CONYGAR STUDENT LIVING SCHEME WILL BE 12-STOREY ‘BEACON’ FOR CITY THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter development is set to help alleviate Nottingham’s student bed shortage, after plans for the next stage of the site were yesterday (22 September) approved by Nottingham City Council. The approved plans – drawn
c.£1 billion investment will deliver a c.8 million sq ft new logistics hub with new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in prime midlands logistics corridor Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”), a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder, and Logistics Capital Partners (“LCP”), a best in class developer and
Rendall & Rittner, a leading property managing agent, is proud to announce it has made the final shortlist for The Employee Engagement Award in The Investors in People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, Rendall & Rittner is proud of this outstanding
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed that across the UK market there are no less than 29 areas where homebuyers can climb the new-build property ladder for less than the cost of existing homes. Warwick Estates crunched the latest data from the Land Registry which shows that the
GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project
Following a detailed assessment by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE), Mixergy’s smart hot water tank is now featured in the exclusive Appendix Q product database. This allows designers and landlords to factor additional carbon savings into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), upon which Environmental Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Dwelling Emission rates are based. Mixergy’s smart hot water tank only heats what
Places for People Group has today launched a new initiative which will help young women establish careers in construction. The Group is actively encouraging applications onto its Women into Trades programme – an initiative born out of a commitment to diversity and inclusion. It will offer currently unemployed women aged 18-24 in
TODD Architects has submitted a planning application for 780 new homes at Queen’s Island in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. On approval, the multi-million-pound scheme known as The Loft Lines would become one of the largest new residential construction projects in the UK and forms part of Belfast’s wider
The development worth close to EUR 50 million is the first phase of one of the largest megaparks in the country and can be handed over in Q1 2022 The first column has been placed of the first 45,000 sq m warehouse in Fót, which is an important milestone in
Following Highways England’s rebrand to National Highways and its recent announcement to change its current contract mechanisms, Winvic Construction Ltd has been awarded two Lot contracts across four regions within the new Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF). Winvic is one of 50 contractors to deliver £3.6 billion of road renewal works
CONYGAR STUDENT LIVING SCHEME WILL BE 12-STOREY ‘BEACON’ FOR CITY THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter development is set to help alleviate Nottingham’s student bed shortage, after plans for the next stage of the site were yesterday (22 September) approved by Nottingham City Council. The approved plans – drawn up by DAY Architectural for The Conygar Investment Company PLC – feature an up-to-12-storey, 702-bed purpose-built student development, featuring blocks dedicated to a range of accommodation types including studios and cluster living. Amenities for the students in this latest phase of The Island Quarter include high-level sky lounges that offer projected views across the city and a pavilion with views onto a private courtyard space that will provide the opportunity for working, socialising, dining and exercising. The approved plans also feature multi-media lounges and co-working spaces, as well as gaming zones and quiet areas for study and relaxation. The new accommodation – which forms part of the developer’s plans for intergenerational living on The Island Quarter, the £1 billion 36-acre redevelopment – is likely to start on site shortly and be available for students from the start of the 2023/24 academic year. With Nottingham facing an expected shortfall of 7,000 student beds in the coming years, the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) on The Island Quarter will free up family homes currently used by students and help return them to their intended use. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “We’re delighted that the planning committee has approved the plans for the proposed student accommodation on The Island Quarter. Nottingham is a world-renowned university city, and the student population is growing rapidly to reflect that. Add in the demand from second- and third-year students to remain in PBSA, and it is clear there is a real need for quality student beds in the city. “This element of the scheme really supports our plans for intergenerational living across the site. One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic has been that people of all ages are reassessing their relationship with where they live, and we want to create places and spaces where people can live, work and thrive.” David Jones, director at planning consultant AXIS, said: “This phase will be a real step forward for the development as a whole. The location of this phase – right next to BioCity and close to Sneinton – means that it will act as a beacon, bringing life to the eastern edge of the site and providing a space that will draw people into The Island Quarter.” The Island Quarter masterplan, which received outline planning approval in April 2019, has been designed with a full lifecycle of uses, including hotels and hospitality, office space and community living. Recent changes to the plan were made in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, adding 10,000sqm more green space to the site and rethinking the street plan to create an ‘urban river’. Richard Watson, of Conygar, said: “The PBSA on The Island Quarter site forms an integral part of what we are trying to achieve with the development. In the wake of COVID-19, it has never been more important to encourage healthy, sustainable and resilient living, and this element of the scheme will help in creating a true community around the site. “The reimagined masterplan creates active, liveable and safe spaces that will connect the various elements of the scheme with each other and, more importantly, with the area’s existing vibrant communities.” Tom Exell, director of architecture at DAY Architectural, said: “This will be a unique PBSA offering in a highly competitive market, with a real focus on high quality design and student wellbeing across all aspects. We’re delighted to have achieved planning approval and excited to see the development move onto the next stage.” Work on the vast redevelopment is progressing at pace, with the first phase of the Canal Turn – at the opposite end of the site set to open to the public in early next summer. Once complete, Canal Turn will bring a new three-storey restaurant, bar and meeting and banqueting space to the city’s waterfront, as well as a canalside plaza and outdoor stage for entertainment. Watson added: “The Island Quarter is a massive opportunity for our Nottingham community – the city has an ambitious regeneration strategy and our site will bring 4,500 jobs to support that, as well as millions of pounds of inward investment into the city.” To help accelerate the development’s progress, The Island Quarter has been included in the city council’s Levelling Up Fund bid, which is designed support ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that will boost local economies. He said: “While we already have investment in place to support the development of the various phases that make up the site, the Levelling Up Fund allows us to accelerate work on-site so that Nottingham can make the most of the economic benefits of The Island Quarter as quickly as possible.” To hear more about the wider plans for the site, visit The Island Quarter YouTube channel for an in-depth look at placemaking and masterplanning with David Leonard of Leonard Design Architects and David West of Studio Egret West: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UEOSgq1eXA To find out more about The Island Quarter, please visit: www.theislandquarter.com/
c.£1 billion investment will deliver a c.8 million sq ft new logistics hub with new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in prime midlands logistics corridor Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”), a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder, and Logistics Capital Partners (“LCP”), a best in class developer and asset manager of logistics real estate across Europe, have formed a new co investment joint venture, to acquire a 734-acre site near Birmingham, which they will develop into a major new logistics hub with associated rail freight terminal known as West Midlands Interchange. Oxford and LCP will jointly invest c. £1 billion to bring forward the project over a number of years, with Oxford providing the majority of the capital and working alongside LCP’s highly experienced and professional team as development manager. West Midlands Interchange will be a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable development which meets modern occupiers’ efficient operational and environmental requirements. Planning consent has already been secured by the vendors, which allows for the delivery of around 8 million sq ft of prime logistics space and provides flexibility around the project timeline and scale of units. Infrastructure works are expected to commence in the first half of next year with the first buildings starting on site in 2022 ready for occupation in 2023. The site can accommodate new warehouses ranging in size from 200,000 square feet to over 1 million square feet, with building heights up to 30 meters. This scale and flexibility will create space for some of the most efficient operations in the country, maximising cubic storage capacity and the possibility for occupiers to deploy the latest technology. West Midlands Interchange is centrally located in the UK, northwest of Birmingham in the key West Midlands logistics corridor and will deliver significant economic benefit to the region through the creation of 8,500 jobs and a further 8,100 indirect jobs. It is also expected to generate around £430 million of local economic activity each year, and, through the supply chain, create over £900 million of economic activity each year nationally. It benefits from excellent transport connectivity to the UK’s major cities, ports and airports, with immediate access to the M6 motorway allowing 88% of the population to be reached within a four-hour drive, well inside the HGV single trip limit. As part of wider infrastructure improvements, Oxford and LCP will build a new link road to connect the A5 and A449, enhancing the resilience of the local road network to improve access to the site and achieve additional public benefit. In addition, the project will create a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, which will provide intermodal access for occupiers. This gives the site a significant competitive advantage, with rail transport a cheaper and more environmentally sustainable option while also reducing congestion on the roads. The West Coast Main Line is already one of the most important freight routes in the UK, used by 90% of all intermodal trains, and its capacity likely to be transformed by High Speed 2, the next phase of the UK’s high speed rail network linking London with the North, currently due to open between London and Birmingham in 2026. Sustainability sits at the heart of the site’s masterplan, which includes the creation and maintenance of two new country parks of a combined 109 acres that will achieve a net biodiversity gain across the development, 36% of which will comprise green infrastructure. Warehouse roofs will be built to accommodate installation of photovoltaic panels, enabling the generation of renewable energy. In 2020, Oxford announced its intention to deploy £3 billion of capital in the European logistics sector over the next five years in platforms, developments and portfolios of scale. The company made its first direct European investment in 2020, with the acquisition of a 15-acre site in Heathrow alongside LCP. James Boadle, Head of Logistics and Residential, Europe at Oxford Properties, commented, “In recent years we have significantly increased our exposure to the logistics sector globally through several major transactions, including making our first direct investment into European logistics last year with LCP. Logistics remains one of our highest conviction calls globally, benefitting from substantial undersupply of prime new space while the growth of e-commerce and demand for expedited supply chains continues unabated, accelerated by the effects of Covid-19.” “The transaction represents a rare opportunity to gain significant exposure at attractive risk-adjusted returns in an increasingly competitive landscape. We are pleased to be again working alongside LCP’s highly experienced and professional team as we deliver a best-in-class logistics park with occupier demand, technological advancements and environmental, social and governance principles at its core.” Pierre Leocadio, Head of Investment, Europe at Oxford Properties, added, “This transaction presents an exciting opportunity to develop a market leading, prime logistics hub, alongside our trusted partner, LCP. Oxford is renowned for its ability to deliver major large-scale projects, and this aligns with our strategy to deploy capital at scale into the logistics sector. The inclusion of a new rail terminal in the masterplan allows us to create a site that has strong appeal to potential occupiers, while also helping reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain by reducing lorry traffic. The project will also create economic impact to the region through the creation of a significant number of local jobs.” John Pagdin, Head of UK Logistics Capital Partners, commented, “We have been tracking this particular site for some time and are delighted to have secured the park alongside Oxford Properties. West Midlands Interchange is a fantastic opportunity to build out a uniquely positioned development scheme, allowing us to offer occupiers every possible size, scale, configuration and specification of unit with none of the usual planning delays or uncertainties often associated with schemes of this nature. We look forward to progressing first stage preparatory works and welcoming occupiers to this exciting project.” The site was acquired from the shareholders of Four Ashes Ltd, a three way partnership including Kilbride Holdings and Grosvenor Group’s Indirect Investment business (Grosvenor). Peter Frost, Director of
Rendall & Rittner, a leading property managing agent, is proud to announce it has made the final shortlist for The Employee Engagement Award in The Investors in People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, Rendall & Rittner is proud of this outstanding achievement amongst tough competition. The Investors in People Awards celebrate the very best organisations and individuals from around the world across various organisational, people, wellbeing and leadership categories. Rendall & Rittner is committed to employing the best possible people for every role. Knowing that their employees are pivotal to the company’s success, being shortlisted for The Employee Engagement Award is testament to Rendall & Rittner’s commitment to delivering excellent property management. Catherine Riva, Director at Rendall & Rittner, comments: “Having already achieved a Platinum accolade – the Investors in People (IIP) standard, we are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. This reflects the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone in our company from our on-site teams to those at our head office. It is great news that we have had the achievements of our employees recognised by an international awarding body. We are looking forward to The Investors in People Awards in November.” Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, comments: “Now in our 8th year, it always makes me feel immensely proud to see so many fantastic organisations staking their claim to be the best. And every year, the entries do get more and more competitive and the judging even tighter. Reaching the final shortlist is a testament to the amazing commitment these organisations are making to make work better for their people, and they truly deserve this recognition.” The winners of The Employee Engagement Award will be announced at The Investors in People Awards online ceremony on the 23rd November 2021. For more information on Rendall & Rittner visit www.rendallandrittner.co.uk or for the full shortlist and more information about Investors in People visit www.investorsinpeopleawards.com.
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed that across the UK market there are no less than 29 areas where homebuyers can climb the new-build property ladder for less than the cost of existing homes. Warwick Estates crunched the latest data from the Land Registry which shows that the average new-build home currently carries a 33% premium compared to the price paid for existing properties. However, a number of locations are currently home to a more affordable new-build price tag when compared to the rest of the market. The biggest new-build bargains can be found in Surrey Heath, where the average new-build value of £320,476 comes in at -23% more affordable than the rest of the market. St Albans also offers a more affordable foot on the ladder via the new-build sector, with the average new home costing -14% less than the wider average of £546,660. The London borough of Richmond ranks top where the biggest new-build bargains in the capital are concerned. The average new home in the borough is currently commanding £612,536, -14% lower than the average of £710,325 across the rest of the market. Three other pockets of the property market are currently home to a double-digit new-build discount including Oxford (-14%), Canterbury (-12%) and West Devon (-12%). New homes are also 5%+ more affordable in Kensington and Chelsea, Harrow, Brighton (-9%), Brentwood (-8%), Lichfield, Runnymede, Hounslow (-7%), Islington, Haringey, Reading, the New Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, Hertsmere and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “House prices have boomed across the UK and this has been no different where the new-build market is concerned. In fact, new-build premiums remain some 33% above existing property values and despite delays caused by the introduction of EWS1 requirements, demand remains high. Despite this, there are a notable number of areas that offer a more affordable foot via the new-build route and this presents a great opportunity for homebuyers looking to purchase a new property.” Area New_Build_Average_Price Existing_Average_Price Difference Surrey Heath £320,476 £414,408 -23% St Albans £468,870 £546,660 -14% Richmond upon Thames £612,536 £710,325 -14% Oxford £388,704 £447,504 -13% Canterbury £292,586 £331,340 -12% West Devon £250,906 £283,757 -12% Kensington and Chelsea £1,135,215 £1,251,619 -9% Harrow £453,181 £499,382 -9% Brighton and Hove £358,798 £393,960 -9% Brentwood £414,765 £450,173 -8% Lichfield £263,301 £283,014 -7% Runnymede £404,050 £433,525 -7% Hounslow £412,747 £442,663 -7% Islington £636,260 £672,842 -5% Haringey £537,812 £568,515 -5% Reading £287,354 £302,838 -5% New Forest £344,829 £362,627 -5% Windsor and Maidenhead £480,271 £504,631 -5% Hertsmere £472,165 £495,629 -5% Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole £282,883 £296,918 -5% Hammersmith and Fulham £712,593 £744,347 -4% Ceredigion £209,587 £218,256 -4% Tunbridge Wells £392,012 £404,481 -3% Spelthorne £371,186 £380,344 -2% Enfield £410,573 £419,531 -2% Trafford £316,112 £322,335 -2% Lewisham £429,806 £437,425 -2% Brent £495,807 £504,509 -2% Sevenoaks £465,180 £467,680 -1% United Kingdom £329,801 £247,967 33% Data sourced from the UK House Price Index – New-build vs Existing (May 2021 – latest available)
GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project of the Year category’. Core elements of the scheme included stripping out the property, renovation works, installations and defect rectifications, and the interior fit-out of approximately 15,254m2 of internal floor space. The iconic Grade II listed building, which was originally built in 1879, overlooks the city’s prestigious Colmore Row and, in the past, it welcomed guests including The Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill. In a nod to the building’s rich history, the illustrious heritage has been sensitively retained, including the French Renaissance exterior, while its elaborate internal decoration pays homage to Birmingham’s rich history, but with a modern twist. GRAHAM has constructed 185 opulent rooms, including a variety of grand suites with stunning views across St Phillip’s Cathedral, a garden terrace, a Victorian style Grand Ballroom, and an eye-catching grand staircase. The renovation project also made provision for two bars and a destination restaurant, a hotel gym, and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. Commenting on the return of the hotel back to its former glory, Ronan Hughes, GRAHAM Regional Director – Midlands, said: “It is a stunning transformation, and GRAHAM is proud of our meaningful contribution in making it a reality. The attention to detail, finish and quality of work are exceptional, and reflect the ambitious vision behind the restoration of The Grand Hotel. This was a complex project for many reasons, with challenges throughout the programme. But the technical expertise, hard work and dedication of our team ensured that we were able to find intelligent solutions at every stage. We continue to expand our presence in Birmingham, and this exemplar project will be a touchpoint for us across the Midlands region. Undoubtedly, The Grand Hotel will be one of the city’s most in-demand destinations.” Darrel Owens, Development Director for The Grand Hotel, said: “The Grand Hotel was five years in the making, with the added complication of Covid-19 thrown into the mix. The final product is breath-taking. My congratulations and respect go to the people who made this project happen, including all of the team at GRAHAM.” The Grand Hotel’s opening was delayed due to COVID restrictions but it recently opened to visitors on 18th May 2021. The winners of the 2021 Building Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on the 2nd November, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Following a detailed assessment by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE), Mixergy’s smart hot water tank is now featured in the exclusive Appendix Q product database. This allows designers and landlords to factor additional carbon savings into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), upon which Environmental Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Dwelling Emission rates are based. Mixergy’s smart hot water tank only heats what is needed, unlike a conventional cylinder which heats the whole contents. This minimises the primary carbon used to generate a dwelling’s hot water, while maximising the availability of cold water for storing renewably generated energy; from Solar PV, for example. This uniquely stratified method of heating water is now factored into the SAP Appendix Q database, allowing social landlords (under RdSAP) and new developers (under SAP 2012 and SAP 10) to recognise the full benefit of using Mixergy in their projects; whether new build or retrofit. Not only will the user experience be enhanced by the smartest cylinder on the market, but asset managers and developers can also benefit from more energy efficient SAP certified properties. In short, developers or homeowners that choose to install the Mixergy tank will now be able to accurately calculate and report its effect on the energy efficiency of a heating and hot water system – and include that information in the dwelling’s overall EPC rating. For simplistic systems using a standalone Mixergy cylinder, the SAP assessor can now factor a partial state of charge, rather than standing heat losses at 100% of the heated volume. While this offers a modest carbon saving itself, the maximum benefit is achieved when the dwelling uses Mixergy’s solar PV embedded cylinder. This product variant allows maximum local storage of solar PV in the cylinder, offsetting a considerable amount of primary carbon. Depending on factors such as property age, size, and construction – and cylinder heat source (direct or indirect) –installing a Mixergy tank can reduce hot water bills by £160 per year (e.g. 3 bed semi, direct electric with 4kWp solar array), and lower carbon by >135kg/CO2/annum (e.g. 3 bed semi, indirect with 4kWp solar array). David White, Business Development Director, Mixergy, explains: ‘’Official recognition, within the SAP process, of Mixergy’s lower running costs and carbon footprint is a significant step-change. This special listing allows house designers and developers to take full advantage of Mixergy’s adaptive ‘top up’ heating methodology in their calculations. More specifically: for developers, this means they can offer a better hot water product to their customers, while also demonstrating the carbon savings in their properties’ EPCs; while for social landlords the investment in a Mixergy cylinder not only addresses fuel poverty and the low carbon transition, but can now contribute to their RdSAP calculations – clearly demonstrating the financial benefits of Mixergy.’’ The Mixergy tank can be tailored and purchased via a wide range of channels, including national distributors City Plumbing, Midsummer Energy, Bublshop and more. It has already been successfully deployed across the UK by leading developers such as: Cala Homes (Queenswood, Cammo Meadows); Sero Homes (Parc Eirin); and retrofitted by Ocean Housing and East Devon Council. “Inclusion on Appendix Q is a real milestone for Mixergy,” concludes Martin Allman, Chief Commercial Officer. “It will make the Mixergy tank much more appealing to developers and installers, as they will be able to include it in their SAP calculations – potentially improving EPC ratings and helping them meet new government targets. That’s good for us, great for home owners, and even better for the planet.”
Places for People Group has today launched a new initiative which will help young women establish careers in construction. The Group is actively encouraging applications onto its Women into Trades programme – an initiative born out of a commitment to diversity and inclusion. It will offer currently unemployed women aged 18-24 in six geographical locations, career opportunities within the Group’s affordable housing businesses. The initiative is being delivered by Places for People in partnership with not-for-profit training company Ixion, the Positive Transformation Group – which connects ethical businesses together – and Women into Construction (WiC). Cohorts will undertake an initial seven-week course, during which they will join Q&A sessions with female industry leaders, secure work experience, undertake online training, and be given a free toolkit to help them in their career pursuits. Debi Marriott-Lavery is Group Executive Director – Affordable Housing for Places for People and said: “The UK construction sector is still incredibly male-dominated, with females making up less than 16% of the workforce. I believe that through positive action we can redress the balance, giving young women the skills and training they need to start their career in construction. “This is an incredible sector to be a part of; within our Group we are creating and maintaining affordable homes in exciting new communities across the country. This is a great opportunity for young women to come and be a part of our journey, while also laying solid foundations for their future.” Upon their completion of the initial training programme, 12 graduates will be offered a two-year Level 2 Apprenticeship, working with Places for People Group’s construction repairs and maintenance departments. Following a performance-based review at the end of their apprenticeship, each candidate will then be offered a permanent position with Places for People. Trainees not moving onto the apprenticeship programme will also be supported long-term by Positive Transformation Group, which will help them find alternative training programmes. Kath Moore MBE, Managing Director of WiC said: “We are delighted to work alongside Places for People, a Group which shares our values and commitment to increase female representation in the construction sector. WiC is dedicated to changing the face of construction and is committed to developing new ways to support construction contractors to create lasting change in their businesses – this initiative is a great example of our work in action.” Dan Brown, Founder of Positive Transformation Group added: “Positive Transformation Group is committed to systemic positive change in society with a meritocratic, inclusive and diverse workforce being at the forefront of our vision for the future. Having the opportunity to create powerful collaborations for change with forward thinking industry leaders such as Places for People, HACT and Ixion, really brings this vision of the future to life.” The news comes as Places for People also announced it has signed the Plentific Women’s Trade Network Pledge to further demonstrate its commitment to women in the industry, by removing barriers and providing access to job opportunities, support and training. Debi concluded: “Our Group is committed to establishing a more inclusive organisation, and these are just some of the initiatives we are undertaking right now to help underrepresented groups establish careers. I am proud to announce the programme and look forward to welcoming our trainees in the coming weeks.” The Women into Trades programme will be offered to applicants in Leeds, Derby, Edinburgh, Preston, Huntingdon and Milton Keynes. Applications can be made now by visiting https://www.ixionholdings.com/current-opportunities/women-into-trades-traineeship-for-18-24-year-olds/
TODD Architects has submitted a planning application for 780 new homes at Queen’s Island in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. On approval, the multi-million-pound scheme known as The Loft Lines would become one of the largest new residential construction projects in the UK and forms part of Belfast’s wider ambition to deliver over 31,500 new homes in the city by 2035. The Loft Lines is being delivered by Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones Group in partnership with Titanic Quarter Limited and Belfast Harbour and will comprise an integrated mix of private rented, social and affordable apartment homes. A generous 20 percent will be housing association homes. The accommodation aims to deliver a level of residential amenities unseen in Belfast to date, with proposals including resident lounges, sports and recreational spaces, gyms, flexible working space, private dining spaces, games rooms, cinema rooms and children’s play areas. The development will be fully managed with wi-fi, amenities, gym and other extras included in residents’ rent. The 3.8-acre site has been configured into three blocks of apartments enclosing a one-acre public park and has been designed by TODD Architects to create a new community; a place for residents and visitors to enjoy, with green space, the water’s edge promenade and urban walkways prioritised over cars and roads. The buildings draw reference from Belfast’s industrial past and distinctive docklands rooflines to reflect the history of ship building and fabrication that once resonated on the site. Andrew Murray, Director, TODD Architects said: “Whilst our design for The Loft Lines respects the important industrial heritage of the site, it also looks to the future of urban living, creating a vibrant lifestyle-first community that encourages sustainable and healthy living. This new riverside community says everything about Belfast’s confidence and ambition and we are proud to play a continuing role in the development of this evolving city. Thanks to our clients Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones Group for their vision and the exciting brief, as well as the constructive support from Belfast City Council during pre-application discussions for this important regeneration project.” Alex Pease, Chief Investment Officer of Watkin Jones Group, said: “The Loft Lines will be a fantastic place to live and a major draw for people to the Titanic Quarter, as well as help to cement Belfast’s fast-growing reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic cities. “The places we build are designed to generate long-term value for the community over many decades and I’m thrilled at the prospect of seeing people make their home here.” The starting point for the design proposals was an ambition to create buildings that engage with the heritage of the Titanic Quarter as it transitions to a vibrant mixed-use community. A palette of clay-based materials has been specified with tones of reds, pinks and browns creating three distinct urban blocks that will be named after the technical skills of those who planned out the life-sized plate patterns of ships on floor of the shipyard’s mould loft, which once stood on the site of the proposed scheme. The three residential buildings have been designed to maximise views to the waterfront and increase natural light levels. Each block has a distinctive communal courtyard, designated as private residential amenity space, with room for informal seating and planted gardens, high-quality paving and materials and spill-out areas for gym classes. The ground and first floors have been planned to create ample space for community-based shops, a creche, local cafes and restaurants, a gym, startups, young companies and local community innovation. The entirety of the waterfront promenade will benefit from active frontages, not only providing useful services and businesses, but also helping to ensure that public areas are welcoming and safe for people of all ages. At the heart of The Loft Lines site is South Yard Square, a one-acre public area and urban woodland with a vibrant blend of smaller active spaces. The Square will be set at a lower level to provide additional shelter and a safe setting for all ages, with different seat areas for play or to take a break, surrounded by formal and informal planting, grass lawns and paths. Perfect for exercise classes and outdoor events, the aim is for the space to become a night-and-day location for everyone to share and enjoy. The proposals include a new 12m-wide 1km long waterfront promenade and a safe, shared pedestrian and cycleway running along the quayside. The promenade has been designed to link the site and the wider area around the Titanic Quarter, helping to create a more accessible location. The developers are working with Maritime Belfast to ensure The Loft Lines section of the Maritime Mile is enriched by art, nature and history, celebrating the area’s industrial heritage and connecting to other features across Queen’s Island and into the city. Connecting South Yard Square and the waterfront promenade, is a central boulevard. This pedestrian-prioritised walkway celebrates The Loft Line’s distinctive historic layout lines. This unique pattern is embedded in the fabric of the boulevard, and repeated in the walkways and spaces between buildings across the site. The developers have also committed to delivering a sustainable, low-carbon development with each building installed with the latest heat pump technology to reduce the site’s reliance on fossil fuels and helping to future proof the development. In line with the Belfast Agenda, which has set a target of a 15% increase in the use of sustainable transport by 2035, The Loft Lines will offer several sustainable travel measures, including ground-floor bike stores with wash down and repair facilities and will aim to reduce the reliance on car-parking with the promotion of other active travel measures.
The development worth close to EUR 50 million is the first phase of one of the largest megaparks in the country and can be handed over in Q1 2022 The first column has been placed of the first 45,000 sq m warehouse in Fót, which is an important milestone in launching one of Hungary’s largest industrial and logistic developments by HelloParks, member of Futureal Group, after the first tenants started to move into another megapark of the company in Maglód. For this energy efficient, BREEAM sustainability standard compliant facility that is developed as a part of a greenfield investment close to the Hungarian capital, the composition of the tenants is already outlined: negotiations are at an advanced stage, mainly with e-commerce, parcel logistics and courier businesses, as well as logistics companies serving a single manufacturing company. Located in the vicinity of Budapest, next to the junction of M0 ringroad and M3 motorway, the work has begun on the 76-ha site in Fót to build one of the largest industrial and logistics centers in the country. In the first phase, HelloParks, member of Europe’s leading real estate development and investment group Futureal, will build a 45,000 sq m warehouse with an investment value of close to EUR 50 million. The first phase is expected to be handed over in Q1 2022 by constructor company Goldbeck Hungaria. With the 76-ha plot, where a total of 330,000 sq m of warehouse and industrial space can be developed, HelloParks Fót is targeting logistics service providers, light industry manufacturers, assembly companies as well as tenants with special requirements. Due to the immediacy of Budapest, the park is also ideal for service providers performing urban distribution, but the industrial and logistics property developer also offers commercial industrial lands for sale with utilities and road connections, available from 1 ha. HelloParks is already conducting advanced negotiations with several companies, mainly with e-commerce, parcel logistics and courier companies, as well as logistics companies serving a single manufacturing company for the first phase of HelloParks Fót, while a webshop company has already signed the rental contract. HelloParks has recently announced another two large developments close to the capital of Hungary, a 100-ha industrial and logistics centre in Páty and a similar development on a 46-ha plot in Maglód where the first big tenant has already moved in. All of the three highly competitive, efficient and sustainable megapark developments that have been launched in just over a year by HelloParks have been driven by the company’s aim to become a key player of the industry, as a first step in Hungary, later on in the whole CEE market, and contribute to the improvement of Hungary’s position in the international logistics market. „In order to improve Hungary’s competitiveness, the construction industry must also change. Logistics companies typically like to move into facilities within a year, which is cannot be properly implemented in such a short time unless the area has already been set. This trend is again something that HelloParks developments can respond to. Keeping the deadline, we recently handed over a 46,000 sq m warehouse building as the first phase of the Maglod industrial and logistics megapark, where the first tenant has already moved in just five months after construction started. We are experiencing strong interest from prospective tenants, we are in advanced negotiations for all our free space, and in Maglód, our next tenant will move in soon. Parallel with the lease, we have already started planning and permitting the next phases so that we can serve existing and future needs as quickly as possible,” said Rudolf Nemes, CEO of HelloParks. “The primary need of logistics operators to meet a sufficiently fast and secure execution lead time can only be met by a well thought-out and clear concept. We would like to support HelloParks in realising this business model, using our entire Central European human and equipment infrastructure,” – said Pavol Čarný, Managing Director of Goldbeck Hungaria. HelloParks can build on Futureal Group’s decade-long property development and investment experience. Futureal is one of the leading real estate developers and investors in Central and Eastern Europe and is among the top 10 largest real estate developers in Europe. Since its foundation Futureal Group’s portfolio has included more than 180 real estate projects with a total value of over EUR 5 billion and an area of 3 million square meters. Goldbeck Hungaria in its role as general contractor, has been implementing industrial real estate projects on the Hungarian market for almost a decade, relying on the five decades of experience of its parent company, Goldbeck GmbH, and its design, production and financial infrastructure. The Goldbeck Group, under the umbrella of the Bratislava-based organisation, has completed more than 2 million m2 of gross floor area of industrial real estate in the region over the past decade and a half.
Following Highways England’s rebrand to National Highways and its recent announcement to change its current contract mechanisms, Winvic Construction Ltd has been awarded two Lot contracts across four regions within the new Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF). Winvic is one of 50 contractors to deliver £3.6 billion of road renewal works on England’s motorways and trunk roads over the next six years. The leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects,has worked closely alongside and for National Highways on a number of occasions. This includes extensive liaison relating to the construction of a new railway bridge over the A5 at Prologis’ DIRFT III, delivering S278 agreement works that facilitated IM Properties’ Hinckley Park and working collaboratively on two Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) for SEGRO, where delivery of the Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges (SRFIs) and highways improvements works ran concurrently and adjacently to the M1 Smart Motorway Project (SMP). However, this six-year appointment which started on 21 September marks the start of an even stronger working relationship where Winvic will be helping to keep England’s major A roads and motorways running safely and smoothly. The two lots awarded to Winvic within Band C are Lot 8 Structures, Waterproofing and Expansion Joints and Lot 10 Structures, Structural Services & Concrete Repairs. Winvic will be undertaking works in these programme areas across the south east, east, north west and north east. Social value was inherent throughout the procurement process, ensuring that suppliers are measured on their contribution and impact socially within each region. Plus, the SDF supports the delivery of National Highways’ decarbonisation, sustainability and environmental ambitions across its renewals programme. Winvic – with its robust environmental credentials and commitment to making positive and long-lasting changes to communities in which it works – was therefore in a strong position during tender process and now the main contractor has been selected, it is not only looking forward to delivering works, but also supporting local people and being a part of a greener highways strategy. Critically, Winvic will be promoting its one team working approach in the SDF and aligning with National Highways Key imperatives, Safety, Customer and Delivery. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Civils and Infrastructure Director, said: “Winvic has built a strong relationship with National Highways over a number of years, not least through the complex collaborations at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway and then SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, where we remain on site and undertake weekly, if not daily interfaces. Therefore, working on more significant National Highways renewal projects is a natural progression for us due to our expertise in highways works involving structures, through both S278 agreement works and on vast industrial and infrastructure schemes. We couldn’t be more pleased that National Highways has the utmost confidence in Winvic to deliver over the six-year period, aligning with its key imperatives and focusing on building a one-team collaborative working relationship in the SDF. Whether it’s going above and beyond to reduce disruption to road users, getting involved in local initiatives that make a difference to local people’s lives or simply ‘Doing It Right’, our visions are aligned, and we look forward to delivering the first programme of works safely and swiftly.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.