Green Light for NXQ: Soller’s 18-Storey Office Development Gets the Go-Ahead Manchester City Council has granted approval for NXQ, an 18-storey, 120,000 sq ft office development by Soller Group, set to transform the corner of Lever Street and Great Ancoats Street. The project, designed by Howells, aims to deliver high-quality,
Sir Robert McAlpine is under renewed scrutiny after another cladding panel became loose on the Hilton Hotel in Woking, forcing yet another road closure. High winds last weekend led to the discovery of the issue, prompting the closure of the adjacent A320 Victoria Way for safety inspections and repairs. This
Plans for the second phase of Kirklees Council’s Our Cultural Heart development received a green light today, paving the way for a flagship new museum and art gallery in Huddersfield town centre. Construction on Phase One of Our Cultural Heart, led by contractor BAM, is now well underway, with the
Castore is set to expand its retail footprint in 2025, with plans to open between five and 10 new stores following its strongest-ever Christmas trading period. The premium sportswear brand saw a surge in sales over the festive season, driven by strong demand for football shirts and Formula 1 merchandise.
The first stones have been laid on Everton Way, as the biggest personalisation project at a UK stadium gets underway. The meticulous six-month programme to install around 36,000 individually engraved granite stones in a unique paved walkway at Everton Stadium commenced this week. And, following an extension by popular demand,
The government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament is a positive step, but significant challenges remain, warns Principle Estate Management. With offices in Birmingham, London, and the North West, Principle manages 20,000 residential units across 400 developments nationwide. The firm believes that while policy changes are
Story Homes is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for a new residential development in the village of Swarthmoor. The planning application for 155 new high quality homes has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council, and will make an important contribution towards local housing delivery,
LEADING fit out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst has announced its target to achieve net zero across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The announcement follows a period of extensive research, data analysis and planning, with the target awaiting validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – an
The development of new Crick supported lab space at 20 Triton Street on British Land’s Regent’s Place campus represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Gensler partners with British Land and the Francis Crick Institute, a flagship for discovery research in
Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of
Green Light for NXQ: Soller’s 18-Storey Office Development Gets the Go-Ahead Manchester City Council has granted approval for NXQ, an 18-storey, 120,000 sq ft office development by Soller Group, set to transform the corner of Lever Street and Great Ancoats Street. The project, designed by Howells, aims to deliver high-quality, sustainable office space in a city experiencing strong demand for premium workspace. The scheme will be marketed by Savills and Knight Frank. Daniel Barnes, office agency director at Savills, said:“NXQ is an exciting addition to Manchester’s office market, offering much-needed, top-tier sustainable workspace. With planning now approved, we are confident this development will attract a diverse range of occupiers.” The development will see the demolition of several existing buildings, with key heritage elements preserved. The former Bem Brasil restaurant at 32 Great Ancoats Street will be restored to its 1930s condition and incorporated into the new office block. Additionally, the facades of 56 and 58 Lever Street will be retained to maintain the area’s historic character. Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with Soller targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. Nick Treadaway, founding partner and chief executive of Soller, commented:“We are thrilled to have secured planning consent for NXQ. The design blends heritage with modern innovation, creating a workspace that is both characterful and future-focused. We have worked closely with Manchester City Council to bring forward a scheme that meets the city’s growing demand for best-in-class office space.” The project team includes planner AshtonHale, landscape architect Planit, flood risk and drainage expert AKT II, and cost consultant AtkinsRéalis. Turner & Townsend is overseeing project management, with Savills and Knight Frank leading the commercial strategy. With approval now in place, work is set to begin on delivering this striking new addition to Manchester’s commercial landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sir Robert McAlpine is under renewed scrutiny after another cladding panel became loose on the Hilton Hotel in Woking, forcing yet another road closure. High winds last weekend led to the discovery of the issue, prompting the closure of the adjacent A320 Victoria Way for safety inspections and repairs. This marks yet another disruption, as the road had only recently reopened in mid-January following similar concerns raised in December. Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, expressed frustration over the ongoing problems:“The closure of Victoria Way is incredibly disruptive, and I am deeply frustrated that another panel has failed despite previous assurances that they were secure. A plan is in place to address the issue, and we are urging swift action to prevent this from happening again.” A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine confirmed that the latest issue followed the impact of recent storms:“Following Storm Herminia and Storm Eowyn, one cladding panel was found to be loose on the western elevation of the hotel. For safety reasons, Victoria Way will remain closed until the panel is secured and further checks are completed. Unfortunately, this is expected to take several weeks, and we apologise for the disruption caused.” Woking MP Will Forster has written to McAlpine’s chief executive, Neil Martin, demanding a clear remediation plan to prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, local leaders continue to push for a permanent solution to ensure public safety and minimise future disruptions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for the second phase of Kirklees Council’s Our Cultural Heart development received a green light today, paving the way for a flagship new museum and art gallery in Huddersfield town centre. Construction on Phase One of Our Cultural Heart, led by contractor BAM, is now well underway, with the former Queensgate Market building being transformed into a vibrant food hall and adjoining new community library. The approved ‘Section 73’ planning application focusses on Phase Two of the masterplan, which includes the major refurbishment of the Grade II Listed building on Princess Alexandra Walk that, until recently, housed the town’s library. Plans for the second phase of Kirklees Council’s Our Cultural Heart development received a green light today, paving the way for a flagship new museum and art gallery in Huddersfield town centre. Construction on Phase One of Our Cultural Heart, led by contractor BAM, is now well underway, with the former Queensgate Market building being transformed into a vibrant food hall and adjoining new community library. The approved ‘Section 73’ planning application focusses on Phase Two of the masterplan, which includes the major refurbishment of the Grade II Listed building on Princess Alexandra Walk that, until recently, housed the town’s library. The designs by architect FCBStudios will see the historic four-storey building become a flagship museum and art gallery, helping to attract more visitors to the town and creating exciting opportunities for local businesses and the region’s culture sector. A sympathetically designed extension to the north will enhance accessibility and create uninterrupted connections to the surrounding spaces. Public access will be via a new ramp unlocking universal access to the historic entrance to the south and level access to the new extension. Cabinet have also just approved the release of around £5.4m from the overall Our Cultural Heart project budget, which will be used to progress the procurement of a construction contractor and final design work for Phase Two, with a view to starting on site in early 2026. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is another important milestone for Our Cultural Heart. The new museum and art gallery will become a key cultural destination for Yorkshire and showcase the huge mix of talent we have across the region. Not only will this project attract more visitors to our town centre and boost Kirklees’ economy, it will also ensure the long-term preservation and vitality of one of our most cherished buildings. “Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar. Our ambition is to give local people and visitors more reasons to spend time in the town centre. By increasing footfall, and in turn commercial opportunities, our plans will also benefit existing and future businesses from all sectors. Thriving businesses in turn provide employment opportunities for our communities. “Huddersfield has a bright future, and I am proud to be part of it.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Castore is set to expand its retail footprint in 2025, with plans to open between five and 10 new stores following its strongest-ever Christmas trading period. The premium sportswear brand saw a surge in sales over the festive season, driven by strong demand for football shirts and Formula 1 merchandise. Sales of McLaren F1 and Red Bull Racing gear rose by 20% year-on-year, while the brand’s womenswear range also saw significant growth, with sales up more than 30% compared to the previous year. Co-founder Tom Beahon commented:“We are delighted to have delivered such resilient trading in a challenging environment, and this positive momentum has continued into January. Our strategy remains focused on omnichannel retail, combining the best of digital, physical stores, and direct-to-consumer sales to maximise Castore’s reach. Product innovation remains central to our success, and we look forward to launching exciting new ranges this year.” Castore, which currently operates 25 stores across the UK and Ireland, expanded last year with new locations in Centre:mk, Derbion, Braehead Shopping Centre, and The O2 London. Looking ahead, Beahon remains optimistic about the brand’s growth prospects:“Despite economic uncertainties, we are confident about 2025 and expect continued profitable expansion in both the UK and international markets.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first stones have been laid on Everton Way, as the biggest personalisation project at a UK stadium gets underway. The meticulous six-month programme to install around 36,000 individually engraved granite stones in a unique paved walkway at Everton Stadium commenced this week. And, following an extension by popular demand, supporters still have an opportunity to cement their own place in history by purchasing a stone that celebrates Evertonians’ births, marriages, anniversaries and loved ones. Kevin O’Brien, Director of Intaglio Creative Ltd, who are managing the engraving and stone installations, declared: “It’s a momentous day! “This is the culmination of years and years of planning and the hard work is really starting now. “We’re down here on site and I don’t think you can underestimate the size and scale of this installation. “When you stand at the bottom of Everton Way and look up towards the river, this is on a different scale. “I’ve been involved in a lot of these up and down the country over the past 10 or so years, but here we are talking about 1,400 square metres and 36,000 individual stones, so it is without doubt the biggest personalisation project in the UK.” The mapping of Everton Way, which sits immediately outside the South Stand, will allow Intaglio to eventually inform each stone owner where their message is located in the overall scheme. The inclusion of larger granite stones representing Everton Giants, laid in and among the supporters’ own personalised stones, will also help with this wayfinding. Kevin explained: “There’s such a variety of different sizes that precision is absolutely fundamental to making sure that Everton Way looks as good as possible. “Supporters will be contacted directly once the overall scheme is installed, telling them exactly where in this installation their stone is going to be. “That email will come with a simple map that will guide them to the location that their stone is in, and that will happen later in the summer when we’ve finished the whole installation and mapping.” A recent further extension to the scheme, due to a growing waiting list of worldwide fans, means Everton Way will now stretch the entire length of the exterior of the spectacular, single-tier, South Stand and be increased from 28,000 stones to 36,000. And there is still an opportunity to purchase a personalised granite stone, with a limited number available in a range of sizes and designs. These can be ordered by clicking HERE. Kevin added: “We are nearly there in terms of getting everything ready, with just a few of the Everton Giants to finish, which will be the showpiece pieces within Everton Way. “Once complete it will be amazing and, as an Evertonian, I can’t wait to see it finished.” In addition to having a stone at Everton Stadium – and ahead of installation – supporters also have the chance to purchase a replica stone. Presented in an Everton-branded display box, these replica stones offer an additional memento, along with the option of a personalised A4 presentation certificate of authentication. Book your Everton Way stone HERE: https://evertonway.com/#/book/select-products Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament is a positive step, but significant challenges remain, warns Principle Estate Management. With offices in Birmingham, London, and the North West, Principle manages 20,000 residential units across 400 developments nationwide. The firm believes that while policy changes are helping to remove some barriers, structural issues within planning, infrastructure, and construction must be addressed to ensure successful delivery. Bob Simonds, Business Development Director at Principle, highlighted concerns around planning backlogs, stating:“Developers are encouraged by commitments to speed up planning approvals, but local authorities lack the capacity to process the rising number of applications efficiently, leading to delays.” Beyond planning, infrastructure limitations pose another major hurdle. Upgrades to electricity, gas, water, and sewerage systems will be essential to support new developments. Simonds noted that the growing demand for electric vehicle charging, for example, will place additional strain on the National Grid, which is already struggling to meet demand. The construction sector itself must also scale up to meet the challenge. Simonds emphasised the need for workforce development, adding:“Developers need skilled professionals at every level, from bricklayers to electricians, to ensure projects progress at the required pace.” Ultimately, Principle argues that only through better coordination between local authorities, developers, and infrastructure providers can the housing sector rise to the challenge of delivering the homes the country needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Story Homes is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for a new residential development in the village of Swarthmoor. The planning application for 155 new high quality homes has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council, and will make an important contribution towards local housing delivery, including the provision of 54 new affordable homes for eligible local people. The scheme will deliver a range of well-designed, two to six-bedroom properties to complement the existing area. From first-time buyers to downsizers or those looking for a ‘forever’ family home, this new development will deliver much-needed new homes for residents at different life stages. Adam McNally, Senior Land & Planning Manager for Story Homes, said: “We are delighted to have submitted plans for a new residential development in Swarthmoor. Our plans demonstrate our commitment to this site and how we have overcome key long standing planning constraints. The scheme has been carefully designed around flexibility and modern living, reflecting the aesthetics of the local area and featuring the distinctive and appealing street scenes that define Story Homes. “This is a key site for Story Homes as we continue to focus on growth throughout the South Lakes area, building on the success of our recent schemes in Kendal and Ulverston. These projects have been well-received by customers, reflecting the strong demand for our high quality homes in the area. We look forward to receiving the Council’s views on our proposals.” This scheme will generate over £1 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)* as well as delivering infrastructure and highways improvements, as well as a travel plan. New green areas of public open space, including an equipped area of play, will be delivered on-site which will be accessible to the local community, benefitting new and existing residents. This development will bring substantial benefits to the local economy, both during and after construction. During the construction phase, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities through subcontractors and supply chains. Once the new homes are occupied, the increased demand for local services will provide an ongoing boost to the community. It is anticipated that a decision on these plans will be received by Westmorland & Furness Council by summer 2025. For more information, please visit www.storyhomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING fit out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst has announced its target to achieve net zero across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The announcement follows a period of extensive research, data analysis and planning, with the target awaiting validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – an external verification process of near-term targets to ensure they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined by the Paris Agreement 2015. Having established its 2023 financial year as the baseline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the contractor has been able to plan for, set and now announce an ambitious absolute net zero target for these emissions. Between now and 2030, Pexurst has an intermediate target to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2027. This journey has been captured in its new Carbon Reduction Plan, to be published soon, detailing its plan for a sustainable future by addressing each component of its footprint, the solutions to decarbonise them and timings for when changes will occur. Stuart Byles, director at Pexhurst, said: “As a responsible contractor, announcing a net zero target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is a very important moment in our own efforts to tackle climate change. There were many sources of inspiration during this process, such as our progressive commitment to sustainability and the equally ambitious net zero targets set by our clients – without forgetting how the changes will reduce our environmental impact amid a climate emergency. “The announcement of our net zero target follows a significant period of hard work to ensure we are ambitious but also realistic. The Pexhurst Junior Board deserves recognition for its role in this process, but also our sustainability coordinator Luca Sidoli – who has brought new ideas to the table along with the enthusiasm needed to ensure everyone at Pexhurst understands and embraces change. The journey we are embarking on will involve everyone within the business, which makes me proud to have such a strong cohort of passionate and vocal sustainability advocates.” By 2030, Pexhurst aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% in relation to the 2023 baseline year, followed by the carbon removal of the remaining 10%. Some of the measures Pexhurst aim to introduce to achieve its target include transitioning to electric-powered plant and fleet vehicles, as well as substituting diesel with hydrogenated vegetable oil and implementing renewable energy tariffs wherever possible. Luca Sidoli, sustainability coordinator at Pexhurst, said: “Sustainability is a huge and complex challenge that we all face, which means that education must be ongoing. Part of our net zero target strategy includes continued training on carbon impact and emissions, starting as early as the Pexhurst onboarding process, as well as supporting our staff on the operational changes required to make reductions in our emissions. “As we move forward, we will be doing everything we can to make sustainability an accessible topic – to continue inspiring, motivating and proving that urgent change is achievable. Beyond the Pexhurst team, we will be ensuring that our supply chain and clients are able to engage with us on the topic of net zero so that we are also contributing to their ambitions.” Pexhurst also understands the significance and size of its Scope 3 emissions. Therefore, it is currently undergoing a screening process with the aim of generating a complete dataset of its material categories, which will allow the contractor to begin developing a reduction plan for these emissions. To learn more about Pexhurst’s baseline year emissions and what the business has already achieved during its sustainability journey, read its Sustainability Statement for the 2023/24 reporting period: www.pexhurst.co.uk/pexhurst-sustainability-statement-2023-24 To learn more about Pexhurst, visit www.pexhurst.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The development of new Crick supported lab space at 20 Triton Street on British Land’s Regent’s Place campus represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Gensler partners with British Land and the Francis Crick Institute, a flagship for discovery research in biomedicine, on new labs at 20 Triton Street in Regent’s Place, Euston. The space aims to support the shared mission to strengthen London’s Knowledge Quarter as a world-leading life sciences and biotech destination. Spanning 33,000 sq. ft the design concept developed by Gensler focuses on creating best-in-class, adaptable spaces for future tenants, utilising the Crick’s expertise in the design and operation of world-class laboratory facilities within the heart of the Knowledge Quarter. This collaboration mirrors the rapid evolution of King’s Cross, which has become a thriving science district with a high concentration of life sciences companies, research centres, and academic institutions. Nathan Morgan, Project Director at Gensler, said: “This collaboration at 20 Triton Street represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Through our partnership with British Land, we have designed flexible, cutting-edge spaces that drive innovation and scientific discovery, supporting the shared mission to accelerate the process of scientific discovery, deliver benefits to society and reinforce London’s position as a world-class destination for biotech.” Gensler’s design features a central community hub to foster interaction and collaboration, providing dynamic spaces for both individual scientific discovery and collaboration. The space includes CL-2 wet lab suites, flexible office spaces, meeting rooms, and shared amenities such as an outdoor terrace, ideal for driving creativity and cross-disciplinary exchange. The range and type of modular spaces provided underscores the flexible, hybrid nature of today’s research and development environments, where cross-functional teams from academia, industry, and start-ups work closely together to tackle global health challenges. Stephen Mayhew, Chief Business Officer at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “By bringing the expertise in technology and infrastructure of the world- renowned Francis Crick Institute, we are opening the door to the next generation of global life science businesses – helping them to go faster and further than ever before.” The Francis Crick Institute supported lab space at 20 Triton Street is designed to feel like a Crick space. The resulting aesthetic features intentional injections of bold colour balanced with a neutral base palette along with branding and environmental graphic design. The space also incorporates elements of biophilia, with a focus on sustainability using high-recycled content materials such as perforated timber and acoustic walls, creating a natural, calming atmosphere. Simon Hepher, Head of Regent’s Place Asset Management, commented: “The completion of this pioneering, highly flexible lab space at Regent’s Place marks an exciting next chapter for lab space within the Knowledge Quarter. Collaborating with The Francis Crick Institute and Gensler has been a fantastic experience, showcasing the incredible outcomes that can be achieved when experts unite. I am eager to see the innovative companies, groundbreaking research, and scientific advancements that will emerge from this space.” This speculative development approach by British Land caters to the dynamic nature of scientific research and aligns with the Crick’s goals, providing highly serviced and state- of-the-art laboratories and office facilities to companies sharing its scientific mission in biomedicine. This emerging idea of a collaborative network reflects a broader shift towards creating a cohesive and interconnected community within the Knowledge Quarter. Gensler’s development of the Francis Crick Institute supported lab space at 20 Triton Street builds on an earlier collaboration with British Land to design shared tenant facilities within the building, including end-of-trip facilities, lobbies, and amenity spaces. The project team at 20 Triton Street includes Gensler, Bulb, Studio Sutton and ARUP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of gears globally spearheaded by the US, the UK Government has said it is prioritising delivering growth at any cost, with major infrastructure projects having a key role to play. While the growth-focused approach is welcomed, pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects at any cost risks an excess of borrowing, leading to stubborn inflation and sticky interest rates. These factors will leave the industry questioning the financial viability and delivery of these projects. “Further, a critical issue remains overlooked: cripplingly high construction costs severely limit the number of projects that can be completed. If construction projects continue to stall due to steep costs and an imbalance between delivery expenses and expected sales, land will increasingly lose its appeal for builders and investors, further exacerbating the project delivery crisis. “The rise in construction costs is as damaging to project delivery as fluctuating market sentiment and rising interest rates. To address this, the government must consider the broader impact of rising costs on the entire market. A holistic approach is needed and one that ensures financial viability across small, medium, and large-scale developments. One solution would be targeted financial support for the building sector, which could help make construction manageable again. By tackling this issue head-on, the UK can reinvigorate its construction sector and work towards a sustainable boost to robust economic growth via the country’s promising infrastructure potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
