Due to be completed in 2027, the 750,000 sq. ft. project is the largest yet to be undertaken at the Broadgate campus… Sir Robert McAlpine has today announced that it has been appointed by the Broadgate joint venture, between British Land and GIC, to deliver 2 Finsbury Avenue (“2FA”), a
Environment Bank, a leading nature restoration company and biodiversity net gain (BNG) provider which delivers solutions to the built environment industry is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Spitzer as its new Chief Executive Officer. She joins Environment Bank with a proven track record in scaling businesses and implementing
Storm Housing Group, a Registered Provider of Social Housing, unveils a pioneering collaboration with CarbonWise and Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable construction. CarbonWise Construction has brokered a supply agreement with Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions to revolutionise housing with low carbon, energy-efficient designs. Leveraging insights from the
Aldi has disclosed its list of priority locations in London where it aims to open new stores, as part of its ambitious expansion plans across the UK. The supermarket chain recently announced its intention to operate 1,500 stores nationwide, with a particular focus on areas within the M25 due to
Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven
HS2 has begun foundation works for a key bridge that will take a major A road over the new high-speed railway just outside Brackley, after successfully completing the temporarily realignment of both carriageways. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has crowned the winner of its Fall Prevention Trophy following a virtual event this week that saw three shortlisted companies go head-to-head for the industry accolade. L’Oréal Pune, based in India, were awarded the top trophy following a vote by event
In a move set to redefine excellence within the building services engineering industry, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) proudly introduces the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme. This innovative initiative marks a significant step towards shaping the future of the profession and fostering a culture of unparalleled standards. At
Although the construction industry has seemingly lagged behind in adopting digital transformation, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly accelerated its advancement and innovation. As covered in a previous post about global IoT connectivity, the interconnection of networks and devices can range from smart appliances and cellular
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, and DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, have launched their tenth central Manchester development in seven years, to deliver more urgently-needed homes to Manchester’s fast-growing population. The scheme named Obsidian will be located in the Greengate area towards the north of Manchester
Due to be completed in 2027, the 750,000 sq. ft. project is the largest yet to be undertaken at the Broadgate campus… Sir Robert McAlpine has today announced that it has been appointed by the Broadgate joint venture, between British Land and GIC, to deliver 2 Finsbury Avenue (“2FA”), a dual high-rise, mixed-use building located in the heart of Broadgate. Sitting at a height of 170 metres and due to be completed in 2027, 2FA will be an instantly iconic addition to Broadgate and to London’s skyline. The appointment follows work undertaken by Sir Robert McAlpine in delivering 100 Liverpool Street and 1 Broadgate, extending the longstanding partnership with British Land. The building will boast a 21-storey West office tower and 36-story East office tower, characterised by triangular patterns combining a solid and glazed sawtooth-shaped façade that supports double height spaces. The towers will be linked by a 12-storey podium, incorporating green, leisure and a range of publicly accessible spaces, with a single-story Winter Garden at level 13 connecting the two towers. 2FA will raise the bar in its sustainability strategy. It will be all-electric, and a smart-enabled development ensuring leading carbon and energy efficiency in operation, as well as BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, WIRED Platinum, Nabers 5-star and EPC ‘A’ accreditations. The office design, designed by architects 3XN and sustainability consultants GXN, includes green spaces and terraces that are designed to foster creative collaboration and social interaction. Community engagement with the scheme took place amid COVID restrictions, seeing a successful online exhibition facilitated through a dedicated public website, replacing the traditional public consultation. Invitations reached 800 local properties and Broadgate tenants, with local City members and residents expressing excitement to the scheme. Commenting on the news, Grant Findlay, Executive Managing Director of Buildings at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering another world class building for British Land and GIC. 2 Finsbury Avenue is the sixth scheme in the Broadgate framework, following the multi-award-winning 100 Liverpool St and 1 Broadgate projects. This is testament to exemplary industry collaboration and our commitment to nurturing close relationships with our clients to better realise their aspirations and deliver technical excellence.” David Lockyer, Head of Development at British Land, said: “Our longstanding and collaborative relationship with Sir Robert McAlpine has delivered fantastic buildings for us at Broadgate, so we are delighted to be working with them to deliver this iconic new building at the campus. 2FA will set a new standard for workspace in London and is further proof of the continued demand for world class, sustainable workspace in well-connected locations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Environment Bank, a leading nature restoration company and biodiversity net gain (BNG) provider which delivers solutions to the built environment industry is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Spitzer as its new Chief Executive Officer. She joins Environment Bank with a proven track record in scaling businesses and implementing successful growth strategies. Catherine previously served as Managing Director at property consulting firm Bidwells LLP. In her new role, Catherine will oversee Environment Bank’s strategic direction, working closely with stakeholders to develop innovative BNG solutions for developers in England. She will also develop the company’s voluntary ‘Nature Shares’ proposition, aimed at large organisations with nature-positive ambitions. Commenting on her appointment, Catherine said: “I am delighted to join Environment Bank and to have the opportunity to contribute to such important work. This is a very exciting new phase for the company with the BNG regulations coming into force in February. I am looking forward to working with developers and delivering the highest integrity BNG solutions in the market.” Out-going CEO, James Cross, who has led Environment Bank since 2018, said: “Working alongside Professor David Hill and building such an amazing team has been a career highlight for me. With the BNG regulations passing into law in February 2024, the time is right for me to now pass on the baton to Catherine and I wish her and the whole team the very best of luck for the next phase of their journey.” Founder and Chair of Environment Bank, Professor David Hill, expressed gratitude for James Cross’s contributions. He said: “We extend our thanks to James for his many years of service and leadership. His passion for conservation and his strategic focus and expertise across the land-based sectors has been instrumental in shaping Environment Bank’s success. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.” Professor Hill also warmly welcomed Catherine Spitzer to the role, expressing confidence in her ability to lead Environment Bank into its next phase of growth and impact. “Catherine brings a unique combination of private equity investment, leadership, commercial experience and delivery to Environment Bank and we are excited to have her on board to lead the next stage of growth,” he added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Storm Housing Group, a Registered Provider of Social Housing, unveils a pioneering collaboration with CarbonWise and Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable construction. CarbonWise Construction has brokered a supply agreement with Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions to revolutionise housing with low carbon, energy-efficient designs. Leveraging insights from the acclaimed Energy House 2.0 project at Salford University, Storm Housing Group and CarbonWise are set to construct their flagship home at Tyseley Energy Park, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the National Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heat (NCDH). This groundbreaking project is endorsed by a £20 million funding grant secured by the University. Aiming to deliver 5,000 homes over the next five years, Storm Housing Group stands as one of the few For-Profit RPs with in-house delivery capabilities, empowered by CarbonWise Construction. CarbonWise’s innovative construction methodology and home specifications strike an optimal balance between cost efficiency and carbon reduction, underpinned by Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions’ extensive product range and wealth of experience. The NCDH project will feature open houses, allowing for continuous testing of a number of sustainable products and systems – allowing Storm and CarbonWise to continuously adapt and improve their specification. The campus will also include training and demonstration areas (including virtual reality tours) for comprehensive understanding. An on-site training centre will facilitate education for staff, students, and apprentices in various construction disciplines. Storm and CarbonWise plan to relocate to the NCDH campus, demonstrating their commitment to collaboration with academia and industry partners, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation in sustainable construction practices. Storm Housing Group and CarbonWise are poised to redefine sustainable construction, using Saint-Gobain’s innovative products to deliver cost-effective, sustainable solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi has disclosed its list of priority locations in London where it aims to open new stores, as part of its ambitious expansion plans across the UK. The supermarket chain recently announced its intention to operate 1,500 stores nationwide, with a particular focus on areas within the M25 due to high demand. In a bid to bolster its presence in London, Aldi has committed £500 million to open approximately 100 new stores within the M25 region. The identified priority locations include: To facilitate the search for suitable properties, Aldi is offering a finder’s fee to property agents who recommend previously undiscovered sites. The finder’s fee amounts to 1.5% of the freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites. Aldi’s criteria for potential sites include a minimum size of 20,000 sq ft for standard stores, with approximately 100 dedicated parking spaces. Preferably, these sites should be situated on main roads with good accessibility and visibility. Additionally, Aldi is seeking smaller locations to accommodate its Aldi Local format, which typically range around 5,000 sq ft in size. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, emphasized the company’s commitment to making high-quality, affordable food accessible to all Londoners. Neale stated, “The locations we’ve identified are areas where there is significant demand for our stores. We are dedicated to investing in these areas to ensure that our quality products and unbeatable prices reach as many people as possible.” Aldi’s expansion plans underscore its determination to provide affordable groceries to consumers across London, addressing the need for accessible and reasonably priced food options in underserved areas of the capital.
Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven meeting rooms. The luxurious function space was recently showcased at a launch event in the penthouse suite, featuring an audience with internationally renowned artist, Colin Davidson, who unveiled one of his famous blur paintings that will take pride of place in the hotel’s reception. The painting, called ‘The 71’, depicts a blurred image of a Belfast bus. Davidson is also known for his portraits of many well-known public figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and Ed Sheeran, and his critically acclaimed work ‘Silent Testimony’, a series of 18 portraits of people connected by their experiences of loss through The Troubles. Gary Holmes, regional managing director for GRAHAM’s Building North region, said: “This project is the latest in a long series of high-quality projects GRAHAM has undertaken for Hastings Hotels during our 30 year relationship, including the creation of the £53m Grand Central Hotel and a significant makeover at the Culloden Hotel and Spa Resort. “The quality of the finish is testament to our exacting approach, and it has been satisfying to see this long-awaited project complete.” GRAHAM also delivered the renovation of many of the hotel’s guest rooms, with 100 front-facing superior bedrooms, 80 classic bedrooms and five suites now boasting new furnishings and bathrooms, automated window blinds and individual air conditioning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has begun foundation works for a key bridge that will take a major A road over the new high-speed railway just outside Brackley, after successfully completing the temporarily realignment of both carriageways. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. Just two weekend closures were needed during the seven-month realignment project, with HS2 working closely with National Highways to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways big enough for the construction of the new bridge deck. HS2 engineers have now begun work on the 52m deep piled foundation that will support the weight of the bridge. These will be topped with concrete pile caps and piers supporting the 66-metre-long bridge deck that will carry the road. Once the deck has been completed, the road will be moved back over the new bridge and excavation can begin to create space for the railway to pass underneath. This multi-stage approach was designed to keep traffic flowing and reduce disruption. HS2’s Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Longinotti said: “It’s great to see the start of foundation works for the A43 overbridge. Once complete, HS2 will boost connections between Britain’s two largest cities while freeing up space for more local services on the existing network. But it’s also vital that we keep the local routes which people depend on open while we build the railway. “That’s why we’ve worked closely with National Highway and our contractors to design and deliver a complex multi-stage project which will keep disruption to a minimum while we deliver this key overbridge.” The almost 80km stretch of railway that passes Brackley – including the A43 bridge – is being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall – working with ASC (a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec and COWI). They worked with National Highways and EKFS’s sub-contractor, Kier Highways, to construct the temporary realignment over a seven-month period last year. National Highways Network Planner for the East Midlands, Phil Shaw, said: “We always strive to minimise disruption for people using our roads when any work is being carried out and have liaised closely with our HS2 partners to do so on this complex project. “Working together we have not only been able to limit the impact on drivers of building the overbridge but have also been able to take advantage of any road closures to carry out some routine maintenance work which means we won’t have to come back and close the road another time.” EKFB’s Project Director, Tony Wehby, said: “EKFB’s priority was to minimise disruption for local road users and to keep communities connected as best as possible. The road closures were minimised to short periods and often overnight. “The team is thrilled to be at this point in the construction programme and the start of piling works signifies outstanding team collaboration to get it to this stage. This a complex set of works and is a unique construction project in itself, that heavily leans on the expertise of the multiple contractors involved in delivering these works to a high and safe standard.” The A43 is one of around 500 bridges on the HS2 project – which is designed to improve connections between London, Birmingham and the North while freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested southern end of the existing West Coast Main Line into London Euston. These range from small footbridges and underpasses, to innovative ‘green bridges’ designed to help wildlife cross the railway, massive motorway bridges and the record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct. The last few months has also seen significant progress at HS2’s other major viaducts, with the first deck slide for the enormous Delta Junction over the A42/M6 link road outside Birmingham and the start of a half-kilometre deck slide at Wendover Dean. Route wide, HS2 is now at peak construction, with 28,000 people employed directly and across the UK-wide supply chain. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has crowned the winner of its Fall Prevention Trophy following a virtual event this week that saw three shortlisted companies go head-to-head for the industry accolade. L’Oréal Pune, based in India, were awarded the top trophy following a vote by event attendees, comprised of award winners from the RoSPA 2024 awards scheme. The other two shortlisted companies were support services company Compass Group Healthcare sector, and engineering firm Jacobs Field Services – who were both commended. RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Trophy seeks to draw on best practice and showcase innovation around fall prevention, both by selecting a high-performer as the overall trophy winner, and also sharing advice and learning on the subject with the wider awards community as part of the selection process. L’Oréal Pune’s three-step initiative saw a communication campaign that saw all its workforce take RoSPA’s Fall Fighter course, the formation of an exemplary risk assessment strategy and the successful implementation of L’Oréal’s Safe@Work-Safe@Home programme. The programme, which seeks to take the lessons learned from occupational health and safety into homes and communities, was rolled out to over 2,500 people on the Pune area, including orphanages and assisted living centres. L’oreal Pune’s main objectives included site surveys of old age homes and identification of STF improvement opportunities, inspections by in-house tech experts and a steady commitment to the Fall Fighters programme. This holistic approach was especially for combatting the high rate of slips, trips and falls (STP) within the over 65 age bracket, whereby Pune factory workers pledged themselves “Fall Fighters” (a RoSPA-developed slips, trips and falls-prevention course). Mayur Raut, Head of EHS and Facilities at L’Oréal – Pune Factory, said: “We are incredibly proud to have won RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Trophy and commend the other shortlisted organisations. At L’Oréal, “people” are at the heart of everything we do, and by talking about safety at home and passing on effective solutions we learn at work to a wider community is a great way to reduce the chance of accidents. With fall prevention in particular, our initiatives have helped reach thousands of people and equip them with the necessary knowledge and awareness to live more safely – and we are grateful that our actions have been acknowledged internationally.” Faiza Patel, Assistant Manager (EHSF) at L’Oréal – Pune Factory, said: “I thank the leadership at L’Oréal for ensuring we grow stronger together, rallying towards one vision of making workplace and community safer and discovering innovative ways to do it while adhering to nonnegotiable health and safety standards. We are always determined to challenge the status quo and demonstrate that “CARE” can be done differently. This recognition by RoSPA is a testament to our approach in ensuring everyone feels safe and valued as employees, families, partners and stakeholders.” Barry Oliver, Group Executive for Health & Safety at Berkeley Group Holdings Plc, said: “At Berkeley Group we are committed to providing the best possible health and safety for our staff, supply chain and customers, so we are delighted to see this dedication to care echoed within L’oreal’s Pune plant, and beyond its factory’s walls. We were particularly impressed to see the high level of inspiring collaboration and teamwork, where teams of Fall Fighters responsibly showcased health and safety procedures among their friends, families and other societal groups, creating a great ripple effect among the surrounding community.” Matt Cryer, Head of Awards, said: “This year, the shortlisting for the 2024 RoSPA Fall Prevention Trophy saw a wide range of exceptional approaches, initiatives and innovations being delivered by RoSPA Award entrants and this variety was reflected in our shortlisted candidates. “Congratulations to our overall 2024 winner L’Oréal Pune for their outstanding presentation and to those who took part in the webinar and contributed to the voting process and to Compass Group Healthcare Sector and engineering firm, Jacobs Field Services Limited, who also showed exceptional dedication to fall prevention.” Also present at the virtual event was Jules Robinson, RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Lead and former winner of the trophy in her previous role at housing provider, Trent & Dove. Jules said: “L’Oreal Pune have done a fantastic job of showcasing the impact that fall prevention training has inside and outside of the workplace. Using Fall Fighter training, staff learned how to protect family, friends and their wider community from the serious consequences of falls, the second leading cause of accidental death globally. “By sharing their lived experience and the impact of falls on their loved ones, employees were better able to relate to the risks and motivated take action with their new knowledge to help those most vulnerable.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In a move set to redefine excellence within the building services engineering industry, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) proudly introduces the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme. This innovative initiative marks a significant step towards shaping the future of the profession and fostering a culture of unparalleled standards. At its core, the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme represents a commitment to professionalism and excellence. It offers organisations a unique pathway to not only demonstrate their dedication to best practices but also to achieve the prestigious status of being chartered with CIBSE. Far beyond a mere certification, this program symbolises exceptional standards, embodying professionalism in its truest sense. Designed to facilitate the demonstration of competence within organisations, the programme provides a robust framework for showcasing levels of competency, professionalism and adherence to the highest standards. By participating in this initiative, organisations can differentiate themselves in terms of quality, ensuring they remain at the forefront of an ever-evolving legislative landscape. Speaking on the occasion, Adrian Catchpole, CIBSE’s President, emphasised the significance of this groundbreaking initiative. He stated, “Under the overarching theme of my presidential address ‘Taking a Lead,’ the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme aligns perfectly with our focus on competency, a crucial aspect of the Building Safety Act. Drawing inspiration from successful programmes in other professional bodies, we have tailored this initiative to meet the unique needs of our industry.” Inclusivity lies at the heart of this initiative, with CIBSE ensuring that organisations of all sizes can benefit from the programme. Extensive market research, involving consultations with organisations ranging from one-person consultancies to tier-one multidisciplinary firms, has been instrumental in crafting a programme that caters to every organisation’s journey towards excellence. The launch of the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme marks a significant milestone in CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to advancing excellence within the industry. With its comprehensive framework and unwavering dedication to professionalism, this programme is poised to set new benchmarks and elevate standards within the building services engineering profession. More information about the CIBSE Chartered Organisations programme can be found at https://www.cibse.org/membership-registration/company-partnerships/cibse-chartered-organisations Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Although the construction industry has seemingly lagged behind in adopting digital transformation, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly accelerated its advancement and innovation. As covered in a previous post about global IoT connectivity, the interconnection of networks and devices can range from smart appliances and cellular connectivity with IoT sim cards to machines and automobiles. Although a truly connected IoT network on a global scale remains a work in progress, the industrial benefits of IoT are already being realized in construction. For instance, the use of sensors enables managers to remotely monitor parameters crucial to site safety and building integrity, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Meanwhile, drones with wireless connectivity can also contribute to occupational health and safety by surveying job sites and detecting potential hazards, on top of reducing the need for manual labour through efficient transport of materials. However, such devices can only be leveraged for managing job sites and improving productivity with the help of a high-speed internet connection. This is where the internet service provider Zzoom comes in. It offers reliable broadband services to fully exploit IoT in the UK’s construction industry. Zzoomm’s business broadband services The success of IoT implementation in construction sites and projects highly depends on reliable internet connectivity. As a network builder and UK ISP, Zzoomm responds to this need by offering full fibre broadband services, which utilise fibre-optic cable technologies to provide greater bandwidth at faster speeds. Besides broadband services for residential use, Zzoomm’s network plans with giga-fast and symmetrical speeds of up to 2,000Mbps are also available with free setup and installation for businesses, including building, design, and construction companies. While the advanced router connection already ensures real-time data transmission and progress monitoring, Zzoomm’s local customer assistance further reduces the risk of downtime and productivity losses caused by service errors and interruptions. Growing customer base and service coverage Aside from high implementation costs, a notable disadvantage in adopting IoT for construction is the possibility of limited connectivity in remote or rural job sites. However, Zzoomm’s role as one of the UK’s emerging alternative broadband networks (altnet) directly addresses this concern. To illustrate, the Oxford-based ISP has doubled its customer base in the last few months, reaching the 20,000 customer milestone. This achievement is mainly attributed to Zzoomm’s commitment to completing a series of local network extensions across the UK, stretching from Henley-on-Thames into neighbouring Shiplake. The expanded service coverage enables the UK’s construction sector to deploy projects even in less industrial areas without worrying about whether or not their IoT devices and networks can operate effectively. What’s next for Zzoomm Currently, Zzoomm aims to achieve its target of passing 200,000 properties by the first quarter of 2024 and 1 million domestic and business premises across 85 UK towns by the end of 2025. Though ambitious, the future remains bright for the altnet provider, as it is being fuelled by significant investments and partnerships. Besides the £100m equity investment from Oaktree Capital, Zzoomm is also among the bidders for Trooli, a peer altnet provider. Having made it through the second round of auction with Virgin Media O2 as one of its contenders, Zzoomm’s prospects for connecting semi-rural and rural postcodes like Dorset to fibre broadband become increasingly possible. Should the merger go through, construction companies and stakeholders located in such areas can look forward to reliable connectivity and bandwidth. Nonetheless, Zzoomm is already transforming the UK’s construction sector with its ability to generate, deliver, and transfer real-time data with advanced fibre connections for IoT systems and networks.
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, and DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, have launched their tenth central Manchester development in seven years, to deliver more urgently-needed homes to Manchester’s fast-growing population. The scheme named Obsidian will be located in the Greengate area towards the north of Manchester city centre. It will comprise a 26-storey tower of 250 units: 30 studios, 93 one-bed, 110 two-bed and 15 three-bed apartments. The scheme, which will have a GDV of £84.5 million, will be delivered by DOMIS, and marketed and sold by Salboy. Works have already commenced on site and are expected to complete by Q4 2026. Rising up from a narrow and complex slice of brownfield land (at the intersection of Trinity Way and William Street), Obsidian puts efficient living and space-saving at its heart. The scheme’s studio apartments will maximise floor space for occupants. Features including hideaway beds, collapsible tables, built in office cabinetry and slide-away kitchen panels prevent any wasted space in residents’ living areas. All residents will enjoy access to high-quality communal amenities including a private dining room, gym, cinema room, coworking spaces and package storage. At the base of the building there will be 1,000 sq ft of commercial space. The architecturally ambitious development, designed by Studio Power, is crafted to attract younger residents – both students and young professionals who have chosen Manchester to pursue their studies and careers. ONS data shows that Greater Manchester has more young people aged 20 to 29 years old living in the region than any other region in the UK. Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “The schemes we develop with younger professional people in mind are often some of the most complex and creative – bringing together modern designs, compact inner-city locations and our future residents’ discerning tastes. Obsidian will deliver beautifully and thoughtfully designed homes for people who want to live a stone’s throw from everything that Manchester and Salford have to offer without compromising on quality and comfort.” Obsidian is Salboy’s fourth development in seven years in the Greengate area – a well-established and well-connected part of Salford that is only a few minutes’ walk from central Manchester’s offices, restaurants and national transport links. The launch of Obsidian follows Salboy’s completion of Fifty5ive (a 18-storey tower with 220 one to three-bed apartments), Local Blackfriars (a gated community of 380 apartments, townhouses and penthouses) and the Black Friar pub (a 140-year old historic landmark that Salboy restored to its former glory). Ismail continues: “We are delighted to return to Greengate – an area that connects the twin cities of Salford and Manchester and whose overdue regeneration we have been involved with for more than seven years.” The 221,000 sq ft site on which Obsidian will be constructed sits within Salford City Council’s Chapel Wharf Framework and has been identified as a development opportunity site. Development on the site can be traced back to 1791 and the Salford Iron Works, one of the largest manufacturers of cast-iron products and stationary steam engines which powered mills around Manchester. The ironworks closed in the 1930s and were replaced by low-level housing in the 1970s and 1980s. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
