A major new vision for Stratford Junction has been unveiled, with plans to transform the long-vacant former London Sphere site into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring more than 2,000 homes, 1,600 hotel rooms and a landmark cultural quarter at the heart of east London. Developer Hallmark Property Group has revealed
Mace has begun work on a landmark £150 million redevelopment of London’s former City Hall, returning to one of the capital’s most recognisable buildings more than two decades after originally constructing it. Appointed by St Martins Property Investments, the Kuwaiti-owned real estate investor, Mace will deliver the extensive transformation of
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn, has reached a key construction milestone at its Folk Dublin development in the city centre, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework. Located off O’Connell Street in the heart of the city, the site will operate as
Planning permission has been secured for 152 much-needed affordable homes for key workers alongside a flexible community centre, delivering on Southwark Council’s commitment to support the essential workforce in a prime SE1 location. Under the partnership between landowner Southwark Council and developer Bouygues UK, the project will provide affordable homes
The latest research by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, has found that whilst the vast majority of letting agents believe the demands of managing rental properties have increased significantly in recent years, most continue to manage the function entirely in-house despite recognising that property management and winning new business
Award-winning Leeds and London based architecture firm Edward Architects has announced a major leadership transition and rebrand, with Director Chris Riley becoming a joint shareholder alongside founder Graham Edward. The practice will now trade as Edward+Riley Architects, formalising a long-term succession strategy designed to ensure continuity for clients, staff and
Fred Nicholson School in Norfolk serves 162 pupils, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans identifying learning difficulties and associated complex needs. A number of pupils receive specialist Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) provision. The school operates a personalised curriculum with high staff-to-pupil ratios, and also provides residential accommodation
A major new vision for Stratford Junction has been unveiled, with plans to transform the long-vacant former London Sphere site into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring more than 2,000 homes, 1,600 hotel rooms and a landmark cultural quarter at the heart of east London. Developer Hallmark Property Group has revealed proposals for a striking three-tower development, designed by Squire & Partners, which would replace the previously abandoned entertainment scheme with a dynamic neighbourhood combining residential, hospitality, leisure and public realm. The ambitious masterplan would regenerate the 2.05-hectare site, situated between Stratford Station and Stratford International, which has remained largely unused since serving as coach parking during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Rising between 31 and 47 storeys, the development will comprise around 2,100 shared living homes alongside 1,600 hotel rooms, creating a substantial new residential and visitor destination in one of London’s fastest-growing regeneration areas. At the centre of the proposals is a major cultural offering, with more than 20,000 sq m of immersive attractions, galleries and exhibition space designed to establish Stratford as an international destination for arts, entertainment and events. Two flexible live performance venues accommodating between 1,200 and 4,300 people will support a year-round programme of concerts, performances, festivals and exhibitions. The wider public realm has also been placed at the forefront of the design, with landscaped squares, green spaces, outdoor exhibition areas, art trails and more than 100 public art installations proposed throughout the development. A range of cafés, bars and restaurants would activate the ground floor, creating a lively destination for residents, visitors and local businesses. The project is expected to generate approximately 1,500 jobs while attracting significant visitor spending, complementing the continued expansion of Stratford’s wider cultural and commercial landscape. The scheme would sit alongside the £1.1 billion East Bank development, home to major institutions including V&A East, the V&A East Storehouse and Sadler’s Wells East, further strengthening Stratford’s reputation as one of London’s leading cultural and innovation districts. For the construction and property sectors, the proposals represent another major mixed-use regeneration opportunity, bringing together high-density residential development, hospitality, commercial uses, public realm and placemaking on a strategically important brownfield site with outstanding transport connectivity. Before submitting a planning application to the London Borough of Newham this autumn, Hallmark Property Group will undertake a further round of public consultation later this month to gather feedback from local residents and stakeholders. Subject to planning approval, a temporary meanwhile use is expected to open later this year, featuring food markets and community events while preparations for the permanent development continue. If approved, the Stratford Junction scheme would transform one of east London’s most prominent underused sites into a thriving new neighbourhood, delivering much-needed homes, world-class cultural attractions and significant economic investment while reinforcing Stratford’s position as one of the UK’s premier regeneration success stories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mace has begun work on a landmark £150 million redevelopment of London’s former City Hall, returning to one of the capital’s most recognisable buildings more than two decades after originally constructing it. Appointed by St Martins Property Investments, the Kuwaiti-owned real estate investor, Mace will deliver the extensive transformation of the former Greater London Authority headquarters at More London into a modern, sustainable office and retail destination designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s commercial property market. The ambitious retrofit project will increase the building’s floorspace from 18,000 sq m to 22,000 sq m through carefully designed extensions around the existing 10-storey structure. Designed by Gensler, with Waterman providing structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services, the redevelopment will modernise the landmark while preserving its prominent position on the South Bank. One of the most significant aspects of the scheme will see the building’s distinctive leaning profile refined through the extension of its floorplates, creating larger and more flexible office accommodation for future occupiers. The existing glass façade will be removed and replaced with a high-performance cladding system, while landscaped terraces will be introduced to enhance both occupier wellbeing and environmental performance. The redevelopment also includes the infilling of the central atrium, installation of new mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) systems, shell and core office fit-out, roof terraces and modern end-of-trip facilities, reflecting growing demand for premium workplace amenities within central London office developments. At ground level, new retail space will be incorporated alongside improvements to the surrounding public realm. Works will enhance The Scoop amphitheatre, Queen’s Walk and the wider landscape, creating a more attractive and accessible riverside environment for office users, visitors and the local community. Originally designed by Foster + Partners, the iconic building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 and served as London’s City Hall until the Greater London Authority relocated to the Royal Docks in 2021. For the construction industry, the project highlights the continued importance of deep retrofit and adaptive reuse as developers seek to extend the lifespan of existing commercial buildings while significantly improving their sustainability credentials. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the scheme demonstrates how complex structural remodelling and modern engineering solutions can deliver future-ready workplaces with a substantially reduced environmental impact. Ged Simmonds, Managing Director for Private Sector at Mace Construct, said returning to More London presented a unique opportunity to build upon the legacy of a landmark development. He added that the focus would be on delivering a high-performing, sustainable workplace while enhancing the surrounding public realm and creating long-term value for occupiers and the wider community. With construction now underway, the redevelopment is set to breathe new life into one of London’s best-known commercial buildings, reinforcing the growing role of retrofit in shaping the future of the UK’s office property sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn, has reached a key construction milestone at its Folk Dublin development in the city centre, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework. Located off O’Connell Street in the heart of the city, the site will operate as a ‘hybrid hotel’, providing 138 rooms with capacity for up to 716 guests. Designed to help address the city’s shortage of affordable tourist accommodation, the development will include a vibrant bar, café and lounge open to both guests and the wider public. Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn’s purchase of the site in 2024, marking its debut development outside of the UK. Upon completion, Firethorn will work in partnership with real estate investment managers SW3 Capital, who will be operational managers of the property. With the structural frame now complete, Folk Dublin is on track for completion in March 2027, with Stewart Construction appointed to deliver the project. Folk Dublin forms part of Firethorn’s growing portfolio, which includes purpose-built student accommodation sites in Hackney Wick and Stratford, and the office-to-hotel conversion of 5 Lloyd’s Avenue in the City of London. Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn, said: “Topping out at Folk Dublin is a significant milestone for Firethorn and demonstrates our ability to deliver high-quality buildings efficiently and at scale. “Dublin has a growing demand for affordable tourist accommodation, and Folk Dublin will meet this need by providing a modern, design-led stay in a well-connected central location. Offering exceptional hospitality without the premium price tag, the site will make a positive contribution to the local neighbourhood, with a community-led approach that celebrates the city’s rich heritage. “Stewart Construction has a strong track record of delivering hospitality assets on time and in budget, and we look forward to continuing this momentum and bringing the project to completion.” Paul Stewart, Managing Director at Stewart Construction, said: “Watching Folk Dublin rise to become part of the Dublin skyline is a proud moment for everyone involved. The topping out ceremony is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and shared vision that have brought us to this milestone.” For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission has been secured for 152 much-needed affordable homes for key workers alongside a flexible community centre, delivering on Southwark Council’s commitment to support the essential workforce in a prime SE1 location. Under the partnership between landowner Southwark Council and developer Bouygues UK, the project will provide affordable homes for key workers including social workers, teachers, fire-fighters, police and NHS staff, enabling them to live closer to the communities they serve, reducing travel times and offering an improved work-life balance. It will also support recruitment and retention for the services that residents rely on. Landmark affordable housing development Located, at the junction of Abbey Street and Druid Street, with close proximity to London Bridge and Bermondsey stations, the site represents a significant opportunity to deliver new affordable housing in one of London’s most sought-after locations. The development will be the first delivered under Southwark Council’s emerging Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance, and the first under the Key Worker Living Rent GLA policy. This scheme sets a blueprint for future affordable housing delivery in the borough and London more widely. The homes will be at Key Worker Living Rent and will be available to key workers with a combined household annual salary of between £26,000–£75,000 per year. Community first The development includes the delivery of a new community centre, featuring a large flexible double-height space and a number of smaller support spaces. The centre will be available for all members of the community for a range of events, activities and for hire. Southwark Council and the local community will work to secure an independent operator to manage the space closer to the time of opening. Beyond homes, residents and the wider community will benefit from new landscaping, improved public spaces, a restored Neckinger Street, and a car-free neighbourhood built for sustainability – powered by solar energy and engineered to cut water and energy waste. Next steps With planning permission now secured, Bouygues UK is positioned to commence construction next year, with completion targeted for 2030. This approval accelerates the delivery of affordable housing and reinforces Bouygues UK’s commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates across London. Cllr Alexandra Austin, Executive Member for Public Works and New Homes said: “Keyworkers are the backbone of any community and often go under the radar. Ensuring that their work is recognised and their lives made easier is the least we can do to repay the efforts they make. “We are excited to be working with Bouygues UK to bring these homes to fruition as well as new council homes at Tustin Estate. I’ve no doubt this project will be important for the local community to ensure that people providing vital services have their lives made easier and have good homes to go back to after the efforts they make every day. “The crisis of affordability often makes it difficult for people to live in the places they work, which is why this scheme is important. Tackling the housing crisis in London and creating accessible affordable housing is a big challenge but we’re dedicated to meeting it head-on, shaping a positive future for the borough and making lives better.” Oliver Campbell, Managing Director of Bouygues UK’s Development arm said: “We are delighted to have achieved planning permission for this landmark scheme in SE1. Building on our successful collaboration with Southwark on several major projects, we value our strong partnership with the council. Providing affordable housing for keyworkers is a vital step in supporting those who are indispensable to the wellbeing of the community. This planning approval represents a crucial milestone and demonstrates the viability and importance of this scheme. We are now in a strong position to progress funding and begin construction to deliver these much-needed homes to the highest standards. Construction will progress at pace, ensuring that this vision becomes reality for Southwark’s key workers and making a lasting contribution to the future of the borough.” Craig Sheach, Partner, PRP, Architect on the Project commented “We are very proud to have collaborated with Bouygues UK and Southwark Council on this exciting pilot scheme that will provide desperately needed high quality homes for the borough’s keyworkers. The striking tall building will help improve the safety of the area and mark the re-provided community centre at its base.” The Development team at Bouygues UK has a strong existing relationship with Southwark Council, currently delivering the transformative Tustin Estate regeneration scheme. Their agile partnership model and deep community regeneration expertise make them the development partner of choice for inclusive, community-led schemes. They are are a specialist development and regeneration team operating in London, South East and South West focusing on delivering developments in partnership with the public sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research by property management specialist, Rushbrook & Rathbone, has found that whilst the vast majority of letting agents believe the demands of managing rental properties have increased significantly in recent years, most continue to manage the function entirely in-house despite recognising that property management and winning new business now require fundamentally different skill sets. The survey of UK letting agents, commissioned by Rushbrook & Rathbone* looked to understand how the role of property management has evolved in recent years, the operational challenges agencies are facing, and whether they have changed their approach to delivering management services. The research found that 81% of letting agents believe the regulatory burden involved in managing rental properties has increased in recent years, with 44% of those stating it has increased significantly. When asked what has driven this increased workload, compliance and legislation ranked as the single biggest factor, followed by administration and paperwork and the growing complexity of possession processes. Recruitment is also proving increasingly difficult, with property management identified as the hardest specialist role to fill. More than half of agents (56%) said recruiting property managers has been their biggest staffing challenge over the last year, well ahead of lettings negotiators (22%), business development managers (14%) and compliance specialists (10%). The findings also suggest that the industry increasingly views property management as a specialist discipline in its own right. More than three quarters of respondents (77%) agree that winning new landlord instructions and managing rental properties now require fundamentally different skill sets. This changing landscape is also reflected in the day-to-day pressures faced by agencies. Winning new business ranks as the single greatest operational challenge (22%), closely followed by property management (19%) and compliance (16%), highlighting the competing demands agencies are balancing across both growth and service delivery. Despite this, the overwhelming majority continue to deliver property management internally. Almost two thirds (63%) manage the function entirely in-house, whilst a further 19% do so predominantly in-house with only limited outsourced support. Despite this, just 10% of respondents say they have considered outsourcing more elements of their property management operation, suggesting that whilst many agencies recognise the increasing complexity of the role, relatively few have yet explored alternative delivery models. Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook & Rathbone, commented: “The findings reflect what we’ve been seeing across the industry for some time. Property management has evolved into a highly specialised discipline that demands a very different skill set to winning instructions or growing a lettings business. Twenty years ago, property management was often viewed as an administrative function focused on rent collection and organising repairs. Today, it encompasses compliance, health and safety, contractor management, maintenance coordination, tenant communication, financial administration and an ever-growing body of legislation. None of that diminishes the importance of winning new business, but the reality is that asking the same people within a business to excel at both disciplines is becoming increasingly challenging. This isn’t about suggesting that every letting agent should outsource their property management. Many agencies deliver an excellent in-house service. However, every business should regularly assess whether it has the capacity, expertise and systems required to meet the increasing expectations placed upon property managers. For some agencies, partnering with a specialist management company can be a highly effective way of strengthening their overall proposition. It allows negotiators and valuers to focus on growing the business, whilst ensuring landlords continue to benefit from experienced property managers whose sole focus is protecting their investment, maintaining compliance and delivering an excellent tenant experience.” Data tables and sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning Leeds and London based architecture firm Edward Architects has announced a major leadership transition and rebrand, with Director Chris Riley becoming a joint shareholder alongside founder Graham Edward. The practice will now trade as Edward+Riley Architects, formalising a long-term succession strategy designed to ensure continuity for clients, staff and collaborators while supporting the next phase of growth. Founded in 2005, the RIBA-chartered practice has developed a strong reputation across residential, accessible design and strategic land and master planning projects, with studios in Leeds and London and a growing national client base. The practice currently employs 15 staff and is on course to achieve its strongest financial year to date, with turnover expected to surpass £1 million. Chris Riley joined the practice in 2008 as a graduate architect and has progressed through the business over the last 18 years, becoming a director in 2017 and leading the practice’s residential sector work. Graham Edward said the transition reflects the practice’s long-standing commitment to developing talent internally. “We have always believed in training, mentoring and promoting people from within the practice,” he said. “Chris becoming co-owner is the logical next step in that philosophy. He joined us as a student and has grown into a natural leader within the business; not only as a talented architect, but as someone who fully believes in our team culture, values and client relationships. This transition is about continuity. Clients know that the long-term relationships we’ve built over the last two decades remain in safe hands and equally our team can see there are genuine opportunities to progress and shape the future of the business.” Over the last two decades, the practice has expanded significantly in both scale and sector expertise, securing major clients including Gleeson, Lovell, Vistry, The Church Commissioners and Keyland while building a diverse portfolio spanning housing, masterplanning, accessible design, industrial and mixed-use schemes. Projects including the Holbeck Viaduct regeneration initiative have earned the practice national acclaim, with the scheme recently winning Best Future Urban Design Project at the Pineapple Awards 2026. Chris Riley said: “It’s a proud achievement personally and professionally. Graham mentored me from the early stages of my career and I feel like I’ve grown alongside the company and played a significant role in its development. We both share the same vision for the business and that partnership has been one of the key drivers behind its growth. “I’m excited about helping to shape the future of the practice, mentoring the next generation of architects and continuing to provide the same client-focused service that has built our reputation.” The rebrand to Edward+Riley Architects reflects both continuity and future ambition. The practice has ambitious plans for growth over the next five years, including increasing headcount by 25%, promoting talent from within and expanding geographically through a planned North East satellite office, with Manchester also being explored as a future location. The business is also continuing to invest in innovation and operational development, including the integration of AI and evolving digital systems into practice workflows. “Sustainability, legislation and technology are reshaping the profession,” Riley added. “Clients increasingly need architects who can guide them through complexity and deliver both creative and technically robust solutions. We see that as a major opportunity. We’ve always distinguished ourselves by offering expertise across all RIBA work stages – from feasibility and planning through to technical delivery – and by combining strong conceptual thinking with deep technical knowledge.” The practice remains focused on strengthening its three core sectors while expanding geographically and exploring emerging opportunities, including co-living and industrial development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fred Nicholson School in Norfolk serves 162 pupils, all of whom have Education, Health and Care Plans identifying learning difficulties and associated complex needs. A number of pupils receive specialist Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) provision. The school operates a personalised curriculum with high staff-to-pupil ratios, and also provides residential accommodation to support the development of independent living skills. That residential function is what makes this project specification particularly instructive. A single site was required to meet two different levels of fire detection coverage: L2 across the general school estate, and full L1 coverage in the dormitory accommodation, where automatic detection is required across all areas including roof spaces and voids. The L1 requirement places the residential element in the same category as hotels and healthcare buildings: any system design had to reflect that distinction clearly across a unified installation. Addressing the full site with a single specification TP Fire & Security was appointed to design and deliver the upgrade, replacing an existing conventional two-wire system with a modern addressable life safety installation. Hochiki’s ESP addressable range was specified throughout, providing high-performance sensors, input and output modules, and ancillary devices calibrated to the coverage requirements of each zone. The school’s mobile and outdoor teaching provision presented a separate challenge. Extending the addressable system to those spaces without structural cable runs required a wireless solution, and a hybrid-wireless element was incorporated to interface with the main addressable system via a loop-powered translator module. This allowed the detection coverage to follow the teaching activity rather than being constrained by fixed building infrastructure. Minimising disruption in a sensitive environment For any occupied school, installation disruption is a practical constraint. For a school with a high proportion of pupils with ASC, it is a clinical one. Unnecessary noise, unfamiliar activity, or physical disruption to the building environment can cause genuine distress to pupils. The specification had to account for that from the outset. Kevin Harris, Technical Design Manager at TP Fire & Security, explains what shaped the product choice: “A big plus with Hochiki products is how simple they are to install. It’s why they’ve become our go-to supplier for the past 20 years. Many other manufacturers only offer hardwire solutions, and for locations such as schools and care homes, keeping the installation simple and reducing on-site time is a huge win as this helps ultimately to reduce the disruption to both staff, and the day-to-day occupants.” The ease of installation across the ESP range allowed the team to work efficiently across a complex, occupied site without extended periods of intrusive activity. The Fred Nicholson School project illustrates how a carefully specified addressable system can address tiered coverage requirements across a single site with distinct occupancy types. Where the main teaching estate required L2 protection, the residential accommodation demanded L1 coverage consistent with hotel and healthcare standards. Wireless capability extended the system to mobile and outdoor teaching spaces without structural disruption. The result was a compliant, site-wide life safety installation completed with minimal impact on a vulnerable pupil population. Explore the ESP addressable range, including product datasheets and technical documentation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals