72 bedrooms could be released onto the private market by using this site for assisted living, thereby helping address the local housing shortage. Having launched its first community in 2019, Birchgrove currently operates four rented communities in the South-East, with a further community in Godalming, Surrey set to open later this year. Hampton Court Estate will be the sixth Birchgrove community to open, and the second in London after Mill Hill, when it opens in 2025, with a further three communities currently under construction. The development of Birchgrove’s portfolio comes amid a chronic shortage of high-quality retirement properties for the over-65s in the South-East, and surging demand for senior living rented accommodation: according to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “I’m immensely proud to have topped out our sixth baby. We only delivered our first in 2019, so to be scaling at this rate is both a testament to the Birchgrove team and our backers and a clear indicator of surging market demand for high quality senior living rented accommodation. We’re so excited to be launching Hampton Court Estate in 2025 – the local oldies won’t know what hit them.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. The September 2024 findings show that over the next three months, architects continue to expect higher workloads and staffing levels, with an improved outlook compared to August. Architects expect more work as confidence returns to London and private housing sector In September, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose by 1 point to +3, indicating that architects expect workloads to increase overall. Over the next three months, 26% of practices expect workloads to increase, 22% expect them to decrease, and 52% expect them to stay the same. While the outlook for small practices (1-10 staff) deteriorated by 3 points to a Workload Index figure of -5, outlook for medium (11-50 staff) and large (51+ staff) practices rose by 27 points to a very optimistic figure of +60. Positively, all monitored work sectors have an improved outlook, with the crucial Private Housing sector (+5) rising by 5 points to its most optimistic level since summer 2022. The outlook for the Commercial sector (+1) improved by 7 points to its highest level since spring 2022, while the Public sector (-1) and Community sector (-2) each improved by 3 points. The regional picture is mixed. Confidence among practices in London (+8) recovered by 12 points, returning to positive territory. The outlook remains positive in the North of England (+13), which rose by 1 point, and the South of England (+3), which fell by 5 points. The outlook for Wales and the West (0) rallied by 9 points, but the Midlands & East Anglia (-10) deteriorated by 16 points, falling into negative territory. Practices expect to recruit more permanent and temporary staff In September, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 1 point to +6, indicating that more practices intend to increase staff numbers than reduce them. The Index’s upward trajectory suggests growing confidence in long-term prospects. RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said: “This month’s encouraging findings show that business conditions are improving. Practices anticipate increased workloads and staffing levels. After a long spell of pessimism, there is an increasingly positive outlook for the private housing sector, which provides the largest share of commissions for smaller practices. The outlook for the commercial sector, which includes offices, entertainment and retail, is also optimistic. Commentary received from practices this month includes some notably positive assessments of the market, highlighting growth returning, workloads increasing, a rise in enquiries, an unprecedented number of new tenders, and practices focusing on recruitment and raising fee levels. Nevertheless, the picture is not universally positive. Other practices report planning delays, a lack of upcoming projects, cash-flow pressures, and client hesitancy in committing to new projects. While the market shows encouraging signs of recovery, significant barriers to sustained growth remain. We will continue to report our findings to the Government and work with other built environment bodies to monitor these trends.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SEGRO plc has completed the sale of SEGRO Park Victoria Road, a 10-acre urban warehouse estate in Park Royal, West London, to Imperial College London for £115 million, marking a strategic milestone for both parties. This sale, made at a premium to the asset’s book value, highlights SEGRO’s successful management and long-term strategy for the site. Since acquiring the estate in 2009 as part of its purchase of Brixton plc, SEGRO has focused on active management, achieving significant rent growth. However, the site’s age and layout have led to a strategy shift towards securing vacant possession for redevelopment. Currently, the estate is 64% occupied and generates a rental income of £3.2 million annually. The sale marks an exciting new chapter for the site, as Imperial College plans to transform it into a hub for commercial science innovation, supporting early-stage companies whose interests align with the university’s academic mission. This initiative will be part of the ‘WestTech Corridor’, an ambitious development aimed at establishing West London as a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. The site also forms part of wider regeneration plans for the area, developed in collaboration with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and Ealing Council. Bonnie Minshull, SEGRO’s Head of London, said: “SEGRO Park Victoria Road has delivered strong results for us over the past decade. This sale enables us to reinvest in our broader London portfolio while supporting the creation of cutting-edge innovation facilities by a world-class institution.” Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, added: “Our vision for the WestTech Corridor represents a significant step towards building a deep tech innovation ecosystem in West London. It will drive investment, inclusive growth, and job creation at local and national levels, aligning with the Government’s emerging Industrial Strategy.” The sale represents a win for both SEGRO and Imperial, with SEGRO focusing on reinvestment in its core industrial and logistics spaces, while Imperial College furthers its mission to foster innovation and economic development in London. Advising on the deal were Montagu Evans and Gowling WLG (UK) LLP for SEGRO, with Savills (UK) Ltd and CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP acting on behalf of Imperial College London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Having long called for greater investment in the development of brownfield land, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has welcomed £68 million to turn brownfield land into new homes, as announced by the Prime Minister. But the Institute cautioned against focusing solely on residential projects for urban brownfield sites, warning that prioritising housing could displace essential commercial, industrial, and logistics uses that are critical for sustaining local economic growth. The Institute cautioned the last government that brownfield and previously developed land can be more difficult to develop, and is encouraged to see steps taken proactively by the Labour Government to help councils. But any new developments would need to be of high quality and in sustainable locations, avoiding poor quality homes or poorly planned developments that people wouldn’t want to live in. To facilitate this process, the RTPI has suggested supporting local authorities to review and update their brownfield land registers, which could be instrumental in strengthening development pipelines quickly. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “While it is encouraging to see the government driving the development of more homes on brownfield land, it will need to ensure these projects are carefully planned and maintain a high standard of design quality, while preserving essential commercial and industrial employment spaces that are vital to creating sustainable, mixed-use areas and supporting local economies. “Funding for these sites is essential, but we must also ensure that it both enhances communities whilst stimulating economic growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TWO major contracts have been awarded through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework, which will shape the future of the London Underground’s famous Piccadilly line. The ambitious Piccadilly Line Upgrade project will modernise one of London’s busiest Underground lines, which originally opened in 1906. The work will see the introduction of new trains, increased capacity and an improved passenger experience. As part of the works, Transport for London (TfL) has – through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework – awarded contracts to VolkerFitzpatrick and Taylor Woodrow to deliver Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) services for the Cockfosters and Northfield Depots respectively. The new depots will be crucial in supporting the operation and maintenance of 94 new trains, with the two contractors being appointed under one procurement. The swift and streamlined process has allowed TfL to quickly appoint its preferred parties to get work underway, while adhering to all the usual compliancy required for such contracts. David Llewellyn, head of construction and infrastructure at Pagabo, said: “We are thrilled to have facilitated this important procurement for TfL, bringing together two exceptional contractors, VolkerFitzpatrick and Taylor Woodrow. “With our extensive knowledge and expertise in compliant procurement – particularly with the upcoming Procurement Act changes – our team was able to work closely with TfL throughout to ensure a swift and smooth process adhering to procurement regulations. This allowed the procurement of VolkerFitzpatrick and Taylor Woodrow to be accelerated, putting them both in place to get ECI services underway for the respective depots as soon as possible. “As one of Europe’s largest metropolitan transport authorities, it’s fantastic to be handling these two appointments for TfL, providing our support and experience throughout. This is just the first of many more large-scale infrastructure projects that have been procured through our civil engineering and infrastructure framework this year, including nine other projects for TfL and Places for London.” The project for the Piccadilly Line Upgrade depots at Cockfosters and Northfields has been split into two phases procured simultaneously, with the ECI stage proceeding the detailed design and build stage. Both phases will be delivered under the NEC3 form of contract. Paul Lilley, divisional director, rail and depots, at VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “We are delighted to be starting our first contract procured through Pagabo’s civil engineering and infrastructure framework by offering support to essential upgrades to the Piccadilly line’s Cockfosters Depot. Our collaboration with Pagabo, TfL, and our supply chain partners will be crucial for the successful and safe execution of this project. We look forward to sustainably modernising the Piccadilly line, ensuring it is fit for future use.” Evangelos Maltezos, Project Director at Taylor Woodrow said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed a key role in the Piccadilly Line Upgrade, and enhancing the lives of commuters. “We are looking forward to demonstrating our technical expertise, our capability in managing complex interfaces and fostering a collaborative approach to achieving success on the project.” As part of the Piccadilly Line Upgrade project, new facilities will be delivered to enable the operation and maintenance of the line’s new trains, which are being built by Siemens Mobility. Construction of the new facilities is expected to start in 2025. For more information, please visit https://pagabo.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A renewable energy installation specialist has received national recognition for its efforts to tackle fuel poverty across the UK. UK Energy Management (UKEM) last week [11 Oct] won the ‘Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Customer Support of the Year’ award, at the National Energy Efficiency Awards. Taking place at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole, the glittering award ceremony brought businesses and experts from across the energy efficiency industry together under one roof. Comedian Jason Manford hosted the event and presented UKEM directors Steven Copeland and Chris Snaith with the award, which recognised ‘those organisations going the extra mile to help people in difficult circumstances.’ UKEM beat eight other finalists to the award, having helped install energy saving solutions in over 9,000 homes over the past 12 months. Speaking after receiving the accolade, Steven Copeland, UKEM CEO, said: “We are beyond proud to have been presented with this prestigious award. “We have invested heavily in our marketing and advertising efforts over the past couple of years to target those in traditionally hard to reach communities who may be experiencing fuel poverty. We are now seeing those efforts really bear fruit. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve installed energy efficiency solutions in thousands of homes, the vast majority which have been on behalf of people struggling with rising energy prices, so to receive such an award is testament to the fantastic work our team do week-in, week-out, to help those most in-need.” All of UKEM’s installations during the period were delivered via the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and Great British Insulation (GBIS) Schemes, aimed specifically at reducing fuel poverty through the installation of renewable and low-carbon technologies. The solutions installed by UKEM, including heat pumps, solar panels and loft and wall insulation, have a real environmental as well as economic impact, with the firm’s latest impact report concluding that its installations also prevented over 57,000 tonnes of CO2 from escaping into the earth’s atmosphere. “Poorly insulated homes not only come at a huge financial burden to residents, but also at a significant environmental cost to the planet, and the judges reserved special praise for how our solutions are helping to directly address both challenges,” Steven added. “The Government has set a target for around 6.5million fuel-poor homes to be at least band C by 2030 and for as many as possible homes to be band C by 2035, which is why support schemes such as ECO4, which make it more affordable for those struggling to make their homes more energy efficient, are so important. “By breaking down the barriers preventing those most in-need from improving the energy efficiency of their homes, it is helping retrofit the UK’s housing stock at pace, while helping the nation meet its ambitious Net Zero targets. “However, we know there are still millions of households out there who are eligible and very much in-need of such support, so we’d recommend anyone to check their eligibility for funded measures via our website.” For more information on UKEM, visit: https://ukem.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
