Chancerygate and CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) have been granted planning to speculatively build 105,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space on a site in Eccles, Greater Manchester. Called Westside and located on Stadium Way , the scheme will comprise nine leasehold units ranging from 6,150 sq ft
Leading contractor Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a revolutionary facility poised to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK is set to deliver a hospital that will provide unparalleled care for children in the region, encompassing
The UK and Ireland’s leading architectural bodies have joined forces to launch The Belfast Group – a new alliance committed to raising the bar on fire and life safety design. Find out how this unified approach aims to ensure architects across all nations work to the same high standards, with
Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-story development in the heart of Manhattan. Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-meter mixed-use tower designed
VolkerFitzpatrick has been appointed principal contractor for a major new industrial development at Symmetry Park, Biggleswade, commissioned by Tritax Big Box Developments. The scheme will provide more than 827,000 square feet of high-quality industrial and office accommodation across five state-of-the-art units, positioning the site as a key logistics and distribution
Following the Department of Transport’s request for proposals to expand Heathrow Airport, the Arora Group have this week submitted a proposal for a new Terminal 6 building and a 2,800-metre runway. Designed by Scott Brownrigg with delivery partner Bechtel the proposal is referred to as ‘Heathrow West’. The proposal supports
Avant Homes has plunged into the red after setting aside more than £100m to address cladding and fire safety issues across its legacy developments. The housebuilder, led by former Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn, reported a pre-tax loss of £83m for the year ending 30 June 2024. The result marks
Manchester city centre’s fitness scene is set for a major boost as gym operator XtraFit prepares to open a 37,000 sq ft facility at Manchester Arndale. The brand has agreed a 20-year lease for a prominent Market Street unit, offering an extensive range of training options and wellness services. Members
Euroform’s Versapanel® cement bonded particle board has played a role in meeting the acoustic performance criteria of the roof system for London’s largest new film and television campus, Eastbrook Studios in Dagenham. Commissioned to provide the roof system covering an area of over 23,000m², roof and façade specialist Kalzip’s objective
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has instructed CBRE Southampton to market the Sir William Hillary building located at the RNLI’s Poole Campus on West Quay Road. The building is named after the charity’s founder, who established the charity in 1824. The building was closed to staff in 2020 as
Chancerygate and CBRE Investment Management (CBRE IM) have been granted planning to speculatively build 105,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space on a site in Eccles, Greater Manchester. Called Westside and located on Stadium Way , the scheme will comprise nine leasehold units ranging from 6,150 sq ft to 23,500 sq ft. The five-acre site is near the Salford Community Stadium and in close proximity to the M60, M62 and M6 motorways, offering easy access to Manchester, Liverpool and wider North West region. The neighbouring Salford Community Stadium is the home of rugby league side Salford Red Devils and the Sale Sharks rugby union team. All properties at Westside will feature electric vehicle charging points along with solar cells which provide green energy on an affordable basis to occupiers. In addition, the units will be constructed from high-performance building materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme is targeting a BREEAM accreditation of Excellent and for all units to achieve an EPC A rating as a minimum. Chancerygate development manager, Andy Farrer, said: “Westside will deliver high quality accommodation which has strong sustainability credentials and excellent access to key road connections and major motorway networks. “This site will help satisfy the pent-up demand from SME businesses across the Salford, Greater Manchester and the wider North West for high-specification units in a well-established location. “Now that planning has been granted, we look forward to starting works on the site to deliver this much-needed industrial and logistics space and create a prime economic asset for the locality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading contractor Bouygues UK has been awarded the contract for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, a revolutionary facility poised to transform healthcare for young people. In partnership with Arcadis, Terrell International and AECOM, Bouygues UK is set to deliver a hospital that will provide unparalleled care for children in the region, encompassing both physical and mental health services, alongside research, in a way no one has before. Cambridge Children’s Hospital is designed to be a world-first facility, pioneering a comprehensive approach to children’s health by integrating physical and mental health care seamlessly. Through this integrated care model, the hospital will enhance its focus on research into the prevention and early diagnosis of diseases, ensuring the best possible care for children and young people, including those with cancer. The hospital spans approximately 35,000 square meters over six primary floors, targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and aligning with the NHS’s Net Zero Carbon (NZC) objectives. Bouygues UK’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated in the design, employing Air Source Heat Pumps and photovoltaic cells to meet these stringent targets. A purposefully designed building, Cambridge Children’s Hospital is being co-created with valuable insights from young people, families, and healthcare professionals. This collaborative design process ensures that the facilities are tailored to meet the unique needs of children and young people. By integrating facilities wherever possible, the hospital recognises the reality that many children with mental health conditions may also experience physical health challenges, and vice versa. This integration will enable healthcare staff to provide better, safer, and age-appropriate care within high-quality, fit-for-purpose facilities, fulfilling the needs of children, young people, and families. The building has been designed by Hawkins\Brown in partnership with White Arkitekter. The architectural vision incorporates a mix of unitised and stick cladding systems, featuring Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) panels, vertical terracotta fins, and picture frame details, presenting a modern and welcoming aesthetic. The landscaping plan supports environmental sustainability with a northeast car parking area, a dedicated cycle store for 190 bicycles in the southwest corner, and play areas designed for therapeutic and recreational use. Philippe Bernard, Chair and CEO at Bouygues UK said, “We are honoured to lead on the construction of this pioneering project which embodies our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and building for life. We look forward to working closely with all partners to bring this groundbreaking vision to life, setting new standards in healthcare for children.” Matt Allen, Director of New Hospital Construction at Cambridge University Hospitals, said, “We are delighted to be working with Bouygues UK. This is a major milestone in the journey to deliver Cambridge Children’s Hospital. “Bouygues UK are a first-class contractor with proven expertise in building and delivering excellent healthcare infrastructure within a collaborative environment makes them an ideal construction partner to deliver such an important project. “Together we can now get straight down to work in finalising our design and plans and ensuring best value for money under an initial pre-construction services agreement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK and Ireland’s leading architectural bodies have joined forces to launch The Belfast Group – a new alliance committed to raising the bar on fire and life safety design. Find out how this unified approach aims to ensure architects across all nations work to the same high standards, with life safety at the heart of every project. The professional architectural bodies representing England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland have joined forces to create a unified group, named The Belfast Group, aimed at providing consistent guidance on fire and life safety design for architects across the UK and Ireland. This new collaboration is one of several steps being taken by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA), the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW), and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI). These initiatives are a direct response to the findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, with a focus on raising standards in building fire safety. The Belfast Group’s key goal is to ensure that fire safety expertise “go beyond national boundaries” and that architects, no matter where they practise, are “equally competent” to design buildings that meet the highest standards of fire and life safety. The group’s members have jointly pledged to work alongside their respective Governments to advocate for architects to have “unfettered access” to all the national regulations, standards and technical resources needed to design buildings that prioritise safety in all five regions. Beyond establishing standards for architects, The Belfast Group also intends to produce guidance to help ensure that all construction professionals have access to consistent fire and life safety information. This will support better decision-making around procurement and the resourcing of building projects. Joint statement “In a shared statement, the presidents of the five institutions – Muyiwa Oki (RIBA), John Lavery (RSUA), Karen Anderson (RIAS), Dan Benham (RSAW) and Sean Mahon (RIAI) – said:“The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report makes clear that more is required to ensure our buildings are as safe as possible. This is relevant for every architect. While each jurisdiction has its own regulatory framework, there are core competencies when it comes to designing for life safety that transcend political boundaries and project typologies.” The statement continues: “The Belfast Group will share Best Practice, knowledge and information in design standards for life safety. This co-ordination will ensure that appropriate training and competency standards are implemented across each nation.” In closing, the five presidents added: “We continue to work with our relevant Governments to ensure that our members have access to all the regulations, standards and technical information they need, while also providing guidance to clients on how to support the procurement and resourcing of projects such that life safety is at the heart of the appointment process. These steps will help in delivering safer buildings for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-story development in the heart of Manhattan. Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-meter mixed-use tower designed by C3D Architecture. The concrete-frame structure features a sleek glass curtain wall, open terraces, and a dramatic multi-cylinder podium that contrasts strikingly with the classical façade of the neighboring Haier Building. The intricate unitized curtain wall façade was designed, engineered, and fabricated by Bisam Façade, and installed by Marvel Contracting. As part of their remit, Marvel worked closely with Siderise US distribution partner, Facades X, to procure a passive fire protection solution that exceeds the fire compartmentation requirements while facilitating a smooth installation process. Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop was specified to provide floor-to-floor compartmentation, protecting the void space at the perimeter joint between the edge of the floor slab and the internal surface of the external wall assembly. It offers a third-party certified FT rating of up to three hours (resistance to fire spread and temperature rise on the non-fire side) when tested to ASTM E2307 as part of the CW Perimeter Barrier System. It has also been independently tested to ensure L-rating compliance with the International Building Code (IBC). Additionally, its unique vertical-fibre stone wool Lamella core was specifically engineered to stand up to the demands of building and curtain wall movement on high rise towers, boasting a 60-year design life. In collaboration with façade contractor Bisam Façade and consultants at Socotec, Siderise prepared a thoroughly detailed technical submittal for the perimeter fire barriers—tailored to the project’s complex slab-edge geometry. Special attention was paid to the curved east elevation and its staggered floor edges to ensure continuous compression fit, and long-term performance for design-life movements. To ensure this bespoke onsite work met high standards and followed manufacturer recommendations, Siderise Site Services assisted the Marvel installation team with project specific training and benchmark installations. This support continued throughout the project with regular inspections conducted via the Siderise Inspection App. For more information, please contact Siderise USA: m: +1 (860) 841-7863 e: Brad.Davis@siderise.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
VolkerFitzpatrick has been appointed principal contractor for a major new industrial development at Symmetry Park, Biggleswade, commissioned by Tritax Big Box Developments. The scheme will provide more than 827,000 square feet of high-quality industrial and office accommodation across five state-of-the-art units, positioning the site as a key logistics and distribution hub for the region. Designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating and an EPC A+, the project reflects both Tritax Big Box and VolkerFitzpatrick’s shared commitment to delivering future-ready, energy-efficient developments that support the UK’s net-zero targets. The units, ranging in size from 65,847 to 287,200 square feet, will each include integrated Grade A office space. The development will also feature extensive external works, including service yards, car parking, drainage, landscaping and utility connections. British bakery brand Warburtons has already been confirmed as the first occupier. Construction began earlier this year, with VolkerFitzpatrick placing a strong emphasis on local engagement and environmental responsibility. The contractor is working with local supply chain partners, creating employment opportunities, offering apprenticeships, and supporting community initiatives. Recent efforts include contributions to Biggleswade Food Bank, fundraising for local charities, and volunteering at the Herald Resource Centre, a facility run by learning disability charity Hft, where the team helped improve outdoor spaces. Stuart Deverill, Managing Director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building Division, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our expertise in delivering sustainable, large-scale industrial developments. Targeting BREEAM Outstanding reflects our commitment to environmental excellence, and we’re equally proud of the social value we’re bringing to the local community throughout the build.” Tom Leeming, Development Director at Tritax Big Box, added: “We are delighted to be working with VolkerFitzpatrick on this strategically important development. Their proven track record in delivering complex industrial projects makes them the ideal partner for this next phase of growth at Biggleswade.” The Biggleswade scheme marks another milestone in VolkerFitzpatrick’s delivery of sustainable, high-quality industrial facilities that meet the needs of modern logistics and distribution networks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the Department of Transport’s request for proposals to expand Heathrow Airport, the Arora Group have this week submitted a proposal for a new Terminal 6 building and a 2,800-metre runway. Designed by Scott Brownrigg with delivery partner Bechtel the proposal is referred to as ‘Heathrow West’. The proposal supports the economic growth ambition set out by His Majesty’s Government, with a focus on achieving better performance and lower charges for airlines and passengers, making Heathrow more competitive globally. Heathrow West offers robust and deliverable solutions for this site; minimising the land required to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the build, whilst achieving the required hub capacity. Crucially, the shortened runway will avoid the additional cost and disruption associated with crossing the M25 motorway. The design proposals capitalise on Scott Brownrigg’s long-standing history and wealth of experience in designing and delivering significant airports across the globe, which stretch back to the BOAC Terminal at JFK Airport in New York in 1963 and Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 for the British Airports Authority which opened in 1986, to the more recent award-winning Istanbul Airport in Turkey. The practice is currently involved with airports across Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East, including the ongoing expansion of the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia. Inherently flexible, the campus will be able to flourish and adapt to changing passenger expectations over time. A 300-meter-long bridge will connect the new terminal to a satellite pier, offering a unique passenger experience as it traverses above a live taxiway below. Proposals also create the potential for an integrated public transport hub and interchange which incorporates a railway station, hotels and below ground parking, providing safe and convenient access to the terminal by car, bus, taxi, bike or train. Designs for Heathrow West will target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability rating for the construction and operational phases of the project. Close collaboration with key stakeholders, such as the Environmental Agency, will ensure proposals respect the needs of the environment, enhance local amenity and leave a positive social legacy. Recognising the importance of resilience and affordability in Heathrow’s expansion, an efficient construction programme will enable the scheme to be delivered within just 10 years and with most of the activity contained within the airport boundary. Darren Comber, CEO of Scott Brownrigg, said: “We have been working with the Arora Group for over 8 years on the design of an alternative proposal for the Heathrow airport expansion and I am delighted that Arora have now submitted them to the Government for consideration. Our designs fully support Arora’s determination to provide a more cost-effective solution that will benefit Britain” Heathrow West is an opportunity to deliver on the UK Government’s ambition to unlock economic growth and to offer consumers greater choice, with significantly improved levels of efficiency, service and resilience for both airlines and passengers. If given the go-ahead, the new runway could be operational by 2035, and the first phase of the new Terminal 6 could be complete and open as early as 2036. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Avant Homes has plunged into the red after setting aside more than £100m to address cladding and fire safety issues across its legacy developments. The housebuilder, led by former Persimmon chief executive Jeff Fairburn, reported a pre-tax loss of £83m for the year ending 30 June 2024. The result marks a sharp downturn from the previous year, driven largely by a £107m provision for fire safety remediation. Operating profit fell to £17m, down from £50m last year, with a further £15m in exceptional costs weighing on performance. These included charges for restructuring, asset impairments, and expenses linked to defective buildings. Avant said the increased provision reflected the identification of additional buildings requiring remediation, along with revised cost estimates that incorporate inflationary pressures. The company is also in discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to defer payments to the Building Safety Fund — a move that could relieve short-term pressure on its cash position. In a further potential blow, Avant highlighted an estimated £70m exposure related to new Scottish legislation aligned with the Building Safety Act in England. This figure has yet to be recognised in its financial statements. “We continue to develop a more detailed understanding of remediation costs… the level and cost of the remedial work will become increasingly clearer as we move through this process,” the company said. Despite the significant financial hit, Avant reduced its net bank debt from £145m to £117m and retains access to a £250m revolving credit facility. Revenue dipped 3.6% to £465m, though private average selling prices rose modestly to £310,000. The business saw a fall in social housing completions, down to 185 units from 287, while private rental sector (PRS) deliveries jumped to 319 homes, up from just 7 the previous year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester city centre’s fitness scene is set for a major boost as gym operator XtraFit prepares to open a 37,000 sq ft facility at Manchester Arndale. The brand has agreed a 20-year lease for a prominent Market Street unit, offering an extensive range of training options and wellness services. Members will have access to activities such as Hyrox training, run clubs, and group fitness classes, as well as a full suite of gym equipment. The new location will also feature massage and tanning services, enhancing the overall customer experience. Already established in Liverpool and Dudley, XtraFit’s arrival will further strengthen Manchester Arndale’s leisure line-up, joining existing attractions such as King Pins and Urban Playground. Scott Linard, portfolio director for M&G Real Estate, said: “A strong leisure mix has become the backbone of successful retail destinations, so we are delighted to introduce XF Gym to Manchester Arndale. With a bustling city centre population, XF Gym is perfectly placed to meet Mancunian fitness needs. “The continued evolution of Manchester Arndale has made it one of the North West’s most visited destinations, thanks to our best-in-class retail, food and beverage, and leisure offering. This consistent footfall makes us the first choice for brands looking to establish themselves in Manchester.” Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners continue to act as the retained letting agents for Manchester Arndale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Euroform’s Versapanel® cement bonded particle board has played a role in meeting the acoustic performance criteria of the roof system for London’s largest new film and television campus, Eastbrook Studios in Dagenham. Commissioned to provide the roof system covering an area of over 23,000m², roof and façade specialist Kalzip’s objective was to design a project specific acoustic roof construction to achieve a significant sound reduction performance. As part of the tested system, Kalzip specified Versapanel® along with other elements, including rockfibre slab, glass wool insulation, an anti-drumming membrane and green roof, to the more noise exposed areas, including beside a train line, along with Kalzip structural components. Kalzip’s Chris Goldie explains, “Versapanel® was selected as a component in order to provide significant mass to the construction, contributing to the test criteria being meet.” Euroform supplied 40,000m² of Versapanel®. The product’s principal attributes are durability and excellent sound attenuation. Its density increases substantially the mass of systems, providing superior acoustic performance when used in various elements of construction, such as roofs, ceilings and walls. Versapanel® is specified extensively in constructions where acoustic control is important, such as in high-risk noise areas including airports and motorways. It can also be used in acoustic baffles in theatres, concert halls and recording studios where true sound reverberation is required. The Kalzip roof system was installed at Eastbrook Studios by sub-contractor FK Group. Eastbrook Studios is now open for action. A technologically advanced, film and television production centre, it offers a variety of purpose-built spaces, with 12 state-of-the-art soundstages ranging from 16,000 to 31,000 sqft, office and support space and 17 workshops, plus a 1.7-acre backlot. Located at Dagenham, it is on London’s underground network. Eastbrook Studios is operated by The MBS Group and owned by Hackman Capital Partners. One of the leading suppliers of aluminium building envelopes, Kalzip has been producing roof and façade systems since 1968 and has installed more than 100 million square metres of Kalzip profiled sheets worldwide. Euroform has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. It is part of the Performance Technology Group, a group of companies supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges. www.euroform.co.uk www.kalzip.com www.eastbrookstudios.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has instructed CBRE Southampton to market the Sir William Hillary building located at the RNLI’s Poole Campus on West Quay Road. The building is named after the charity’s founder, who established the charity in 1824. The building was closed to staff in 2020 as part of the charity’s programme to streamline resources and become more sustainable. The circa 44,400 sq ft, five-storey building sits on a c.1.45-acre site and is close to both the town centre and Poole Quay. Ryan Harris, Director at CBRE Southampton, said: “We are pleased to be working with the RNLI to market this site, which is an opportunity to reimagine part of the gateway to Poole Quay. The site could suit a variety of different uses, subject to planning, and makes it an attractive prospect for investors and developers.” The sale is part of the RNLI’s wider efforts to modernise and simplify their estate and infrastructure, ensuring they are prepared to meet changing needs in the future. Brian Dewey, RNLI Programme Manager for Poole Campus, said: “Our use of the Poole Campus has changed in recent years, resulting in several of our buildings becoming obsolete, while still incurring expensive maintenance costs. “We aim to reduce costs and carbon emissions, adapt to changing work habits and create a well-designed campus that better suits the RNLI’s needs.” The lifesaving charity’s Poole Campus will still retain the RNLI College, which is used as a hotel for guests and to train their frontline lifesavers, as well as their All-weather lifeboat centre which builds and maintains the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat fleet, the Sea Survival Centre used for training and the RNLI Support Centre.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
