Developer Glenbrook has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for its landmark 44-storey residential tower in Manchester, clearing a major regulatory hurdle and paving the way for Domis to commence construction in 2027. The 364-home development on Whitworth Street West, close to Deansgate station, has now secured planning permission, funding and the necessary building safety approval, providing a clear route towards delivering one of the latest additions to Manchester’s rapidly evolving skyline. Designed by architectural practice Sheppard Robson, the scheme will become Glenbrook’s tallest development to date and represents a significant addition to the company’s expanding residential portfolio across Greater Manchester. The project has also received an important financial boost, with Glenbrook securing £17 million from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to address a development viability gap and help bring the scheme forward. The funding support highlights the challenges facing major residential developments, particularly high-rise projects where construction costs, regulatory requirements and financial viability continue to influence delivery programmes. With Gateway 2 approval now secured, the project can progress towards its construction phase, with Domis lined up to deliver the development. The 44-storey tower will provide 364 new homes alongside residential amenity facilities and improvements to the surrounding public realm, contributing to the continued regeneration of Manchester’s southern city centre. Its location close to Deansgate railway station and the Metrolink network places the development within one of Manchester’s best-connected residential and commercial districts, providing convenient access to employment, retail, leisure and hospitality destinations. The scheme will also contribute to the ongoing transformation of the area surrounding Whitworth Street West, where residential development continues to reshape former commercial and underutilised urban sites. Securing Gateway 2 approval represents a particularly important milestone under the Building Safety Act framework, which requires higher-risk residential buildings to receive regulatory approval before relevant construction work can begin. The process involves detailed scrutiny of building designs and safety arrangements, placing greater responsibility on developers, contractors and design teams to demonstrate compliance before progressing to the construction stage. Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, welcomed the approval and emphasised the importance of building safety throughout the project. “Health and safety is of paramount importance to Glenbrook and securing Gateway 2 approval represents a crucial milestone for Whitworth Street West, our tallest building to date,” he said. “The approval reflects the significant work undertaken by our team and project partners to progress the scheme through the BSR’s rigorous approvals process.” Roberts added that the milestone provides the confidence needed to advance the development towards construction. “We can now move into the next phase of delivery as we work towards bringing this landmark development forward and making a start on site in 2027.” The Whitworth Street West project will further strengthen Glenbrook’s presence in Greater Manchester, where its residential portfolio already includes Vox, Trilogy, High Definition, Duet and Lumina Village. The developer has established a growing track record of delivering residential schemes across the region, contributing to the expansion of Manchester’s urban housing market and the creation of new city centre neighbourhoods. For Domis, the anticipated construction appointment would represent another substantial high-rise residential project in Manchester, with the 44-storey building adding to the pipeline of major developments planned across the city. The project also reflects the continued importance of public and private sector collaboration in unlocking residential investment, with the £17 million Good Growth Fund contribution helping overcome financial barriers that might otherwise delay delivery. With the key regulatory and financial requirements now in place, attention will turn towards construction mobilisation and the planned 2027 start on site. Once delivered, the development will provide 364 additional homes within central Manchester, reinforcing the city’s ongoing residential growth and adding a prominent new landmark to its skyline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major milestone has been reached at Coventry’s transformational City Centre South regeneration project developed by The Hill Group, with the first tower now rising from the ground following the completion of demolition and extensive groundworks across the site. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry Council and Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, joined Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Chief Executive of The Hill Group, and Regional Director, Stuart Bale, alongside Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, to celebrate the progress being made. The start of construction marks a significant step forward for one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre regeneration projects, paving the way for the transformation of Coventry city centre over the coming years.  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “City Centre South is exactly the sort of ambitious regeneration project that will help drive growth, create jobs and deliver the homes our region needs. Seeing the tower rise is a clear sign that progress is being made and this long-awaited development is becoming a reality. “Importantly, this first building includes 200 affordable homes, making it easier to get good quality housing right in the middle of Coventry. And with the skills hub recently opened on site, we are helping to train and offer job opportunities to local people too.” Under an agreement with Legal & General, Hill is delivering the affordable homes in this first phase of the regeneration, comprising 145 homes for social rent and 55 for Shared Ownership.  These new homes will help to address local housing need while providing high-quality homes for people and families in Coventry. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Seeing the first tower emerge from the ground is an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved in the project at City Centre South. After years of planning, preparation, and with demolition and groundworks now complete, local people can now start to see tangible progress being made on site and the vision for this part of Coventry becoming a reality.” The milestone follows significant demolition works, enabling and infrastructure works across the site, allowing construction of the first residential building to progress at pace. Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, said: “This is an important milestone for us and a visible sign of the progress being made. Through our partnership with Hill, we’re proud to be delivering the first 200 affordable homes here, helping more people access high-quality housing while supporting the wider regeneration of Coventry city centre. Through our role in delivering these affordable homes, we are pleased to support a partnership that is focused on meeting local housing need, contributing to affordable housing targets and bringing forward energy-efficient homes that will benefit Coventry for the long term.” City Centre South is transforming a large section of Coventry city centre, delivering up to 1,575 new homes, alongside vibrant public spaces, shops, restaurants, cafés and commercial opportunities. The first phase of the regeneration will provide 991 new homes, 8,000 square metres of commercial space and 17,000 square metres of public open space. As construction accelerates, the development is also creating employment and training opportunities for local people through a range of initiatives including The Skills Centre, which was recently launched to help local residents gain the qualifications needed to access careers in construction. Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a landmark moment for Coventry. Over the last few months the City Centre South site has been transformed, and people can see it taking shape before their eyes. This development will bring lasting benefits for generations to come. And of course, it will also enable us to make some improvements to the market, which we know is really important to local people and the traders.” Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities, said, “The first tower rising from the ground represents much more than construction progress; it marks the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for local people, demonstrating our commitment to creating a city centre where people from all backgrounds can live, work and thrive.” For further information, visit City Centre South. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction has secured a major building safety milestone for the £229 million second phase of Westminster City Council’s Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration, paving the way for construction to progress on 334 new homes in the heart of London. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has granted Gateway 2 approval across four separate applications covering five residential buildings, providing the regulatory clearance required for the next stage of the ambitious redevelopment. The approval represents a significant breakthrough for one of Westminster’s largest council-led housing regeneration programmes, which will ultimately transform the former 1930s estate into a modern, mixed-tenure residential neighbourhood. Phase two is the largest of three planned development stages and follows the successful completion of the first phase, as Westminster City Council continues its programme to increase housing supply and address the growing demand for affordable homes across the borough. The wider Ebury Bridge Estate masterplan will deliver 781 new homes, supported by a network of interconnected public squares, a new retail parade and community facilities designed to create a more attractive and accessible neighbourhood. The regeneration aims to establish a high-quality residential environment, combining new housing with improved public spaces and amenities while strengthening connections across the surrounding area. Securing Gateway 2 approval has required months of detailed technical coordination between Westminster City Council, McLaren Construction and the wider project consultancy team. Under the Building Safety Act regulatory framework, Gateway 2 approval is a critical requirement before construction work can commence on higher-risk residential buildings. The process requires developers and contractors to demonstrate that proposed designs and construction arrangements meet the necessary building safety requirements. For the Ebury Bridge development, the complexity of the five-building phase meant that four separate applications were required, each involving detailed design information and supporting documentation. Paul Woodhams, Managing Director for Regeneration at McLaren Construction, highlighted the scale of the achievement. “This is a complex project with five buildings which required four separate building safety applications and approvals,” he said. The milestone provides greater certainty for the construction programme and enables the project team to move forward with the next stage of delivery. Councillor David Harvey, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, welcomed the decision and acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the local authority and its construction partner. “Collaboration with our main contractor McLaren has been key to achieving this milestone and it now gives the team the certainty needed to move ahead,” he said. He added: “I’m excited that this has been achieved and we can continue the momentum in delivering the largest council development in this part of Westminster in over 60 years.” The Ebury Bridge programme forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to delivering new housing through the regeneration of existing estates, with an emphasis on creating mixed-tenure communities supported by improved local infrastructure. Alongside the residential accommodation, the planned retail and community facilities will play an important role in establishing a more active neighbourhood, while the interconnected public squares will provide additional outdoor space for residents and visitors. For McLaren Construction, securing the approvals represents an important achievement in navigating the increasingly demanding regulatory environment surrounding higher-risk residential developments. With Gateway 2 clearance now secured, the £229 million second phase can progress towards major construction activity, marking another significant step in the transformation of Ebury Bridge into a new residential neighbourhood for Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals