The third quarter of 2026 saw 155,297 sq ft of office space transacted across 50 deals, according to data from the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF). Whilst the number of deals remained consistent with previous quarters, the total sq ft transacted is down on the 184,500 sq ft recorded in
The award-winning property management company has been recognised for its people-first culture, with assessors highlighting strong relationships, employee development and the link between workplace values and business performance. POD Management has achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation following its first assessment, with assessors describing the result as “truly exceptional”. The
Customers have once again put Reapit at the top of the industry at the ESTAS, the UK’s largest residential property awards, with its automated client accounting solution, PayProp, among the night’s big winners. PayProp was named Best in Sector – Payment Services again in 2026, extending its extraordinary run to
Avove has commenced work on a £13 million scheme for Northumbrian Water that will support environmental improvements across the North East. The project comprises a new 3.5km pipeline linking Northumbrian Water’s Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works, between Bournmoor and New Herrington, to the River Wear. The scheme includes a new pumping
Reynaers Aluminium UK has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s prestigious G-Awards, recognising both the innovative projects its systems help deliver and the support it provides to customers. Reynaers has been recognised in the G Awards shortlist in the Commercial Project of the Year category for its involvement
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
RED Group has been appointed to complete the £50 million transformation of 5 Chancery Lane in central London, providing a major boost to the landmark office refurbishment following the collapse of original main contractor Ardmore Construction Group. The appointment by developer LS Estates will see RED Group’s London division take
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has completed the letting of Panattoni Park Rotherham after Alliance Automotive Group (“AAG”) agreed a long term lease on the final 80,870 sq ft unit at the development. AAG, which already occupies the neighbouring 630,000 sq ft facility, will
Orka Investments, the London-based real estate investment manager, has completed the acquisition of Hill View Place, a 226-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Exeter, through its joint venture with a global institutional real estate investor. Hill View Place is adjacent to the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus and a
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
The third quarter of 2026 saw 155,297 sq ft of office space transacted across 50 deals, according to data from the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF). Whilst the number of deals remained consistent with previous quarters, the total sq ft transacted is down on the 184,500 sq ft recorded in Q2, and significantly lower than required to hit the 5-year annual average of 1.1m sq ft. Despite a consistent number of transactions, the lack of larger transactions was notable and has therefore stifled take-up in Q3. The largest transaction saw Deliveroo commit to 24,975 sq ft at Tootal Building, advised by CBRE, followed by Dechra taking 14,331 sq ft at Bruntwood’s No.3 Circle Square. Leanord Curtis also acquired 10,027 sq ft Eden, developed by MUSE. Matt Shufflebottom, Director at CBRE commented; “There is no hiding from the fact Q3 was a poor performance for the city centre office market and we are behind target to hit our 5-year average of 1.1m sq ft. However, positivity should be taken by the number of deals recorded, demonstrating an active market sub 10,000 sq ft, and we expect the larger transactions to return in Q4 to boost year-end figures.” Matt added; “The pace of decision making by occupiers has affected the market, however there are generally good levels of demand and we are therefore confident that take-up will bounce back across Q4 and into 2027.” Out-of-town office take-up was 182,281 sq ft, made up of 54,137 sq ft in Salford Quays & Old Trafford and 128,142 sq ft in South Manchester. The quarter saw two notable larger transactions complete. Siemens plc acquired 36,922 sq ft at Towers Business Park in Didsbury whilst in Salford Quays, AM London leased 31,250 sq ft at Centenary House. John Nash, Director at Canning O’Neill commented: “The out-of-town take-up for the period has been very much in line with the quarterly average over the last five years across both markets, so it’s fair to describe it as a steady and resilient market.” On the supply side, he added: “A number of office buildings are continuing to be repurposed for alternative uses, creating a more balanced market and reducing the volume of secondary stock. As occupiers remain focused on quality, this is providing greater confidence for landlords to invest, refurbish and reposition space to meet evolving occupier requirements.” MOAF was formed in 2009, and members include Avison Young, Carter Jonas, CBRE, Colliers International, Canning O’Neill, Cushman & Wakefield, Edwards Property Consultants, Fisher German, Hallam Property Consultants, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH, OBI, Savills, and Sixteen. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The award-winning property management company has been recognised for its people-first culture, with assessors highlighting strong relationships, employee development and the link between workplace values and business performance. POD Management has achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation following its first assessment, with assessors describing the result as “truly exceptional”. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the property management company. Investors in People is a widely recognised accreditation that independently assesses how effectively organisations lead, support and develop their people. Gold is awarded to a small proportion of accredited organisations and represents a high level of achievement, making it a particularly meaningful recognition of POD’s commitment to its colleagues. Assessors recognised the strength of POD’s culture and leadership, its commitment to developing people and the passion its teams bring to serving clients, customers and residents. Following the assessment, they highlighted strong relationships across the organisation and clear alignment between the company’s values and colleagues’ everyday experiences, alongside the link between its people practices and business outcomes. The findings also recognised how POD’s values are embedded in its wider business strategy, with a strong sense of pride and ownership across the organisation. Commenting on the achievement, David Goldberg, CEO of POD Management, said: “What makes me proudest isn’t the accreditation itself, but what it represents. From the beginning, we wanted POD’s values to shape how we work, how we lead and how we support one another. We’ve worked hard to build a business where people matter, relationships matter and culture matters. Seeing that recognised so strongly through an independent assessment is incredibly rewarding. This achievement belongs to everyone who has helped shape POD into what it is today.” POD believes that investing in its people is fundamental to delivering high standards across its property management services. A supportive culture helps teams take pride in their work, maintain high standards on site and approach their responsibilities with care and attention to detail. In turn, this contributes to more effective building management, stronger safety practices and better outcomes for the residents who rely on those services. Ryan Collier, Chief Operating Officer, said: “I’ve always believed very passionately that great results start with great people. Every day, our teams across POD are focused on high standards of safety, making the customer journey exceptional and continually striving to be proactive and one step ahead. What makes this accreditation particularly meaningful to me is that it recognises the connection between our people and our results. The standards we achieve across the business are only possible because of our people-first approach and the commitment, care and professionalism of our teams.” Furthermore, Gracia Horwitz, Head of People at POD Management, added: “Building a great place to work isn’t about one initiative or one department. It’s about people choosing every day to collaborate, support one another and contribute to something bigger than their individual role. From our site leaders to our People Team, Health and Safety Team, Wellbeing Committee and colleagues across the business, everyone plays a part in creating a culture where people feel valued and able to succeed.” The accreditation recognises the collective effort of POD’s colleagues and reinforces the company’s commitment to ensuring its values continue to shape how it leads and supports its people. As the business grows, POD will continue to build on the assessment’s findings and work towards Investors in People Platinum status. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Customers have once again put Reapit at the top of the industry at the ESTAS, the UK’s largest residential property awards, with its automated client accounting solution, PayProp, among the night’s big winners. PayProp was named Best in Sector – Payment Services again in 2026, extending its extraordinary run to nine consecutive ESTAS titles. Unlike many industry awards, ESTAS winners are determined by verified customer reviews collected throughout the year. For Reapit, the awards represent recognition from the people who use its technology every day. Nine years at the top Nine consecutive ESTAS victories is a milestone few PropTechs can claim. For Reapit’s PayProp client accounting platform, it reflects a continued focus on helping letting agents reduce manual payment admin, protect client money and operate more efficiently. In a sector facing growing operational and regulatory pressures, agents continue to rely on the PayProp platform to automate one of the most important functions within their business. The industry’s biggest celebration As the headline partner of the ESTAS Awards, Reapit also welcomed customers and industry leaders to the event, hosting three VIP tables during one of the property sector’s biggest annual gatherings. The evening brought together agents, suppliers and industry experts from across the sector and highlighted the important role customer feedback continues to play in shaping products, services and standards across the industry. “First and foremost, thank you to our customers. Awards decided by industry panels are always welcome, but recognition from the people who use your technology every day carries a different weight,” said Steve Richmond, Reapit’s General Manager. “For our PayProp platform to secure a ninth consecutive ESTAS title is an incredible achievement and a reflection of the consistency, expertise and commitment of our team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Avove has commenced work on a £13 million scheme for Northumbrian Water that will support environmental improvements across the North East. The project comprises a new 3.5km pipeline linking Northumbrian Water’s Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works, between Bournmoor and New Herrington, to the River Wear. The scheme includes a new pumping station within the treatment works, underground pipework and a new treated water discharge point at the river. Once complete, the new pipeline will transfer treated water that is currently discharged into the Herrington Burn to the River Wear. Moving the discharge point will help protect the burn, while the larger river will provide greater dilution and dispersion as the treated water returns to the environment. The scheme will integrate new civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, including pumping, transfer and outfall assets, creating a modern and resilient effluent transfer route designed to support long-term environmental compliance and reliable operation of the treatment works. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2027. The project represents the first of three planned environmental improvement projects in the area as part of Northumbrian Water’s wider investment programme. Colin Butler, Framework Director at Avove, said: “As Northumbrian Water’s delivery partner, we are proud to be delivering a project that will provide long-term environmental benefits for local communities and watercourses. “Drawing on our expertise in water infrastructure, the scheme will deliver a new pumping station, pipeline and discharge point that supports Northumbrian Water’s wider programme of environmental investment. We look forward to working closely with the local community and stakeholders as construction progresses.” Christopher Bond, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: “This work in the Sedgeletch area is part of a £1.7bn investment in work that will benefit the environment, being carried out across a five-year period to 2030. Local projects like this all come together to make a big difference for our region and we know they are important to communities across the North East.” The project forms part of Avove’s ongoing partnership with Northumbrian Water to deliver infrastructure improvements that protect the environment and enhance water quality for local communities and waterways. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Reynaers Aluminium UK has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s prestigious G-Awards, recognising both the innovative projects its systems help deliver and the support it provides to customers. Reynaers has been recognised in the G Awards shortlist in the Commercial Project of the Year category for its involvement in the landmark Greenheys life science building, and for Sales & Marketing Initiative of the Year, for its Building Safety Act Campaign. Working closely with long-standing partner RED Systems, Reynaers provided approximately 5,000m2 of its ConceptWall 50 (CW 50) curtain walling for the £60m Greenheys development at Manchester Science Park. The six-storey, 131,000 sq ft building is the new headquarters for UK Biobank and the most scientifically capable building in Bruntwood SciTech’s portfolio. Designed by BDP and delivered by contractor Willmott Dixon, the building features a full wrap-around curtain wall with curved-on-plan glazing, an anodised finishes and bespoke vertical and horizontal feature fins. Reynaers’ Building Safety Act campaign – Compliance from the Ground Up – was launched to support architects, specifiers and fabricators in navigating regulatory change from concept through to completion. At the centre of the campaign is Reynaers’ RIBA-accredited CPD: Mastering the Building Safety Act that has reached more than 1,000 architects to date. Reynaers also became a GQA-accredited training centre and introduced DigiTrace product passports to provide transparent and traceable information. Samantha Hill, Head of Marketing at Reynaers Aluminium UK, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories at this year’s G-Awards, recognising both the projects our systems helped to deliver and the support we provide to customers. “Greenheys shows what is possible when a system supplier, fabricator and project team work together from the earliest stages and Compliance from the Ground Up reflects our decision to invest in expertise, education and practical support at a time when the industry has faced real pressure and change. I’d like to thank the G-Awards team and wish everyone shortlisted the very best of luck.” Now in its 22nd year, the G-Awards are a leading accolade in the glass and glazing industry, recognising innovation and excellence across 14 categories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday 27 November 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
RED Group has been appointed to complete the £50 million transformation of 5 Chancery Lane in central London, providing a major boost to the landmark office refurbishment following the collapse of original main contractor Ardmore Construction Group. The appointment by developer LS Estates will see RED Group’s London division take responsibility for delivering the remaining construction works, with completion now targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The project, located in one of the capital’s established commercial districts, represents a significant investment in the refurbishment and repositioning of existing office accommodation, responding to continued demand for high-quality, sustainable workplaces in central London. Ardmore Construction Group originally commenced work on the development in early 2024, but construction was brought to a halt when the contractor entered administration in June. The interruption created uncertainty around the delivery programme, making the appointment of a replacement contractor an important milestone in bringing the redevelopment back on track. RED Group will now oversee the remaining construction activities, working alongside LS Estates and the existing project supply chain to progress the scheme towards completion. The contractor’s appointment reflects the growing importance of experience, financial stability and effective project management when taking over complex refurbishment schemes, particularly where construction has already commenced under a previous contractor. Ian Hopkinson, Group Director at RED Group, highlighted the challenges involved in restarting a major commercial redevelopment and the importance of maintaining continuity for the wider project team. “A refurbishment of this size and importance requires vast experience and the ability to quickly onboard for the benefit of the project’s supply chain and eventual occupier,” he said. “This appointment showcases our capabilities, as a stable, collaborative contractor well-positioned to take on complex schemes and provide important solutions for clients.” For LS Estates, the redevelopment remains an important part of its strategy to deliver modern, sustainable commercial accommodation while retaining the architectural character and heritage of existing London buildings. The transformation of 5 Chancery Lane also reflects the wider shift within the capital’s office development market towards upgrading and repositioning existing assets rather than relying exclusively on new-build construction. Across central London, major refurbishment and retrofit programmes are increasingly being driven by occupier expectations surrounding environmental performance, workplace quality, energy efficiency and long-term building flexibility. These considerations are particularly relevant for older commercial properties, where investment in modernisation can help extend building lifecycles and strengthen their appeal within an increasingly competitive office market. Rowan Jenkins, Managing Director at LS Estates, reaffirmed the developer’s commitment to completing the project and delivering a sustainable workplace. “LS Estates remain firmly committed to delivering 5 Chancery Lane as a sustainable office building that meets the strong demand in London’s office market,” he said. “As demand for market-leading workspaces in the capital continues to grow, it remains crucial to prioritise upgrades which maintain cultural heritage and lead on sustainability.” Jenkins added that RED Group’s appointment provided renewed confidence in the project’s delivery, with the developer looking forward to working closely with the contractor to bring the building back into use during 2027. The scheme also demonstrates the importance of maintaining investment in London’s existing commercial building stock, particularly as developers and property owners seek to improve asset performance and respond to evolving sustainability requirements. For RED Group, the contract represents a significant addition to its London construction portfolio and an opportunity to demonstrate its expertise in delivering complex refurbishment projects under challenging circumstances. With a new main contractor appointed and the development programme refocused, the £50 million transformation of 5 Chancery Lane is now moving towards its anticipated completion in early 2027, delivering another upgraded commercial property within London’s prime office market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has completed the letting of Panattoni Park Rotherham after Alliance Automotive Group (“AAG”) agreed a long term lease on the final 80,870 sq ft unit at the development. AAG, which already occupies the neighbouring 630,000 sq ft facility, will now occupy the entirety of the 710,870 sq ft park. The additional space supports the continued expansion of its regional and national distribution operations and the consolidation of other facilities to drive greater operational efficiency. AAG is a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to the independent automotive aftermarket across the UK and Europe. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, the largest worldwide automotive parts distributor with Activities in North America, Europe and Australasia. Located immediately adjacent to Junction 1 of the M18 and within easy reach of the M1/M18 interchange, Panattoni Park Rotherham provides direct access to the wider South Yorkshire and national motorway networks. Rotherham 80 comprises 75,394 sq ft of warehouse accommodation and 5,476 sq ft of offices. The building has a 12.5 metre clear internal height, a 48 metre yard, four dock doors, four level access doors, and 750 KVA of power. It has achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating. Scott Meakin, Development Surveyor at Panattoni, said: “AAG taking the final unit is a strong conclusion to the development at Panattoni Park Rotherham. Having initially committed to the adjacent 630,000 sq ft building, their decision to expand into Rotherham 80 means AAG will now occupy the entire park. This reflects the continued growth of its UK operations, giving the business the scale and flexibility to support rising order volumnes and deliver faster service to its customers across the UK. “One of the strengths of our development platform is our ability to deliver across both the mid-box and big-box sectors. This gives our customers the opportunity to grow within the Panattoni portfolio as their requirements evolve, whether through larger facilities, additional neighbouring space, or a combination of the two. “We remain committed to developing a range of unit sizes in the UK’s strongest logistics locations, giving occupiers the flexibility to expand, consolidate, and adapt their property requirements as their businesses grow.” Steve Richardson, Managing Director AAG Group UK & Ireland, said: “AAG are pleased to have worked with Panattoni to expand our presence at the Rotherham location, securing additional capacity for the continued growth of our distribution operations. Taking the full campus helps us further strengthen our network efficiency and expands our future growth capabilities. “Most importantly, this investment reinforces our commitment to customers. By increasing capacity and streamlining our distribution network, we will be better positioned to offer market leading product availability, support dependable deliveries and provide the high level of service our customers rely on.” The letting comes as Panattoni continues to expand its speculative development programme across the UK, targeting both large-scale logistics facilities and mid-box units in locations where it sees sustained occupier demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orka Investments, the London-based real estate investment manager, has completed the acquisition of Hill View Place, a 226-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Exeter, through its joint venture with a global institutional real estate investor. Hill View Place is adjacent to the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus and a short bus ride from the city centre. Opened in 2022, the scheme offers a mix of en-suite rooms, studios, townhouses and penthouse apartments, alongside a gym, cinema lounge, games room, communal lounge and outdoor space. It is fully let for the 2026/27 academic year and boasts a strong historical occupancy. The University of Exeter is a member of the Russell Group and, according to UCAS data for the 2025 admissions cycle, recorded a 15.5% rise in applicants, the largest increase of any Russell Group university. Demand for the most selective universities continues to strengthen nationally. UCAS data for the 2026 cycle show applicants to higher tariff institutions rose 6.9% by the January deadline, well ahead of growth at medium and lower tariff providers. The acquisition was part funded with an acquisition loan from Investec Real Estate, with whom Orka has a long-standing relationship. The facility includes an accordion structure, which will support Orka’s growth ambitions. Orka’s joint venture launched in December 2025 with three acquisitions totalling c.1,300 beds in Birmingham, Glasgow and Aberdeen, with over 80% of beds catering to Russell Group university locations. Hill View Place is the joint venture’s first acquisition since this launch, taking the JV portfolio to 1,512 beds and adding a third Russell Group city alongside Birmingham and Glasgow. Like the seed assets, it is an established, high-quality, income-producing scheme, and it complements the portfolio’s growth into strong university markets. Including assets held outside the joint venture, Orka’s UK student housing platform now totals 2,080 beds across six schemes. Orka invests in operational real estate, principally student accommodation and hotels. Across both asset classes, income comes from individuals who stay in a building rather than from a long lease to a single tenant, so rents reset regularly and returns depend on how well each building is run. In student accommodation, Orka buys existing, income-producing schemes in cities with structural demand, at a discount to what they would cost to build today, and drives performance through active asset management and dedicated scheme-level operations. Raoul Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Orka Investments, said: “The years when student housing could rely on rapid rent growth are behind us, and that changes where returns come from. Students now choose between purpose-built accommodation, shared houses, build to rent and living at home. PBSA cannot always win that competition on price alone, so we win it on product, service and flexibility, and a well-located building like Hill View Place gives us everything we need to do that.” Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, Vice President, Investments at Orka Investments, said: “Hill View Place is a high-quality, fully let scheme in a Russell Group city where applicant numbers are rising faster than anywhere else in the group. We are pleased to have completed it efficiently alongside our partners and advisers, and we have further acquisitions in the pipeline.” Sebastian Walley, Investec Real Estate, said: “The UK remains a global higher education leader, which has underpinned our over 15-year track record funding high-quality, well-located student schemes. We are particularly comfortable supporting sponsors that understand the trends driving customer demand and manage leasing arrangements, as this usually results in a more reliable income stream that performs well across a cycle.” The joint venture was advised by Simmons & Simmons (legal) and Colliers (technical and environmental due diligence). Newmark acted for the vendor. 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