Prologis UK has today announced the acquisition of a 24-acre development site in North London, strengthening its presence in the capital. Located just off Junction 26 of the M25 to the south of Waltham Abbey, the site offers excellent connectivity to Central London and the wider UK motorway network, making
Contractor Midgard has been given approval to begin work on a £145 million twin tower residential development in Birmingham after the project successfully passed the Gateway 2 safety stage. Developer Sphere Group, working with strategic partner Select Property, is delivering the Edition Birmingham scheme, which has become the first residential
A major deep retrofit of the former Pinners Hall at 108 Old Broad Street has been approved, paving the way for a significant transformation of the 1990s office block in the heart of the City of London. Development manager Patrizia has secured planning consent for the project, working alongside long-standing
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, alongside client AG South Plaza B.V and developer Melburg, has celebrated a key construction milestone at 360 Bristol, a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development located on
NHS Property Services welcomed the start of construction on a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Coventry at a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday. The new centre will offer earlier diagnosis of conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, with tests brought closer to home. It will open Monday to Friday,
Bellrock acquires MW Lift Services to expand in-house engineering capabilities Addition of trusted specialist further enhances industry disruptor’s self-delivery model, serving up smarter, more connected property solutions Facilities management and property services industry disruptor Bellrock has strengthened its presence in the built environment with the acquisition of MW Lift Services,
By Justine Edmonds, Head of Build to Rent / Leasing Strategies at LRG The Build to Rent (BTR) sector has the potential to deliver one in ten of the government’s 1.5 million new homes, but it can only do so if the viability crisis is addressed. The Budget on 26 November is a vital opportunity to unlock
In response to the evolving demands of the UK’s built environment sector, a new collaboration has been announced between the Fire Protection Association (FPA), UL Solutions, and PartB Outlined in the release of the joint paper, Testing Times: a solutions-focused collaboration for UK fire testing, the collaboration aims to deliver
Independent land agent Walter Cooper has announced ambitious growth plans, as it targets £1bn in land transactions over the next five years. This follows two years of strong performance, which saw the agency generate more than £680m in land value, equating to more than 3,850 homes delivered in that time.
The construction industry is constantly seeking ways to increase efficiency, productivity, and safety on the jobsite. While excavators remain the core of earthmoving operations, attachments like the tiltrotator are significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of traditional excavators. James Venerus, General Manager Product Marketing at Komatsu Europe, discusses how Original
Prologis UK has today announced the acquisition of a 24-acre development site in North London, strengthening its presence in the capital. Located just off Junction 26 of the M25 to the south of Waltham Abbey, the site offers excellent connectivity to Central London and the wider UK motorway network, making it ideally positioned for last-mile fulfilment and urban supply chains. The acquisition forms part of Prologis’s ongoing strategy to invest in prime locations where the supply demand fundamentals are strongest. The site provides an opportunity to deliver high-quality, sustainable, advanced manufacturing and logistics units that meets the evolving needs of modern supply chains. The site sits in an area occupied by numerous national and international distribution operators. Directly adjacent to the subject site sits Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Distribution Centre, with GXO, Ocado, Iceland, Tesco and John Lewis in close proximity. Paul Weston, Regional Head, Prologis UK, said: “This acquisition underscores our conviction in the Greater London market. Waltham Abbey is already a well-established logistics location, and this site gives us the ability to bring forward sustainable, best-in-class space that supports our customers’ growth while creating employment opportunities and attracting investment for the local community.” The site is allocated for employment use in Epping Forest District Council’s adopted Local Plan, supporting economic growth and the district’s future employment needs. Master planning is underway, with a focus on sustainability, design and community integration. As with all Prologis developments, the company will engage closely with local stakeholders throughout the planning process to ensure the development brings long-term benefits to the local community. JLL acted for Prologis. ACRE Capital Real Estate acted for the vendor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Midgard has been given approval to begin work on a £145 million twin tower residential development in Birmingham after the project successfully passed the Gateway 2 safety stage. Developer Sphere Group, working with strategic partner Select Property, is delivering the Edition Birmingham scheme, which has become the first residential skyscraper project in the city to secure sign off from the Building Safety Regulator. The development will deliver 581 new homes beside Centenary Square, split between the 46 storey Centenary Tower and the 15 storey Park Residence. Midgard, part of the JRL Group, plans to use modular construction methods to accelerate progress, with phase one expected to complete in 2027. Thomas Taylor, managing director of Sphere Group, said:“The new Building Safety Act Gateway 2 introduces some of the most stringent safety requirements in the world, making the UK a market leader and one of the safest places to invest.“Securing Gateway 2 approval is a major milestone and underlines our commitment to ensuring Edition Birmingham is built to the very highest standards of safety and quality.” Residents will benefit from an extensive range of amenities, including a swimming pool suspended 20 metres above ground, a hydro pool, plunge pool, sauna and steam room. Further features include a sky lounge with private dining on the 44th and 45th floors, a co working space known as The Study, and a 9,000 square foot outdoor terrace with cinema screen and BBQ area. Engineering consultancy is being led by SOM, with Futureserv acting as MEP consultant. Interiors are being designed by Weedon Architects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major deep retrofit of the former Pinners Hall at 108 Old Broad Street has been approved, paving the way for a significant transformation of the 1990s office block in the heart of the City of London. Development manager Patrizia has secured planning consent for the project, working alongside long-standing partner Far East Organization, which owns the building. The site sits between Liverpool Street and Bank, in one of the busiest pockets of new development in the City core. Designed by architect Stiff and Trevillion, the scheme will add new upper levels and a pavilion on the seventh floor, enhancing the building’s profile and contributing to a total of around 200,000 square feet. Patrizia says the plans will increase net lettable space by roughly 15 per cent. The building has already been stripped out and main construction work is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, with completion targeted for summer 2027. A contractor has yet to be appointed. The project team includes Quartz as project manager and Gardiner and Theobald as quantity surveyor. The redevelopment builds on Patrizia’s value add portfolio across Europe, including recent projects at 40 Grosvenor Place in Belgravia, 24 Endell Street in Covent Garden and The Louise in Brussels. The company continues to advance its brown to green strategy, focusing on delivering future fit offices in major markets. Dan Williams, head of investment management development at Patrizia, said the planning approval represents an important step towards realising the vision for 108 Old Broad Street. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, alongside client AG South Plaza B.V and developer Melburg, has celebrated a key construction milestone at 360 Bristol, a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development located on Marlborough Street in the heart of the city. The project team and partners – including IESIS, structural engineer HEXA, and architect ECE Westworks – came together on the 30th October for a topping out ceremony to celebrate a major milestone – completion of the building’s structure, a significant step in transforming the former 1960s office block into a 10-storey, 399-bedroom sustainable student living community. Works officially began in August 2024, with enabling works taking place ahead of the main construction phase, which commenced in May 2025. Scheduled for completion in summer 2026, the development will provide a mix of studio and cluster bedrooms, featuring shared kitchens, a gym, cinema, karaoke, content rooms, games lounge, study spaces, yoga and Zumba rooms, and extensive outdoor areas for socialising. Outdoor amenity space includes an accessible terrace on the 10th floor and ground floor external areas on the podium over the existing basement. Basement parking and cycle storage have also been retained throughout the works. Remedial repairs to the existing structural frame have been undertaken including fire protection enhancements, and three additional upper floors have been constructed to provide additional living spaces. The project also delivers significant fire safety improvements in line with the requirements of the Building Safety Act. This sustainable design and delivery approach reflects the shared values of Winvic, AG South Plaza B.V, and Melburg, championing responsible regeneration within the PBSA sector whilst delivering significant sustainable improvements such as 3,500 tonnes of lifetime carbon savings, 1,500% biodiversity net gains, EPC A and BREEAM “Excellent” ratings. Delivered by Winvic under the Gateway 2 process, 360 Bristol is the contractor’s first project to progress through the new regime, underscoring its commitment to quality, collaboration, and building safety. The scheme is delivering meaningful social value through employment, education and community engagement. Two site visits have been held so far, one in partnership with The Restore Trust and O’Neill and Brennan hosting 15 unemployed learners, and another for T Level students from IBK Academy, where one student will be completing their industry placement on site. Creating inclusive employment opportunities, Winvic is piloting the Standing Tall programme, supporting an individual who was homeless into employment. Over 50 local employees (within 30 miles) are working on the project, which is also set to deliver over 200 training weeks for both new and existing staff, including members of the supply chain. Working alongside Winvic Construction for the scheme are Employer’s Agent and project manager – IESIS, Architect – ECE Westworks, Structural and Civil Engineer – HEXA and M&E consultant – BOX 20. Mark Jones, Managing Director of Multi-Room at Winvic Construction Ltd, said: “Reaching the topping out milestone at 360 Bristol is an exciting step forward for the project team. This scheme perfectly demonstrates how intelligent design and collaborative delivery can bring new life to existing structures – reducing embodied carbon and contributing to a more sustainable built environment. “It also marks our first project delivered through the Gateway 2 process, highlighting our commitment to building safety, quality, and partnership. I’d like to thank our client and project partners for their continued collaboration. Together, we are delivering a landmark building that will enhance Bristol’s student experience and stand as a benchmark for sustainable urban redevelopment.” Andrew Burns, Head of Asset and development at Melberg, said: “We are incredibly proud to see 360 Bristol reach this significant milestone. From the outset, our vision was to create a vibrant, inclusive community that not only meets the evolving needs of students but also sets new standards for sustainability and wellbeing. By retaining and enhancing the existing structure, we have dramatically reduced embodied carbon, while our commitment to EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ ratings ensures the building’s long-term environmental performance. The extensive amenity offer—from social spaces and wellness rooms to accessible outdoor terraces – reflects our belief that great places to live should also support personal growth and community connection. We look forward to welcoming students in September 2026 to a development that truly raises the bar for sustainable urban living in Bristol.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NHS Property Services welcomed the start of construction on a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Coventry at a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday. The new centre will offer earlier diagnosis of conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, with tests brought closer to home. It will open Monday to Friday, reducing the need for patients to travel to hospital, whilst ensuring that they receive excellent care. Owned by NHS Property Services, the location was chosen precisely because of its proximity to community services such as the Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre, local GP practices, and mental health services. It is set to open in late 2026, and see about 90,000 patients annually, providing up to 75,000 additional patient tests a year. Melvin Henry, Regional Capital Programme Manager (Midlands) at NHS Property Services, said: “This ground-breaking ceremony signifies the start of works on a multi-million-pound development which will transform the Paybody building into a dedicated Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). “NHS Property Services is focused on delivering a better NHS estate that is fit for the future by investing in and refurbishing buildings where our NHS colleagues can deliver excellent patient care.” Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said: “The start of the development of the CDC is a major milestone for healthcare in Coventry, completely transforming the way local communities access tests and scans and receive diagnosis for a range of conditions. It will support communities across the city to live longer, happier lives. “This activity forms part of our wider commitment to improving health inequalities and ensuring that everyone has easy access to the care they need. “We’re pleased to be working alongside Tilbury Douglas to deliver the CDC project, and excited to see the positive difference this facility will make.” David Tighe, Regional Director West Midlands at Tilbury Douglas, said: “We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with UHCW NHS Trust and NHS Property Services to deliver this key healthcare facility for Coventry. “Our experienced team is focused on ensuring the successful transformation of the existing building into a modern, efficient diagnostic centre. “Using our extensive expertise in healthcare construction, we’ll deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility that provides long-term benefits for the NHS and the community it serves.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellrock acquires MW Lift Services to expand in-house engineering capabilities Addition of trusted specialist further enhances industry disruptor’s self-delivery model, serving up smarter, more connected property solutions Facilities management and property services industry disruptor Bellrock has strengthened its presence in the built environment with the acquisition of MW Lift Services, a specialist lift engineering company based in north-east England. The move is the latest step in Bellrock’s ongoing mergers and acquisitions strategy and reinforces its commitment to high-quality, tech-led, insight-driven property solutions. Bellrock and MW Lift Services share a vision and a set of values, both driven to succeed for customers by delivering exceptional service. MW Lift Services provides lift installation, refurbishment, maintenance and 24/7 call-out services to a wide range of public and private sector clients. MWLS is >80% self-delivered and has built an impressive reputation for safety, quality, and excellent customer service across the UK. The acquisition strengthens Bellrock’s self-delivery model and adds in-house lift expertise to its Critical Engineering division, led by Colette Fellows, Managing Director. Bellrock already provides a full range of planned and reactive technical services including electrical and mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration maintenance. By integrating MW Lift Services into the group, Bellrock can offer a complete, in-house service that keeps buildings safe, compliant and efficient. Integrating lift services also means improved quality, better control of service delivery, and greater efficiency through intelligent data insights. “Joining Bellrock gives us the platform to grow faster and deliver even more value to our customers,” said Michael Winter, Managing Director, MW Lift Services. “We’ve always been proud of the strong relationships we’ve built and the quality of our engineering, and now we have the scale, systems and support to take that to the next level.” Bellrock CEO Carlo Alloni said: “We’re delighted to welcome MW Lift Services to Bellrock. Their lift engineering capability is a perfect fit for our Critical Engineering division and strengthens our position as a leading, high-quality hard services provider. This partnership will help us deliver a broader, more integrated and high-quality service for our clients across the UK.” MW Lift Services will continue to operate as before, with the same management team and service commitments in place. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Justine Edmonds, Head of Build to Rent / Leasing Strategies at LRG The Build to Rent (BTR) sector has the potential to deliver one in ten of the government’s 1.5 million new homes, but it can only do so if the viability crisis is addressed. The Budget on 26 November is a vital opportunity to unlock stalled investment and enable the sector to contribute fully to housing supply and economic growth. At the top of our wishlist is the reinstatement of Multiple Dwellings Relief within Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to support high-density housing. The loss of this relief last year rendered around 25,000 BTR homes unviable almost overnight. Restoring it would be the single most effective way to stimulate development. Alongside this, the government should extend empty property business rates relief from six to twelve months and remove council tax on newly completed but unoccupied BTR homes. These measures would ease holding costs at a time when inflation and higher borrowing rates have put projects under significant pressure. We would also like to see zero-VAT on energy-saving materials extended to cover retrofit and refurbishment schemes. Many BTR assets built a decade ago are now at the end of their initial investment cycle. Encouraging reinvestment in energy efficiency would improve building performance, lower costs for tenants and help meet national sustainability goals. Above all, the Budget must prioritise stability. The BTR market remains strong in fundamentals but fragile in sentiment. Starts have fallen sharply – just 2,600 in the first half of this year compared with 18,000 completions in 2024 – not because of lack of demand, but because of fiscal uncertainty. Investors need clarity and consistency, not short-term fixes. If the government truly wants to build 1.5 million new homes, it must recognise that BTR can deliver at speed and scale. With the right tax environment and a commitment to planning reform, the sector can accelerate delivery, support regeneration and play a central role in driving the UK’s housing-led growth agenda. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the evolving demands of the UK’s built environment sector, a new collaboration has been announced between the Fire Protection Association (FPA), UL Solutions, and PartB Outlined in the release of the joint paper, Testing Times: a solutions-focused collaboration for UK fire testing, the collaboration aims to deliver independent, impartial, and transparent fire safety testing at a time when regulatory scrutiny, innovation, and accountability are reshaping the construction landscape. The UK construction sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the Building Safety Act, the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and a growing emphasis on compliance, traceability, and competence. With the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway programme and extended liability under the Defective Premises Act, stakeholders across industry are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that every component and product used in construction meets rigorous fire safety standards. Recognising the urgent need for reliable data and impartial testing, the FPA, UL Solutions, and PartB have joined forces to offer a robust solution. The FPA, the UK’s national fire safety organisation, will provide a secure and confidential environment for fire safety tests to be undertaken for clients of UL Solutions and PartB through their independent fire testing laboratory. The independence of the FPA means that tests will be carried out in an impartial manner, at arm’s length from the client, as well as ensuring intellectual property and proprietary data are protected. The initiative is a direct response to the challenges highlighted in the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report, which called for impartial testing to restore trust in the sector and empower stakeholders to make informed decisions, reduce remediation costs, and demonstrate a commitment to best practice. Speaking on its launch, FPA chief executive, Dr Gavin Dunn, said “This new collaboration addresses a critical gap in the construction sector: the need to test and certify the fire performance not just of individual products, but increasingly also the interfaces and combinations of systems that often present the greatest fire safety risks. “Leveraging the FPA’s independent testing capabilities, UL Solutions’ certification expertise, and PartB’s engineering insight, offers a holistic approach to fire safety validation for the whole UK built environment sector.” UL Solutions brings over 130 years of global expertise in testing, inspection, and certification. Their work enables manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements and gain market access through trusted certification schemes. Their collaboration with the FPA allows for comprehensive testing of building products and systems, including wall assemblies, fire doors, and joint systems, supporting both UKCA and CE-marking requirements. “Fire safety is a shared responsibility that demands depth of expertise across the built environment ecosystem,” said Karine Johnfroe, vice president and general manager of the UL Solutions Built Environment group. “We are proud to work alongside organisations like the Fire Protection Association to provide the thought leadership, guidance and solutions needed to meet evolving fire safety challenges. This collaboration enables UL Solutions to deliver our trusted and independent science-based testing rigor to help protect lives, property and communities.” PartB has evolved into a leader in pragmatic fire safety solutions. Their approach combines real-world experience with engineering judgement, offering clients innovative and cost-effective alternatives to traditional remediation. PartB’s approach has demonstrated that compliance can be achieved through engineered solutions, often avoiding invasive and expensive fixes while maintaining safety integrity. Jamie Davis, PartB Group Chief Technical Officer explained their position, saying: ‘We are proud to announce the publication of this white paper. It marks a significant progress in enhancing collaboration to ensure proper testing and compliance measures. By sharing these insights, we aim to promote safer building environments and strengthen our commitment to innovation and technical excellence in fire risk mitigation, in a proportionate and responsible manner’ As the built environment continues to innovate and adapt to new regulations, this collaboration ensures that fire safety remains at the forefront. By providing reliable, independent data, this approach supports a safer, greener, and higher-quality future for UK buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Independent land agent Walter Cooper has announced ambitious growth plans, as it targets £1bn in land transactions over the next five years. This follows two years of strong performance, which saw the agency generate more than £680m in land value, equating to more than 3,850 homes delivered in that time. Since its launch just four years ago, Walter Cooper has expanded its services across London and the Home Counties, servicing both the public and private sectors. The agency’s expertise covers a full range of services, from site identification, land acquisitions, land disposal and appraisals. It also provides market intelligence and acts as a housing association consultancy. Simon Cox, Managing Director at Walter Cooper, comments: “It’s clearly been a tough market to operate in, yet despite this, we have managed to achieve significant figures both in completed deals, and those exchanged and under contract. Around 44% of these deals are in the affordable housing sector, demonstrating a strong pipeline at a time when affordable homes are so desperately needed. “We are in the midst of a well-documented housing crisis that is fundamentally down to a lack of development, so the priority now has to be unlocking land to allow developers to build.” As the business seeks to scale operations, a trio of new hires joined the agency over the summer, who will provide support with land negotiations. They join the existing team of experts including Ollie Dyson, Chief Operating Officer, and Nigel Palmer, Land Director. Simon Cox adds: “Our latest recruits are either recent graduates or school leavers that bring a unique perspective to what can be perceived as an ‘out of touch’ industry. Land can be a challenging sector to get into, but it’s one that is fundamental if we want to unlock the homes this country desperately needs. We need to find talent from all socio-economic backgrounds allowing us to better understand the buyers of the future.” Walter Cooper continues to expand its partnerships and footprint across the country, supporting developers and housing providers in unlocking and delivering sustainable growth opportunities. To find out more about Walter Cooper, or to get in touch to discuss land development opportunities, visit www.waltercooper.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The construction industry is constantly seeking ways to increase efficiency, productivity, and safety on the jobsite. While excavators remain the core of earthmoving operations, attachments like the tiltrotator are significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of traditional excavators. James Venerus, General Manager Product Marketing at Komatsu Europe, discusses how Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can accelerate tiltrotator adoption through deeper collaboration with leading manufacturers and simplified integration that puts operators first. Growing Demand for Tiltrotators Long standard in Scandinavia, the demand for tiltrotators is now rapidly growing across the rest of Europe. This surge in adoption showcases tiltrotators’ ability to enhance excavator versatility, reduce manual labour and significantly improve on-site productivity. The UK market has historically been slower to adopt tiltrotators compared to Scandinavia, but this is now changing. Multiple factors have held back adoption, including hardware costs, installation complexity, and industry mindset. As UK adoption accelerates, OEMs have a clear responsibility to address these barriers and ensure customers can adopt this technology seamlessly. Deep Collaboration with Tiltrotator Manufacturers Driving true value for our customers means eliminating complications through closer collaboration with tiltrotator manufacturers. By doing so, OEMs can enable quality-assured, factory-integrated solutions. This means a deep collaboration where the OEM brings their engineering expertise to design the machine’s electrical and hydraulic systems from the ground up, ensuring the excavator is built to recognise and communicate perfectly with specific tiltrotator brands. For the Komatsu PC220LC/LCi-12, this collaboration resulted in a “smart” Plug & Play approach that requires only a small number of connections between the machine, the tiltrotator and the controller. This significantly cuts installation time and ensures reliability right from the start. In addition, the machine features programmable control levers with integrated tiltrotator functionality as standard, so no further work is required to replace the control levers. Making Operation Intuitive Making a machine more efficient also means making the operator’s life easier. Full utilisation of the tiltrotator’s capabilities depends on intuitive control features. Modern excavators, such as the Komatsu PC220LCi-12 with Intelligent Machine Control 3.0, offer unique assistance features that simplify tiltrotator operation. The system can control rotation and tilting while also including features such as posture hold control, which automatically maintains attachment orientation. This makes digging and grading with a tiltrotator easier for the operator, especially for those new to tiltrotator technology. Looking Ahead: Listening to Customers and Delivering Solutions As technology advances and job sites become increasingly sophisticated, OEMs need to proactively develop machines with enhanced tiltrotator readiness. However, this must be driven by listening closely to customer needs and understanding their specific operational challenges. The role of the OEM is to foster deeper collaboration with tiltrotator manufacturers to deliver integrated solutions that genuinely address customer pain points. By working together, OEMs and tiltrotator manufacturers can create seamless, factory-integrated systems that reduce installation complexity and costs, making the technology more accessible to customers and help them be prepared to meet future demands. To find out more about Komatsu Europe, please visit: komatsu.eu Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals