Prologis UK and EQT Real Estate have completed the sale and acquisition of a three-asset, fully leased logistics portfolio in the Midlands for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio comprises Nuneaton Bermuda Park DC1 and Rugby Central Park DC1 and DC2, totalling approximately 909,000 sq ft across the East and West Midlands. The Midlands continues to play a
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to deliver the Waterbeach railway station haul road – the company’s first project awarded under the Eastern Highways
Bovis has secured a major contract to refurbish, extend and fit out 10 Paternoster Square in the City of London, in a £200m transformation of the London Stock Exchange’s headquarters. Developers Oxford Properties and Hines have appointed Bovis Construction (Europe) under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the comprehensive reconfiguration
John Lewis Partnership is reportedly exploring plans to buy back a number of Waitrose supermarkets from landlords, as it doubles down on its core retail operations. According to reports in a leading UK broadsheet newspaper, the employee-owned retailer is considering repurchasing certain stores after building up around £1.5bn in cash
Global A&E firm teams with construction data platform to track real-time materials and carbon data for flagship workplace pilot NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm with 750 professionals across 12 market sectors, announces its collaboration with Qflow, a leading construction data capture and analysis tool focused on real-time tracking
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will ensure construction waste is recycled and re-used instead of going to landfill. The new hub is set to become the largest in Europe and will support the
Scottish Water has unveiled a £13.4bn investment programme aimed at protecting and modernising the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure over the six-year period from 2027 to 2033. The publicly owned utility said the plan is designed to future-proof ageing assets, respond to climate change pressures and sustain service standards, while
Marking a major milestone in the electrification of the country’s freight and logistics sector, Fleete has officially opened the UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at the Port of Tilbury. The 5MW facility features 16 ultra-rapid chargers enabling up to 16 electric HGVs to charge simultaneously. This site is the first of a network of shared commercial
The Birmingham capital markets team at leading commercial real estate services firm, CBRE, has been appointed to sell the investment for 3 Chamberlain Square, a landmark office building that has been labelled “the best outside of London.” Managed by Federated Hermes, the 191,000 sq ft building is considered best-in-class with
From design and planning to cost estimating and site safety monitoring, the increasing role of AI (artificial intelligence) in construction will be a key focus at UK Construction Week London (May 12-14), the UK’s Built Environment super event. New for 2026 and one of six stages delivering over 150 hours
Prologis UK and EQT Real Estate have completed the sale and acquisition of a three-asset, fully leased logistics portfolio in the Midlands for an undisclosed sum. The portfolio comprises Nuneaton Bermuda Park DC1 and Rugby Central Park DC1 and DC2, totalling approximately 909,000 sq ft across the East and West Midlands. The Midlands continues to play a critical role in the UK’s distribution network, supported by established infrastructure and resilient customer demand. For Prologis, the sale reflects active portfolio management. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “These are high-quality, stabilised assets in core locations. The transaction reflects our disciplined approach to capital allocation. We regularly assess where we can realise value and redeploy capital into development and other opportunities that support our long-term priorities in the UK.” The acquisition strengthens EQT Real Estate’s presence in UK logistics markets, one of Europe’s most established and strategically located distribution hubs. Jonathan Mackie, Managing Director at EQT Real Estate, added: “The Midlands is one of the UK’s most important logistics hubs, and this portfolio is well positioned to serve the evolving needs of occupiers while benefiting from active asset management and long-term sustainability-led value creation. The addition of these assets to our portfolio aligns strongly with EQT Real Estate’s strategy of acquiring modern, high-potential logistics properties in underserved markets in Europe.” The transaction reflects continued investor demand for stabilised logistics assets in core UK markets. The sector benefits from long-term demand trends and limited availability of modern space in established locations, which continues to attract institutional investment. Prologis continues to deploy capital across the UK. Recent activity includes four development starts at DIRFT, including M&S Food’s flagship National Distribution Centre and being announced as development partnership for Manchester Airport Group at East Midlands Airport Freeport. Prologis were advised by CBRE & DTRE, EQT were advised by Knight Frank. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership to deliver the Waterbeach railway station haul road – the company’s first project awarded under the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework (EHF4). The £800 million framework is managed by Central Bedfordshire Council and includes a collaborative group of ten local authorities across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, and Thurrock. The project commenced in November and is due for completion in Summer 2026, with Winvic delivering the works under a NEC4 Option A contract. Procured via a competitive mini competition under Lot 1 of the EHA Framework, the £3 million scheme forms a key early enabling element of the wider gateway works for the construction of the new town of Waterbeach and the future railway station. The 3.1km haul road is crucial to providing access for the next phase of works, enabling Spencer Group to begin construction of the new station. Approximately 830 metres of the route will utilise the existing former airfield taxiway as a foundation within the Urban & Civic site, with a further 2.3km of new carriageway constructed across the wider Waterbeach development. On completion, the road will feature a 3.75m-wide single carriageway with passing bays on the farmland section and a 7.0m-wide single carriageway along the taxiway, supported by drainage and fencing throughout. A significant programme of earthworks and utilities protection will be undertaken, with Winvic reusing surplus site-won material for level adjustments, bund creation and ditch excavations. Winvic is also further exploring value-engineering opportunities to reduce material use, cost and carbon where feasible. Winvic will manage extensive stakeholder engagement throughout delivery, including regular coordination with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, which is responsible for the delivery of the new railway station itself, and the developer Urban & Civic. Key traffic and pedestrian management measures will be implemented on Bannold Drove (Green Lane), with early engagement planned to minimise disruption to the surrounding community. The site’s historic use as a former army barracks also introduces archaeological oversight, UXO considerations and remote working requirements, with the team operating up to 3km from the main compound. As part of its EHA social value commitments, Winvic will deliver a structured programme of employment, skills and community initiatives in collaboration with local supply chain partners, SMEs, educational providers and charities. Activities will be shaped by local needs and aligned with framework reporting requirements, including opportunities for apprentices, underrepresented groups and targeted community support. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, said: “Securing our first project under the EHA Framework is a significant milestone for Winvic and reflects the strength of our relationship with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridgeshire County Council and partners across the region. The Waterbeach Station haul road is an important enabling scheme that underpins the long-term growth of the new town and the delivery of critical transport infrastructure. We look forward to bringing our civil engineering expertise, collaborative approach and commitment to creating a positive impact in the local area, helping set the standard for future schemes under the framework.” Thomas Fitzpatrick, Head of Programme at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “We’re pleased to appoint Winvic to the first phase of work for the new Waterbeach station – building the haul road. The road is designed to minimise disruption to residents during construction of the new station later in the year. We’ve got a package of transport projects in Waterbeach – a new travel hub with park and ride facilities, a new busway, and the Waterbeach Greenway. With the new station, we’re not only providing another sustainable transport option but also unlocking new housing for local people.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bovis has secured a major contract to refurbish, extend and fit out 10 Paternoster Square in the City of London, in a £200m transformation of the London Stock Exchange’s headquarters. Developers Oxford Properties and Hines have appointed Bovis Construction (Europe) under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the comprehensive reconfiguration of the landmark building. The scheme marks a notable return for Bovis, which originally completed the property in 2003 as part of the wider Paternoster Square development. The project will reshape the building to provide best-in-class office accommodation alongside a new public-facing attraction in the heart of the Square Mile. Central to the redevelopment is the reimagining of the London Stock Exchange’s ceremonial core. For the first time, the daily market opening and closing ceremonies will be made visible to the public through the introduction of a new glass atrium, bringing traditionally private moments into view. The works will also include new roof extensions, the creation of an events pavilion and the addition of terraces and balconies offering panoramic views towards St Paul’s Cathedral. The aim is to deliver a more open, engaging and experience-led workspace that reflects the evolving demands of occupiers in prime central London. Sustainability sits at the core of the proposals. The scheme is targeting BREEAM Excellent and NABERS 5-star accreditation, with more than 95 per cent of the existing structural frame and façade to be retained in line with circular economy principles. This retention-led approach is expected to significantly reduce embodied carbon while extending the life of the building. Bovis chief executive David Cadiot said it was a privilege to return to a building the company had originally delivered more than two decades ago, adding that the transformation would create both high-quality workspace and a new visitor destination for the City. Pre-construction services are due to commence next month, with completion anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John Lewis Partnership is reportedly exploring plans to buy back a number of Waitrose supermarkets from landlords, as it doubles down on its core retail operations. According to reports in a leading UK broadsheet newspaper, the employee-owned retailer is considering repurchasing certain stores after building up around £1.5bn in cash reserves. While the number of supermarkets under review has not been disclosed, sources close to the business suggest the approach is likely to be selective and opportunistic rather than part of a wholesale acquisition strategy. The potential buyback forms part of a broader repositioning by the group, which has recently stepped away from its previously announced £500m build-to-rent housing programme. That scheme had been designed to diversify income streams, but was abandoned amid shifting economic conditions and a renewed focus on retail fundamentals. Instead, John Lewis Partnership is understood to be concentrating investment on modernising its store estate, strengthening digital platforms and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Reacquiring certain Waitrose sites would give the business greater control over key trading locations and long-term asset strategy, while potentially improving balance sheet resilience. The reported move comes as the retailer signals growing confidence in its turnaround strategy. Recent announcements include a 6.9 per cent pay rise for staff, lifting hourly rates to £13.25 nationwide and £14.80 within the M25. For full-time shop floor colleagues, this could equate to up to £1,600 in additional annual earnings, with the new rates taking effect from 1 April. The renewed emphasis on core retail follows a period of strategic reassessment across the partnership, including the cancellation of large-scale residential development ambitions. By prioritising investment in established brands such as John Lewis and Waitrose, the group appears to be focusing on strengthening its competitive position on the high street and in food retail. While formal details of any property transactions have yet to be confirmed, the reported buyback plans underline a shift towards consolidation and control within the partnership’s retail portfolio as it seeks to build momentum in its recovery strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global A&E firm teams with construction data platform to track real-time materials and carbon data for flagship workplace pilot NORR, a global architecture and engineering firm with 750 professionals across 12 market sectors, announces its collaboration with Qflow, a leading construction data capture and analysis tool focused on real-time tracking of materials, waste, and carbon data. The Toronto-based workplace project is pursuing the Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon Certification, demonstrating NORR’s commitment to data-driven sustainability strategies. The collaboration addresses a critical challenge in sustainable construction: the gap between design-phase carbon assumptions and as-built reality. While traditional lifecycle assessment (LCA) tools provide essential design-phase carbon estimates, Qflow complements these tools by capturing comprehensive, real-time data on materials arriving on site. This approach delivers more detailed information that is easier to collect, providing accurate as-built carbon tracking essential for rigorous certifications. Bridging design intent and construction reality Real-time visibility will enable NORR’s sustainability team to identify supply chain risks, verify Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and make informed decisions about material substitutions during construction rather than relying solely on design-phase estimates. Enabling faster, carbon-informed decisions NORR identified three key benefits that Qflow’s platform will deliver for the firm’s sustainability-focused projects: A foundation for future collaboration Beyond the Toronto pilot project, NORR plans to leverage this partnership as a framework for future sustainability-focused projects. As the firm recognises that construction industry standards are evolving toward requiring as-built carbon data rather than design-phase estimates, this partnership places NORR at the forefront of accurate carbon accounting practices. The collaboration also supports NORR’s broader ethos of integrated thinking and inspired design, providing the data infrastructure needed to educate clients on sustainable design value propositions and demonstrate the long-term return on investment of high-performance buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will ensure construction waste is recycled and re-used instead of going to landfill. The new hub is set to become the largest in Europe and will support the Mayor’s ambition for the capital to be a zero carbon city by 2030. It is the first phase of a wider Circular Economy Village that will be unlocked over the coming years in London Borough of Newham.* A circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. The Hub will see products and materials kept in circulation through refurbishment and recycling – a vital step in helping to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The new hub in the Royal Docks, which is being delivered in collaboration with charity Tipping Point East and Newham Council, is supported by the Mayor of London and Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE. It will position London as a global leader in low carbon construction and drive green jobs across East London..** Hosted on GLA land, the hub will also support the sustainable delivery of thousands of new homes in the Royal Docks by promoting innovative construction techniques that accelerate the transition to low carbon construction. This includes the Lendlease led Silvertown development, supported by the Crown Estate and Newham Council, now approved for 7,000 new homes, with a target of at least 30% delivered as affordable housing. [1] These homes are part of the Mayor’s of London’s ambition to build more than 36,000 new homes and create 55,000 new jobs across this historic part of East London, through his Royal Docks Enterprise Zone partnership with the Mayor of Newham and Newham Council. [2] By enabling large scale material reuse and capturing resources from construction and demolition that typically go to waste – the hub will help significantly reduce the embodied carbon in new developments and is estimated to divert at least 950 tonnes of materials from landfill over 5 years. The construction industry produces 62 per cent of the UK’s waste and construction waste is highly detrimental to the environment as it breaks down ecosystems, uses up natural resources and creates significant landfill pollution. In the UK, the construction, demolition, and excavation (CDE) sector generates over 100 million tonnes of waste annually, with more than five million tonnes still reaching landfill, despite high recycling rates. [3] As part of his pledge to make London greener and achieve net-zero carbon by 2030, the Mayor has placed circular economy principles at the heart of planning policy to ensure London is leading the way in the green transition of the construction sector. The Royal Docks is uniquely positioned to become a hub of circular construction due to its excellent and robust infrastructure, close proximity to Central London, existing industrial land and major development pipelines. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub in the Royal Docks, which will help support our ambition to make the capital a zero carbon city by 2030. “London is leading the way in the green transition of the construction sector and that this new hub is part of a wider plan to create a Circular Economy Village in the area – with the hub set to become the largest in Europe when fully activated. “We are not only cutting carbon emissions, but are also creating new jobs and homes for Londoners as we build a greener and fairer city for everyone.” Policies implemented by Sadiq since he took office in 2016 mean that all major developments in the capital must now design out waste, retain existing structures where possible, reuse materials and significantly reduce embodied carbon – setting out how the London Plan energy policies will be met within the development. [4] In addition, the Mayor’s Green Skills Academy provides a skilled workforce able to retrofit environmentally friendly energy systems to reduce emissions, address the longstanding skill shortage in the construction sector, and target emerging green occupations. [5] The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “The launch of the UK’s first Circular Construction Hub right here in our Royal Docks is another defining moment for Newham as we marshal our efforts to deliver on our Just Transition Action Plan to address the impact of Climate change. “By transforming how we build, we aren’t just reducing waste, we are also pioneering our ‘just transition’ impact through the creation of green jobs and delivery of high-quality, sustainable homes our residents deserve and can afford. “In partnership with the Mayor of London and Tipping Point East, we are proving that world-class innovation is happening in Newham and is being driven by a Council that is safeguarding the earth,. Newham is showing that we can embed inclusive growth with the foundation of a fairer, greener economy, with opportunities for all and without costing the earth.” George Massoud, Trustee at Tipping Point East and Founding Director of Material Cultures, said: “Tipping Point East will be a radical new Climate Futures centre and crucial piece of infrastructure for the circular economy in London, accelerating the transition towards net-zero and developing the construction sector’s Green Skill capacity. “By embedding circular economy processes directly into London’s material flows, TPE will practically demonstrate how we move towards a just transition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scottish Water has unveiled a £13.4bn investment programme aimed at protecting and modernising the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure over the six-year period from 2027 to 2033. The publicly owned utility said the plan is designed to future-proof ageing assets, respond to climate change pressures and sustain service standards, while maintaining some of the lowest customer charges in the UK. Of the total investment, £8bn will be directed towards maintaining and upgrading core infrastructure, including pipes, treatment works and associated assets. The remaining funding will cover essential operating expenditure to ensure services continue to run safely, reliably and efficiently. The programme will be delivered across Scotland, with the utility highlighting its potential to support employment, skills development and regional supply chains. Scottish Water said the plan reflects extensive engagement, with more than 25,000 people contributing feedback during its preparation. Chief executive Alex Plant said the blueprint balances long-term resilience with affordability. He noted that customers had made clear the need to safeguard essential services while ensuring investment remains fair and proportionate. As a publicly owned body, Scottish Water reinvests all income into its network and services. The organisation said its charges remain among the lowest of any UK water utility and emphasised that financial support schemes will continue for households requiring assistance. Currently, more than 53 per cent of customers receive some form of support. To fund the proposed programme, Scottish Water has put forward annual increases in customer charges of 3.3 per cent above CPI. The utility argues that this approach will provide the financial stability needed to address infrastructure resilience, environmental compliance and climate adaptation over the coming decade. The proposals have now been submitted to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland for regulatory scrutiny. A draft determination is expected in June, with a final determination scheduled for October 2026. This will confirm investment levels and customer charges for the 2027–2033 regulatory period, ahead of a detailed Delivery Plan being published in advance of the new cycle. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Marking a major milestone in the electrification of the country’s freight and logistics sector, Fleete has officially opened the UK’s largest dedicated commercial vehicle electric charging hub at the Port of Tilbury. The 5MW facility features 16 ultra-rapid chargers enabling up to 16 electric HGVs to charge simultaneously. This site is the first of a network of shared commercial vehicle charging hubs, designed to accelerate fleet electrification across the UK by providing high-powered charging at strategic logistics locations without the need for costly, time-consuming depot upgrades. Delivering high-capacity charging at scale Fleete’s new hub, delivered in partnership with the Port of Tilbury and Thames Freeport, is supported by £1 million from the UK government’s Thames Freeport Seed Capital Programme, with further funding provided by the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) Programme, funded by the Department for Transport in partnership with Innovate UK. The investment marks an important step in the Port of Tilbury’s green energy transition, supporting cleaner air for local communities, enabling businesses to capitalise on new opportunities in sustainable transport and contributing to economic growth and job creation. Strategically located at one of the UK’s busiest multimodal freight hubs, Fleete’s facility serves the growing number of zero emission HGVs operating in and through the Port of Tilbury and along the A13 corridor into London. It also supports national infrastructure programmes including the Lower Thames Crossing, where major contractors are switching to electric vehicles to reduce emissions on one of the country’s largest infrastructure construction projects. The official opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Fleete, project partners and fleet customers, with the hub formally opened by Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock. “Today is an important moment for Thurrock and for the wider move towards cleaner freight. The opening of Fleete’s electric HGV charging hub here at the Port of Tilbury, the largest dedicated hub of its kind in the UK, highlights what can be achieved through strong partnership between industry, government and Thames Freeport. This investment supports cleaner transport, improves air quality for our communities, and reinforces Thurrock’s role in adopting practical, forward looking low carbon solutions,” said Madam Mayor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock. State-of-the-art eHGV charging Fleete’s shared-user model provides fleet operators with access to reliable, high-quality charging without the need for dedicated facilities, addressing common barriers to electrification including grid capacity, land constraints and upfront infrastructure cost. The new 5 megawatt (MW) site includes: The hub was delivered with design and construction support from industry partners including Envevo, bringing high-voltage charging infrastructure into operation within a live port environment. The site has been designed to accommodate additional fleet operators as demand grows. Speaking at the opening event, Chris Morrison, CEO at Fleete, said: “Today marks a major milestone for Fleete and for the wider logistics sector. From announcing the project last year, to now opening the site, our focus has been on proving that shared, high-capacity charging infrastructure can remove one of the biggest barriers to fleet electrification. “The Port of Tilbury hub shows what’s possible when industry and government work together to deliver infrastructure at scale. By supporting customers and collaborating with partners across the supply chain, we’re helping accelerate the transition to zero-emission commercial transport where it’s needed most.” Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: ”This is a significant milestone in our drive to decarbonise road freight, helped by £1million Government investment at the Port of Tilbury site to install EV chargers for HGVs. “Road freight is the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and businesses growing. By supporting the sector to go electric, we’re cutting emissions and backing the industry to thrive long into the future.” Strengthening partnerships at Port of Tilbury The new hub forms part of a wider effort to support cleaner freight movement and future-proof one of the UK’s most important logistics gateways. David Webster, Regional Director – Tilbury and Thames Freeport board member, said: “The opening of Fleete’s EV charging hub is a significant step forward for the Port of Tilbury as we work to support the decarbonisation of freight and logistics at one of the UK’s busiest ports. “With thousands of HGV movements through the port every day, access to high-capacity, reliable charging infrastructure is critical. This shared facility will play an important role in helping our customers reduce emissions while maintaining efficient operations.” Stuart Rimmer, CEO (Interim), Thames Freeport added: “This is exactly the kind of project Thames Freeport was established to support. By using targeted seed capital funding to unlock private investment, we are helping to deliver infrastructure that strengthens the Port of Tilbury and supports its long-term competitiveness. For Thurrock and the wider Thames Freeport region, this means cleaner freight operations, modern infrastructure and continued confidence that the area is well placed to attract further investment in sustainable logistics.” Logistics UK Chief Executive Ben Fletcher said: “Public charging infrastructure on this scale, and in such a key strategic location, is precisely what is needed to encourage more operators to use electric vehicles. “The charging hub is vast, and with 16 ultra rapid chargers it will help operators make the switch to electric fleets – especially smaller operators who can struggle to install chargers at their depots.” 1) eFREIGHT 2030 is part of the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration programme – funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Birmingham capital markets team at leading commercial real estate services firm, CBRE, has been appointed to sell the investment for 3 Chamberlain Square, a landmark office building that has been labelled “the best outside of London.” Managed by Federated Hermes, the 191,000 sq ft building is considered best-in-class with purposeful design features that exemplify a modern workplace. Located in Birmingham’s central business district, 3 Chamberlain Square is part of the £1.2 billion Paradise development, expanding the area’s business, residential and leisure offering. Completed in May 2025, the building’s innovative design has achieved a host of certifications. This list includes EPC A, BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and NABERS UK 5*, acknowledging its exemplary sustainability credentials, as well as ActiveScore ‘Platinum’ and WiredScore ‘Platinum’, recognising how its design supports active travel and its advanced use of technology respectively. All nine office floors were placed under offer ahead of practical completion, with the final letting achieving a rent of £52 per square foot, the highest of the UK’s big six cities. Tenants include global law firm, Eversheds, international accounting and advisory firm, Forvis Mazars and ‘big four’ accounting firm, EY. The building has also become home to CBRE’s Birmingham office. The asset boasts a Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term (WAULT) of over 10 years to breaks and 14 years to expiries. Nick Woodward, Head of CBRE’s Birmingham Investment team, said: “3 Chamberlain Square is a unique investment opportunity. The building itself achieves excellence in every category, from sustainability credentials to design, making it arguably the best office building outside of London. This is further demonstrated through the extremely high calibre of occupiers that the building has attracted, offering a stable and already reversionary rental income. “Birmingham as a city is brimming with opportunity, which is only going to get more attractive as HS2 continues to progress and the level of inward investment increases. 3 Chamberlain Square entering the market is the perfect opportunity for those looking to benefit early from Birmingham’s inevitable growth.” CBRE is quoting a price of £123.2m, which reflects a Net Initial Yield of 6.5% for the asset. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From design and planning to cost estimating and site safety monitoring, the increasing role of AI (artificial intelligence) in construction will be a key focus at UK Construction Week London (May 12-14), the UK’s Built Environment super event. New for 2026 and one of six stages delivering over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars, The Contech and AI Hub will bring together the brightest minds and the most forward-thinking technologies transforming the built environment. Confirmed talks include: Cutting-edge AI applications across the full project lifecycle How artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integrated partner throughout the entire project lifecycle. Rather than focusing solely on discrete technological interventions, this session considers AI as an ecosystem that connects strategy, design, delivery and long-term stewardship. Speaker: Andrew Johnson (Okana) Beyond the hype: building AI-ready teams for the digital built environment An opportunity to gain insight into the organisational, cultural and technical transformations required to develop teams who are capable of leveraging AI effectively. The session will address challenges such as skill gaps, change management and aligning AI initiatives with broader business objectives, as well as highlighting successful case studies from leading projects. Speakers: David Philp FICE, FCIOB, FRICS, FCInstCES (Bentley Systems) and Prof Sean Smith BSc PhD FHEA FIOA FRSA HonFRIAS HonFCIAT (University of Edinburgh) From concept to construction: the impact of AI in architecture This session brings together four distinguished architects who are actively engaging with artificial intelligence (AI) to advance contemporary design practice. The panel will examine how emerging AI methodologies are reshaping early concept generation, enabling rapid exploration of form, materiality and spatial performance. Speakers: TBC Real world application of AI in construction and what people don’t tell you! How artificial intelligence (AI) is moving from buzzword to practical tool in the construction industry. Rather than replacing human expertise, this session explores how AI is augmenting it, helping teams analyse complex data, anticipate risks and automate repetitive tasks. Speaker: Lilian Ho AI or Die: Rewriting the Rules of Construction Sales and Marketing This no-nonsense panel cuts through the hype to show how AI is already reshaping construction sales and marketing—and where it clearly isn’t. Panellists will share practical, real-world uses that drive leads, improve targeting, and save time, while calling out common myths and missteps. Speaker: Leigh Simpson (Insynth Marketing) Sam Patel, Divisional Director, UK Construction Week London, commented: “A key element of UKCW London is informing and updating visitors on the rapidly changing technology which is playing an increasing role in the industry – of which AI is a huge part. Anyone working in construction – from architects to site managers – needs to know how this transformative technology can help them in every aspect of their work, so these talks and panel events are a must for everyone.” In addition to the focus on AI, UK Construction Week London will explore a wide spectrum of the most pressing and important topics which affect the industry today, with a packed programme of CPD-accredited panels and seminars covering everything from innovation in construction methods to product testing and assurance; housing insight to workforce capacity; workplace culture to data-driven project management. Bringing together construction leaders, innovators and decision makers from across the industry, UKCW London will run alongside both Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show, attracting over 25,000 industry professionals. Sponsored by Sage, Wyre, HotelPlanner, Zurich Resilience Solutions and Build Warranty, UKCW London will feature over 300 leading brands; over 25 trade bodies and associations, including the Federation of Master Builders, CIBSE, and the National Association Of Air Duct-Cleaners UK. Visitors can register for free by visiting: https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2026/cab-campaign. Following the London show in May 2026, UKCW Birmingham will return to the NEC from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals