Prescient Capital has officially launched construction on the redevelopment of Wellington Plaza, a major office scheme in the heart of Leeds’s premier business district. Main contractor Clegg Construction has been appointed to deliver the transformation, which involves the demolition of the existing 1980s four-storey structure to make way for a
Portable Building Sales has completed the successful delivery of a bespoke 14-module, two-storey office facility for offshore engineering firm Osbit, supporting the company’s rapid expansion at its new manufacturing base at the Port of Blyth. Osbit, a leader in tailored engineering solutions for the offshore renewables sector, required high-quality office
Birmingham, Thursday 31st July 2025 – Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension schemes, and Court Collaboration, a Birmingham-based specialist residential property developer, have confirmed Sectional Completion of Tower B at the hotly anticipated One Eastside BTR development in the city. The completed phase means 140
Mileway, the leading pan-European last mile logistics real estate company, has signed a ten-year lease agreement with Rubies, one of the largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of licensed dress up products in the world, and Smiffys, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of fancy dress costumes, wigs, accessories and make-up,
Chancerygate and CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) have been granted planning to speculatively build 105,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space on a site in Eccles, Greater Manchester. Called Westside and located on Stadium Way , the scheme will comprise nine leasehold units ranging from 6,150 sq ft
Leading contractor Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a revolutionary facility poised to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK is set to deliver a hospital that will provide unparalleled care for children in the region, encompassing
The UK and Ireland’s leading architectural bodies have joined forces to launch The Belfast Group – a new alliance committed to raising the bar on fire and life safety design. Find out how this unified approach aims to ensure architects across all nations work to the same high standards, with
Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-story development in the heart of Manhattan. Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-meter mixed-use tower designed
Making decisions about investment properties after a relationship breakdown can be complex and emotionally challenging. When couples separate, they face difficult choices about their shared assets – particularly investment properties that may have been part of their long-term financial strategy. Should you continue co-owning and split the rental income, or
Prescient Capital has officially launched construction on the redevelopment of Wellington Plaza, a major office scheme in the heart of Leeds’s premier business district. Main contractor Clegg Construction has been appointed to deliver the transformation, which involves the demolition of the existing 1980s four-storey structure to make way for a striking new eight-storey, 80,000 sq ft Grade A office building. Following planning approval in 2024, secured in partnership with Asset Capital, Prescient Capital subsequently acquired full ownership of the project. The scheme has since been rebranded as 31 Wellington Street, a name chosen to reflect its prominent corner location opposite Wellington Place and within walking distance of Leeds train station. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern occupiers, the development will offer excellent ESG credentials, targeting EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, Fitwel 3 Star, NABERS 5 Star and WiredScore Platinum ratings. The internal layout is crafted to support flexible, hybrid working patterns, with floor plates ranging from 3,000 to 9,500 sq ft. Features will include a large entrance lobby and reception, co-working space, a sky lounge for events, a fitness suite, luxury changing facilities, and secure cycle storage. Doug Friend, CEO of Prescient Capital, said: “We’re delighted to now get this project underway. Leeds currently has a significant shortfall of prime workspace and this elevated ESG credential property is perfectly located and designed to assist in relieving some of that pressure. “This also marks a return to the commercial office sector for me and Rob Randall, Prescient Chairman, having previously funded and managed over two million sq ft of Grade A office space across the UK.” The building’s architectural design has been led by award-winning firm DLA Architects, with support from a multidisciplinary team including Roscoe (civil/structural engineering), Thornley & Lumb (services), BB7 (fire engineering), Hydrock (BREEAM and Fitwel), Ridge (NABERS) and AH Connections (WiredScore). Prescient Capital has appointed Knight Frank, Fox Lloyd Jones, and Cushman & Wakefield as joint agents for the scheme. Nick Salkeld, Partner at Fox Lloyd Jones, commented: “Fox Lloyd Jones is proud to be a part of the team bringing forward this exemplar development designed to the highest standards and current day ESG benchmarks. It is a truly unique landmark scheme for the Leeds office market offering boutique, high-end workspace in a prime West End location.” Site preparation works are already underway, with demolition scheduled to begin in September. The project is expected to complete by July 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Portable Building Sales has completed the successful delivery of a bespoke 14-module, two-storey office facility for offshore engineering firm Osbit, supporting the company’s rapid expansion at its new manufacturing base at the Port of Blyth. Osbit, a leader in tailored engineering solutions for the offshore renewables sector, required high-quality office accommodation to match the professionalism and scale of its growing operations. The new factory location provided ample workshop space but lacked sufficient office and welfare facilities to support a larger team and host clients on site. To meet these complex requirements, Osbit turned to Portable Building Sales for a fast, flexible and future-proof solution. Within just 16 weeks, Portable Building Sales designed, supplied and installed a modular office building that includes meeting rooms, a canteen, changing rooms, toilet and shower facilities and breakout areas. The building features a plastic-coated steel exterior to complement the factory’s aesthetic, with a Trespa-clad entrance showcasing the Osbit brand. Internally, the layout was configured to accommodate both office and factory staff, with one side of the building offering a clear view into the workshop to maintain alignment between design and production teams. Steve Binney, Director at Osbit, commented: “We wanted a building that reflected the same high standards as the equipment we deliver and that’s exactly what we got. The flexibility, quality and functionality of the modular office have exceeded our expectations. From a working environment perspective, it’s just as good as our main office and has provided a fully operational satellite office and increased our business capacity.” This project highlights the strength of modular construction as a fast, adaptable solution for companies facing growing operational demands. The new office not only enables Osbit to better support its team and clients but also offers scope for future expansion as the business continues to grow. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham, Thursday 31st July 2025 – Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension schemes, and Court Collaboration, a Birmingham-based specialist residential property developer, have confirmed Sectional Completion of Tower B at the hotly anticipated One Eastside BTR development in the city. The completed phase means 140 new homes, including one and two-bedroom apartments, will now become available for rent just a stone’s throw from the £1 billion HS2 station at Curzon Street. Once the second phase is completed in 2026, One Eastside will feature a total of 667 high-quality new homes for rent, with state-of-the-art co-working spaces and a range of amenities for residents, including a cinema room, sky lounge, spa and gym. PIC forward funded the £200 million One Eastside development in 2023 and will own it for the long term. Court Collaboration is delivering the development, which at 51 storeys (Tower A) will be the tallest building in Birmingham. PIC’s investment strategy is carefully constructed to deliver robust, index-linked cash flows that match future pensions payments it its policyholders. PIC has invested more than £14 billion in UK infrastructure and housing. These assets are generating social value up and down the country, driving economic growth and job creation. Rob Groves, Chief Investment Officer at PIC, said: “We are proud to have reached another milestone in our One Eastside development, with 140 of the total of 667 high-quality homes made available for rent in the heart of Birmingham. One Eastside will be the tallest building in the city and help pay the pensions of our policyholders for decades to come.” Alex Neale, Chief Executive Officer at Court Collaboration, added: “We’re really proud to see the first homes becoming available at One Eastside, representing another exciting milestone for this development. Huge thanks go to PIC and the vast team of contractors and consultants who have helped us make this scheme a reality. Now it’s onwards and upwards for the remaining sections of the overall project.” The new homes will become available from this summer. Enquiries can be made by emailing leasing@oneeastside.co.uk, calling 07812408381 or for more information, please visit www.oneeastside.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mileway, the leading pan-European last mile logistics real estate company, has signed a ten-year lease agreement with Rubies, one of the largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of licensed dress up products in the world, and Smiffys, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of fancy dress costumes, wigs, accessories and make-up, for 170,000 sq ft (c. 15,700 sqm) of high-quality warehouse and office space at Space 170, 1 Pighue Lane, in Liverpool. Under a Joint Venture agreement, Rubies and Smiffys will transition to the new facility in August 2025. The new space will mark a significant step in improving the company’s operational performance, fulfilment speed and customer service capabilities. This includes being able to optimise the warehouse layout and racking for faster, more efficient order fulfilment, increasing its inventory capacity and enhancing delivery accuracy. To support the company’s growing operational needs, the modern facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System (WMS) to support real-time inventory tracking, streamlined workflows and improved system reliability. Other features include racking capacity for up to 14,000 pallets, a 9-metre eaves height, 13 dock-level loading doors, three level-access doors, two large secure yard areas, a 500 kVA power supply, and a fully fitted two-storey office and amenities block. Strategically located near the M62 with access to the M57, M6 and Liverpool Ring Road, the property is well connected to the wider Northwest region, including the Port of Liverpool, the JLR factory and the New Mersey Crossing. It also benefits from proximity to key public transport links and local amenities, including the redeveloped Edge Lane Retail Park. “We worked closely with Rubies and Smiffys to meet their specific and tight scheduling requirements, successfully ensuring disruption was kept to a minimum. We look forward to building a long-term partnership as they enter this exciting phase of growth and operational transformation,” said Andrew Jones, Mileway Managing Director UK & Ireland. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey of enhanced operational excellence and improved customer service. This strategic move represents our dedication to serving our customers better, especially in time for the Halloween season. The modern facility and upgraded technology will allow us to fulfil orders more efficiently, ensuring timely delivery and increased stock availability,” said Fran Hales, Head of Portfolio and Marketing at Rubies. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and this move to our new Liverpool location will ensure an improved and optimised process for every order that leaves our distribution facility. This customised fulfilment centre has been developed with our product range in mind, allowing for an improved service and more efficient order fulfilment. We’re looking forward to heading into our busiest season better equipped than ever to support our customers and meet demands,” said Elliott Peckett, Sales Director at Smiffys. B8 Real Estate served as agents on the deal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chancerygate and CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) have been granted planning to speculatively build 105,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space on a site in Eccles, Greater Manchester. Called Westside and located on Stadium Way , the scheme will comprise nine leasehold units ranging from 6,150 sq ft to 23,500 sq ft. The five-acre site is near the Salford Community Stadium and in close proximity to the M60, M62 and M6 motorways, offering easy access to Manchester, Liverpool and wider North West region. The neighbouring Salford Community Stadium is the home of rugby league side Salford Red Devils and the Sale Sharks rugby union team. All properties at Westside will feature electric vehicle charging points along with solar cells which provide green energy on an affordable basis to occupiers. In addition, the units will be constructed from high-performance building materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme is targeting a BREEAM accreditation of Excellent and for all units to achieve an EPC A rating as a minimum. Chancerygate development manager, Andy Farrer, said: “Westside will deliver high quality accommodation which has strong sustainability credentials and excellent access to key road connections and major motorway networks. “This site will help satisfy the pent-up demand from SME businesses across the Salford, Greater Manchester and the wider North West for high-specification units in a well-established location. “Now that planning has been granted, we look forward to starting works on the site to deliver this much-needed industrial and logistics space and create a prime economic asset for the locality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading contractor Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a revolutionary facility poised to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK is set to deliver a hospital that will provide unparalleled care for children in the region, encompassing both physical and mental health services, alongside research, in a way no one has before. Cambridge Children’s Hospital is designed to be a world-first facility, pioneering a comprehensive approach to children’s health by integrating physical and mental health care seamlessly. Through this integrated care model, the hospital will enhance its focus on research into the prevention and early diagnosis of diseases, ensuring the best possible care for children and young people, including those with cancer. The hospital spans approximately 35,000 square meters over six primary floors, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and aligning with the NHS’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) objectives. Bouygues UK’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated in the design, employing Air Source Heat Pumps and photovoltaic cells to meet these stringent targets. A purposefully designed building, Cambridge Children’s Hospital is being co-created with valuable insights from young people, families, and healthcare professionals. This collaborative design process ensures that the facilities are tailored to meet the unique needs of children and young people. By integrating facilities wherever possible, the hospital recognises the reality that many children with mental health conditions may also experience physical health challenges, and vice versa. This integration will enable healthcare staff to provide better, safer, and age-appropriate care within high-quality, fit-for-purpose facilities, fulfilling the needs of children, young people, and families. The building has been designed by Hawkins\Brown in partnership with White Arkitekter. The architectural vision incorporates a mix of unitised and stick cladding systems, featuring Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) panels, vertical terracotta fins, and picture frame details, presenting a modern and welcoming aesthetic. The landscaping plan supports environmental sustainability with a northeast car parking area, a dedicated cycle store for 190 bicycles in the southwest corner, and play areas designed for therapeutic and recreational use. Philippe Bernard, Chair and CEO at Bouygues UK said, “We are honoured to lead on the construction of this pioneering project which embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and building for life. We look forward to working closely with all partners to bring this groundbreaking vision to life, setting new standards in healthcare for children.” Matt Allen, Director of New Hospital Construction at Cambridge University Hospitals, said, “We are delighted to be working with Bouygues UK. This is a major milestone in the journey to deliver Cambridge Children’s Hospital. “Bouygues UK are a first-class contractor with proven expertise in building and delivering excellent healthcare infrastructure within a collaborative environment makes them an ideal construction partner to deliver such an important project. “Together we can now get straight down to work in finalising our design and plans and ensuring best value for money under an initial pre-construction services agreement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK and Ireland’s leading architectural bodies have joined forces to launch The Belfast Group – a new alliance committed to raising the bar on fire and life safety design. Find out how this unified approach aims to ensure architects across all nations work to the same high standards, with life safety at the heart of every project. The professional architectural bodies representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland have joined forces to create a unified group, named The Belfast Group, aimed at providing consistent guidance on fire and life safety design for architects across the UK and Ireland. This new collaboration is one of several steps being taken by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW), and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI). These initiatives are a direct response to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, with a focus on raising standards in building fire safety. The Belfast Group’s key goal is to ensure that fire safety expertise “go beyond national boundaries” and that architects, no matter where they practise, are “equally competent” to design buildings that meet the highest standards of fire and life safety. The group’s members have jointly pledged to work alongside their respective Governments to advocate for architects to have “unfettered access” to all the national regulations, standards and technical resources needed to design buildings that prioritise safety in all five regions. Beyond establishing standards for architects, The Belfast Group also intends to produce guidance to help ensure that all construction professionals have access to consistent fire and life safety information. This will support better decision-making around procurement and the resourcing of building projects. Joint statement “In a shared statement, the presidents of the five institutions – Muyiwa Oki (RIBA), John Lavery (RSUA), Karen Anderson (RIAS), Dan Benham (RSAW) and Sean Mahon (RIAI) – said:“The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report makes clear that more is required to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible. This is relevant for every architect. While each jurisdiction has its own regulatory framework, there are core competencies when it comes to designing for life safety that transcend political boundaries and project typologies.” The statement continues: “The Belfast Group will share Best Practice, knowledge and information in design standards for life safety. This co-ordination will ensure that appropriate training and competency standards are implemented across each nation.” In closing, the five presidents added: “We continue to work with our relevant Governments to ensure that our members have access to all the regulations, standards and technical information they need, while also providing guidance to clients on how to support the procurement and resourcing of projects such that life safety is at the heart of the appointment process. These steps will help in delivering safer buildings for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-story development in the heart of Manhattan. Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-meter mixed-use tower designed by C3D Architecture. The concrete-frame structure features a sleek glass curtain wall, open terraces, and a dramatic multi-cylinder podium that contrasts strikingly with the classical façade of the neighboring Haier Building. The intricate unitized curtain wall façade was designed, engineered, and fabricated by Bisam Façade, and installed by Marvel Contracting. As part of their remit, Marvel worked closely with Siderise US distribution partner, Facades X, to procure a passive fire protection solution that exceeds the fire compartmentation requirements while facilitating a smooth installation process. Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop was specified to provide floor-to-floor compartmentation, protecting the void space at the perimeter joint between the edge of the floor slab and the internal surface of the external wall assembly. It offers a third-party certified FT rating of up to three hours (resistance to fire spread and temperature rise on the non-fire side) when tested to ASTM E2307 as part of the CW Perimeter Barrier System. It has also been independently tested to ensure L-rating compliance with the International Building Code (IBC). Additionally, its unique vertical-fibre stone wool Lamella core was specifically engineered to stand up to the demands of building and curtain wall movement on high rise towers, boasting a 60-year design life. In collaboration with façade contractor Bisam Façade and consultants at Socotec, Siderise prepared a thoroughly detailed technical submittal for the perimeter fire barriers—tailored to the project’s complex slab-edge geometry. Special attention was paid to the curved east elevation and its staggered floor edges to ensure continuous compression fit, and long-term performance for design-life movements. To ensure this bespoke onsite work met high standards and followed manufacturer recommendations, Siderise Site Services assisted the Marvel installation team with project specific training and benchmark installations. This support continued throughout the project with regular inspections conducted via the Siderise Inspection App. For more information, please contact Siderise USA: m: +1 (860) 841-7863 e: Brad.Davis@siderise.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Making decisions about investment properties after a relationship breakdown can be complex and emotionally challenging. When couples separate, they face difficult choices about their shared assets – particularly investment properties that may have been part of their long-term financial strategy. Should you continue co-owning and split the rental income, or sell the property and divide the proceeds? If you’re seeking lawyers for a separation to help with property division, understanding your options is the first step toward making informed decisions. Key Takeaways Legal Framework for Investment Properties In Australia, investment properties are considered relationship assets subject to division during separation. The Family Law Act governs how these assets are treated, with consideration given to initial contributions, ongoing financial inputs, and non-financial contributions to property maintenance and improvement. Property investors should be aware that regardless of whose name appears on the title, investment properties purchased during the relationship are generally considered joint assets. This applies even to properties purchased through self-managed super funds or company structures, though these arrangements add complexity to the division process. Income Splitting Arrangements Continuing to jointly own an investment property after separation allows both parties to benefit from rental income and potential capital growth. This option appeals to many property investors who recognise the long-term value of their real estate holdings. Advantages of Income Splitting Challenges of Continued Co-ownership Despite the financial benefits, co-owning property with a former partner introduces practical challenges. Property maintenance decisions, renovation approvals, and even selecting tenants can become sources of conflict. One party may want to upgrade bathroom fixtures while the other prefers investing in kitchen renovations. “The most successful post-separation property arrangements involve clear written agreements about maintenance responsibilities, expense sharing, and decision-making processes for capital improvements.” Many separated couples find that professional property management becomes essential after separation, removing the need for direct communication about day-to-day property matters. Property managers can serve as neutral intermediaries for maintenance requests, tenant selection, and rent collection. Selling Investment Properties Selling an investment property provides immediate financial separation and allows both parties to move forward independently. This clean-break approach eliminates ongoing connections through shared assets. Financial Implications of Selling Property sale proceeds are subject to capital gains tax if the property has appreciated since purchase. However, various tax concessions may apply depending on ownership structure and holding period. The construction date of the building also impacts available depreciation claims that might need to be reconciled upon sale. Current property market conditions heavily influence selling decisions. In rising markets, holding properties longer typically delivers better returns, while falling markets might suggest selling sooner to preserve capital. Local construction activity can also impact property values – new housing developments nearby might affect resale values positively or negatively. Preparation for Sale Maximising property value before sale often involves strategic renovation and repairs. Focus on high-impact improvements that increase buyer appeal without overcapitalising: Consider professional building inspection reports to identify structural issues – addressing foundation problems, roofing defects, or electrical concerns before listing prevents buyer negotiations driving down price. Fresh paint, updated light fixtures, and minor bathroom refreshes deliver strong returns relative to investment. Curb appeal significantly impacts buyer first impressions, making landscape maintenance and exterior cleaning valuable pre-sale investments. Professional styling can help buyers envision themselves in the space, particularly in vacant investment properties. Property Management Considerations Whether keeping or preparing to sell an investment property, management arrangements require careful thought. DIY property management saves agency fees but demands time, knowledge of tenancy laws, and maintenance skills. For those handling property maintenance themselves, investing in quality tools becomes essential. Basic power tools for minor repairs, leak detection equipment for plumbing issues, and ladder systems for gutter maintenance can save significant contractor costs over time. Digital property management platforms now offer streamlined solutions for documentation, maintenance scheduling, and financial tracking – particularly helpful when properties remain co-owned after separation. These systems create transparent records accessible to both owners. Market Assessment Factors Australian property markets vary significantly by location, housing type, and economic conditions. Regional construction trends, infrastructure development, and rental demand all influence investment property performance. Property valuation should consider: Professional property valuers provide objective assessments that can help separated couples agree on fair market value without emotional influence. Building and pest inspectors identify any issues requiring attention before sale or continued ownership. Making Your Decision The decision between income splitting and selling ultimately depends on individual circumstances, financial goals, and the nature of the ongoing relationship between separated parties. Property investors should consider both immediate needs and long-term wealth creation strategies. Creating a comprehensive analysis of both scenarios – including projected rental income, estimated maintenance costs, potential capital growth, and tax implications – provides objective data for decision-making. This financial modelling helps remove emotion from property decisions during separation. Conclusion Investment property decisions after separation require careful consideration of financial, practical, and personal factors. Whether choosing to maintain co-ownership with income splitting arrangements or selling to create financial separation, understanding the full implications of each option is essential. The real estate and construction aspects of these decisions – from property valuation to renovation considerations – significantly impact financial outcomes. For personalised advice on your specific situation, consulting with financial advisors alongside Tonkin Legal can help ensure your property decisions align with your long-term interests.