British Land has appointed Bam to lead a £100m transformation of Broadgate Tower, a landmark office building near Liverpool Street in London. The project will see the addition of a three-storey extension, including a 6,200 sq ft terrace at the front of the building. Tower floors and Broadgate Plaza will
Following its 5-mile drive underneath the capital, HS2 lifted Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Sushila’ out of the ground at the Green Park Way site in Greenford, West London. The cutterhead, front and middle shield, weighting 850 tonnes, were lifted from the vent shaft in one piece on Saturday, March 15, using a
A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support a prestigious £5.8 million state-of-the-art Porsche centre in the West Country. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to provide quantity surveying and employers agent services to the creation of a cutting edge new Porsche dealership in Exeter. The
Nearly a third of tradespeople are considering leaving the industry1, which adds to the UK’s already critical shortage of skilled workers2, says new research. Conducted by health and safety experts Arco, the Trade Talent Gap research1 surveyed 500 tradespeople and found that 31 per cent would consider leaving the industry. April
Cadogan announces the first retail tenants at The Gaumont, a landmark £235 million development, and the creation of its ‘creative quarter’. The new retail signings are independent businesses New Forms, BookBar and Art Play, bringing an exciting blend of art, music, and literature to the King’s Road, enhancing the area’s cultural vibrancy and continued legacy
RED Construction Group has announced the completion of 21-25 Bruton Place, with the specialist main contractor’s Special Projects division delivering the project on behalf of Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM). The Special Projects team delivered a considered conversion of three existing mews properties covering 15,000 sq ft, into a unified
Finning has used Cat® VisionLink technology to deliver significant reductions in idle time and increased profitability for Jennings BCE. As part of the broader shift towards advanced telematics software in the construction industry, VisionLink is a cloud-based fleet management solution that allows operators and business owners to view data including
Thousands of homes are to be made warmer and more energy efficient as part of an £80m investment secured by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. £31.8m will come from the Warm Homes: Local Grant fund and will be distributed to low-income homeowners and private renters. The funding was secured
Japanese fashion retailer UNIQLO is expanding its UK presence with the launch of its first Midlands store at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre. Spanning 20,000 sq ft across three floors, the new store will feature a trading space of 11,840 sq ft, offering UNIQLO’s full range of men’s, women’s, and children’s
Two property and energy experts have today launched Hertford Birch, a specialist energy commercialisation consultancy. Co-founded by Richard Price and Ben Smith, the firm aims to provide strategic advice and brokerage services to help landlords and operators commercialise power across their assets. Operating across the UK, Hertford Birch will act
British Land has appointed Bam to lead a £100m transformation of Broadgate Tower, a landmark office building near Liverpool Street in London. The project will see the addition of a three-storey extension, including a 6,200 sq ft terrace at the front of the building. Tower floors and Broadgate Plaza will also undergo significant refurbishment, with the scheme expected to complete by late 2026. Originally built in 2008, the 34-storey tower is set for a major refresh aimed at enhancing workspaces while improving environmental performance. The redevelopment is targeting top sustainability certifications, including BREEAM Outstanding, an EPC A rating, and WELL certification pre-conditions. Circular economy principles will be applied to reduce embodied carbon, featuring a hybrid pavilion structure incorporating reused steelwork and cross-laminated timber. Kim Sides, construction director at Bam, commented: “With this upgrade, Broadgate Tower will become one of London’s most desirable office destinations, offering flexible, modern workspaces with outstanding facilities. We are thrilled to work with British Land to bring its sustainability vision to life, delivering long-term value for businesses and communities.” David Lockyer, head of development at British Land, added: “We are excited to be repositioning Broadgate Tower, creating high-quality, sustainable office space that meets the evolving needs of today’s occupiers. This project, following our commitment to 2 Finsbury Avenue last year, marks another key milestone for Broadgate and the City as we deliver sought-after modern office space in a competitive market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following its 5-mile drive underneath the capital, HS2 lifted Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Sushila’ out of the ground at the Green Park Way site in Greenford, West London. The cutterhead, front and middle shield, weighting 850 tonnes, were lifted from the vent shaft in one piece on Saturday, March 15, using a 750 tonne gantry crane. The TBM – with a cutterhead spanning 9.48 metres in diameter – was launched from West Ruislip in October 2022 and completed its journey in December 2024. TBM Sushila excavated over 1.2 million tonnes of earth and installed 4,217 tunnel rings. TBM Sushila was used to construct part of the Northolt Tunnel – an 8.4-mile tunnel being built by four TBMs which will take HS2 trains from Old Oak Common Station to the outskirts of the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A fast-growing Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support a prestigious £5.8 million state-of-the-art Porsche centre in the West Country. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to provide quantity surveying and employers agent services to the creation of a cutting edge new Porsche dealership in Exeter. The development, in Matford Park Road, includes the demolition of an existing dealership, a new large vehicle showroom, new high quality workshop areas, servicing and testing bays and a wet and dry valeting building . The development also includes drainage and civils installation, landscaping and extensive parking areas. The project is due for completion early next year. TCC has been involved since the initial project feasibility stage. As employers agents, TCC will have responsibility for acting on behalf of Ryland Automotive and Dealership Developments Ltd to see the project through to completion. TCC director Gareth Powell said, “We are delighted to have been appointed to this prestigious project which involves combining premium design and advanced technology into a space which embodies the Porsche brand and reflects Porsche’s high status and luxury.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly a third of tradespeople are considering leaving the industry1, which adds to the UK’s already critical shortage of skilled workers2, says new research. Conducted by health and safety experts Arco, the Trade Talent Gap research1 surveyed 500 tradespeople and found that 31 per cent would consider leaving the industry. April marks National Stress Awareness Month, which is observed annually, to increase public awareness of the negative impact of stress. The upcoming event comes as Arco’s study reveals that one in four tradespeople have reported experiencing mental health challenges linked to their work. People working as window fabricators, bricklayers and building surveyors were among those most likely to be seeking a career switch. When it comes to mental health support, nearly a third (31 per cent) of tradespeople believe that the industry lacks sufficient resources. Some of the top challenges that tradespeople experience in their roles include: managing workloads (35 per cent), dealing with difficult clients (32 per cent) and health and safety (24 per cent). Finding enough work and the physically demanding nature of the job also affected nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of these workers. Workers aged 25-34 were the most likely to have experienced work-related mental health challenges, with 35 per cent reporting such issues. The youngest employees (18-24) were most likely to believe that the industry should be doing more to support mental health (34 per cent) Among the reasons for considering a career change, six per cent of tradespeople reported mental health concerns, one in 10 had experienced burnout and 13 per cent struggled with their work-life balance. The team at Arco commented: “The trades industry must address these issues head-on. There needs to be better support available for tradespeople, including access to mental health resources, training on stress management and initiatives to improve work-life balance. “Failure to do so will only exacerbate the existing mental health crisis and lead to a further decline in the workforce. “Earlier this year we pledged to donate a share of our profits from Arco brand hard hat sales to the Mental Health Foundation, our partnership is aimed to help protect heads ‘inside and out’. “Through this and other initiatives, we have raised over £14,000 for the UK’s leading charity for mental health and are continuing to look at what more we can do as a business to support these issues.” Find out more information about the Arco’s partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, visit the website here. Top ten tradespeople considering leaving the industry 1. Window fabricator – 71% 2. Bricklayer – 55% 3. Building surveyor – 54% 4. Caretaker – 41% 5. Roofer – 36% 6. Carpenter – 35% 7. Plumber – 35% 8. Locksmith – 33% 9. Landscaper – 30% 10. Plasterer – 28% If you are struggling with your mental health, there are many resources available to help, including: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cadogan announces the first retail tenants at The Gaumont, a landmark £235 million development, and the creation of its ‘creative quarter’. The new retail signings are independent businesses New Forms, BookBar and Art Play, bringing an exciting blend of art, music, and literature to the King’s Road, enhancing the area’s cultural vibrancy and continued legacy as a hub for creative innovation. All are set to open in late spring 2025. This marks the first phase of openings for The Gaumont, a 220,000 sq. ft mixed-use building, delivering Cadogan’s long-term vision to create a new commercial and cultural anchor for the King’s Road. It features flagship retail, a revitalised independent cinema, creative and office spaces, hospitality venues including a rooftop bar with panoramic views and pub theatre, and a significant public art installation by internationally acclaimed artist Shezad Dawood. A new destination is taking shape as part of this development, focused on its return elevation along Chelsea Manor Street. Curated in response to community feedback, which highlighted a resounding call for more independents focused on the arts, music, and literature, a cluster of subsidised small spaces have been dedicated to nurturing young creative enterprises. The initial signings are: BookBar will take a 1,242 sq. ft unit for its independent bookshop, wine, and coffee bar, cultivating a vibrant literary scene through author talks, book clubs, and events, while also providing a welcoming space for late night browsing and drinking four days a week. New Forms will occupy 1,045 sq. ft as a vinyl café and boutique record shop curated by the team behind Next Door Records. It will serve as a hub for vinyl culture and social connection, while also featuring a music-led bar that regularly hosts events and collaborations with artists and musicians. Art Play will initially establish itself at 20a Chelsea Manor Street before relocating to a larger 2,200 sq. ft space at 5 Chelsea Manor Street. Originally founded in Shoreditch, Art Play’s Chelsea expansion will offer a dynamic space for artists and art lovers alike. With an emphasis on creative engagement, it will provide workshops, exhibitions, and a collaborative environment for the local art community. Hugh Seaborn, CEO at Cadogan, said: “The Gaumont is a new landmark that celebrates the community, heritage, and artistic spirit of Chelsea. From the outset, we have collaborated closely with local residents to shape a development that reflects their vision, celebrating Chelsea’s cultural heritage, while supporting its thriving creative scene. Welcoming BookBar, New Forms, and Art Play will establish Chelsea Manor Street as a dynamic day-to-night destination for both locals and visitors. We look forward to seeing these businesses thrive and contribute to the continued evolution of King’s Road as a world-class cultural and retail destination.” Chelsea Manor Street’s creative quarter will strengthen the King’s Road’s reputation as a place where creators, innovators, and artists can flourish. With a strong emphasis on independent, community-driven offerings, these occupiers mark an exciting step toward the evolution of a new cultural landmark in Chelsea. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction Group has announced the completion of 21-25 Bruton Place, with the specialist main contractor’s Special Projects division delivering the project on behalf of Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BEAM). The Special Projects team delivered a considered conversion of three existing mews properties covering 15,000 sq ft, into a unified building designed for commercial and office use, linked to Mayfair’s renowned Berkeley Square. The refurbishment involved the removal of existing structural roof and floor slabs, the retention of the front and rear façades, the construction of an external terrace, and the internal installation of a new steel frame alongside an additional Glulam / CLT single storey extension at roof level. A sustainable and innovative approach to the works focused on retaining the architectural character of the area while introducing modern design elements and performance. The project completion follows BEAM’s appointment of RED Construction Group on another of its schemes in the capital, to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of 8 Lancelot Place in Knightsbridge while the building remains occupied. The 35,000 sq ft prominent office development is located at the corner of 8 Lancelot Place and 70 Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, opposite the Grade II listed department store, Harrods. Nathan Farrar, Managing Director of RED Special Projects, commented: “Our work on Bruton Place is a great example of Special Projects’ bread and butter. The more complex developments that require specific expertise like this are where our specialism sits, with Bruton Place proving that great outcomes can be delivered for logistically challenging sites. Not only have we completed the works to a high specification, but we have also been appointed by BEAM on the refurbishment of Knightsbridge’s 8 Lancelot Place as a result of the client’s satisfaction in what we deliver.” Alex Rich at BEAM, added: “Bruton Place’s unique requirements meant that we needed a construction team that understood and could deliver the quality expected of such a distinct historic location. We are so proud of what has been achieved here together and have been particularly impressed by the RED Special Projects team’s ability to overcome the challenges of such a structurally complex refurbishment.” The completion of Bruton Place follows the news that RED Construction Group’s South West division has completed works of the 4-star Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park, finalising the construction of the UK’s first Net Zero hotel for operational carbon without offsetting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finning has used Cat® VisionLink technology to deliver significant reductions in idle time and increased profitability for Jennings BCE. As part of the broader shift towards advanced telematics software in the construction industry, VisionLink is a cloud-based fleet management solution that allows operators and business owners to view data including operating hours, geographical and performance metrics. Having worked with Jennings Building and Civil Engineering Contractors for over 25 years Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Catmachinery, parts and aftermarket services, identified the challenges impacting the company’s operational costs and provided solutions to increase profitability. North Wales based Jennings BCE has over 40 years’ experience in building, civil engineering, groundwork and rock armour, and manages projects across Wales, Northwest England and the Midlands. To remain competitive, profitable and sustainable the company recently invested in the VisionLink technology on the recommendation of experts at Finning. Iwan Jenkins, Sales Representative at Finning UK and Ireland said: “Proper fleet management is key to ensuring efficiency and profitably to companies such as Jennings BCE, and VisionLinkoffers accurate real-time insights to allow businesses to enhance their operations. “For instance, during our work with Jennings BCE we saw that one of their machines was pulling in data demonstrating the machine was idling 71% of the time. We worked with the team at Jennings to reveal how VisionLinkcould tackle things like idle time by sending real-time alerts and performance data to allow their team to address challenges as they occur.” Danny Jones Managing Director at Jennings BCE said: “We have worked with Finning to introduce VisionLink to half of our fleet and are already seeing the benefits of the technology. By identifying and addressing non-productive idle events we have not only cut fuel usage and emissions, but because of the increase in efficiency we have also seen an increase in overall profitability. “VisionLink is designed to optimise a fleet and isn’t just for reducing idle time, we have found it invaluable when it comes to real-time monitoring, fuel efficiency analysis and maintenance scheduling which all work towards ensuring our machines are working to their true capacity. “As a company we are focused on innovation and providing consistent, high-quality service to our customers. We feel the most recent investment with Finning bolsters our innovative offering and has allowed us to maximise fleet efficiency and boost our overall profitability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thousands of homes are to be made warmer and more energy efficient as part of an £80m investment secured by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. £31.8m will come from the Warm Homes: Local Grant fund and will be distributed to low-income homeowners and private renters. The funding was secured by a Combined Authority-led consortium of Liverpool City Region’s six local authorities – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral – and was the third highest award in England. A further £48m has been secured through the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund which will be distributed among 24 housing associations operating in the city region and the wider north west. The award was the fourth highest in England and work is expected to start in the summer. The investment – which will enable energy-efficiency improvements to around 10,000 homes – is part of a five-year carbon action plan to make the city region net zero by 2035. It comes on top of £105m already secured by the Combined Authority to retrofit 10,000 homes with energy-efficiency upgrades including wall and loft insulation, new roofs, solar panels, heat pumps and ventilation. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “Too many families are still forced to choose between heating and eating – and that’s simply not right. This investment from government is a welcome step towards fixing that, with more than £31m going to low-income households in our region and another £48m to support social housing residents. “Here in the Liverpool City Region, we’ve already invested over £100m to improve the energy efficiency of more than 10,000 homes – cutting bills, reducing carbon emissions, and tackling fuel poverty. This latest funding builds on that progress, helping even more people stay warm for less. And I’ll keep working with government to make sure our region gets the investment it needs, so no one is left behind.” Households with an energy inefficient home (Energy Performance Certificate Band D or below) and living in certain postcodes will be automatically eligible for the local grant scheme. Grants can also be accessed by households with an annual income of less than £36,000, who own their own home or for certain privately rented properties. Cllr Graham Morgan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “More than half of our region’s 720,000 homes are rated below the EPC band C standard, which makes them less efficient and more expensive to heat. We’ve secured this latest funding thanks to our track record of working with government and partners to deliver large scale retrofit projects. This significant investment means that thousands of local people will pay less to heat their homes in future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Japanese fashion retailer UNIQLO is expanding its UK presence with the launch of its first Midlands store at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre. Spanning 20,000 sq ft across three floors, the new store will feature a trading space of 11,840 sq ft, offering UNIQLO’s full range of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. The Birmingham opening marks a major step in UNIQLO’s regional expansion strategy, aligning with the city’s dynamic and fashion-conscious demographic. Paul O’Brien, director of leasing and commercialisation at Bullring’s owner Hammerson, commented: “Bullring continues to attract leading global brands looking for a flagship presence in the region. UNIQLO’s arrival reinforces the centre’s status as the Midlands’ premier retail destination, complementing its diverse line-up of top fashion and lifestyle names.” Alessandro Dudech, chief operating officer of UNIQLO UK, added: “We are committed to growing our presence across the UK, both through physical stores and e-commerce. Bringing UNIQLO to the Midlands is a key milestone for us, and Birmingham’s Bullring—at the heart of the UK’s second city—is the perfect location.” UNIQLO joins a wave of investment at Bullring, following the recent openings of Zara’s 51,000 sq ft flagship store, Sephora’s Midlands debut, and PURESEOUL’s second store outside London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two property and energy experts have today launched Hertford Birch, a specialist energy commercialisation consultancy. Co-founded by Richard Price and Ben Smith, the firm aims to provide strategic advice and brokerage services to help landlords and operators commercialise power across their assets. Operating across the UK, Hertford Birch will act as a delivery partner for electric vehicle (EV) charging projects and energy deals, looking to capture the unrealised potential for income generation from energy in commercial spaces. The group will also act as a strategic advisor to landlords, offering advice on supply challenges with the aim of minimising risks for new and existing sites across the country. Backed by investment firm Spire Ventures, the founding team have over 20 years of collective experience serving major institutions and landlords across retail, leisure, and commercial assets. The pair also have first hand operational experience of working with UK-based EV charging operators, including Ospreys, Connected Kerb, and most recently, Syzygy. Richard Price said: “Demand for EV and energy infrastructure is far outpacing supply and this is true across all commercial asset types, presenting a prime opportunity for landlords and asset managers to secure attractive, long-term revenue streams from power. The market potential is huge, and we’re seeing unprecedented demand from landlords to help them navigate the complexities of pricing, process and operational challenges to integrate energy assets into their portfolios on deals that deliver stable, risk-mitigated income “In real estate terms, the energy deals that we’re able to secure today for unrentalised car parking bays can provide rental income consistent with, if not outperforming, that of a traditional F&B deal on the same site – and with significantly less risk and minimal capital contribution.” Ben Smith added: “Landlords face hugely complex challenges in managing their energy assets and minimising connectivity or capacity risks. The energy supply gap is growing steadily as record numbers of organisations are engaging with the grid to secure power connections; struggling to keep up with demand for energisation projects across the UK, the grid connection queue can mean a 10 year wait. “Securing reliable capacity with clarity on connection dates is today as critical to project timelines and feasibility as any other part of the construction or asset management programme. Working with private networks is an opportunity to significantly reduce operational cost and carbon footprint, as our clients look to us to help expedite the energisation of assets and optimise their energy infrastructure.” Hertford Birch is currently instructed on EV Charging and Private Networks commercialisation projects on behalf of institutional landlords, REITs, occupiers and private capital investors across retail parks, shopping centres and leisure assets, MSPs and industrial, logistics, and commercial workspace sites UK-wide. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
