NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) welcomes a landmark government announcement that will prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and deliver sweeping reforms to payment legislation. The announcement represents the most significant overhaul of the UK’s payment regime in over 25 years and will help to address the cash
Expert Insight by Christian Rowe The government’s Infrastructure Pipeline sets out 780 projects worth £530 billion over the next ten years, covering transport, energy, education and healthcare. For UK construction firms, this represents a significant pipeline of opportunity. However, the sector recorded more insolvencies than any other UK industry in
The middle aisles of discount supermarkets can be a treasure trove of unexpected bargains, from bagpipes to wetsuits – and now solar panels may soon join the list. German supermarket giant Lidl is among the organisations working with the government to support the roll-out of plug-in solar panels. Within the
Hamilton-based clean energy infrastructure developer ILI Group has been shortlisted for Green Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2026, recognising its role in developing the infrastructure needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)
A prominent seven-storey office building in Birmingham city centre is now available to let following a major refurbishment by landlord, Urbana Partners UK. King Edward House, on New Street, offers 78,550 sq ft of newly refurbished workspace, including several unique internal courtyards and a range of high-quality occupier amenities. All
As flexible workspace provider Orega celebrates 25 years in business, the company is spotlighting how premium flexible offices have moved from perk to business-critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop of economic success, Orega’s 25 year milestone reflects not only the evolution of the flexible workspace sector nationally, but also the growing
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed‑tenure homes, has exchanged contracts on land to deliver 214 high‑quality family homes at Garendon Park in Loughborough. The 14.2‑acre site will provide a mix of affordable and open‑market homes, with a range of two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom properties. The wider Garendon Park scheme
The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is pleased to announce it has launched a new interactive UK-wide digital map of completed piling projects, marking a significant step forward in how geotechnical data is used to inform design and improve sustainability across the construction sector. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map visualises
PATRIZIA, an investment manager in global real assets, has received approval from long-standing partner Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer, to execute the GBP 50 million main build contract for the redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street in the City of London. The contract has been awarded to McLaughlin
New report also discovers that for skyscrapers, shape is as important as height A new report published today by the global professional services company Turner & Townsend provides a unique perspective on the market for tall buildings across six global cities. The Global Tall Buildings report draws on Turner &
NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) welcomes a landmark government announcement that will prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and deliver sweeping reforms to payment legislation. The announcement represents the most significant overhaul of the UK’s payment regime in over 25 years and will help to address the cash flow crisis that has long crippled NFRC members and other specialist contractors across the construction industry. NFRC Group CEO James Talman said, “This outcome is one our industry has been campaigning for years to achieve. “ “For too long, specialist contractors have been forced to operate under a system that allowed larger firms to withhold their money, delay payment, and use their cash as free working capital. “Today, the Government has shown that it has listened, and we could not be more pleased.” The measures will be subject to a two-year implementation period, and dependent on the parliamentary timetable. This gives industry time to prepare, while providing a clear and firm direction of travel. NFRC will work with our Members and government during this transition period to ensure the incoming legislation is appropriate and effective. We will also continue to advocate on behalf of Members who are exploited by the current laws, which are now conclusively recognised to be unfair. YEARS OF WORK, FINALLY REWARDED NFRC has been advocating for reform of payment practices and the abolition of retentions for nearly a decade. In 2021, NFRC estimated that £300 million of roofing and cladding subcontractors’ cash was held in retention at any one time. In 2023, 86% of NFRC Members reported difficulties recovering retention payments on local authority contracts. And in 2025, 80% of contractor Members said retentions were still affecting their business. NFRC has taken every opportunity possible to advertise these facts and advocate for reform. “Our Members are passionate about this issue, not just because it affects their bottom line, but because it affects their people, their livelihoods, and their ability to grow and deliver for the UK,” said Talman. “The hours our team and our Members have put into this consultation speak for themselves.” The UK has a critical need for housebuilding, retrofit, clean energy infrastructure, and public sector construction. None of these issues will be adequately tackled if the specialist contractors at the coal face are being strangled by cash flow problems. CREDIT WHERE DUE NFRC wishes to acknowledge the Department for Business and Trade for bringing these proposals forward with seriousness and urgency. The consultation process was well-designed, accessible, and genuinely engaged with industry. The government has listened to the evidence industry presented and acted on it. “We are grateful to the Department for Business and Trade for the rigour and openness they have brought to this process,” said Talman. “Good consultation deserves recognition, and today’s announcement is evidence of what happens when industry engages and government listens. “We also want to acknowledge the many industry partners, trade bodies, and our own Members who contributed to this collective effort. Special thanks to the CLC taskforce on this important topic headed by Steve Bratt.” The government has confirmed it will proceed with many of the measures proposed in the consultation, including: – Removing the ability to contract out of the statutory charge of 8% interest on late payment. – Boards or audit committees of persistently late-paying large companies will be required to publish explanations for poor payment performance and the actions they are taking to address it. – Banning retention clauses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Expert Insight by Christian Rowe The government’s Infrastructure Pipeline sets out 780 projects worth £530 billion over the next ten years, covering transport, energy, education and healthcare. For UK construction firms, this represents a significant pipeline of opportunity. However, the sector recorded more insolvencies than any other UK industry in 2025, with almost 4,000 firms collapsing. This contrast highlights a critical point: a strong pipeline does not guarantee commercial viability. With construction costs forecast to rise by 15 per cent over the next five years and tender prices expected to increase alongside them, successful contractors will be those who balance opportunity with disciplined pricing and robust risk management. Experts at Executive Compass, a bid and tender writing specialist, examine how construction firms can evaluate opportunities and identify which contracts are commercially viable. Rising Costs are Eating into Every Tender The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) forecasts construction costs to rise by 15 per cent over the next five years, with tender prices expected to follow at 16 per cent. Labour remains the primary pressure point, with employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage driving the BCIS Labour Cost Index upwards. Skills shortages are compounding the issue, and demand from the booming data centre sector is adding further strain on mechanical and electrical contractors. While the volume of available work is growing, the cost of delivering it is growing faster. For firms operating on tight margins, this significantly reduces tolerance for error. The Hidden Danger of Bidding Too Aggressively “The sizeable pipeline is very positive for the sector, and the long-term visibility it provides is something the industry has needed for years,” said Christian Rowe, CEO at Executive Compass. “However, visibility alone does not make a contract viable. We are seeing firms bid aggressively to secure work, only to find that cost inflation erodes margin before delivery is complete.” The Procurement Act 2023 introduces greater accountability for contract performance. Suppliers that fail to meet required standards risk exclusion from future opportunities through the public debarment regime. “Bid/no-bid decisions need to be made objectively,” Rowe added. “That means assessing whether you have the cost base, workforce and supply chain resilience to deliver. It is not just about whether you can win.” How to Identify Genuine Commercial Opportunities in the Pipeline With £285 billion of the pipeline funded by the public sector, there is real work to be won. But Rowe urges construction businesses to apply a structured evaluation before committing resources to any tender, “Start by asking whether the contract aligns with your strategic direction and whether you have a genuine competitive advantage such as local presence, specialist skills or delivery track record.” “Then look hard at the risk profile,” adds Rowe. “If price weighting is high and you are competing against national contractors with greater buying power, you need to be realistic about whether you can compete without undercutting yourself into difficulty.” It’s also very important to gain an understanding of the full cost picture before submitting a price. “With tender prices forecast to climb and material costs subject to increasing volatility as infrastructure output grows, firms that price on today’s costs for contracts beginning in 12 to 18 months risk building in losses from day one,” warns Rowe. Seeking Support with Bid/No-Bid Decisions While the infrastructure pipeline brings the construction sector some much needed certainty, firms that use it wisely, with realistic cost forecasting, careful bid decisions and a solid delivery model, have a real opportunity to grow. But for those that chase volume of bids without checking whether their numbers stack up properly, it could mean more contracts ending in financial difficulty. “The pipeline gives the sector the roadmap it has been asking for,” advises Rowe. “The key is selecting the right opportunities, not simply pursuing more of them.” Specialist bid support can assist firms in evaluating opportunities and making informed bid/no-bid decisions, reducing exposure to commercial risk and improving long-term outcomes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The middle aisles of discount supermarkets can be a treasure trove of unexpected bargains, from bagpipes to wetsuits – and now solar panels may soon join the list. German supermarket giant Lidl is among the organisations working with the government to support the roll-out of plug-in solar panels. Within the next few months, shoppers could find low-cost solar kits in Lidl stores that can be set up on balconies or in outdoor spaces, helping households start saving on their energy bills. Lidl GB’s corporate affairs director, Georgina Hall, said the move reflects the retailer’s commitment to making sustainable living more affordable. She welcomed efforts to modernise UK regulations, describing the changes as an important step in enabling households to take control of their energy use while supporting the country’s net zero ambitions. Plug-in solar technology is already widely used across Europe. In Germany alone, around half a million units are installed each year. These systems allow users to generate free solar power and feed it directly into their home via a standard mains socket, avoiding installation costs. As a result, households can reduce their reliance on grid electricity and lower their bills. The government believes this simple, accessible technology could help many households cut energy costs while reducing the UK’s dependence on global fossil fuel markets. The push for solar has been accelerated by rising energy prices linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Alongside this, the government has published its long-awaited Future Homes Standard. While largely in line with previous expectations, it includes a stronger emphasis on solar panel installation in new homes. Under the updated Building Regulations, most new properties – with some exceptions such as high-rise buildings – will be required to include on-site renewable electricity generation, most commonly through solar panels. The standard also mandates low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps and heat networks, in all new homes. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government is focused on supporting households through rising energy costs while strengthening the UK’s energy security. He emphasised that expanding access to clean energy, whether through solar panels on new homes or plug-in systems available in shops, is key to reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. Greg Jackson, founder and chief executive of Octopus Energy, said public interest in clean technologies has surged in response to global instability. He noted that demand for solar panels has risen sharply, alongside growing uptake of heat pumps and electric vehicles. He added that generating electricity at home allows households not only to cut bills but also to sell excess energy back to suppliers. Combined with technologies such as heat pumps and electric cars, this can significantly reduce the cost of heating and transport in ways that traditional gas and petrol cannot. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hamilton-based clean energy infrastructure developer ILI Group has been shortlisted for Green Business of the Year at the British Business Awards 2026, recognising its role in developing the infrastructure needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero. The awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 30 April 2026, bringing together around 2,000 business leaders from across the UK. More than 400 companies entered this year’s awards, with shortlisted businesses assessed across areas including business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy. ILI Group develops large-scale energy storage and green hyperscale data centres – infrastructure that supports the transition to a low-carbon electricity system. Its portfolio comprises 4.1GW of infrastructure projects, including 2.6GW of energy storage and 1.5GW of green hyperscale data centres. These data centres are collectively known as The Stoics: a proposed network of three strategically located facilities at Cato (Fife), Rufus (East Ayrshire) and Aurelius (North Lanarkshire). Together, these projects are designed to help store, balance and optimise renewable electricity, while creating green digital infrastructure that can make better use of clean power and help reduce curtailment. A major milestone for the business came in 2023 with the sale of the 500MW Loch na Cathrach pumped storage hydro project to Statkraft, representing one of the most significant long-duration energy storage developments currently progressing in Europe. ILI is now progressing further nationally significant infrastructure, including the 900MW / 15-hour Balliemeanoch pumped storage hydro project, which is expected to achieve planning consent in 2026. Over their operational lifetime, ILI’s energy storage projects could enable more than 150 million tonnes of CO₂ savings, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 74 million UK cars, underlining the scale of environmental impact the company’s development model can deliver. Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, said: “Being shortlisted for Green Business of the Year is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has been doing over many years. At ILI, our focus is on developing the infrastructure that allows renewable energy to work in practice – ensuring it can be stored, balanced and used when it’s needed. That same approach now extends to green digital infrastructure through The Stoics, our proposed network of green hyperscale data centres, designed to support growing demand for AI and data while helping accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon electricity system. We’re a small team, but we’ve consistently delivered complex, nationally significant projects that attract major international investment. This nomination reflects both the scale of that impact and the importance of building the infrastructure needed for net zero.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About the British Business Awards The British Business Awards celebrate businesses from across the UK, from major international companies to high-growth SMEs and family-owned firms. This year’s event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre will include a special guest appearance from George Clooney, alongside keynote speaker Sir Bob Geldof and co-hosts Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith. The awards will once again raise funds for Social Bite, with a target of helping raise more than £1 million for the homelessness charity. About ILI Group Intelligent Land Investments Group (ILI Group) is a Scottish clean energy and infrastructure developer with a portfolio of more than 4.1GW of energy storage and digital infrastructure projects, including 1.4GW of pumped storage hydro, 1.2GW of utility-scale battery storage, and 1.5GW of green hyperscale data centres through The Stoics. The company reached a major milestone with the sale of its first 500MW pumped storage hydro project, Loch na Cathrach at Loch Ness, to Statkraft, one of Europe’s largest renewable energy companies. The deal underlined ILI Group’s expertise in progressing complex, nationally significant infrastructure and its role in helping shape the UK’s clean energy and digital future.
A prominent seven-storey office building in Birmingham city centre is now available to let following a major refurbishment by landlord, Urbana Partners UK. King Edward House, on New Street, offers 78,550 sq ft of newly refurbished workspace, including several unique internal courtyards and a range of high-quality occupier amenities. All seven floors have been refurbished to CAT A specification, providing generous floor plates of up to 12,000 sq ft. Originally built in 1936, King Edward House is characterised by its imposing Portland stone façade and will now be complemented by 5,000 sq ft of outdoor workspace. Internal light wells provide courtyard space on the second, third and fourth floors, while occupiers will also benefit from two roof terraces on the 7th floor, with far reaching views across the city centre. Additional amenities include a large gym and studio space, as well as end-of-trip cycle storage and shower facilities. In addition to the building’s attractive heritage façade, the refurbishment has provided strong sustainability credentials, including operational smart energy services, LED lighting and photovoltaic solar roof panels, and is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold certifications. Nick Lloyd, Partner at Urbana Partners UK, said: “We are delighted to bring King Edward House back to life through our sustainable refurbishment of the building, which has included a complete repositioning of the ground and lower ground floors. These now provide the new reception and arrival area overlooking New Street, as well as high-quality occupier amenities. “With wellbeing as a primary driver, the refurbishment includes a new 7th floor roof terrace for all occupiers as well as seven other lettable outdoor workspaces. With the space offered at a considerable discount to the current top rents being achieved in the city, we look forward to welcoming occupiers into the new King Edward House community very soon.” Charles Toogood, partner at Newmark, added: “King Edward House presents a compelling opportunity for occupiers seeking modern, energy efficient workspace in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The combination of generous floor plates and a wide range of amenities will appeal to a broad range of businesses, from established corporates to growing firms. “Given the significant investment in the building and its proximity to key transport hubs, we expect the scheme to attract strong interest, particularly from those seeking value relative to other available office space in the city centre.” King Edward House is located close to Birmingham New Street station and within a short walk of Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street and HS2’s future Birmingham Curzon Street station. For more information, please contact Mark Robinson and Charlotte Fullard at Avison Young, and George Jennings and Charles Toogood at Newmark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As flexible workspace provider Orega celebrates 25 years in business, the company is spotlighting how premium flexible offices have moved from perk to business-critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop of economic success, Orega’s 25 year milestone reflects not only the evolution of the flexible workspace sector nationally, but also the growing importance of premium flexible offices in cities across the UK. Alan Pepper, CEO of Orega, comments: “Reaching our upcoming 25th anniversary is a proud milestone for the business. The flexible workspace sector has evolved dramatically since Orega was founded – we’ve weathered the storm of three economic downturns and a global pandemic – and we’ve come out stronger than ever. “It’s clear that flexibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s now central to how modern businesses operate.” For growing businesses, the appeal is strategic as much as practical. Flexible workspaces allow firms to scale without long-term real estate commitments, access central locations that help attract talent, and present a professional environment that matches their ambitions. Bristol is perhaps the clearest example of a strong regional economy proving Orega’s point. The West of England is growing at four times the national average, generating over £54bn annually, with the city maintaining the highest rate of net business start-ups outside London. That economic momentum is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible office space from professional services, tech and financial firms. But Bristol is part of a broader national picture where hybrid working has matured from a pandemic-era experiment into an established operating model, prompting businesses of all sizes to fundamentally rethink what they need from office space, and why. Alan adds: “In cities like Bristol, we’re seeing sustained demand from established corporations and ambitious growing businesses who want flexibility without compromising on quality or location. The role of the office has changed; it’s about creating environments that foster collaboration, support wellbeing and reflect a company’s brand and ambition.” A proven model for sustainable growth Over the past two and a half years, Orega has opened eight new premium centres and grown its team with key strategic hires including CEO Alan Pepper, COO David Kinnaird, and Commercial Director Sophie Turnbull. Orega is also the pioneer of Management Agreements with Landlords, a unique approach to flexible workspaces that has been central to its success, setting a precedent for sustainable growth in the sector. The company’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with ambitious plans to expand to 45 locations over the next five years at an average rate of four new sites per year. The focus will remain on London, the UK’s six big regional cities – including Bristol – and select locations where demand for premium flexible workspaces continues to rise. Alan comments: “Our future growth will be shaped by the same principles that got us to where we are today. We want to keep empowering businesses to unlock their true potential, remaining agile and responsive to the changing market. The flexible workspace industry is maturing and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that evolution.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed‑tenure homes, has exchanged contracts on land to deliver 214 high‑quality family homes at Garendon Park in Loughborough. The 14.2‑acre site will provide a mix of affordable and open‑market homes, with a range of two‑, three‑ and four‑bedroom properties. The wider Garendon Park scheme already benefits from outline planning consent, and Vistry expects to submit a reserved matters application for its parcel in the coming weeks. The development forms part of the major 3,200‑home Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) to the west of Loughborough. This wider scheme will include 16 hectares of employment land, a mixed‑use community hub, two new primary schools, and extensive public open space including parks, play areas, allotments, access roads and a strategic link road. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director of Vistry Group’s Partnerships division in the South East Midlands, said:“It’s exciting to be building so many family homes on this major new development that aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high‑quality, sustainable, and community‑centric places to live. Our homes will be designed to blend seamlessly with their surroundings and will set a new benchmark in modern living, bringing untold benefits to the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is pleased to announce it has launched a new interactive UK-wide digital map of completed piling projects, marking a significant step forward in how geotechnical data is used to inform design and improve sustainability across the construction sector. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map visualises historical piling project data using ArcGIS, allowing users to explore completed works across different locations and ground conditions. By bringing together datasets submitted by FPS members, the platform provides a valuable new resource for clients, consultants and contractors involved in foundation design. The tool has been developed to support design optimisation at an early stage, enabling project teams to identify comparable schemes, better understand ground conditions, and reduce uncertainty. In doing so, it has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce risk and avoid unnecessary overdesign. A key feature of the platform is its ability to highlight opportunities for potential pile and foundation reuse. By making historical data more accessible and visible, the FPS aims to support more sustainable construction practices and contribute to reducing embodied carbon across the built environment. Commenting on the launch, Malcolm O’Sullivan, Chair, Federation of Piling Specialists said: “The FPS Geotechnical Data Map has the potential to change how we think about foundation design. By making historical data more visible and usable, we can begin to identify opportunities for pile and foundation reuse, reduce unnecessary embodied carbon, and support a more sustainable approach to construction. This is a practical step towards a more circular economy in ground engineering.” The launch of the map also reflects a broader shift towards a more connected and data-driven industry. The FPS has positioned the platform as part of an increasingly sophisticated landscape of digital geotechnical information and intends to continue expanding its scope. Future development may include the integration of additional datasets and collaboration with external data providers. The FPS Geotechnical Data Map is now live and available to members through the FPS Website. For more information, please contact the FPS by email at fps@fps.org.uk or visit the FPS website at www.fps.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PATRIZIA, an investment manager in global real assets, has received approval from long-standing partner Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer, to execute the GBP 50 million main build contract for the redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street in the City of London. The contract has been awarded to McLaughlin & Harvey, with works commencing in early March 2026 and practical completion targeted for August 2027. The planning consent achieved in November enables PATRIZIA to transform the 1990s building into a modern, highly sustainable and amenity-rich destination in the heart of London’s financial district. The scheme will deliver approximately 120,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace following a 15% uplift in net lettable area. Works include sixth- and seventh-floor extensions, culminating in a new seventh-floor pavilion and large communal landscaped terrace. Ten landscaped terraces will be introduced across the upper floors, alongside a new ground floor café, enhanced reception and high-specification lower ground end-of-journey facilities. A fully electric, smart-enabled services strategy will underpin the redevelopment, targeting EPC A (B minimum), BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold, reinforcing the project’s low-carbon and future-ready credentials. Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield have been instructed as joint leasing agents, with marketing now underway to secure occupiers ahead of completion. The scheme has been designed by Stiff + Trevillion, with Quartz acting as project manager, Gardiner & Theobald as quantity surveyor, and Montagu Evans advising on planning. Dan Williams, Head of Investment Management Development at PATRIZIA, commented: “This appointment marks the transition from consent to delivery at 108 Old Broad Street and a key step in executing our repositioning strategy for prime City assets. With the building stripped out and ready to mobilise, we are progressing into construction with a strong team in place to deliver significant upper-floor extensions, best-in-class amenity and an all-electric building strategy. Our focus now is on safe, efficient execution and quality outcomes through to completion.” Chris Collins, Pre-Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: “We are proud to partner with PATRIZIA on a redevelopment that combines significant structural interventions with ambitious sustainability targets. Our focus will be on delivering the extensions and all-electric building strategy to the highest quality standards while maintaining programme certainty in a busy City environment.” The repositioning of 108 Old Broad Street reinforces PATRIZIA’s wider value-add strategy across key European cities, building on a portfolio of landmark brown-to-green transformations within its EUR 2.5bn+ pan-European value-add programme. These projects form a core pillar of the investment manager’s commitment to delivering future-fit offices through design quality, decarbonisation and proactive asset management. Ker Gilchrist, Head of UK Investment Management at PATRIZIA, added: “The redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street demonstrates how we connect international capital with our own asset solutions to deliver a Grade A, amenity-rich building offering compelling relative value in the City market. As we move into the construction, we remain focussed on disciplined execution to ensure the asset is positioned strongly for occupiers seeking quality and sustainability in a core financial district location.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New report also discovers that for skyscrapers, shape is as important as height A new report published today by the global professional services company Turner & Townsend provides a unique perspective on the market for tall buildings across six global cities. The Global Tall Buildings report draws on Turner & Townsend’s exclusive data to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing developers building skyscrapers in London, New York, Seoul, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Dubai, including costs and the impact of designs and height on viability.1 The report found that the cost of delivering a new office building in London has increased by up to 40% since 2020, one of the largest price increases out of the cities analysed, and it is now more than three times as expensive to build skyscrapers in the city as it is in Seoul, and ten times as it is in Mumbai. This significant cost rise is the result of a range of factors that include price inflation prompted by conflicts and geopolitical events, significant regulatory changes, enhancements to the product, and challenging trading conditions following Brexit. However, more positively, demand for high quality, sustainable space remains strong, and confidence is beginning to return, with some large investors using their ability to take a longer-term view to get their towers into a favourable letting market. As a result, it is still possible to deliver a high quality, financially successful skyscraper in London, but only if project teams work together to address viability issues from the outset. One key finding from the report is that the shape of a skyscraper is as important as the height when it comes to the overall cost. In a city like London, there can be a 25% difference in price between the most ambitious and the most cost-efficient projects, with massing being a key determining factor. With its diverse skyline and broad range of buildings, London stands out globally for having progressed through four distinct but overlapping waves of high-rise construction in just three decades, driven by differing typologies, and developers have learned important lessons along the way. Looking to the future, London is moving through its fifth wave where there is a deep focus on value, and high-quality towers are being realised against a challenging economic backdrop: Turner & Townsend is one of the industry leaders when it comes to providing project management, cost and commercial management and programme advisory services, and has helped deliver over 200 tall buildings across the world, including the likes of 22 Bishopsgate, London; 30 Hudson Yards, New York; The Jewel, Australia; and Piramal Aranya in Mumbai. Steve Watts, Head of Tall Buildings at Turner & Townsend, said: “Demand for tall buildings globally remains incredibly strong, although the latter in London has suffered a difficult period. With elevated construction costs further pressured by continuing inflation, as well as unfriendly financing conditions and softened yields, viability is now the most pressing issue, and doing “more with less” is the order of the day in a lot of markets, particularly London. “Now more than ever, it is important to recognise that shape is as important as height when it comes to delivering a project cost efficiently, and there is an ever-increasing focus on ensuring tall buildings are integrated into the broader cityscape, whether that is by offering public amenities or a greater range of uses on the ground floors. “In this context, to deliver a successful project in London, it is critical for project teams to work together at the outset to address viability issues: to test briefs; apply greater focus at an earlier stage to both design strategies and detailing; to secure the help of key parts of the supply chain sooner; and to set up projects with clarity and alignment. London boasts one of the most compelling and diverse skylines in the world, and with the right processes in place, there is no reason why the city can’t continue to lead the way for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals