Mace Construct has been appointed as the main contractor for one of the City of London’s most anticipated developments, a 30-storey tower set to rise at 85 Gracechurch Street beside the historic Leadenhall Market. Commissioned by Hertshten Properties, the Woods Bagot-designed scheme will deliver around 235,000 sq ft of prime
Indurent has marked its first year of trading with impressive results, recording more than £1 billion of investment and portfolio growth of nearly 20 per cent across its UK logistics and industrial holdings. The company was formed in July 2024 through the merger of St. Modwen Logistics and Industrials REIT,
Built on a site with a rich and diverse history in the heart of Kensington in London, Thirdway’s refurbishment of One Derry Street was informed by its fascinating industrial past. The goal was to restore the site and return it to its former glory, resulting in Thirdway’s remit extending far beyond most
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has been granted planning permission for the Land East of Catherington Lane site in Horndean from East Hampshire District Council. This follows on from the housebuilder receiving a resolution to grant planning permission from the council’s Planning Committee in
Hortons has unveiled more than 200,000 sq ft of premium warehouse/logistics space at Saxon Park in Corby. The scheme comprises two new units, Saxon 79 at 78,500 sq ft and Saxon 129 at 129,300 sq ft, created through the full redevelopment of a single, vacant warehouse. Located off Saxon Way
Building membranes manufacturer, Industrial Textiles and Plastics (ITP) Ltd, is supporting its policy of continual product innovation with investment in a new Product Development and Testing facility at its headquarters in Easingwold, North Yorkshire. The company is redeveloping an old warehouse unit to house a new laboratory for the ongoing
Simon Shaw, Head of Property and Construction, Duncan & Toplis Cash flow issues can present themselves in any industry, but few are as exposed as the construction sector with every project juggling multiple costs. Here, tight deadlines, long supply chains and vast project timelines can cause stumbling blocks for businesses
Contractor Clegg Construction has appointed a new bid writer to strengthen its pre-construction team. Chloe Lawless brings public sector procurement experience to the role, having joined from a specialist bid writing consultancy, supporting a wide range of UK clients to develop successful public sector tender submissions. She began her career
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the
Mace Construct has been appointed as the main contractor for one of the City of London’s most anticipated developments, a 30-storey tower set to rise at 85 Gracechurch Street beside the historic Leadenhall Market. Commissioned by Hertshten Properties, the Woods Bagot-designed scheme will deliver around 235,000 sq ft of prime office space, replacing a 1930s block within the Leadenhall conservation area. The tower is designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, with an all-electric energy strategy, advanced mechanical systems, natural ventilation, and a commitment to urban greening. The site itself is steeped in history. Excavations have uncovered substantial remains of London’s first Roman Basilica. These will be preserved and displayed in situ as a new visitor attraction, curated in partnership with the Museum of London. This heritage element has shaped both the planning process and the design of the new building. Mace has now entered the pre-construction services agreement phase, with completion scheduled for 2030. Ged Simmonds, managing director of Mace Construct, commented: “85 Gracechurch Street represents a rare opportunity to create a sustainable, forward-looking office development that remains sensitive to its historic surroundings. Our focus is on collaborating with Hertshten Properties and the project team to deliver a building that enhances the City and supports the needs of future occupiers.” Ron Hertshten, chief executive of Hertshten Properties UK, added: “This project will deliver a state-of-the-art office building with approximately 235,000 sq ft of premium workspace and exceptional amenities. Designed to set new standards in sustainability, it will be a benchmark development for the City of London. With Mace’s extensive experience in complex, high-profile projects, we are confident in their ability to bring our vision to life.” The tower at 85 Gracechurch Street is set to become a landmark addition to the City, blending cutting-edge sustainable design with London’s deep-rooted history. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Indurent has marked its first year of trading with impressive results, recording more than £1 billion of investment and portfolio growth of nearly 20 per cent across its UK logistics and industrial holdings. The company was formed in July 2024 through the merger of St. Modwen Logistics and Industrials REIT, combining development expertise with a substantial landbank and an advanced operating platform. Since then, Indurent has expanded its workforce by almost a third to 230 employees and now supports a customer base of over 2,500, ranging from local SMEs to global corporations such as Amazon, as well as creative firms like N2 Creative, which builds sets for the television series Gangs of London. Over the past twelve months, Indurent has increased its national portfolio from approximately 27 million sq ft to 32 million sq ft, spanning both multi-let industrial estates and large-scale logistics facilities. This expansion has been underpinned by significant acquisitions and a robust development pipeline. Julian Carey, chief executive of Indurent, said: “The momentum achieved in our first year reflects both the strength of our assets and the demand for high-quality, sustainable logistics space. We’ve been able to scale rapidly, delivering modern facilities in prime locations and leveraging digital tools like our Hive platform to provide a streamlined, customer-focused experience. Industrial and logistics real estate is increasingly recognised as the backbone of the modern economy, and we are proud to be playing a central role in its growth.” Indurent’s assets have attracted a broad range of new tenants. Over the past year, more than 2.4 million sq ft of space was leased across nearly 450 transactions. Notable agreements included furniture brand Herman Miller taking 110,000 sq ft at Indurent Park Chippenham, and aviation services specialist AerFin relocating its headquarters to a 116,000 sq ft office and industrial facility at Indurent Park Newport, doubling its capacity. The company has also invested over £10 million in technology, accelerating the rollout of Hive, its proprietary digital operating platform. Hive enables a fully digitised leasing process, from virtual tours to instant onboarding. The system has proven particularly effective for smaller lettings, with three quarters of sub-5,000 sq ft deals now completed directly online, often within days of enquiry. Looking ahead, Indurent plans to build on its strong first year by continuing to invest in sustainable developments, customer-focused technology, and prime logistics locations across the UK. With planning reform, rising occupier demand and ongoing supply constraints driving momentum, the company is positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of both local businesses and global operators. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Built on a site with a rich and diverse history in the heart of Kensington in London, Thirdway’s refurbishment of One Derry Street was informed by its fascinating industrial past. The goal was to restore the site and return it to its former glory, resulting in Thirdway’s remit extending far beyond most CAT A fit-outs. The refurbishment has transformed this 40,000 sq ft building into a spacious, multi-functional workspace both inside and out. Reviving its Industrial Past The Thirdway team looked at the full history of the Derry Street site to guide its design process. There were many historical reference points for them to choose from as the site was first developed in 1736. The team decided to focus on its function as a candle factory in 1779 – an era that marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Playing on this industrial heritage, the choice of materials remained true to its history, with extensive use of exposed brickwork throughout the building (a light coloured brick, reminiscent of London Stock Brick, a staple of the 1700s). Not only referencing its industrial past, the brickwork also brings warmth to the space, creating an inviting environment. When paired with high-end finishes such as polished concrete, steel, and glass, the choice of materials helps to create a sophisticated and refined space. In the reception and communal areas, heritage was again at the forefront of Thirdway’s design; hand-chiselled stone flooring from Portugal was used, giving a luxurious and classic feel to the space that reflected the heritage features of the façade. While in the stairway, the existing tiles were kept to connect the space once again to its past, while bronze finishes were used to modernise, referencing the original copper pipework of the building. Meeting the needs of today’s tenants While the past was fundamental to the design process, the present was a key consideration for the client and its future tenants. In a prime Kensington location, minutes from Kensington High Street station, an area synonymous with boutiques and culture, there are already many major occupiers calling the area home. The Thirdway design team had to create a space that would appeal to a similar type of occupier. This meant also focusing on the refreshment of the exterior areas – including resurfacing the courtyard, adding new planting, working on the services running from the main road to create a discreet workspace set away from High Street Kensington which is also accessible to its busy location, making it ideal for a brand HQ. Two bright, spacious courtyards, accessible from the ground floor, were revived as well as a fully equipped, event-ready rooftop terrace to add to its tenant appeal. Full-service facilities Thirdway also carried out a comprehensive upgrade of all the facilities, including new showers, WCs, car parking, and secure bike storage, ensuring a full-service offering that would meet the needs of modern tenants. To support potential evolving occupancy requirements, the changing rooms were designed with adaptability in mind, allowing them to be reconfigured to increase or decrease the size of either side, providing maximum flexibility for the client. Beyond CAT A This year-long project saw the Thirdway team go beyond the standard remit of a CAT A fit-out, supporting their client by ensuring that the planning regulations were met, working with the utility infrastructure, and adding all mechanical and electrical systems. “This was a fantastic project as it embraced so many aspects of building refurbishment demonstrating Thirdway’s ability to deliver a comprehensive restoration and transformation for a client. From working on the mechanicals through to capturing and elevating the rich history and provenance of the building through considered design, we’re pleased to have done this building justice, bringing it into the present while still respecting its history, and that of the local area,” said Tom Iles, Lead Designer, Thirdway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has been granted planning permission for the Land East of Catherington Lane site in Horndean from East Hampshire District Council. This follows on from the housebuilder receiving a resolution to grant planning permission from the council’s Planning Committee in January this year. The proposed plans for Land East of Catherington Lane include up to 109 new zero carbon ready one to four-bedroom homes, 44 of which are affordable across varying tenures, a 40% provision in compliance with planning policy. Each home is expected to feature an air source heat pump, dedicated electric vehicle charger and PV solar panels to reduce its carbon emissions well beyond the requirements of building regulations. Working for an onsite biodiversity net gain of more than 10% for the local natural habitat, the landscape-led scheme will create a new sustainable edge of village community. Early discussions with Horndean Parish Council highlighted the importance of open space. The northern part of the site – totalling 17.9 acres – will be landscaped as green public open space for leisure and recreation, while preserving the green gap between Horndean and Catherington. Multiple pedestrian access points will be available to this green space, while new play spaces are planned throughout the development to encourage children to spend time outdoors. Other elements of Land East of Catherington Lane include cycling and pedestrian links, a significant number of new planted trees and a new access road from Catherington Lane. Tristan Robinson, Thakeham’s Director of External Affairs, said: “A comprehensive consultation process was undertaken for this development, with a high level of public interest and engagement in our proposals, so we’re pleased that East Hampshire District Council has approved our plans and granted us planning permission. There were nearly 1,600 households on the housing waiting list across East Hampshire between 2022 and 2023, reflecting the clear requirement for additional housing across the district. Land East of Catherington Lane will help to address this need by delivering much needed sustainable new homes.” Land East of Catherington Lane is located approximately 1km north west of Horndean village centre and east of Catherington Lane, which links to the A3. This proximity provides the development with a solid connection to cities and towns including Portsmouth, Guildford, Petersfield and Havant. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hortons has unveiled more than 200,000 sq ft of premium warehouse/logistics space at Saxon Park in Corby. The scheme comprises two new units, Saxon 79 at 78,500 sq ft and Saxon 129 at 129,300 sq ft, created through the full redevelopment of a single, vacant warehouse. Located off Saxon Way West, within the UK’s logistics ‘Golden Triangle’, the new units have been refurbished to a high-quality specification, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 are EPC A+ rated and incorporate energy efficient features such as LED lighting, photovoltaic roof panels and electric vehicle charging points. Both offer a 12.5-metre clear eaves height and generous yard depths of 45–55 metres, while Saxon 129 benefits from a 1 MVA power supply with capacity to increase. The units are available for immediate occupation. A third new unit, known as Saxon 68, is currently under construction and will deliver 68,250 sq ft of Grade A accommodation when complete in Q4 2025. The new developments follow Hortons’ successful refurbishment of Saxon 58, a 58,350 sq ft warehouse unit at Saxon Park, which was let to Russell & Bromley. James Slater of Hortons said: “This redevelopment represents a significant investment in Saxon Park and forms part of our wider commitment to deliver high quality, sustainable industrial space across the Midlands. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 provide Grade A accommodation in a highly sought after logistics location that has been designed to meet modern occupier requirements.” Saxon Park is located on Oakley Hay Industrial Estate, four miles southwest of Corby town centre and five miles north of Kettering. It benefits from excellent road connectivity via the A6003 and A14, providing links to the M1/M6 and A1/M11 motorways. DTRE and TDB Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building membranes manufacturer, Industrial Textiles and Plastics (ITP) Ltd, is supporting its policy of continual product innovation with investment in a new Product Development and Testing facility at its headquarters in Easingwold, North Yorkshire. The company is redeveloping an old warehouse unit to house a new laboratory for the ongoing development of its diverse product range which includes protective building membranes for roof and wall applications, ground gas barriers, and textiles for temporary site protection. The facility is expected to be fully operational this autumn. ITP Managing Director, Carl Morse, said: “Pioneering advances in engineered protective textiles is part ITP’s DNA. Across four decades in manufacturing, the company has driven innovations in our markets. We have been especially prominent in leading and advocating the development of flame-retardant and chemical-resistant technologies, and fire protection will be a key focus of our R&D in the coming years. The new facility will be a crucial part of our ability to refine product performance and optimise the balance of every metric, from combustibility to water tightness and UV resistance.” ITP Sales Director, Matt Thompson, said: “Enhancing and expanding our ability to carry out initial testing and prototyping in-house will be vital in enabling ITP to develop new products – we will be able to carry out exhaustive R&D before submitting each new product to independent testing bodies to certify their credentials before they are released to the market. ITP has never been one of those manufacturers that merely tries to replicate inferior versions of competitor products – we believe in developing new solutions and setting new standards.” At its facilities in Easingwold include logistics, storage and a wide range of manufacturing processes, where it has a UK and international sales team and supplying products on a global basis. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Simon Shaw, Head of Property and Construction, Duncan & Toplis Cash flow issues can present themselves in any industry, but few are as exposed as the construction sector with every project juggling multiple costs. Here, tight deadlines, long supply chains and vast project timelines can cause stumbling blocks for businesses and developers. For example, delays in receiving payments from clients can lead to reduced reserves, which in turn can lead to a lack of funds to buy materials, pay employees and cope with unexpected issues like soil problems or hidden utilities. And the chances of this having a knock on effect on the overall delivery of the project are high. Construction businesses are frequently tasked with fronting a lot of the project cost before an invoice has even been sent to the customer. As a result, effective cash flow management is a critical element of running a successful project in the sector. Failure to do your due diligence when it comes to cash flow can be catastrophic – not just for the project you are working on, but for your business future as a whole. Late payments can reduce the opportunity to secure future contracts, and it also threatens project completion. Ensuring that all relevant parties are paid on time should be an absolute priority for construction businesses – but it is important to understand why. Why is cash flow important in construction? In construction, cash flow takes on a particular importance, with multiple areas of funding required to balance a project smoothly. These costs include paying for labour, subcontractors, material deliveries and permits, and all of these overheads can be due at different stages of the development process, so need to be allocated and managed as part of the project plan early on. Most construction projects rely on finances from external sources such as lenders or investors, and over the last few years there have been consistent concerns around inflation spikes that drive the price of projects up. This makes costing a development even more difficult, and can result in problems if late payments are made to disrupt your cash flow. Lenders can impose penalties if they don’t see returns on their investment in suitable time, and interest costs can soon see your final bill skyrocket beyond initial expectations, putting the overall project in jeopardy. Monitoring cash flow also enables you to flag any potential risks that could arise in upcoming projects, prepare for smoother outcomes in the future and ultimately grow your business. Common cash flow issues in construction Problems around cash flow can be rife in construction if you are not savvy early on, and they can take on many different forms. High upfront costs is an early hurdle to overcome when mapping out a construction project, as contractors and developers are often asked to provide significant payments towards labour and equipment before a spade has even entered the ground. This can set you on the wrong foot immediately if not handled correctly and promptly, and create further issues down the road. Some of these issues can be out of your control, such as delayed payments from clients. This is why it is important to ensure your cash flow management includes reserves to anticipate and prepare for delayed income. Late payments can affect project timelines, but can also affect the funding of your project on a day-to-day basis, with subcontractors to pay, equipment to buy and hire, and deliveries to order. How you can improve cash flow For every obstacle to overcome with cash flow, there are solutions you can adopt to mitigate and minimise the risk. It is important that all parties to the contract understand and acknowledge the agreed payment terms, as well as details around approval and appeals processes, and terms outlining when final payment will be made. Another administrative change that proves effective is setting up a clear schedule for invoicing, so paperwork does not delay your positive cash flow. Don’t be afraid to charge for late payments; as this can easily derail your project. Effective cash flow management is the cornerstone of any successful business regardless of industry. While the construction of a building is your responsibility in this industry, it cannot be achieved without strategic planning around cash flow and the management of funds coming in and out of the business’ pot. Put simply, if there are cash flow problems within your construction business, it will inevitably impact your ability to complete the project, pay your employees and operate as a successful, profitable company in the sector. Duncan & Toplis provides accounting and business services to property and construction companies across the UK. To learn more about how we can help with cash flow management, and many other business challenges, visit www.duncantoplis.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction has appointed a new bid writer to strengthen its pre-construction team. Chloe Lawless brings public sector procurement experience to the role, having joined from a specialist bid writing consultancy, supporting a wide range of UK clients to develop successful public sector tender submissions. She began her career working in commercial property for a Nottingham-based firm of chartered surveyors before moving into bid writing. Chloe, who is originally from Doncaster, said: “I’m looking forward to playing a key role in Clegg Construction’s future during this time of growth. I was really drawn to Clegg’s reputation for delivering high-quality projects that make a visible impact in the regions in which we work. “I value the company’s blend of heritage and forward-looking approach, and there’s a real commitment to growth, innovation and social value. The team already has such strong in-house expertise, and I’m excited to be able to bring my expertise to Clegg and further enhance our proposals.” Clegg Construction pre-construction director Christian White said: “I am pleased to welcome Chloe to the team. She brings significant experience to the role and her proven track record in developing successful tender submissions makes her a valuable addition as we continue to grow.” Outside of work, Chloe enjoys running, exploring the outdoors and spending time with her family. With its head office in The Lace Market in Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Starting out in the world of work can be tough, especially when experience is hard to come by. That’s why VIVID offers apprenticeships that give people the chance to learn on the job, gain qualifications, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Four new electrician apprentices have recently joined the team, taking their first steps into the housing and trade sector and beginning a journey that could shape their future. The new apprentices will be working alongside experienced teams—learning the ropes, gaining qualifications, and building the confidence and skills they’ll need to succeed. It’s a meaningful opportunity to get hands-on experience in a skilled profession, and VIVID will be supporting them every step of the way. VIVID is growing its apprenticeship programme as part of a long-term approach to developing talent and strengthening its workforce. Apprenticeships offer a practical route into skilled roles, helping people build experience while contributing to the work that keeps homes and services running safely and smoothly. There are currently 19 apprentices working across different teams, and VIVID is looking to expand that number as it continues to invest in future skills. Duncan Short, Group Resources Director at VIVID, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new electrician apprentices. Apprenticeships are a great way to learn, grow, and build a career—and we’re proud to support people taking that first step. We’re looking forward to seeing them build their skills and confidence as they settle into life at VIVID.” Myles, one of VIVID’s new electrician apprentices, said “I’m really happy to be here at VIVID and I’m excited to learn new things every day in a hands on environment.” Mark Churcher, Head of Building Compliance at VIVID, said, “It’s great to welcome new apprentices on board. They’re joining a busy and skilled group who are always happy to share their knowledge. We’re here to make sure they get the experience and support they need to build confidence and start a strong career in the trade.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
