WORK on two standout refurbishment projects in London has completed as the partnership between Pexhurst and SEGRO continues to create unique spaces for commercial tenants. In Dagenham, Unit 1 at Orion Park has seen significant sustainability upgrades to become net zero carbon in operation with an EPC A+ rating. The
Construction is officially underway on The Republic, the first commercial building to rise within the evolving Mayfield Park district in central Manchester. The project marks a major milestone for the £1.4 billion regeneration of the former industrial zone, located beside Piccadilly Station. The Republic will be a 13-storey, 233,000 sq
OP has been selected to carry out the refurbishment of Benchmark International’s office at Milton Park in Abingdon. The office interior design consultancy will transform 4,500 sq ft of workspace addressing space inefficiencies and modernising the office environment. The project will reconfigure the existing layout, which featured a spacious, but
NBS, powered by Hubexo, has launched its Digital Construction Survey, now in its 13th year, with a fresh focus on the technologies shaping the future of the industry. This year’s survey invites professionals across the built environment to share their insights on digital transformation and attitudes towards the growing role
Planning permission has been granted for a 66-bedroom care home at Vistry’s Westcombe Park development in Heybridge, near Maldon in Essex. The care home will be operated by LNT Care Developments. LNT has been working with specialist developer Charterpoint and Vistry, the master developer of Westcombe Park, to deliver a
Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, and Court Collaboration, a Birmingham specialist residential property developer, celebrated the Topping Out of the One Eastside development, which at 51 storeys is becoming the tallest building in Birmingham. PIC forward funded the £200 million One Eastside development
CBG Consultants are proud to announce that Cosway Street, a landmark residential project in Westminster, Greater London, has been awarded a Civic Trust Award. These significant awards recognise projects that make an outstanding contribution to the built environment, not just through architectural or design excellence, but by delivering sustainable, accessible
A leading Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support a prestigious student accommodation scheme in the heart of Wolverhampton. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £3.3 million Victoria Street scheme which will provide 63 self-contained one-bedroom units. The development, close to Wolverhampton University, will
The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill. Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved
Injecta Fire Barrier, the UK’s leading independent installer of passive fire protection systems, is now offering free CPD sessions focused on cavity and compartment fire barriers. Tailored for contractors, surveyors, architects, and fire engineers, the sessions explore best practices, system-tested components, and the practical use of the Injectaclad solution—supporting compliance
WORK on two standout refurbishment projects in London has completed as the partnership between Pexhurst and SEGRO continues to create unique spaces for commercial tenants. In Dagenham, Unit 1 at Orion Park has seen significant sustainability upgrades to become net zero carbon in operation with an EPC A+ rating. The project team is also aiming to gain BREEAM Outstanding status – which will be the fourth project between Pexhurst and SEGRO to achieve this. Built in 2014, recent refurbishment of the 65,000 sq ft property with 36 loading bays included installation of solar PV to generate 152,000 kWh of renewable energy annually, new electric vehicle chargers, repairs to the building fabric and services, as well as fit out of the elevated office space. Alterations have also been made to the entrance ramp, by replacing car parking spaces with planters and benches to improve aesthetics and wellbeing. Robert Brazier, head of contracts and commercial managers at fit out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst, said: “The latest projects we have completed for SEGRO have required us to use a wide range of expertise. While the modern unit in Dagenham has been raised to the highest standard of building sustainability, our work in Kentish Town involved coordination with Network Rail to sensitively adapt the site for commercial use in a central location. “Both recently completed refurbishments provide different offerings for potential tenants, which we’re pleased to have played a part in. Our projects for SEGRO always help us to challenge ourselves and remain influential in reshaping the industrial and logistics landscape. Transforming spaces is what we do best, meaning no vision is too ambitious – which we hope is evident upon completion of our latest projects for SEGRO.” SEGRO Centre Kentish Town, a 22,000 sq ft industrial unit within a post-war building, was refurbished to create flexible space for modern occupiers. Works included roof replacement, loading door installation, and internal improvements, ensuring the building meets contemporary standards while retaining original character. Oliver Werby, director of technical development for estates at SEGRO, said: “Working with trusted partners like Pexhurst allows us to deliver high-quality, future-ready spaces where our customers can grow and innovate. These refurbished buildings in London set the benchmark for flexible, sustainable workplaces designed to meet evolving business needs and support long-term success.” To learn more about Pexhurst, visit https://www.pexhurst.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is officially underway on The Republic, the first commercial building to rise within the evolving Mayfield Park district in central Manchester. The project marks a major milestone for the £1.4 billion regeneration of the former industrial zone, located beside Piccadilly Station. The Republic will be a 13-storey, 233,000 sq ft office building designed by architects Morris & Company. Once complete, the space will accommodate approximately 2,000 workers, bringing a significant new business community to the heart of this revitalised neighbourhood. It is set to become the first office in Manchester situated within a public park – a rare concept in UK cities. Developer Landsec, alongside main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, has broken ground on the scheme, ushering in a new chapter in the wider transformation of the 24-acre site. As the first office development in the northwest to commence construction in 2025, The Republic symbolises the region’s continued demand for high-quality, sustainable workspace. The project is part of a broader mixed-use vision that includes residential development and a major green space expansion. The first phase of construction will also see Mayfield Park grow by 40 per cent, extending it to over 10 acres and firmly establishing it as the city’s greenest public space. Plans include the delivery of 879 new homes, which are set to follow the commercial element of the scheme. Henrietta Nowne, development director at Landsec, said: “The Republic kickstarts the next phase of growth at Mayfield with the delivery of quality workspaces that the city needs, and gets us closer to delivering much-needed new homes. It sets the tone for what the wider district aims to become – a balanced mix of city living, green space and next-generation workplaces.” The Republic is also one of the first projects to reflect Manchester’s commitment to a more people-centric urban core, where public realm, sustainability, and accessibility are woven into large-scale development. Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, welcomed the start of construction: “Mayfield is facilitating transformational change at the eastern gateway of Manchester’s city centre. The start on site of The Republic marks an exciting new chapter in Mayfield’s transformation. This project highlights what strong collaboration between public and private partners can achieve in delivering new jobs, homes, and community infrastructure.” The Republic and its surrounding district are being brought to life by the Mayfield Partnership – a public-private collaboration involving Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, London & Continental Railways (LCR), and Landsec. Work is expected to be completed in 2028, with The Republic poised to become a flagship component in Manchester’s next-generation commercial landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OP has been selected to carry out the refurbishment of Benchmark International’s office at Milton Park in Abingdon. The office interior design consultancy will transform 4,500 sq ft of workspace addressing space inefficiencies and modernising the office environment. The project will reconfigure the existing layout, which featured a spacious, but inefficient reception area and poor utilisation of space. The existing arrangement lacked sufficient meeting rooms and offices, with limited connection across teams and unbalanced space allocation. OP’s design solution involves a complete flip in priorities, moving away from hiding working areas behind walls to embracing and showcasing the business culture. The new design prioritises staff experience by placing people around the perimeter for natural light access, with a central entrance and social experience down the spine of the space. Meeting rooms and offices will be positioned to the south and north of the plan. Karl Carty, Creative Director at OP said “This project is all about reimagining how the space could work for Benchmark International. The existing layout has a huge reception area that wasn’t serving their needs, while the back-of-house areas where the real work happened were hidden away. Our design transforms this completely, celebrating the business culture and ensuring staff benefit from natural light around the perimeter. The central joinery piece, inspired by local Oxford architecture, creates the perfect balance between openness and defined spaces.” The design draws inspiration from the evolution of Oxford’s Gothic and Baroque architectural heritage into its bold modern rationalist and concrete grid-like structures. The strong geometric shapes, allowing clear connection with the buildings and their communities, inspired the introduction of a structural form that subdivides the new central social area from the working office. The palette of materials recognisable in Oxford, such as Collyweston slate, Ancaster stone and forest green marble, formed the basis of the look and feel whilst aligning with Benchmark’s budget aspirations. The 9-week project addresses the client’s requirements for modernisation and increased flexibility in workspace. Tom Parsons, Managing Director at OP said “We’re delighted to be working with Benchmark International to transform their Milton Park headquarters. This project demonstrates our ability to tackle complex spatial challenges and deliver meaningful workplace transformation. The existing layout simply wasn’t supporting their business needs, and our design solution prioritises both staff wellbeing and operational efficiency.” “The workspace we installed in 2015 just didn’t reflect how we operate in 2025” said Bhavina Halai, Operations Director at Benchmark International, a globally recognised leader in mid-market mergers and acquisitions. “We needed more than just an office – we needed a space that worked for both our staff and our clients, and that truly represented who we are as a business. OP understood that immediately. They helped us reimagine our workplace in a way that not only supports our growth but also brings the Benchmark culture to life.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NBS, powered by Hubexo, has launched its Digital Construction Survey, now in its 13th year, with a fresh focus on the technologies shaping the future of the industry. This year’s survey invites professionals across the built environment to share their insights on digital transformation and attitudes towards the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in construction. For over a decade, NBS has tracked the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital technologies through its industry-leading survey. The 2025 edition broadens its scope, offering a comprehensive view of digital transformation trends while providing the first in-depth look at AI’s emerging impact on design, specification, and construction practices. The survey is open to all professionals across the built environment, including designers, specifiers, manufacturers, contractors, and is the most extensive of its kind in the sector. The findings help shape industry understanding of current trends and inform the next steps in digital evolution. New this year are questions dedicated to AI adoption, exploring just how artificial intelligence is being used today and what its future potential might be. Dr Stephen Hamil Innovation Director at Hubexo (Global), said: “Digital transformation continues to reshape the construction industry at an accelerating pace. With BIM now firmly established in processes, we’re seeing new technologies like artificial intelligence begin to revolutionise how we design, specify, and build. This year’s survey will provide valuable benchmark data on AI adoption rates, implementation challenges, and emerging opportunities, helping the industry navigate its next chapter of innovation.” Why take part? For every completed response, NBS will donate £1 to the charity Crash, which uses construction expertise to help homeless charities and hospices with vital construction projects. The survey should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. A pre-release report is sent to all participants, so those taking part will be among the first to access the findings. Take the survey: https://comms.thenbs.com/l/757813/2025-07-09/49pyjv Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission has been granted for a 66-bedroom care home at Vistry’s Westcombe Park development in Heybridge, near Maldon in Essex. The care home will be operated by LNT Care Developments. LNT has been working with specialist developer Charterpoint and Vistry, the master developer of Westcombe Park, to deliver a new state-of-the-art care home as part of the development. The three-storey care home will include high-quality en-suite wet rooms for each resident, lounges and dining areas, a café and a sky bar for residents and visitors to enjoy, a hair salon, cinema, a reception area, staff facilities, and 32 car parking spaces, including two accessible spaces and six electric car charging spaces, as well as ambulance and taxi drop-off points. Sixteen cycle spaces – eight for staff and eight for visitors – will also be provided, along with designated storage and charging areas for mobility scooters. The care home, which has been designed to provide general residential care and residential dementia care, will feature landscaped gardens with direct access for residents. The majority of energy used at the care home will be generated from onsite renewable sources such as ground source heating and photovoltaic panels on the roof, with a battery to store surplus energy. The care home forms an integral part of the Westcombe Park community which aims to provide new homes to meet all affordability levels and stages of life. Westcombe Park includes a planned new neighbourhood centre, plans for which are being advanced by Charterpoint Group, comprising later living apartments, health centre, convenience store, other retail units, and a day nursery. Giles Nursey, MD of Charterpoint, said: “We are very pleased to have received planning permission to build a modern care home at Westcombe Park to provide first-class care facilities for the local community. As a specialist developer who has delivered numerous care home schemes across the country, we are proud to be part of the team creating important facilities at this exciting garden suburb and feel sure that this care home will be a key community asset.” Martin Leach, Managing Director, Vistry Strategic Land & Major Projects said: “The provision of a first-class care facility is a valuable addition for Westcombe Park, forming part of our wider ambition to create a well-rounded neighbourhood with the mix of homes, facilities and infrastructure that communities need. We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Charterpoint and LNT to provide this fantastic facility for the residents of Maldon.” The care home will be delivered by LNT and operated by its sister company Crystal Care Collection. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pension Insurance Corporation (“PIC”), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension funds, and Court Collaboration, a Birmingham specialist residential property developer, celebrated the Topping Out of the One Eastside development, which at 51 storeys is becoming the tallest building in Birmingham. PIC forward funded the £200 million One Eastside development and will own it for the long term. Court Collaboration is delivering the development. Once complete, PIC will use the rental income generated from the development to help pay the pensions of its policyholders. Almost 15,000 of these policyholders currently live in the West Midlands, and PIC has paid more than £1 billion in pensions in the region since 2012. PIC has also invested more than £900 million in the West Midlands to date, including in social housing, electrified rail, and the University of Birmingham. A number of PIC Policyholders were present at the celebration event. After breaking ground in March 2023, One Eastside is set to complete in 2026 and will feature 667 high-quality new homes for rent, with state-of-the-art co-working spaces and a range of amenities for residents, including a cinema room, sky lounge, and gym. Guests at the Topping Out ceremony were given a tour of the show apartments before heading up to the 150m-high sky terrace to take in the new views of the city and the quality of the amenities soon to be on offer. A celebratory lunch was also held at Birmingham Conservatoire. Rob Groves, Chief Investment Officer at PIC, said: “We are proud to have reached another milestone in our One Eastside development, with 140 of the total of 667 high-quality homes made available for rent in the heart of Birmingham. One Eastside will be the tallest building in the city and help pay the pensions of our policyholders for decades to come.” Alex Neale, Chief Executive Officer at Court Collaboration, added: “What a journey it’s been to reach this milestone for One Eastside. I couldn’t be prouder of the team or more grateful to our partners such as PIC, our main contractor Midgard, who have done – and are still doing – such an amazing job, and of course, Birmingham City Council. Only by genuinely working together with passion can we deliver these types of developments, and I’d like to thank everybody that joined us today to celebrate.” Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, also addressed guests at the event, highlighting the city’s ambitious regeneration agenda. She said, “Partnerships with forward-thinking local businesses like Court Collaboration are absolutely vital to our city’s continued growth and transformation. I want to thank Alex and his team, along with Pension Insurance Corporation, for sharing our vision for a more inclusive, dynamic, and economically resilient city. The topping out of this landmark development is not just a construction milestone, it’s a symbol of the momentum we’re building across Birmingham. From creating new homes and jobs to revitalising our urban spaces, this project reflects the kind of sustainable regeneration that will power our city’s future.” Also present at the Topping Out were members of the project team, including lead contractor Midgard, and representatives from Birmingham City University (BCU), including Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBG Consultants are proud to announce that Cosway Street, a landmark residential project in Westminster, Greater London, has been awarded a Civic Trust Award. These significant awards recognise projects that make an outstanding contribution to the built environment, not just through architectural or design excellence, but by delivering sustainable, accessible places that offer lasting value. Located in Marylebone, Cosway Street forms part of Westminster City Council’s ambitious Church Street Masterplan. This collection of 49 high-quality homes is set around a peaceful communal garden and is a thoughtful and contemporary build that reflects its urban surroundings and conservation area status. The development delivers a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, designed with both modern living and community well-being in mind. Westminster City Council’s wider vision is a pioneering housebuilding programme. It aims to provide high-quality homes across a range of tenures, creating inclusive neighbourhoods while reinvesting in the local community. CBG Consultants were appointed to deliver the building services strategy for Cosway Street, with the design brief calling for a landlord’s central heating system and summer comfort cooling to all apartments. This was achieved through a central gas-fired boiler system, distributing heating and hot water to each apartment via individual Heat Interface Units. The system was designed to the Danish standard DS439, ensuring realistic pipework sizing and operational efficiency. Comfort cooling is provided to the living rooms and master bedrooms through a Mitsubishi air source heat pump, with each resident having full control of their cooling. Both the heating and cooling systems are intelligently interfaced to prevent them from conflicting. At the sister building on Ashbridge Street, a central air source heat pump ambient loop was installed for the heating/hot water HIU’s demonstrating a flexible, site-specific approach to the energy strategy. Delivering on the London Plan’s energy targets required detailed modelling and coordination across the design team. The project team, comprising of the architect, structural engineer, and landscape architect, worked closely with CBG to ensure all aspects of the building’s performance met the highest standards. High-performance insulation, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and an extensive rooftop photovoltaic installation contribute to significant reductions in operational energy consumption. On-site renewable energy generation now meets over a quarter of the building’s total energy demand, further supporting Westminster’s environmental ambitions. Cosway Street is an outstanding example of how design and engineering can come together to support sustainable regeneration. The Civic Trust Award is a fantastic recognition of the collaborative efforts that have created a place that not only looks exceptional, but delivers social, environmental and long-term value too. CBG Consultants are delighted to have contributed to this award-winning development and remain committed to helping shape low-carbon, community-focused places for the future. Associate Director, Ian Law from CBG Consultants said, “Regenerating our cities sustainably requires more than good design. At CBG Consultants, we see projects like Cosway Street as an opportunity to embed low-carbon systems and future-ready infrastructure into everyday living. Creating resilient, responsible places calls for smart, efficient engineering that responds to both environmental challenges and the needs of the people who live there.” Project Credits Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A leading Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support a prestigious student accommodation scheme in the heart of Wolverhampton. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to support the £3.3 million Victoria Street scheme which will provide 63 self-contained one-bedroom units. The development, close to Wolverhampton University, will also provide ground floor retail space. Each unit will include a kitchenette as well as associated amenities, and the third floor apartments have sweeping views across Wolverhampton city centre. TCC is providing commercial and quantity surveying services to construction managers, Tamworth-based WB Property Group and employers agent services to Birmingham-based Beauford Group – a specialist in student accommodation projects. The development is due for completion in September this year. TCC co-founder and director Sandeep Sunner said, “This is a prestigious student scheme in the heart of Wolverhampton which will create first-class, purpose built accommodation for its student residents, as well as superb views for residents on the top floor. We were brought in after the original main contractor went into administration and the site lay dormant for several years. We are delighted to be involved in such an imaginative scheme.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill. Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved local landmark has been completely transformed. Spanning five hectares, Broadhill now includes new access steps, footpaths, viewpoints, drystone walls, timber and concrete seating, and extensive landscaping. More than 10,000 new trees, shrubs and ground vegetation have been planted across the site, enhancing the natural environment and boosting the area’s ecological value. The redevelopment of Broadhill forms part of the largest transformation of Aberdeen beach in 35 years. Work is already well under way by Robertson on a new beach park and large events field, with the Broadhill improvements completed in time for visitors to enjoy the site as a viewing point during the Tall Ships Race (19–22 July). Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, Councillor David Cameron, marked the occasion with a cup of tea and a traditional Aberdeen ‘rowie’, enjoyed at one of the striking new viewpoints overlooking the coastline. The Lord Provost said: “This is an exciting occasion to toast with the first part of the beachfront works finished. As thousands of people come into the city for the Tall Ships Races, the revamped Broadhill with additional seating and a viewpoint will be a prime place to watch the vessels sail into the harbour as well as the spectacular Red Arrows display.” Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “The opening of Broadhill is the first completed project as part of the overall transformation of Aberdeen’s beach. Being the trusted delivery partner, we understand the importance of bringing the vision of Aberdeen City Council and the local community to life. “Working closely with hub North Scotland and the Council, significant progress is being made in the creation of well-designed, connected spaces which will be home to high-quality facilities. The vision to redevelop the beach will benefit the community through the provision of public realm spaces that will inspire wellbeing and activity and contribute to the local and regional economy.” Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, added: “This is a landmark moment for the beach redevelopment with the transformation of Broadhill and the progress on the other works. Robertson has done a fantastic job in completing the Broadhill and every day now you can see the progress on the rest of the area. This will be a ‘must-visit’ destination when completed.” Aberdeen City Council’s Co-Leaders welcomed today’s opening as the first project to be completed in the ambitious Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan. Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to see the first of the beach works finished as the first of the City Centre and Beach Master Plan projects. We hope many generations to come will make good use of the changes at Broadhill. The beachfront is one of the jewels in the city’s crown and the work taking place in the area will further transform the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.” Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We welcome the works finishing at Broadhill. As work continues at the beach, I am looking forward to more of the works finishing and people of all ages being able to make use of the great new facilities. “The Council is committed to working with Aberdeen’s residents, beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to visit to again and again.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Injecta Fire Barrier, the UK’s leading independent installer of passive fire protection systems, is now offering free CPD sessions focused on cavity and compartment fire barriers. Tailored for contractors, surveyors, architects, and fire engineers, the sessions explore best practices, system-tested components, and the practical use of the Injectaclad solution—supporting compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Building Safety Act 2022. Key benefits of the Injectaclad solution: “Our CPD sessions are designed to provide practical insight into passive fire protection and compartmentation—enabling project teams to make informed, regulation-compliant decisions without invasive façade work,” says Shaun Tasker, Managing Director. Injectaclad is a fire-retardant graphite-based acrylic sealant that restricts fire spread through existing wall cavities—providing a proven, compliant solution for upgrading fire safety. To book a session or learn more, please contact: becky.preston@injectafirebarrier.com More information about Injecta Fire Barrier can be found at: https://injectafirebarrier.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals