Majestic Construction has completed a new safe standing area at Huddersfield Town’s Accu Stadium, adding to a series of improvements delivered by the contractor at the football ground over the past five years. Located within the South Stand, the new facility has been designed to enhance the matchday experience while
Intecho has successfully integrated intelligent smart building solutions as part of the landmark transformation of Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere. As part of the project, Intecho integrated an intelligent Guest Room Management System (GRMS), bespoke Room Control Panels (RCPs) for every guest room and a range of state-of-the-art smart building solutions
The Broadway at St James’s Park is continuing to strengthen its position as one of central London’s premier mixed-use destinations after SushiDog confirmed it will open its second-largest restaurant at the development this September. The fast-growing Japanese dining brand has selected the one million sq ft scheme for its latest
The long-awaited transformation of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has taken a major step forward after planning permission was granted for the landmark redevelopment, with main contractor Morgan Sindall expected to begin work before the end of the year. The extensive refurbishment will revitalise the iconic 15-hectare sporting venue,
A major hotel redevelopment in the heart of Edinburgh is set to reach a significant milestone next month, with a new 157-bedroom hotel preparing to welcome its first guests following the successful transformation of a former office building. Property developer S Harrison has confirmed that its latest development in the
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn, has reached a key construction milestone at its Folk Dublin development in the city centre, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework. Located off O’Connell Street in the heart of the city, the site will operate as
Working on behalf of property investor JohnMichael Mouskos, global architecture practice PLP Architecture has secured planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to transform 30 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, into a 30-room boutique hotel and spa. Historically a mews and service street serving the grand houses of Sloane
Chef-led concept from the team behind Michelin-starred Lita to open on Vigo Street The Crown Estate has today announced the signing of Salone, a new Italian restaurant set to open at 5-6 Vigo Street, just off Regent Street. The addition further strengthens The Crown Estate’s hospitality offering in the West
PLANNING has been approved for a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and civic offices in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, designed by award-winning practice CPMG Architects. The planning approval follows positive consultations with the local community, which confirmed that the new leisure centre and corresponding office space should replace the current Green Bank Leisure
Work has officially begun on Aston Villa Football Club’s landmark £100m redevelopment of the historic North Stand at Villa Park, marking the start of one of the most significant stadium improvement projects currently underway in UK football. Kingscote Construction has broken ground on the scheme, which will transform the stand
Majestic Construction has completed a new safe standing area at Huddersfield Town’s Accu Stadium, adding to a series of improvements delivered by the contractor at the football ground over the past five years. Located within the South Stand, the new facility has been designed to enhance the matchday experience while providing supporters with a safer and better-managed environment for standing during games. The installation features rail barriers positioned in front of the existing seating, with every supporter allocated an individual numbered position. A continuous barrier runs across each row, helping to improve crowd management, reduce the potential for overcrowding and provide additional protection for fans. The project builds on a longstanding relationship between Majestic Construction and Huddersfield Town, with the contractor having completed several upgrades at the stadium during the past five years. Previous works have included improvements to the press area, additional directors’ seating, the installation of a large screen and new water stations designed to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. The latest project further strengthens the relationship following Majestic Construction’s renewal as Huddersfield Town’s official construction partner for the 2026/27 season and beyond. The new agreement will continue for two years. Completion of the South Stand project also sees Huddersfield Town join six other EFL League One clubs to have introduced safe standing. Safe standing has become an increasingly important consideration within the design and modernisation of football grounds, allowing clubs to respond to supporter preferences while incorporating infrastructure specifically designed to manage standing spectators. For existing stadiums such as the Accu Stadium, projects of this kind also demonstrate how targeted construction and refurbishment works can improve facilities without requiring wholesale redevelopment of established stands. Lee Marsden, owner and operator of Majestic Construction and a lifelong Huddersfield Town supporter, said: “As a lifelong Huddersfield Town supporter, it has been a privilege to work alongside the Club over the past five years, helping to deliver a range of improvements at Accu Stadium.” The safe standing installation adds another element to Majestic Construction’s continuing work at the ground, combining practical stadium improvements with investment in supporter facilities and the wider matchday environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Intecho has successfully integrated intelligent smart building solutions as part of the landmark transformation of Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere. As part of the project, Intecho integrated an intelligent Guest Room Management System (GRMS), bespoke Room Control Panels (RCPs) for every guest room and a range of state-of-the-art smart building solutions to compliment the luxury hotel’s extensive £125 million redevelopment. Paul Murphy, Co-Founder and Director of Intecho, said: “Luxury hospitality depends on far more than beautiful architecture and interiors. The technology behind the scenes has to work seamlessly, supporting both guests and hotel teams without ever becoming intrusive”. At the heart of the project is an advanced Guest Room Management System (GRMS), which integrates lighting, heating, cooling, motorised curtains and room status into a single intelligent platform. The system gives guests intuitive control of their environment while providing hotel teams with real-time visibility of occupancy, temperature, Make Up Room (MUR) and Do Not Disturb (DND) status. Intecho also designed and manufactured bespoke Room Control Panels (RCPs) for every guest room, integrating HVAC interfaces, lighting control, monitoring and circuit protection into a robust solution engineered specifically for the demands of luxury hospitality. Beyond the guest accommodation, Intecho delivered intelligent lighting control throughout the hotel, covering front-of-house areas, guest corridors, meeting rooms, function suites, the ballroom and external spaces. Flexible scene control allows event spaces to adapt effortlessly to conferences, weddings and large-scale functions, while centralised management provides hotel operators with greater flexibility and efficiency. The smart building solution also incorporates advanced DALI lighting control, automated emergency lighting testing, intelligent fault monitoring and centralised HVAC management. These technologies improve energy performance, reduce maintenance requirements and simplify compliance, while ensuring the building continues to operate at the high standards expected of an international luxury hotel. Intecho Director, Paul Murphy, continued: “Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is a fantastic example of how intelligent building technology can enhance comfort, improve operational efficiency and create a smarter, more sustainable hotel. We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in such a prestigious development”. Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is a luxury 5-star lakeside hotel, spa, and golf resort in Knutsford, Cheshire, featuring 117 rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, and dining by Gordon Ramsay. Following a £125m redevelopment, the reimagined property opened in July 2026 on a 157-acre estate overlooking The Mere Lake. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Broadway at St James’s Park is continuing to strengthen its position as one of central London’s premier mixed-use destinations after SushiDog confirmed it will open its second-largest restaurant at the development this September. The fast-growing Japanese dining brand has selected the one million sq ft scheme for its latest expansion, with the new 1,138 sq ft restaurant becoming one of its flagship locations and providing seating for up to 28 guests. Founded in 2018, SushiDog pioneered the UK’s first build-your-own sushi concept and has since grown rapidly into one of the country’s fastest-expanding Japanese food brands. The latest opening will add to its portfolio of 16 restaurants across Central London and Birmingham. The arrival of SushiDog further enhances the retail and hospitality offer at The Broadway, joining an established collection of food and beverage operators including Farmer J, Açaí Berry, Nostos Coffee, GAIL’s and Atis. For the construction and property sectors, the latest letting demonstrates the continued success of mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial and retail uses within carefully curated urban environments. Designed by Squire & Partners and asset managed by Valouran, The Broadway occupies the historic former New Scotland Yard site in the heart of St James’s Park. The landmark regeneration scheme is arranged across six buildings and delivers 116,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, 24,000 sq ft of retail and dining space at ground level, together with 258 high-quality homes. The signing of SushiDog means that 13 of the development’s 14 retail units are now occupied, representing 82% of the scheme’s retail and dining floorspace and reflecting strong demand from premium operators seeking a presence in one of London’s most prestigious mixed-use destinations. Alex Michelin, Co-Founder and CEO of Valouran, said: “SushiDog is a fantastic addition to The Broadway’s line-up of retail and dining brands and the first Japanese concept to join the development. As one of London’s fastest-growing food brands, we’re excited to see SushiDog open its doors this September, further enhancing the culinary offering for our residents and the wider St James’s Park community. This latest letting reflects the strong momentum we continue to see at The Broadway, following the recent openings of Atis and GAIL’s.” Greg Ilsen, Co-Founder of SushiDog, added: “We’re delighted to be opening at The Broadway this September. As our second-largest restaurant to date, it marks another important milestone in SushiDog’s growth across London. The Broadway’s St James’s Park location, together with its evolving retail and dining offer, made it the ideal home for the next opening. We can’t wait to welcome guests through the doors.” The letting was brokered by CBRE, which continues to market the remaining retail opportunity at the development. With a carefully curated mix of office space, homes, restaurants and retail, The Broadway continues to demonstrate the strength of high-quality mixed-use regeneration, attracting leading occupiers while creating a vibrant destination for businesses, residents and visitors in the heart of Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The long-awaited transformation of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has taken a major step forward after planning permission was granted for the landmark redevelopment, with main contractor Morgan Sindall expected to begin work before the end of the year. The extensive refurbishment will revitalise the iconic 15-hectare sporting venue, modernising its facilities while carefully preserving the heritage and architectural significance of one of the UK’s most recognisable sports complexes. The redevelopment has been designed to create a modern, sustainable and accessible destination capable of supporting everyone from grassroots participants to elite athletes, securing the centre’s future as a leading sporting and community asset for London. Morgan Sindall will lead the construction programme, delivering a comprehensive upgrade that balances contemporary sporting requirements with the conservation of the site’s historic features. The project also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, ensuring the refurbished centre meets modern environmental standards while extending the lifespan of the existing buildings. A multidisciplinary consultant team has been assembled to deliver the scheme, bringing together sports masterplanning specialists WOO Architects, architects FaulknerBrowns, decarbonisation and sustainability consultants Max Fordham, structural engineers and heritage conservation experts Alan Baxter Associates, together with Employers Agent and commercial advisers Currie & Brown. For the construction and built environment sectors, the project highlights the growing importance of breathing new life into existing public assets through sensitive refurbishment rather than wholesale redevelopment. The scheme combines heritage conservation, sustainable construction and specialist sports facility design, demonstrating how major public infrastructure can be modernised to meet future demands while respecting its architectural legacy. Alongside the physical improvements, Morgan Sindall has already begun delivering social value initiatives linked to the project, including education, training and skills programmes for local schools and communities. These initiatives are intended to leave a lasting legacy beyond the construction works by creating employment opportunities and encouraging greater participation in the built environment and construction industries. Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall in London, said: “We can’t wait to start delivering the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre renovation now that planning has been approved, as we know this project is going to unlock incredible benefits for so many people in the South London area. “The design for the revitalised centre is a real showcase for what can be achieved when ambitious, innovative planning for a sustainable sports centre is combined with considerate, insightful collaborations with the people, athletes and stakeholders that are going to be most affected by this transformative development.” He added: “I’m also incredibly proud of the social value work the team has already implemented, with a long list of training and upskilling opportunities provided for local schools and communities. This underlines the capacity for this project to change lives, and I can’t wait to see all the ways this momentum is going to be carried forward now that planning has been approved.” With construction expected to commence later this year, the redevelopment will restore one of Britain’s most historic sporting venues, ensuring Crystal Palace National Sports Centre continues to serve future generations while reinforcing its status as a flagship destination for sport, recreation and community activity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major hotel redevelopment in the heart of Edinburgh is set to reach a significant milestone next month, with a new 157-bedroom hotel preparing to welcome its first guests following the successful transformation of a former office building. Property developer S Harrison has confirmed that its latest development in the city’s Haymarket district will officially open on 5 August, with European operator MEININGER Hotels taking over the completed building under a long-term management agreement. The project represents another important investment in Edinburgh’s flourishing hospitality sector, bringing a prominent commercial building back into productive use through an extensive redevelopment programme led by principal contractor Ogilvie Construction. Rather than demolishing the existing structure, the scheme involved the partial demolition of the former 1970s Osborne House office building, alongside the construction of two new accommodation wings and the addition of an extra storey. Designed by Edinburgh-based Comprehensive Design Architects, the redevelopment has transformed the ageing office block into a contemporary hotel that enhances the surrounding streetscape while making efficient use of an established city-centre site. Located close to Haymarket railway station and tram interchange, and within easy walking distance of Princes Street, the hotel is well positioned to serve both business and leisure travellers visiting one of Europe’s most popular destinations. When it opens, the hotel will offer 157 bedrooms alongside a range of guest facilities, including a residents’ bar, breakfast area, guest kitchen, lounge spaces and an outdoor seating terrace. The development will become MEININGER Hotels’ 38th property across 27 European cities, reflecting the group’s continued expansion into strategically important destinations with strong long-term tourism demand. For the construction and property sectors, the project demonstrates the growing importance of repurposing ageing commercial buildings to meet changing market demands. By transforming an underutilised office asset into high-quality visitor accommodation, the scheme supports both sustainable regeneration and the continued evolution of Edinburgh’s built environment. The Haymarket development is the latest in a series of significant investments by S Harrison across the Scottish capital. The company previously delivered the landmark Malmaison boutique hotel through the conversion of the Grade A-listed Buchan House in Edinburgh’s New Town and has established a strong track record in the purpose-built student accommodation sector. Recent projects include a newly completed PBSA development near Newington Road, while work is nearing completion on another scheme within the historic Canongate area. S Harrison has also secured planning permission for a 124-bedroom PBSA development on Gillespie Crescent, which will regenerate a vacant brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area. Looking ahead, the developer has also received planning consent for a landmark £100 million mixed-use scheme on Leith’s waterfront. The development will deliver new homes, purpose-built student accommodation, commercial and co-working space, alongside a range of amenity areas, further strengthening S Harrison’s growing presence in Edinburgh’s residential, hospitality and mixed-use sectors. With its doors due to open in August, the Haymarket hotel represents another successful example of urban regeneration, demonstrating how the thoughtful redevelopment of existing buildings can support tourism, enhance the cityscape and contribute to the long-term growth of one of the UK’s most dynamic property markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn, has reached a key construction milestone at its Folk Dublin development in the city centre, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework. Located off O’Connell Street in the heart of the city, the site will operate as a ‘hybrid hotel’, providing 138 rooms with capacity for up to 716 guests. Designed to help address the city’s shortage of affordable tourist accommodation, the development will include a vibrant bar, café and lounge open to both guests and the wider public. Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn’s purchase of the site in 2024, marking its debut development outside of the UK. Upon completion, Firethorn will work in partnership with real estate investment managers SW3 Capital, who will be operational managers of the property. With the structural frame now complete, Folk Dublin is on track for completion in March 2027, with Stewart Construction appointed to deliver the project. Folk Dublin forms part of Firethorn’s growing portfolio, which includes purpose-built student accommodation sites in Hackney Wick and Stratford, and the office-to-hotel conversion of 5 Lloyd’s Avenue in the City of London. Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn, said: “Topping out at Folk Dublin is a significant milestone for Firethorn and demonstrates our ability to deliver high-quality buildings efficiently and at scale. “Dublin has a growing demand for affordable tourist accommodation, and Folk Dublin will meet this need by providing a modern, design-led stay in a well-connected central location. Offering exceptional hospitality without the premium price tag, the site will make a positive contribution to the local neighbourhood, with a community-led approach that celebrates the city’s rich heritage. “Stewart Construction has a strong track record of delivering hospitality assets on time and in budget, and we look forward to continuing this momentum and bringing the project to completion.” Paul Stewart, Managing Director at Stewart Construction, said: “Watching Folk Dublin rise to become part of the Dublin skyline is a proud moment for everyone involved. The topping out ceremony is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and shared vision that have brought us to this milestone.” For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Working on behalf of property investor JohnMichael Mouskos, global architecture practice PLP Architecture has secured planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to transform 30 Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge, into a 30-room boutique hotel and spa. Historically a mews and service street serving the grand houses of Sloane Street, Pavilion Road has evolved into one of the area’s most distinctive destinations, bringing together independent shops, restaurants, homes and hospitality. The refurbishment of 30 Pavilion Road will contribute to the ongoing transformation of the characterful street, which now acts as a key link between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge. The project adds to PLP’s expanding hospitality portfolio in London, which includes Pan Pacific London at One Bishopsgate Plaza, named Hotel of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards 2022, and the forthcoming Mandarin Oriental Bankside, due to open on the South Bank in 2028. It also draws on the practice’s experience working within conservation areas, including 60 Curzon in Mayfair. PLP Architecture’s proposals replace the previously consented mix of hotel and residential accommodation with a unified hotel and spa concept. Conceived as a sensitive refurbishment, the design retains more of the existing building fabric and carefully reorganises the interiors to improve the quality, accessibility and operation of the building’s future use as a hospitality and wellbeing destination. The architectural approach preserves the established character of the building, originally dating back to the 18th century, while addressing a series of unsympathetic alterations made over time. Elements of the existing elevations and original entrances are retained wherever possible, complemented by new, purpose-made painted timber sash windows with traditional detailing, a re-clad natural slate mansard roof and realigned lead-clad dormers. The approved scheme also includes basement works and a carefully integrated roof extension. Andrei Martin, Partner at PLP Architecture, said: “This is a refurbishment project centred around precision and restraint. Our design retains and strengthens the character of the existing building, while creating a highly individual and well-functioning boutique hotel and spa. It will add a distinctive new chapter to Pavilion Road and reinforce the special character of this part of Knightsbridge.” JohnMichael Mouskos, property investor, notes: “Securing planning consent for this landmark luxury hotel and spa is an important milestone in bringing our vision for the site to life. From the outset, our ambition has been to create a world-class destination that will make a lasting contribution to Knightsbridge while respecting its exceptional architectural heritage. PLP Architecture and our expert wider consultant team have embraced that ambition, and through a highly collaborative process we have achieved a planning consent of exceptional quality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chef-led concept from the team behind Michelin-starred Lita to open on Vigo Street The Crown Estate has today announced the signing of Salone, a new Italian restaurant set to open at 5-6 Vigo Street, just off Regent Street. The addition further strengthens The Crown Estate’s hospitality offering in the West End, adding a new chef-led restaurant to the area’s diverse hospitality mix. Occupying 6,700 sq ft, Salone has signed a 15-year lease and is set to open in Autumn 2026. The restaurant will be operated by Fortune Family, the UK-based hospitality group behind Lita in Marylebone, which opened in 2024 and achieved a Michelin star in under a year. Fortune Family will partner with acclaimed chef Luca Natalini, who will lead the concept as executive chef. Located next to Burberry on Regent Street, Salone will provide an all-day dining offer for shoppers, residents and local office workers. Inspired by Italian culinary traditions, the restaurant will feature open kitchens across each floor, creating an immersive dining experience that brings guests closer to the craft and theatre of Italian cooking. The restaurant’s ground floor will focus on a pizzeria, while the first floor will feature a live pasta station. Seafood and meat will also be key elements of the menu, alongside a bar-led offer designed to support aperitivo and later evening visits. A long communal table and counter seating will create a sociable and informal atmosphere, encouraging guests to drop in throughout the day. Salone’s arrival follows other recent restaurant openings across The Crown Estate’s West End portfolio, including handroll sushi bar Temaki on Maddox Street and modern Georgian restaurant Daka Daka on Heddon Street. Together, the new arrivals reflect The Crown Estate’s long-term approach to curating a varied hospitality offer across the West End, supporting a balanced mix of F&B and leisure uses that complements Regent Street as a world-class retail destination. Bringing an exciting new operator to Vigo Street, The Crown Estate is creating more reasons for people to spend time in the area throughout the day and into the evening, strengthening the West End’s enduring appeal as a destination for dining, shopping and culture. Sarah McLaren, Hospitality and Leisure Director at The Crown Estate, said: “Salone is an exciting addition to our West End hospitality portfolio, bringing a new Italian dining concept from a talented team to Vigo Street. Its all-day format, open kitchens and focus on Italian cooking will appeal to a broad range of customers, providing another high-quality dining option in a prime location. “As the West End continues to evolve as a world-class destination for hospitality and retail, we are continuing to support distinctive, chef-led concepts like Salone that add to the area’s energy and appeal. This forms part of our long-term vision to curate a diverse mix of F&B that gives both visitors and locals more reasons to spend time in the West End throughout the day and into the evening.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PLANNING has been approved for a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and civic offices in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, designed by award-winning practice CPMG Architects. The planning approval follows positive consultations with the local community, which confirmed that the new leisure centre and corresponding office space should replace the current Green Bank Leisure Centre and local authority offices – making way for significant regeneration of Swadlincote town centre. Within the leisure centre’s design is a six-court sports hall and two swimming pools, alongside a fitness suite and multi-purpose studios. The leisure centre’s verdant setting next to a pond, parkland and a golf course is exploited to the full, with an accessible 360-degree approach, in which users will be able to move easily around the building and connect to surrounding outdoor spaces. To ensure optimal cohesivity, features such as moveable glazing have been incorporated to tie together the inside and outside of the building. Office users benefit hugely from the office’s co-location with the leisure centre within the surrounding parkland. The office space includes meeting rooms and open plan workspaces across three levels and will be predominantly transparent to maximise views of the surrounding landscape whilst a brise soleil will help reduce solar gain and glare. In keeping with Swadlincote’s rural surroundings, biodiversity and its location within the National Forest, the project team alongside South Derbyshire District Council has been committed to design that compliments and improves the local landscape. This included the use of timber in prominent locations of the project and a landscaping design carried out by Ares Landscape Architects. The building is set to be entirely reliant on air source heat pumps, with clean electricity to be generated from photovoltaic panels on the roof, helping to cut approximately 26,000kg of CO₂ annually. Alessio Granata, senior architect at CPMG, said: “The plans for Swadlincote Leisure Centre showcase a futureproofed design, one that will support the local community for years to come. Working alongside the council and our project partners, we’re now in a position where we will soon begin to see our design come to life – which is incredibly exciting. “As a practice, we are continually focused on implementing designs that have a people-first approach and Swadlincote Leisure Centre is a clear example of this in practice. From the exterior to the interior – the design aims to create a space that offers more than just leisure activities, but also a place where the local community can come together and interact.” Councillor Robert Pearson, leader of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “This is a hugely exciting milestone for the project and for South Derbyshire. These proposals will deliver modern, high-quality leisure and community facilities that residents can be proud of for generations to come. “What is especially positive is that the scheme has continued to evolve through meaningful engagement with local people, sports clubs and community groups. The decision to increase the size of the sports hall demonstrates that we have listened carefully to the feedback we received and responded positively to it. “This development represents a major investment in health, wellbeing, sport and the future of Swadlincote.” CPMG was appointed to the project in August 2025 through Procure Partnerships’ Professional Services Framework. Will Cooper, key account coordinator (East and West) at Procure Partnerships, said: “Swadlincote Leisure Centre is one of the most exciting schemes the region has seen in years. We are proud to be playing a part in such an ambitious regeneration for the area and to have supported the procurement of CPMG as lead architects, along with the wider design team. We are delighted that planning has been secured and look forward to seeing the scheme’s progression and the benefits it will bring to the community.” With planning approval secured, enabling works are due to commence in summer 2026 and opening is expected in spring 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has officially begun on Aston Villa Football Club’s landmark £100m redevelopment of the historic North Stand at Villa Park, marking the start of one of the most significant stadium improvement projects currently underway in UK football. Kingscote Construction has broken ground on the scheme, which will transform the stand and substantially increase capacity from 6,537 seats to 12,516 seats, helping the club accommodate growing demand from supporters while enhancing the overall matchday experience. The project is scheduled for completion in time for the start of the 2027/28 football season, when the new stand is expected to be fully operational. The redevelopment will deliver far more than additional seating. Plans include extensive upgrades to the club’s football infrastructure, with around 500 sq m of new first-team facilities being created. These will include modern changing rooms, enhanced medical and physiotherapy areas, and improvements to player-focused competition spaces designed to support elite-level performance. Supporters will also benefit from a range of improvements, including upgraded hospitality facilities, enhanced concourse areas and a more vibrant matchday atmosphere within the expanded stadium. The project is being delivered by Kingscote Construction alongside a number of specialist companies from across the wider Morrisroe Group. Morrisroe Demolition, GSS Piling, Morrisroe Limited, Houston Cox, Piper Joinery, Kingscote Plant, Kingscote Design and Kingscote Haulage will all contribute to the development programme. Two key external partners have also been appointed, with J&D Pierce Contracts responsible for the structural steelwork package and King & Moffatt delivering the mechanical and electrical installations. The investment reflects Aston Villa’s continued ambitions both on and off the pitch, following a period of significant growth and success for the club. Andy Beckett, Managing Director of Kingscote Construction, said the teamwork and collaboration required to deliver a project of this scale mirrored the collective approach that drives success in professional sport. He added that breaking ground represented an important milestone for Aston Villa, its supporters and the project team, as work begins on a stand designed to help secure the long-term future of one of English football’s most historic stadiums. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals