With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale.
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and
The Crown Estate has announced the acquisition of The Dissington Estate in Northumberland. The estate, located eight miles northwest of Newcastle Upon Tyne, consists of five principal holdings and five residential properties, set across 2,552 acres of largely arable land, pasture and woodland. This marks The Crown Estate’s first acquisition
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September. The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over
A housing association-led partnership has transformed two college classrooms into cutting-edge workshops, designed to inspire students to join the construction sector. Hartlepool College of Further Education unveiled its new construction workshops to students on Tuesday, following its transformation by be:ONE partners. The be:ONE partnership was launched in April by believe
The total market size of the construction and property development sector is forecast to bounce back strongly in 2025 after suffering the third consecutive year of declines in 2024. Following a tough three years for the property development and construction industry that has seen both dwellings starts and lending decline,
UK Construction Week will be launching Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW® at London ExCel on 7-9th May 2025, offering a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories for the first time. This strategic and exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) comes at a time
The Octagon, Birmingham’s tallest building, the city’s first official skyscraper and newest landmark with a world-first design, has ‘topped out’, marking the highest point of construction. The Octagon is a stunning addition to the city’s skyline and the world’s tallest pure octagonal residential tower reaching 49 floors and 155 metres.
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has completed the speculative development of an 80,000 sq ft last-mile logistics development in the sought-after Heathrow area. Panattoni Poyle 80 is a net zero carbon development that was built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and
With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can seek out across the UKCW show floor. The new trail will guide visitors through the show to exhibitors including JCB, Niftylift, Celsa Steel UK, Fischer Future Heat and Makita, who are championing cutting-edge technologies, materials and solutions that are paving the way for the construction industry’s transition to net zero emissions. Also making its first appearance at the show is the Net Zero Hub. Sponsored by Reconomy, the new show area will be partnering with National Retrofit Hub, a non-profit collaborative organisation working with the industry to enable the delivery of housing retrofit across the UK, which has curated the entire seminar programme on Day Two (Wednesday October 2nd). Talks at the Net Zero Hub include: Jamie Roberts, Divisional Director for Construction, Housing and Infrastructure at Reconomy Commented – “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Net Zero Hub this year and bring a fantastic range of content to the show. It’s been a challenging year for the construction and housebuilding sector, but it’s encouraging to have so many businesses approaching us and looking for ways to operate more sustainably. That’s why the Net Zero Hub is so crucial to this year’s show.” “Visitors can expect to gain valuable insights from the likes of Balfour Beatty on how they’re driving a more circular construction sector, and also hear from Reconomy’s Head of External Affairs on upcoming legislation that will impact all of us.” After being officially opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, the show will open up to opportunities to meet with innovative exhibitors, attend expert-led seminars, experience live demonstrations and get involved in interactive learnings across the show’s other main hubs, which include: Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “Our new Net Zero Trail will highlight the steps that the UK construction industry is taking to contribute towards a greener future – essential to not only conform to government legislation and targets, but also to be competitive with their international counterparts.” UKCW has also announced a newly launched VIP ticket for the Birmingham show, which gives visitors not only VIP parking close to the show halls, but entry into the VIP Lounge and complimentary refreshments – ideal for one-to-one networking and meetings away from the busy show floor. The one-day passes are available for a limited time price of £99. With this year’s theme of ‘Growth’, UKCW Birmingham will examine a wide range of topics over three days of insight, innovation and inspiration across its number of hubs and areas. To find out more about the Net Zero Trail, visit https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/ukcw-net-zero-trail To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale. The report’s development was led by the CLC Housing Working Group’s Smart Construction Sub-Group, which includes representatives from: The report proposes a series of long-term policy goals for the Labour Government to consider, including the creation of a dedicated MMC Taskforce. This taskforce, once convened, would be responsible for developing a comprehensive MMC strategy within six months. The strategy would focus on: Addressing the Housing and Skills Crisis The report identifies MMC as a key solution to the UK’s housing shortage, proposing that the adoption of MMC could counter the current 225,000-person skills gap in construction. With the ability to rapidly scale up housing delivery to meet demand for 300,000 – 500,000 homes annually, MMC offers a pathway to reversing decades of stagnation in the sector, which has seen construction productivity lag behind most other UK industries. Global Lessons and High-Level Targets Drawing on international case studies from countries including Australia, China and Japan, the report emphasises the need for high-level, published MMC targets that link both quantity and quality outcomes. It calls on the UK Government to implement clear, achievable goals that provide the construction industry with the certainty it needs to invest in MMC innovation and growth. The report also supports the National Housing Federation’s call for new towns and settlements to include a mix of housing tenures, with MMC prioritised for its ability to rapidly deliver high-quality, sustainable homes. A Clear Call to Action The CLC is urging the Government to adopt their recommendations, particularly the creation of the MMC Taskforce, as a matter of urgency. By doing so, the UK can tackle its housing shortage, address the construction skills crisis, and deliver environmentally sustainable housing at scale. Rory Bergin, Partner at Sustainable Futures said: “To meet the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, we need to double housing output and remove barriers that limit productivity. MMC is a key part of this strategy, and the sector has invested heavily in it. Now is the time to build on that progress, modernise housing delivery, and release the benefits of increased productivity, sustainability, and quality.” Access the full report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and over, emphasises a growing commitment to sustainability and future-proofing commercial spaces in the region. Polling 500 commercial landlords across the UK, Osprey found just under 1 in 5 (19%) commercial landlords surveyed currently offer public EV charging in 31-40% of their spaces. However, an impressive 94% of commercial landlords surveyed in the East of England said they plan to continue offering EV charging points over the next 1-2 years, demonstrating a strong regional commitment to supporting the transition to EVs. Osprey’s findings reflect that most UK commercial landlords surveyed agree on the commercial advantages of providing public EV charging at their sites. The data shows that nearly nine in ten UK commercial landlords surveyed feel that installing public EV charging at their sites is important for attracting new and retaining existing customers (86% and 87% respectively)[2]. Similarly, 85%2 of UK commercial landlords believe that EV charging is important for ensuring their site is an in-demand space in the future. Additionally, three-quarters (75%)[3] said that it leads to longer dwell times from visitors, and 72%3 think that it leads to increased total customer footfall. In terms of rental prospects, 84% of landlords surveyed believe that providing public EV charging increases the likelihood of renting their spaces to businesses. This notion is matched among landlords in the East of England, with 92% agreeing. The roll-out of public EV chargers is progressing rapidly, with the installation of charging stations at commercial spaces remaining a top priority for UK commercial landlords. Nearly three-quarters (72%) currently offer public EV charging at up to half of their spaces. Osprey’s award-winning network is at the forefront of this effort, with over 1,100 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers available in key locations across the UK. In the East of England region alone, Osprey boasts 168 high-powered rapid chargers across 45 sites, including 11 ultra-rapid charging hubs. Jake Goldby, Head of Acquisitions at Osprey Charging, said: “Installing public EV charging is becoming an essential requirement for UK commercial landlords who want to stay competitive and meet customer demands. From the financial benefits of higher customer footfall to greater future renting opportunities, this research has provided us with fascinating insights into why more and more are offering EV charging on their sites. The growing commitment in regions like the East of England is particularly encouraging, reflecting a strong regional drive toward sustainability. “Partnering with commercial landlords has been integral for Osprey in allowing us to increase the roll-out of our charging infrastructure, which now has over 1,100 public high-powered EV chargers in rural and urban locations across the UK. We’re delighted to see that this research shows that they remain committed to supporting the roll-out of public charging infrastructure across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Crown Estate has announced the acquisition of The Dissington Estate in Northumberland. The estate, located eight miles northwest of Newcastle Upon Tyne, consists of five principal holdings and five residential properties, set across 2,552 acres of largely arable land, pasture and woodland. This marks The Crown Estate’s first acquisition of a rural estate since 2014, as it begins to put into practice its ambitious new rural strategy, creating long-term value for the industry and wider nation, while delivering on its aims around nature recovery, sustainable food production, net zero and the economy. The organisation’s rural portfolio extends to around 200,000 acres spread across 28 estates throughout England and Wales, including the Windsor Estate. Under its new rural strategy, The Crown estate aims to develop closer relationships with its farmers to work together to navigate the challenges facing the industry today, including the UK’s journey to net zero, the need to produce food sustainably and profitably, and the nature and biodiversity crisis. Paul Sedgwick LVO, Managing Director of Windsor & Rural at The Crown Estate said: “The acquisition of The Dissington Estate marks a key moment in the delivery of our new rural strategy. We are in a unique position to help our farmers prosper in a challenging environment and make a tangible, positive impact on the sustainable future of the sector in the UK. We hope this will be the first in a series of strategic acquisitions, allowing us to work in partnership with more farmers across the country.” Middleton Advisors, Carter Jonas and Burges Salmon acted on behalf of The Crown Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September. The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over 280 registered attendees to date. The group was created by leading North West property company, The Momentum Group, following the successful delivery of the first ‘Building Sustainable City Beyond 2030’ last year, which The Momentum Group organised in partnership with 2030hub. Taking place in Liverpool’s landmark St Georges Hall, ‘Building Sustainable Cities Beyond 2030’ aims to ignite crucial discussions on embedding sustainability in the city region’s property sector, ensuring it plays a central role in driving positive change. The group aims to create a mutually supportive forum where property, construction and facilities management companies can understand their carbon footprint and design out fossil fuel related impacts to mitigate climate emergency and meet City decarbonisation targets. Confirmed speakers include: This year’s conference will feature four panel discussions: The conference is included in the UN’s calendar of events as world leaders gather in New York at the United Nations General Assembly, and, is part of Global Goals Week: Liverpool and Liverpool Climate Week, two locally adapted campaigns of debate, events, launches and action, coordinated by 2030hub as a UN partner, to support the only agreed blueprint for the planet – the Sustainable Development Goals (also called the Global Goals) – #GlobalGoalsLiverpool Karl Clawley, The Momentum Group’s Associate Director, said: “A key objective of last year’s conference, organised by Momentum and 2030hub, was to commit to tangible and ongoing action on sustainability in the Liverpool City Region’s property and construction sectors. We are proud to be a part of the Sustainable Property Group taskforce and to be helpting to create an even bigger and better conference this year. We look forward to robust discussions, knowledge exchange and actionable outcomes.” Simon Mansfield, Liverpool City Council’s Sustainability Manager, said: “To ignite change and make a positive sustainable impact, businesses must take ownership of their negative emissions and start actioning change from the ground up. It is brilliant to see such a large proportion of Liverpool’s property and construction sector come together like this. The Momentum Group continue to show leadership in this crucial area within the Liverpool City Region, and its creation of the Sustainable Property Group is a huge asset to our city.” Headline Sponsors of the conference include; The Momentum Group, Morgan Sindall Construction, CIR, The Consortia Group, Fleeetsolve, Steven A Hunt & Associates, Liverpool City Council and 2030hub. Register to join this event here. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today for an inspiring day of learning and collaboration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A housing association-led partnership has transformed two college classrooms into cutting-edge workshops, designed to inspire students to join the construction sector. Hartlepool College of Further Education unveiled its new construction workshops to students on Tuesday, following its transformation by be:ONE partners. The be:ONE partnership was launched in April by believe housing, with contractors Buston & Maughan Group, RE:GEN Group, Sendrig Construction Limited and Sunter Limited, to deliver improvements to around 5,600 of its homes by 2028. The collaboration sees the partners work together to improve customer experience, achieve significant savings, and maximise the impact of social value in communities. There is also a strong focus on supporting the local economy and employment and reducing their impact on the environment. To deliver its first significant social value project, partners and suppliers gave 635 hours and donated more than £8,000 of materials to refurbish the workshops, which are kitted out with fit-for-industry equipment. Ruth Dent, Director of Assets and Compliance at believe housing, said: “The college does a fantastic job of giving students the skills and knowledge they need to get ready for a career in construction; in roles that are increasingly vital for building the new homes we need, maintaining and decarbonising existing homes, and supporting the regional economy. “We wanted to help make its learning spaces even more inspiring, and the be:ONE partners have pulled out all the stops to transform the workshop into the bright, well-equipped facility they deserve. “I’m deeply grateful to the partners for their hard work and enthusiasm and to suppliers Jewson, JTC Kitchens and Brewers Decorating for generously donating materials to the project. “I’m honoured that the college has let us help shape the students’ time at college and look forward to continuing to support them; maybe in the not-too-distant future some of them will be working for believe housing or our construction partners, helping us maintain and improve customers’ homes and supporting the local economy and jobs. “Together, we’ve created workshops that will help many young people to realise their potential, to succeed in our competitive world, and open doors to careers they might have never thought possible. “The skills learnt here will not only benefit the students but will also benefit the businesses they go on to work for and the communities they return to.” John Cartwright, Head of Business Growth and Skills at Hartlepool College of Further Education, said: “Planning a further education curriculum that maps into the construction industry is extremely difficult due to the ever-changing industry landscape. “Creating an inspiring educational environment that will support and ‘transform students’ lives’ is also difficult, due to cuts in education budgets and a severe lack of funds. “Working with Ruth Dent and the huge team of be:ONE partners has been a brilliant experience for us. “The college has gained not just brilliant, high-end workshops, but we have also partnered with some of the best industry employers in the region which will provide rich information from the sector to support the growth of our learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours. “We are very fortunate to be part of this partnership and close links between all members have already been forged. “Our learners and staff will cherish these facilities that have been designed and built by industry with them in mind. “We can’t wait for our learners to show off their new skills in these fantastic facilities and look forward to the start of what plans to be a fabulous partnership.” One student said: “I love what they’re doing at Hartlepool college. They’re giving me a real stepping stone to how it works in the real world when I get a job.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The total market size of the construction and property development sector is forecast to bounce back strongly in 2025 after suffering the third consecutive year of declines in 2024. Following a tough three years for the property development and construction industry that has seen both dwellings starts and lending decline, specialist lending expert, Rangewell, believes that there are already signs of a revival emerging, with 2025 looking to be a far better year for the sector – and specialist lenders already starting to show significantly increased appetite to lend – and at higher loan to value levels. The analysis by Rangewell shows that the sector has been struggling in recent years with economic headwinds dampening industry appetites causing lenders to be more selective in their lending appetite, but still keen for the right deals. In fact, outstanding lending across the construction sector has fallen for the past two years, by -7.2% in 2023 and -4.0% in 2022, with Rangewell estimating a third consecutive fall of -5.2% in 2024 before rebounding by “high single figures” in Q1 2025. This reduction in lending appetite has also impacted the number of dwelling starts seen across the sector, as there were 162,350 new dwellings in 2023-24, falling by -19.8% from the year before, a far more significant decline versus the drop of 2.6% seen in 2022/23. Rangewell estimates that, as a result of this decline in industry activity, 2024 is set to see the market size of the sector decline by 2.9% in 2024, the first reduction since 2021 following two consecutive years of increases, at 23.7% in 2022 and 7.2% in 2023. Whilst the current outlook is relatively gloomy for the UK construction sector, this trend seems unlikely to continue. The Bank of England cut the national interest rate by 0.25% to 5% in August, while another cut in November is expected by economists, which would further reduce the cost of finance. This should not only renew interest from the commercial sector, but as mortgage costs fall, a renewed level of consumer demand is expected to emerge, meaning a stronger market for the residential construction sector. It’s early days, but the new Labour government also seems ambitious in its moves to increase housing supply: installing a housing target of 1.5 million over the course of the parliament, vowing to loosen housing supply, as well as reclassifying some green belt land into ‘grey belt’. With there being such a strong political appetite, combined with more favourable economic conditions and an uplift in homebuyer appetites, the future is looking far brighter for the construction and property development sector and Rangewell has already noted an increase in the appetite for lending within the sector during H2 of this year. Alasdair McPherson, Head of Partnerships at Rangewell, commented: “The construction and property development industry is emerging from a very lean period over the last few years after being stymied by the economic uncertainty that has enveloped all regions of the UK and we expect the overall market size to contract in 2024 due to the downward trends seen both with respect to lending and new dwelling starts. “The good news is we’re already seeing improved confidence across the sector and appetites within the lending space have certainly improved during the second half of this year – and continue to grow. With a further cut to interest rates likely in the coming weeks and the market starting to build momentum, we expect significantly positive uplifts into 2025 – and are already seeing developers with good projects receiving significantly better lending terms than even three months ago.” Data Tables and Sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK Construction Week will be launching Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW® at London ExCel on 7-9th May 2025, offering a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories for the first time. This strategic and exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®) comes at a time of growth for UK Construction Week with the co-location of the Natural Stone & Hard Surfaces event announced earlier this year. PCIAW® is the world’s only non-profit, member-driven trade association for the uniform, workwear and PPE supply chains – from the manufacturers to end-user buyers. The association connects the professional clothing industry to offer a collective voice across the value chain, facilitating collaborative education and support on shared market challenges. Workwear & PPE Live 2025 will cover topics such as inclusive PPE design, female fit, development of sustainable materials and the latest regulations and legislation affecting workwear manufacturers and buyers. This inaugural event will feature seminar sessions and a catwalk show, showcasing solutions to the biggest issues in workwear procurement. Workwear & PPE Live is part of UK Construction Week, the largest event for the built environment market and covers areas dedicated to infrastructure, industrialisation, digital construction, build, net zero and onsite on hire. Sam Patel, UK Construction Week, Divisional Director, confirmed: “We are delighted to partner with PCIAW® to deliver the UK’s premier dedicated workwear and PPE exhibition. This event represents an opportunity not just for the construction sector and our existing visitor community but for any industry that buys and specifies workwear to see the latest developments in fabrics and designs from market leaders across the globe.” Yvette Ashby, CEO & Founder of PCIAW®, commented: “This partnership with UK Construction Week and the launch of Workwear and PPE Live comes at a pivotal moment for the professional clothing industry as our association works to ensure that lifesaving equipment is made, purchased, and used responsibly. There is incoming legislation and social pressures for buyers to incorporate sustainability and responsible design in their workwear, and to meet these requirements it is essential to find trustworthy suppliers through an event such as this. “In a recent study by Frost & Sullivan the global industrial workwear and PPE industry was valued at $100b, so with an industry as large and essential as ours it is high time the UK had a dedicated event to this key market.” For enquiries and to find out more about Workwear & PPE Live, please contact harry@pciaw.org & workwearppe@ukconstructionweek.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Octagon, Birmingham’s tallest building, the city’s first official skyscraper and newest landmark with a world-first design, has ‘topped out’, marking the highest point of construction. The Octagon is a stunning addition to the city’s skyline and the world’s tallest pure octagonal residential tower reaching 49 floors and 155 metres. It will offer residents unparalleled views across the city when the first Build to Rent (BTR) apartments become available in late summer 2025 after a three-year build programme. Backed by global real estate investor, City Developments Ltd of Singapore (CDL), the construction of the £110 million project has been undertaken by high-rise construction specialist Midgard, part of the JRL Group, and has been designed by the team at Birmingham architects Howells. The building is an integral part of the city’s £1.2 billion Paradise estate being brought forward by development and asset manager MEPC, which is delivering up to 10 new buildings and three new public squares as well as new pedestrian connections and thousands of new jobs in the very heart of the city. The Topping Out ceremony brought together the building’s principal partners CDL, MEPC and Midgard along with project team members and further stakeholders with celebrations at the very top of the building. This included an early morning visit from winners of the ‘lucky eight golden tickets’ which were available to the general public, as well as a ‘Vertical Mile’ charity run with the project team which took place prior to the Topping Out ceremony itself and raised over £4,500 for local charity Acorns Children’s Hospice with support from CDL, Midgard, MEPC, Howells, Turley, Arup, Quantem, JRL Ark, SOM, OFR, Design MEP, Thompson AV, D Line, Spray Plaster Specialists Ltd and Flick Lighting who all helped to assemble teams with more than 70 runners. The winning Team was from Howells, with the winning individual runner, Jamie Parish, completing the climb in 5 minutes and 7 seconds. Neil McGinty, director at CDL, said: “The original investment we made in the city with The Octagon was rightly recognised as one of the largest pieces of FDI made in the UK regions in recent years. That original investment has now come to fruition as we underline our commitment to Birmingham as a world class, international destination with a strong regional economy. “The Octagon is also about creating a new landmark for the city of Birmingham. By building some of the finest city centre homes ever seen in the UK, the building establishes a powerful statement of intent for the city. As a high-profile skyscraper with a world-first design as well as highly sustainable ethos, The Octagon will become an important part of the city’s skyline for years to come.” The building’s 360-degree design openly addresses each part of the city and offers a mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes, all enjoying spectacular views through the 10.5m wide windows on each elevation. Ross Fittall, Commercial Development Director at Paradise asset and development manager MEPC, said: “The topping out of The Octagon is a key moment not just for Paradise, but for the whole city which can rightly take pride in this new landmark. It is a celebration of what has been an excellent collaborative effort between the design, delivery and construction teams and an exemplary build contract undertaken with care and commitment by Midgard, its staff, and sub-contractors, which has led us to hold today’s event. “We’re delivering a highly recognisable landmark for our city that will build on Birmingham’s growing reputation both at home and abroad, and provide hundreds of much-needed new homes for the city. The Octagon is an integral piece of the next phase of Paradise that is also delivering new commercial buildings and public realm and which underlines the true mixed-use offer of Paradise as a place to live, work and visit all year round.“ The pair of tower cranes on site reached their final height of 189 metres earlier this year – more than twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York. Kevin Keegan, director of contractor Midgard, said: “Midgard is very proud to be delivering this landmark for the city and today is a really important milestone for us. It is a chance to reflect on the expertise and wide-ranging skills of the whole team actively working together to deliver this complex building. As a major contractor active in Birmingham, we look forward to completing the building over the next year as fit-out and completion works continue to take place, ready for residents to move in during late summer 2025.” As an important contributor to regional growth, Paradise is committed to creating high-quality, new pedestrian streets and squares for everyone to enjoy, as well as improving wider pedestrian and public transport links across the city. Paradise sits in the country’s largest city centre Enterprise Zone and has already benefited from investment in enabling and infrastructure works. Paradise has already completed phase one of the development with One & Two Chamberlain Square and the reopening of the square itself, together with the completion of One Centenary Way last year, the first phase two building. There are over 6,000 people already working at Paradise which is also home to a growing roster of leisure operators including Albert’s Schloss, Dishoom, F1®Arcade, Rosa’s Thai and Yorks Cafe along with the soon to open Cow & Sow and La Bellezza from Big Mamma Group. Further progress on The Octagon can be viewed on the live time-lapse camera at www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has completed the speculative development of an 80,000 sq ft last-mile logistics development in the sought-after Heathrow area. Panattoni Poyle 80 is a net zero carbon development that was built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’. The occupier will benefit from a 50m service yard, five dock doors, two level access doors, 12.5m clear internal height, and 37 car parking spaces with 20% EV charging provision. Panattoni Poyle 80 is located on Horton Road at one of Greater London’s most established logistics locations near junction 14 of the M25, providing immediate access to the UK’s largest cargo terminal at Heathrow Airport. It is one of the sites in the south east that Panattoni acquired in 2023 for a combined £350 million, all of which provide value-add development opportunities in core markets where Panattoni can drive rental growth. Alex Mitchell, Development Manager, South East and London, at Panattoni, said: “Poyle 80 represents a rare ultra-urban last-mile opportunity that is perfectly positioned to serve as a central distribution hub for businesses with global ambition. The facility’s proximity to Heathrow and the M25 ensures seamless access to both local and international markets, making it an ideal solution for companies focused on e-commerce and e-fulfilment operations”. Letting agents at Panattoni Poyle 80 are DTRE and ACRE Capital Real Estate. For more information please visit www.panattoni.co.uk/poyle Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
