Kenneth Booth
Cancer Care Boost as McBains Takes Lead on £250m Sussex Project

Cancer Care Boost as McBains Takes Lead on £250m Sussex Project

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has appointed McBains to provide project management and cost management services for the construction of the new £250m Sussex Cancer Centre in Brighton. The appointment follows the recent confirmation of Laing O’Rourke as main contractor for the five-storey facility, which will form a major

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Livingston Designer Outlet accelerates growth with Castore and NEXT refit commitments

Livingston Designer Outlet accelerates growth with Castore and NEXT refit commitments

Livingston Designer Outlet has secured refit commitments from leading occupiers Castore and NEXT. As Scotland’s largest outlet destination, Livingston Designer Outlet continues to drive investment from both its existing and new brands.  The expanded and refitted Castore unit represents a key building block inthe brands ambitious journey to become the UK’s leading premium sports-wear brand. Through its partnership with Rangers Football Club via its Umbro license, the 3,000sqft Livingston store will offer fans and

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The Co-operative Bank Expands at One Balloon Street, Manchester

The Co-operative Bank Expands at One Balloon Street, Manchester

Bank lets additional 15,500 sq ft in office building The Co-operative Bank has completed a major expansion at its official base at One Balloon Street in Manchester, taking an additional 15,500 sq ft of space on the fourth floor of the building.    This latest letting increases the bank’s total occupancy

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£80m Abode Student Portfolio Backs Affordability and Prime Regional Locations

£80m Abode Student Portfolio Backs Affordability and Prime Regional Locations

Abode Student has unveiled an £80 million purpose-built student accommodation portfolio spanning Birmingham and Nottingham, positioning affordability and location at the heart of its growth strategy for 2026 and beyond. The Manchester-based developer, led by founder Ashley Ladson, will deliver 525 beds across two schemes: a 317-bed development in Birmingham’s

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Prologis agrees long-term letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge

Prologis agrees long-term letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge

Prologis has completed a 15-year letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge, securing a new long-term operational hub for the specialist automotive storage provider as it scales its UK business. Birch is a premium automotive asset management company, recognised for The Birch Standard – a benchmark for secure, intelligent custodianship

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£100 Million Eden Project Morecambe Secures Green Light After Major Redesign

£100 Million Eden Project Morecambe Secures Green Light After Major Redesign

Lancaster City Council has approved revised plans for the £100 million Eden Project Morecambe, giving the go-ahead to a significantly streamlined version of the long-anticipated seafront attraction. Councillors granted planning permission for a second time after developers reduced the overall scale of the scheme, cutting the number of signature biomes

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OP and Cooper Parry partnership continues with London office completion

OP and Cooper Parry partnership continues with London office completion

Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of Cooper Parry’s new 18,000 sq ft London hub at Broadwalk House in Broadgate.  The project has transformed the 5th floor space, consolidating Cooper Parry’s London operations into one central hub that reflects the rapidly growing accountancy firm’s unique

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Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners The 2025 Autumn Budget offered limited stimulus for the housing market and, persistent headwinds such as sticky inflation, higher for longer interest rates, elevated construction costs, and slow planning processes continue to impact development viability. But there are still reasons for

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Latest Issue
Issue 339 : Apr 2026

Kenneth Booth

Cancer Care Boost as McBains Takes Lead on £250m Sussex Project

Cancer Care Boost as McBains Takes Lead on £250m Sussex Project

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has appointed McBains to provide project management and cost management services for the construction of the new £250m Sussex Cancer Centre in Brighton. The appointment follows the recent confirmation of Laing O’Rourke as main contractor for the five-storey facility, which will form a major part of Wave 1 of the Government’s New Hospitals Programme. Located at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the centre is scheduled to open in 2029 and is set to triple the Trust’s cancer care capacity, supporting up to 60,000 patients a year. The new building will rise on the site of the former Barry Building, which prior to its demolition was recognised as the oldest hospital building in the country. Its replacement marks a significant step forward in modernising healthcare infrastructure across Sussex. The Sussex Cancer Centre represents the second phase of the Trust’s ambitious three-stage 3Ts Redevelopment programme. The first phase, the Louisa Martindale Building, opened in 2023 and delivered a major upgrade to acute and specialist services. As part of phase two, a landscaped public plaza will be created to link the new cancer centre with the Louisa Martindale Building, improving connectivity and enhancing the overall patient environment. The third and final phase of the redevelopment will involve the construction of a new service and logistics yard on the site of the current cancer department, designed to improve operational efficiency across the wider hospital campus. McBains previously delivered project management, cost management and NEC supervision services for the Louisa Martindale Building, as well as site enabling works for the Sussex Cancer Centre last year. Hemant Sharma, associate director at McBains, said the firm was proud to continue its involvement in the transformation of healthcare services in the region, building on its experience of delivering modern facilities that enhance both patient care and staff wellbeing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Livingston Designer Outlet accelerates growth with Castore and NEXT refit commitments

Livingston Designer Outlet accelerates growth with Castore and NEXT refit commitments

Livingston Designer Outlet has secured refit commitments from leading occupiers Castore and NEXT. As Scotland’s largest outlet destination, Livingston Designer Outlet continues to drive investment from both its existing and new brands.  The expanded and refitted Castore unit represents a key building block inthe brands ambitious journey to become the UK’s leading premium sports-wear brand. Through its partnership with Rangers Football Club via its Umbro license, the 3,000sqft Livingston store will offer fans and athletes the opportunity to shop for the latest fan and training collections at significantly discounted prices.   Meanwhile, the relocated and refitted NEXT store is now occupying a prominent location in the North Mall as an anchor tenant. As well as delivering a fresh, new store – this move formed part of a strategic repositioning project at the destination. This initiative focuses on putting the right brands in the right spaces to maximise commercial impact and deliver the best possible customer experience and is a key pillar of the 2026 roadmap.  Already this year,Livingston Designer Outlet has confirmed the forthcoming arrival of immersive leisure experience Flip Out, F&B brands Tikka Nation and Sides and independent deli and butcher’s operator, Hamilton & Brown. Coupled with the Castore and NEXT refits, these combined investments indicate the strong appetite for a presence in one of Scotland’s premier retail and leisure destinations as it enters its next growth phase.  Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Retail Business Development at Global Mutual said: “This significant investment into their stores from two of our key tenants is testament to the success of Livingston Designer Outlet in supporting the commercial ambitions of our retailers. Outlet shopping is proving to be a key business driver for our brand partners and the commitment of Castore and NEXT to creating leading store environments at Livingston is the perfect start to what promises to be a hugely successful 2026 for the destination.”    Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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RFM Announces Refreshed Brand Identity To Reflect Business Growth and Evolution

RFM Announces Refreshed Brand Identity To Reflect Business Growth and Evolution

RFM, a market leading premium property transformation and management company, has revealed the launch of its new brand identity and strategic direction, with a focus on streamlining services to focus on total property management. RFM has grown significantly since its launch in 1961, when it began as a high-quality plastering contractor. Since then, the business has evolved into a fully integrated property services company, delivering consultation-led and technology-driven end-to-end solutions. The refreshed brand includes a new logo, updated visual identity and a refined value proposition that expresses RFM’s dedication to comprehensive total property management.  The rebrand also reinforces RFM’s strategic direction, bringing together consultancy, insurance reinstatement, fit-out, FF&E, facilities management and maintenance services into a seamless property service. The business has also launched the ‘RFM Standard’, to set the bar on quality and service and show how the team create, restore and care for the spaces they are working on. Over more than six decades, RFM has expanded through organic growth and strategic acquisition, building a diversified portfolio that includes the acquisition of Centric Office Solutions to expand its service portfolio into FF&E. RFM is aiming to more clearly communicate its unique market position and the benefits of a property service that eliminates the headache of working with multiple suppliers. Commenting on the refreshed identity, Jamie Stewart, Managing Director of RFM said: “This rebrand is more than just a new logo and refreshed identity, it’s a celebration of who we are now and where the business is heading.”  “Over six decades RFM has evolved from a plastering business to a full-service property transformation and management company, backed by the expertise of the team. The new identity brings clarity to our integrated offering and underscores our goal to lead the industry in environmentally friendly property solutions.”  Jo Parkinson, Marketing Director of RFM commented; “It’s been fantastic to build this new brand identity and strategic direction. There’s a lot of expertise and passion in the business, so it’s easy to see why leading businesses across healthcare, insurance, commercial and education rely on them. We are excited to see where the business goes next.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Victoria North: Proposals for next phase of Collyhurst regeneration are presented to residents

Victoria North: Proposals for next phase of Collyhurst regeneration are presented to residents

A consultation is now open to gather views and feedback about the next ambitious phase of regeneration in the north Manchester neighbourhood.  A consultation is now open to gather views and feedback about the next ambitious phase of regeneration in the north Manchester neighbourhood.  Collyhurst was chosen as one of the first focus areas for investment as part of the major Victoria North regeneration programme – a partnership between Manchester City Council and FEC – that will see more than 15,000 new homes across seven distinct neighbourhoods in the coming years.   Initial consultation for future regeneration in Collyhurst completed in November 2025, which provided local people detail about the high level principles of future investment in their neighbourhood – including a mix of different types of homes, a focus on affordable homes within a mix of different tenures – including significant social rent homes – alongside green areas and spaces for the community.   Since then, households within the boundary of the proposed phase two area have been directly contacted to discuss their housing requirements to ensure that they are at the centre of developing proposals.  Now, the whole community will have an opportunity to find out more about the emerging proposals before detailed design and planning takes place, taking the local people along on the regeneration journey – from concept to design.   Based on the development being delivered in phase one, current estimates suggest, subject to consultation and detailed design work, that around 550 homes could be built in the phase two area helping to meet the growing demand for quality, affordable housing in the area, alongside a new community park.  Similar to the first phase of development, the ambition – subject to consultation and planning – would be to make sure a significant number of the new homes will be for social rent to meet demand for quality, genuinely affordable homes in Collyhurst. In phase one, 130 of 274 homes were capped at the social rent level.   The consultation will also gather feedback about the mix of housing types required in the community, new walking and cycling routes through the neighbourhood, and features that could be included in an extended area of the new Collyhurst Park space.   Phase One – the story so far  274 homes are currently under construction across two sites in South Collyhurst and Collyhurst Village, where the first 35 homes have now been completed – including the first 10 of 130 new Council homes for social rent.   Completions are now being phased throughout 2026, and some of the new Council homes will also support residents that moved outside of Collyhurst from the now demolished maisonettes to  move back to the community, into new homes in South Collyhurst – fulfilling the Council’s commitment to those residents who were promised they could return should they want to.   Future Investment in Collyhurst  Detailed proposals for future phases of development will be worked through and developed through public consultation on a phased basis. The focus in the coming years will be to develop proposals for Collyhurst Village, while detailed plans for South Collyhurst will then be developed in six to 10 years.  Victoria North has also been shortlisted as a part of the Government’s New Towns Taskforce, which pledges support to deliver major regeneration programmes. This will support the ambition for a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills, which will help unlock future investment in the wider Collyhurst area, alongside new homes, shops, medical facilities and a new school.   Public in-person consultation events  Local people can attend two events in the area to find out more and ask questions.   Tuesday 3 March – Church of the Saviour, Eggington Street, M40 7RN  1.30pm and 6.30pm  Members of the regeneration team will also be available to chat at a pop-in session at Kylie’s Kitchen from 9am to 11am on Wednesday 4 March 2026.  To note: Residents that are currently living within the proposed red line boundary for phase 2 have also been invited to a further session with the regeneration team to answer any specific questions they might have.   The consultation can also be accessed online: www.collyhurst-regeneration.co.uk/home/get-involved  Cllr Bev Craig OBE, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  “We chose Collyhurst as one of the first areas to invest in as part of the major Victoria North regeneration programme because we could see the massive potential in this neighbourhood – and we wanted to deliver for this community that has waited for so long for investment in their area.   “It’s great to see that the first Council social rent homes are welcoming residents and we’ll see ongoing completions through the rest of the year, which will also mean residents who moved out of the area will be supported back to Collyhurst and into a new home.   “We can now return our attention to the next phase of delivery, which could see another 550 homes built – with a key focus on social rent, Council and genuinely affordable housing – alongside the new and extended Collyhurst park. Longer-term we are working towards the new tram stop at Sandhills, alongside more new housing, shops and local services.   “There’s a huge amount to be excited about in Collyhurst and we would urge local people to take part in the consultation and come down to the drop in events and give us your thoughts about the future of your community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Co-operative Bank Expands at One Balloon Street, Manchester

The Co-operative Bank Expands at One Balloon Street, Manchester

Bank lets additional 15,500 sq ft in office building The Co-operative Bank has completed a major expansion at its official base at One Balloon Street in Manchester, taking an additional 15,500 sq ft of space on the fourth floor of the building.    This latest letting increases the bank’s total occupancy to 45,000 sq ft within the building.  Real estate advisors CBRE advised landlord Wittington Investments on the transaction. The deal further strengthens the occupier line-up at the centrally located office building, which is now almost fully let, with only the 3rd floor now available. The remainder of the property is occupied by Orega, which operates 26,000 sq ft of serviced office and co-working space within the building. Following the latest letting, Wittington Investments is pressing ahead with the refurbishment of the vacant third floor. The works will deliver 15,000 sq ft of fully fitted and furnished workspace, ready for immediate occupation, with completion earmarked for March 2026. One Balloon Street provides contemporary office accommodation, complemented by a range of shared amenities including a second-floor business lounge, access to communal meeting rooms and breakout areas, and communal external space for occupiers. The building has been designed to support flexible working, collaboration and rapid occupation, reducing both cost and time for incoming tenants. The property occupies a highly accessible city centre location, just a one-minute walk from Manchester Victoria station and close to the Northern Quarter, NOMA and the city’s core retail and leisure destinations. Matt Shufflebottom, Director, CBRE’s Office team in Manchester commented: “This deal underlines the continued demand for high-quality, fully fitted workspace in Manchester city centre. One Balloon Street offers a compelling mix of cost-effective workspace, shared amenities and transport connectivity. The Co-operative Bank’s expansion is a strong endorsement of the building and its long-term appeal. We’re looking forward to bringing the fitted and furnished 3rd floor to market, which at 15,000 sq ft, will be a unique offering to the market” OBI are joint leasing agents and Cushman & Wakefield acted for The Co-operative Bank in the deal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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£80m Abode Student Portfolio Backs Affordability and Prime Regional Locations

£80m Abode Student Portfolio Backs Affordability and Prime Regional Locations

Abode Student has unveiled an £80 million purpose-built student accommodation portfolio spanning Birmingham and Nottingham, positioning affordability and location at the heart of its growth strategy for 2026 and beyond. The Manchester-based developer, led by founder Ashley Ladson, will deliver 525 beds across two schemes: a 317-bed development in Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter and a 208-bed scheme in Nottingham, just three minutes’ walk from Nottingham Trent University. Rents will start from £175 per week in Birmingham and £198 per week in Nottingham, reflecting a deliberate focus on accessible pricing in prime Russell Group city markets. The investment case is equally compelling. The portfolio is targeting a 5.75 per cent net initial yield, rising to 6.2 per cent on practical completion, with projected occupancy levels exceeding 96 per cent. Nottingham is already forecasting 40 per cent pre-bookings 18 months ahead of opening, significantly outperforming regional averages and underlining demand for well-located, sensibly priced accommodation. Abode Student’s strategy responds to a noticeable shift in the PBSA sector. As students and families become more cost-conscious, proximity to campus is increasingly valued above high-end amenities. Ladson believes the opportunity lies in regional university cities rather than an increasingly saturated London market. “Students prioritise location over luxury,” he said. “They want accommodation that is within walking distance of campus and priced realistically. Our focus is on delivering exactly that, without compromising on design quality.” Central to this approach is a partnership with interior designer Miminat Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs. Together, they have developed a ‘Refined Durability’ philosophy, specifying long-lasting, high-performance materials that reduce maintenance cycles and lifecycle costs. The aim is to demonstrate that good design and affordability are not mutually exclusive. The two schemes, Abode Student Wireworks in Birmingham and Abode Student Leatherworks in Nottingham, have secured detailed planning consent, with construction scheduled to begin in November 2026 and completion targeted for September 2028. Christopher Dee LLP has been appointed to advise on funding. Sustainability also underpins the developments, which are targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. Measures include air source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, biodiversity net gain and green travel infrastructure. Looking ahead, Abode Student is pursuing further opportunities in Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Bristol, signalling a broader regional expansion strategy anchored by strong university cities and enduring student demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Prologis agrees long-term letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge

Prologis agrees long-term letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge

Prologis has completed a 15-year letting with Birch at Brooklands DC1 in Weybridge, securing a new long-term operational hub for the specialist automotive storage provider as it scales its UK business. Birch is a premium automotive asset management company, recognised for The Birch Standard – a benchmark for secure, intelligent custodianship of high‑value vehicles. Birch provides insurance‑approved “vaults” and white‑glove logistics for private collectors, motorsport teams, OEMs and institutional partners who require assured, end‑to‑end custody. The expansion to Brooklands DC1 strengthens Birch’s ability to combine world‑class security, bonded storage and meticulously managed operations in a scalable hub, supporting its next phase of UK and international growth. Brooklands DC1 is a 124,223 sq ft Grade A logistics building, well suited to Birch’s highly controlled operations. The building provides a 12.5 metre clear internal height, 50 metre yard, 13 loading doors alongside an enhanced fit-out including the installation of LED lighting and fire alarm systems. Sustainability performance was a key consideration for Birch. The building achieved BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ ratings and incorporates a 235kWp rooftop PV system, heat pump technology and EV charging infrastructure to support lower-carbon operations over the long term. Prologis Essentials has been appointed to support Birch with fit-out consultancy and operational solutions to meet its bespoke requirements. Daniel Wood, Co-Founder and Director at Birch, said: “Our expansion to Brooklands DC1 marks an important step in Birch’s next phase of growth. It gives us the scale, security and building quality we need to support high‑value automotive clients, while preserving the custodial standards and level of care that define The Birch Standard.” Gillian Scarth, Leasing Director at Prologis UK, said: This letting underlines the demand we are seeing for well-located, high-quality logistics space around London. Brooklands DC1 offers customers long-term certainty, excellent connectivity and access to a strong labour pool, making it a compelling location for specialist operators like Birch as they scale their UK presence.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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£100 Million Eden Project Morecambe Secures Green Light After Major Redesign

£100 Million Eden Project Morecambe Secures Green Light After Major Redesign

Lancaster City Council has approved revised plans for the £100 million Eden Project Morecambe, giving the go-ahead to a significantly streamlined version of the long-anticipated seafront attraction. Councillors granted planning permission for a second time after developers reduced the overall scale of the scheme, cutting the number of signature biomes from four to two and substantially lowering the total floor area. The redesign follows years of construction cost inflation, which had stalled the original programme and pushed back a targeted 2024 completion date. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the development will occupy the 11-acre former Bubbles Leisure Complex and Superdome site on Morecambe’s promenade. Under the updated proposals, internal floorspace has been reduced from 185,000 sq ft to 91,500 sq ft, while the height of the main dome has been lowered by four metres to 37.3 metres. Opening is now anticipated in late 2028. Grimshaw’s distinctive ‘colony of shells’ concept remains central to the design, but only two domes will now be delivered – the Realm of the Sun and the Realm of the Moon – connected by a central arrival space known as the Metronome. With less built form across the site, landscaping will play a greater role in shaping the visitor experience. Two expanded outdoor gardens, Rhythm and All Seasons, will provide additional open-air space for events and performances. Projected visitor numbers have also been revised down from one million to 585,000 annually, reducing the scale of associated transport and infrastructure works. John Pye, project director for Eden Project Morecambe, described the approval as a major milestone, confirming that formal agreements are being finalised as the scheme moves forward. The project previously secured £50 million in public funding to support regeneration of the derelict site. A construction partner has yet to be appointed, with preparatory works expected to begin in October. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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OP and Cooper Parry partnership continues with London office completion

OP and Cooper Parry partnership continues with London office completion

Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of Cooper Parry’s new 18,000 sq ft London hub at Broadwalk House in Broadgate.  The project has transformed the 5th floor space, consolidating Cooper Parry’s London operations into one central hub that reflects the rapidly growing accountancy firm’s unique brand personality whilst supporting team growth and client relationships.  The building’s nickname – ‘the Flowerpot Building’ – inspired a botanical design concept woven throughout the workspace, with nature-inspired naming conventions including the Bloom Lounge business reception area and The Greenhouse central social space.  The Bloom Lounge creates a welcoming first impression for drop-in workers and visitors, with the Bloom Room extending this area as a flexible space that doubles up as a training room when required. At the heart of the workspace sits The Greenhouse, a multifunctional hub serving as an alternative work setting, social space with gaming facilities, food preparation area, and event space for large gatherings.  Open plan desk zones accommodate full-time staff, with creative layout and design elements avoiding traditional office aesthetics. A dedicated meeting village provides client suite areas with multiple meeting rooms featuring themed botanical names, enhanced through carefully selected wallpaper and carpet.   Exposed ceilings throughout maintain an industrial aesthetic, whilst playful patterns on joinery and peach and red striped fabrics create unique personality elements. Sustainability was a key focus of the project, with OP implementing an extensive reuse strategy that retained 80% of existing architecture including meeting rooms. All existing desks and task chairs were reused prioritising retention over complete renovation and significantly minimising waste and carbon footprint.  The London project builds on OP’s strong relationship with Cooper Parry, having previously delivered successful hub projects across Manchester, Reading and Birmingham.  “Our vision was to create an inspiring workplace that supports Cooper Parry’s growth whilst maintaining their distinctive brand personality. The challenge was balancing high-density requirements with creating unique, aesthetically pleasing spaces.” Gary Tailby, Managing Director at OP  “We needed to create a London hub that brought together multiple offices while supporting our continued growth. OP delivered exactly what we required and more. The transformation has given us a workspace that reflects our personality as ‘rebels of accountancy’ while providing the flexibility we need for our CPers and constant flow of visitors. The social spaces has become the heart of our operation - it’s where our culture comes to life. We’re absolutely over the moon with the results.” Jo Giles, Head of Facilities at Cooper Parry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners The 2025 Autumn Budget offered limited stimulus for the housing market and, persistent headwinds such as sticky inflation, higher for longer interest rates, elevated construction costs, and slow planning processes continue to impact development viability. But there are still reasons for cautious optimism. The UK economy is forecast to grow by 1.4 per cent this year. This is expected to outperform the eurozone and should support investor confidence. The UK also remains an attractive destination for global capital, with ongoing interest from the Gulf, Southeast Asia and deepening UK United States investment links, particularly through the technology sector. ASK recently surpassed £2 billion in total lending. This milestone reflects the importance of disciplined, relationship-led financing and flexible structuring in a challenging market. It also highlights the growing appetite for income-producing real estate debt. With public equity markets at elevated levels and real estate pricing looking comparatively attractive, 2026 is likely to see increasing interest in secured credit strategies that offer predictable cashflows and downside protection. Looking ahead, several segments of the market offer clear potential for investors. The flight to quality is expected to continue as businesses compete for modern, energy efficient and amenity rich workspace that supports hybrid working. Best-in-class offices in central London continue to achieve strong rents and stable yields. Although secondary and tertiary offices face challenges linked to obsolescence and environmental compliance costs, some well-located secondary assets are becoming more investable as prime rents rise. Refinancing pressures and selective refurbishment opportunities will provide value-add prospects for well-capitalised investors able to move quickly. Buyer appetite is expected to soften due to higher taxation, reduced ISA allowances and the absence of stamp duty reform. Despite this slowdown, the UK remains structurally undersupplied in housing. With so many smaller landlords exiting the sector due to increased costs and regulatory complexity, professionally managed rental formats are becoming more important. Build-to-rent and co-living are particularly well positioned to serve younger, mobile workers who seek affordability, connectivity and community. Mid-market suburban and commuter belt schemes may outperform prime central locations, especially in areas benefiting from new infrastructure such as the Lower Thames Crossing. Storage, logistics and light industrial assets remain among the most resilient parts of the market, supported by the continued expansion of online retail, SME activity and the need for flexible urban distribution space. Alongside these uses, demand for data centres has become a major structural driver. Growing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud services and high-performance computing is placing unprecedented pressure on power capacity and suitable land, making data centres an increasingly strategic real estate category. The combination of long-term contracted income, critical infrastructure status and limited supply of appropriate sites means this segment is likely to remain strong. Mixed-use industrial schemes that accommodate logistics, data infrastructure and urban services will offer particularly attractive, income-led opportunities in 2026. The hotel sector has rebounded strongly, supported by domestic leisure travel, international visitors and the ability to adjust room rates in line with inflation. Conversion opportunities, particularly the transformation of under-utilised office buildings into hotels, are creating new avenues for investors. The asset class continues to appeal to private investors and family offices seeking income diversification and long-term value. Operational real estate, including healthcare, specialist care, education and supported living, provides stable and often inflation linked income streams. Demographic shifts, including an ageing population and rising demand for specialist services, support the long-term resilience of these sectors. Although certain subsectors such as life sciences are recalibrating, operational assets backed by strong occupier demand remain attractive. Conclusion In 2026 the UK real estate market is likely to offer opportunities grounded in the resilience of the asset class rather than wider economic growth. As interest rates begin to edge lower and transaction pipelines reopen, investors who have been waiting on the sidelines may return. If base rates move toward 3.5 to 3.75 per cent, many schemes that have not been viable in recent years could start to work again. Those who focus on income-producing assets, structure deals carefully and navigate planning challenges with discipline will be best positioned to secure stable returns in a subdued economic environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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