Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms,
The design of a McDonald’s site in Bourse, Brussels has been praised for its innovative circular approach. As part of McDonald’s aim to become a net-zero business by 2050, the multinational fast food chain commissioned Antwerp-based design studio WeWantMore to create a sustainable design for its dining areas, with a
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over Heart of the City’s flagship hotel. Forming part of the wider Heart of the City scheme in Sheffield City Centre, the project involved the demolition of existing buildings along Pinstone Street, with the retention of a four-storey masonry Victorian façade. Behind
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary
The BT Tower has been sold to MCR, which plans to transform the 620-foot structure into a luxury hotel. In a deal valued at £275 million, MCR Hotels has agreed to purchase the tower from the BT Group. They intend to collaborate with Heatherwick Studio to establish the Grade II
Award-winning construction company Beard has started work on a cutting-edge habitat environment for Bristol Zoological Society. The project, worth £9.2 million to Beard, will see the company’s Bristol office build the new Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project – bringing together Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas and Endangered
As politicians pledge action on net zero, a new report says hotels could use strategic energy efficiency upgrades to dramatically cut their carbon intensity by 75%. The report, “[Revive & Thrive: Decarbonising Hotels for a Sustainable Future]”, published by Currie & Brown – a world-leading provider of project management, cost
Construction work has started on an impressive new 157-bedroom hotel in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh after property development company, S Harrison, appointed Ogilvie Construction as the principal contractor on the project. The development will see a 1970s office building, which is currently known as Osborne House, transformed into a
Beard Construction has commenced restoration work on the historic Hilsea Lido for Portsmouth City Council. The contractor was appointed to the multi million pound project, through Pagabo frameworks procurement process, shortly after opening its new Southampton office. The scheme is expected to be complete by spring 2025, with the lido
RED Construction Group, has announced its appointment by Aviva Investors to carry out a major £20m office refurbishment to Grade II listed Victorian building, 134 – 146 Curtain House, Shoreditch. Originally built between 1881 and 1887, the six-storey, 54,000 sq ft building previously housed furniture and clothing manufacturing and is set to
Plans to refurbish and transform the lakeside Wynyard Hall Spa designed by GT3 Architects have been approved by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Nestled downhill from Wynyard Hall overlooking the lake, the spa is set to undergo an extensive transformation to expand its offering with more wet spa facilities and treatment rooms, as well as increased accessibility for users. The approved plans will see the existing ground floor building extended, along with the introduction of a new-look outdoor space. New features will include an infinity pool and ice plunge pool, two barrel saunas, fit pit seating areas alongside two hot tubs, and external terraces. A café area accommodating 40 covers will be positioned on the lower floor by the lake, fostering fluidity of movement with easy access to outdoor seating spaces. The lower floor will also feature changing rooms and indoor spa facilities, which include a herbal sauna, steam room, frigidarium, experience showers, salt therapy room, and plunge pools. A new-build upper-level will house six single and one double treatment rooms, a manicure room, and relaxation rooms. Anna Cumberland, senior architect at GT3 Architects, said: “It’s fantastic to see the design proposals for Wynyard Hall Spa now approved and we very much look forward to getting work underway and bringing the new facility to fruition. “Everything we do is rooted in people architecture, making sure that every design is truly focused on the people who will interact with the space, whether that be as a visitor or staff. In the case of Wynyard Hall Spa, this includes improving accessibility to allow more people to visit. Readdressing the entrance and circulation around the spa facilities, as well as re-aligning the building levels, introducing a lift, and adding accessible parking with an access route will all improve the spa in its current form. “The designs combine the luxury aesthetic expected by visitors with a sensitivity to the overall setting, particularly with the listed nature of Wynyard Hall and its gardens, which date back to the early 19th century. A clean and simple exterior using a buffbrick base to the lower level creates this cohesion with the setting, while a timber finish with feature glazing to the upper level adds a contemporary element which frames views across the grounds and creates an all-important connection to nature.” Taking inspiration from Nordic spa experiences, the building orientation takes spa users on a journey through their visit using the contrast of hot and cold, and dark and light alongside a blend of tactile materials. Meanwhile, close consultation with the spa manager ensured that the operational functions of the spa were considered and would be efficient for staff, while also not impacting the visitor experience. The design team for the approved plans includes Southern Green Landscape Architects, Portland Consulting Engineers, TGA Consulting Engineers, SAJ Transport Consultants, and ELG Planning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The design of a McDonald’s site in Bourse, Brussels has been praised for its innovative circular approach. As part of McDonald’s aim to become a net-zero business by 2050, the multinational fast food chain commissioned Antwerp-based design studio WeWantMore to create a sustainable design for its dining areas, with a focus on décor circularity. This refurbishment follows similar projects from WeWantMore at McDonald’s restaurants in Carbonne and La Guerche de Bretagne, France. The premise for these projects was to create a blueprint that could be scaled to other McDonald’s around the world, facilitated by a measurement index tracking the circularity of McDonald’s global restaurant décor. The building holds historical significance as the first McDonald’s in Belgium, and it now also represents an innovative approach to sustainable restaurant design, where every aspect has been carefully planned to minimise environmental impact. Over 80 per cent of the wood used in the project is from PEFC-certified sources, and the plastic used for tabletops and stools is largely made from recycled materials. Laminates, which are hard to recycle due to their multiple layers of composite materials, have been removed from all furniture and décor elements where possible. The lighting is energy-efficient, and the flooring and ceiling are Cradle-to-Cradle certified, allowing for easy recycling or reuse after their lifecycle. Ruud Belmans, WeWantMore Founder and Creative Director, said, “With this concept, we want to show that sustainable design can be bold and fun while making a significant difference. The main progress was made by choosing the right materials and designing the furniture and interior elements from scratch, simplifying as much as possible.” Looking to the future, the design is also purposely easy to disassemble. Rather than using glues, which can make materials harder to reuse, elements are held together using mechanical fixings. This means restaurant features can be more effectively broken down by raw material type, with the goal of recycling or reusing. Stephen Douglas, Vice President, Global Restaurant Design at McDonald’s, said, “Our new McDonald’s restaurant design bridges creativity and sustainability through a focus on décor circularity, elevating the way design meets the needs of our customers and employees. Not only does the new décor have a bright, optimistic look, but the circularity principles provide a sunny outlook to the future of how we will be feeding and fostering community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over Heart of the City’s flagship hotel. Forming part of the wider Heart of the City scheme in Sheffield City Centre, the project involved the demolition of existing buildings along Pinstone Street, with the retention of a four-storey masonry Victorian façade. Behind the retained façade, a new steel-framed Radisson Blu Hotel was constructed. The hotel includes 154-bedrooms, flexible banqueting and meeting spaces, and an upmarket rooftop bar and terrace affording views over the Peace Gardens. Renowned for its unparalleled service and style, the arrival of Radisson Blu is seen as a key driver in helping attract new business opportunities. Raising the city’s profile as a major destination for business and leisure. Construction works also included the refurbishment of the existing Gaumont Building, with retention of the structural frame, to transform the former cinema and nightclub into a mixed-use leisure complex with retail units at ground level. The site is prominent within the centre of the city and located in the city centre conservation area. Facing principal city landmarks such as City Hall on Barker’s Pool, and the Town Hall and Peace Gardens on Pinstone Street. McLaughlin & Harvey Operations Director Gary Bell commented, “As the main contractor for this flagship project, we’re proud to hand it over to Sheffield City Council. This has been an interesting but challenging project, retaining the historic Victorian façade while completing the hotel and leisure facilities to a high-quality modern standard. Our approach involved careful pre-planning and regular reviews of the ongoing impact of our works to maintain a positive image of the site. This couldn’t of happened without the commitment and collaboration of our project team and supply chain partners.” Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said, “We are delighted that our new Radisson Blu hotel is now open. Our significant investment and regeneration projects in the city centre are helping us attract some world-class brands and Radisson Blu undoubtedly raises the bar for hospitality in South Yorkshire. It will be a tremendous asset to Sheffield, featuring a public rooftop bar and restaurant, conference and event spaces to support our business community, and setting a new benchmark for accommodation that will help us attract visitors from far and wide.” Andrew Davison, Project Director at Queensberry, added, “Radisson Blu is recognised across the globe for its quality and style, and perfectly reflects the ambition and impact of Heart of the City. A lot of hard work has gone into making this hotel a reality and I’m incredibly proud of Sheffield Council, Queensberry and the whole project team.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary and permanent exhibition galleries, a flexible learning suite, an event space, outdoor areas, a restaurant, and a shop. The project won the “Planning Permission of the Year” award at the Planning Awards 2024, held at Savoy Place. The judges commended the scheme for its focus and its potential to attract a diverse range of communities to the City of London. The museum will form part of a 769-bedroom (35 per cent affordable) student accommodation-led development, remaining at its current Lewisham venue until the new site opens in 2027. The Migration Museum celebrates how migration has shaped the UK over the centuries, with current exhibitions including “Migration and the Making of the NHS” and segments of the Berlin Wall. Developer Dominus Donates £500,000 Towards Museum Staff Costs Developer Dominus Real Estate, founded by Ugandan refugee Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, is currently on site delivering the project, which will feature over 3,000 square metres of space. Dominus has guaranteed to underwrite the museum’s first three years of operating costs and has proposed a donation of £500,000 to fund a team of museum staff to lead the fundraising drive. Migration Museum CEO, Sophie Henderson, stated: “We cannot think of a more exciting or resonant location for Britain’s missing museum than the City of London, site of some of the oldest and most intriguing migration stories from the Romans to medieval times and the present day. The Migration Museum will be a high-profile, stylish and welcoming new cultural institution that puts our long, rich and complex story of the movement of people both to and from Britain over the ages right at centre stage, where it belongs. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the City planning team and developers Dominus to bring this important project to fruition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The BT Tower has been sold to MCR, which plans to transform the 620-foot structure into a luxury hotel. In a deal valued at £275 million, MCR Hotels has agreed to purchase the tower from the BT Group. They intend to collaborate with Heatherwick Studio to establish the Grade II listed building as “an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.” The communications tower, inaugurated in 1965 by Prime Minister Harold Wilson, has served as a hub for the UK’s communication networks and a key global interchange point for live television. With the shift to cloud-based services, BT Group will now relocate to more “modern and efficient premises.” The top floor of the BT Tower was open to the public as a restaurant until 1971, but has since been used exclusively for BT’s corporate and charity events. The tower’s “infoband” screen, known for displaying adverts and messages, was notably utilised during the COVID-19 pandemic to convey public health messages. Simplifying BT Group’s Portfolio The sale of the BT Tower aligns with BT’s strategy to reduce the number of offices in its estate from over 300 to around 30, streamlining its property footprint. Brent Mathews, Property Director of BT Group, commented: “The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984. It’s played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we’re delivering content and communication via other means. This deal with MCR will enable BT Tower to take on a new purpose, preserving this iconic building for decades to come.” MCR anticipates that it will take several years for the BT Group to completely vacate the premises. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning construction company Beard has started work on a cutting-edge habitat environment for Bristol Zoological Society. The project, worth £9.2 million to Beard, will see the company’s Bristol office build the new Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project – bringing together Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas and Endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys for the first time in a UK zoo. Works will include the construction of the new gorilla house, along with a crocodile house and parrot aviary. Alongside their living quarters, Beard will be building extensive outdoor spaces for the gorillas which will be surrounded by a moat. An integrated viewing area and learning space will also be built, enabling visitors and school groups to get up close with the animals. Beard has worked closely with specialist contractors and BZS throughout the design process to ensure the habitat meets the exacting requirements of each threatened species. This includes water treatment, heating, atmospheric conditions and the necessary plants required for the Critically Endangered slender-snouted crocodiles. Meanwhile, Beard will complete extensive landscaping and use sympathetic and non-toxic plants and materials to replicate the dense forest and landscape of Equatorial Guinea. The gorillas will have more than four-times the space in their new home among the vast woodland of the zoo’s 136-acre site. Alongside technical challenges, the remote location of the site, along with sensitive root and tree protection orders, means Beard will have the logistical challenge of access and managing deliveries. However, Beard has completed extensive planning, working with the zoo and all stakeholders to minimise disruption in live environments and ensure visitors, staff and animals remain safe – particularly to allow for the installation of services. Bristol Zoo Project will remain open throughout the scheduled works, with construction due to be completed in spring 2025. The development is the first stage in the Society’s plan to create a new, modern conservation zoo, where up to 90% of species are both threatened and part of targeted conservation programmes. Matt Cooper, Beard’s Bristol director, said: “It is a real privilege for Beard to be chosen to design and build this unique habitat which will deliver a conservation first in a UK zoo. It is an opportunity for us to showcase more than 130 years of experience in delivering complex and cutting edge spaces. “We are working closely with Bristol Zoological Society, specialist contractors and all stakeholders to ensure this exciting vision and conservation project is fully realised. The Society shares our ethos of building with ambition and we look forward to working with them and all parties throughout this one-of-a-kind project.” Justin Morris, Chief Executive of Bristol Zoological Society, said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for us and a significant milestone in our vision to create a modern conservation zoo at Bristol Zoo Project. Central African Forest will see us create a new environment that will not only give our animals the opportunity to live in spaces more closely reflecting their natural habitats, it will also help to raise vital awareness of the threats these precious species are facing around the world. “Currently, 78% of the animals we care for are both threatened, and part of targeted conservation programmes. Our aim is for this to rise to 90% of species by 2035. “We have ambitious plans for the future, and this is just the beginning. Following the completion of CAF, we will also be creating a new Central African Savannah habitat, new visitor facilities and a Conservation Campus for students studying to become conservationists. This work will be delivered in phases over the next few years. We hope our visitors, partners and supporters will join us on this journey.” Brian Zimmerman, Director of Conservation and Science at Bristol Zoological Society, said: “All of the mammals, birds, reptiles and fish that will live in Central African Forest are classified as threatened in the wild. The creation of this habitat not only presents a unique opportunity for us to bring these wonderful creatures together and expand our conservation work, it also enables us to participate in, and lead, managed breeding programmes, which will help to protect them in the future.” For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. To find out more about Bristol Zoo Project and the Bristol Zoological Society, please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As politicians pledge action on net zero, a new report says hotels could use strategic energy efficiency upgrades to dramatically cut their carbon intensity by 75%. The report, “[Revive & Thrive: Decarbonising Hotels for a Sustainable Future]”, published by Currie & Brown – a world-leading provider of project management, cost management, and advisory services – outlines a clear path for hotels to significantly reduce their annual emissions per sqm from 70kg to just 20kg of CO² per m² per year. According to the report, these improvements could be delivered with a relatively modest investment of between £300 and £800 per sqm. To help organisations embed sustainability, be more cost efficient, and achieve their net zero ambitions, the report advises a four-stage strategy: “As the hospitality industry evolves, the focus must shift from merely adhering to traditional standards towards embedding sustainability in every facet of hotel operations and management,” comments Gillian Breen, senior director and head of commercial cost management at Currie & Brown. “This report not only guides hotel owners through effective strategies to increase profitability but also underscores the importance of immediate action in the face of global climate challenges.” The report calls for a collective industry effort to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets of 66% per room by 2030 and 90% by 2050. It also notes that by improving the environmental performance of their hotels, operators could see uplifts in revenue per room (RevPAR). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has started on an impressive new 157-bedroom hotel in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh after property development company, S Harrison, appointed Ogilvie Construction as the principal contractor on the project. The development will see a 1970s office building, which is currently known as Osborne House, transformed into a new hotel, complete with a residents’ bar, restaurant and lounge area on the ground floor and an outdoor seating terrace. Following part demolition of the existing building, two new accommodation wings will be built to the rear, together with a new storey above the existing building. Late last year, S Harrison announced a deal with European hotel group MEININGER Hotels to operate the hotel, which is set to open in spring 2026. MEININGER Hotels, a key player in the hybrid hotel market, operates 36 hotels across 26 European cities. Each hotel features its own unique design, offering flexible and affordable modern accommodation. S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and worked with Edinburgh based architect, Comprehensive Design Architects on the transformational plans, incorporating impressive green credentials including the retention of the majority of the existing building structure. The building is located just west of Edinburgh city centre, a few minutes’ walk from Haymarket railway station and tram stop and easy walking distance from Princess Street. S Harrison will hold the completed investment, further strengthening the company’s property portfolio. Andrew Wharton, from S Harrison, said: “Appointing Ogilvie Construction to deliver another landmark project in Edinburgh and seeing work start is obviously a key milestone for this development and follows several years of diligent work to secure both planning permission and the right occupier for the scheme. We’re now looking forward to seeing our plans progress on site over the coming months.” Grier Edmead, operations director at Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are proud to be working with S Harrison on this project which has energy-efficiency and strong sustainability credentials at the heart of its design. Our team brings unrivalled specialist knowledge of the hotel and leisure sector, and we look forward to successfully delivering a first-class destination in the city, making both S Harrison’s and MEININGER Hotels’ vision for this building a reality.” S Harrison has made a substantial investment in Edinburgh in recent years and this latest hotel project follows the company delivering the landmark boutique hotel for Malmaison in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The work saw the Grade A listed Buchan House, on the north-west corner of St Andrew Square, converted into a stylish 72-bedroom hotel complete with Malmaison’s renowned Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie. The developer is also currently working on two PBSA schemes consisting of 64 studio apartments on East Newington Place, off Newington Road, and 76 studios within the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile. In addition, the planning committee recently confirmed they are minded to grant planning consent for a major new £80 million mixed-use development in a prime waterfront location in Leith. The development, known as Ocean Point 2, will comprise of residential and PBSA, along with commercial, co-working and amenity space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has commenced restoration work on the historic Hilsea Lido for Portsmouth City Council. The contractor was appointed to the multi million pound project, through Pagabo frameworks procurement process, shortly after opening its new Southampton office. The scheme is expected to be complete by spring 2025, with the lido open to the public for the summer season in time for its 90th anniversary celebrations. The lido opened in 1935, hosting a demonstration by the Olympics British diving team a year later. Beard is starting the work with the removal of some of the fountain parts at the west end of the site as pipework under the fountain needs to be taken out. Portsmouth based stonemason Darren Somerville is creating an exact replica of the fountain which will be restored in pride of place in the middle of the site when the project is complete. Pat Hughes, Southampton Director, said: “Beard is hugely honoured to be chosen to complete this wonderful restoration project which will be the first to be run out of our new Southampton office. It is a fantastic way to mark the opening of the office and will allow us to showcase more than a century of skills and experience in delivering exceptional builds. This includes our work on outdoor public swimming venues in the UK. We look forward to working with Portsmouth City Council and all parties to deliver the exciting vision for this iconic attraction.” The spectator stand at the north of the site has been declared unsafe and will be demolished. Other work includes clearing away the old pool equipment which will be replaced with a modern filtration system. The pool will also be drained, ready for work to stabilise the base and restore the original lagoons that had been removed. Once the initial phase of the work is complete, Beard will move into the build stage where new pipework will be installed in deep trenches. This delicate part of the project will involve installing a new pool inside the existing pool, with a significant amount of dowels drilled in the base of the old pool beforehand, to prevent water leaking and the new pool lifting. Beard will also build new modular changing units. International construction and consultancy firm Mace is also driving the restoration through project and cost management services for the Portsmouth City Council through the SCF Consult Framework. Mace also lead the Design Guardian Team, ensuring all design aligns with the vision. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction Group, has announced its appointment by Aviva Investors to carry out a major £20m office refurbishment to Grade II listed Victorian building, 134 – 146 Curtain House, Shoreditch. Originally built between 1881 and 1887, the six-storey, 54,000 sq ft building previously housed furniture and clothing manufacturing and is set to undergo extensive refurbishment and structural alterations to the existing office into Cat A and B workspace. RED Construction’s London team will carry out the works, implementing new structural walkways, rooftop terraces, a new main entrance, reception area and new lifts. Designed by architects, Anomaly, Curtain House will be refurbished with a key focus on sustainable practices, aiming for BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating. Set to complete in Q3 2025, the project will see the RED team undertake considered external masonry and window restoration, a refurbishment of the existing timber floors, and repair of internal brickwork and steel columns. The works are set to complement the rich history associated with the building, whilst transforming the office facilities for the modern-day tenant. Dave Osborne, Group Director at RED Construction London, commented: “Our appointment to work on such a historic building in the capital is a testament to RED Construction London’s extensive track record with considered refurbishment. The team’s experience working with heritage-rich sites and implementing new-age sustainable practices make RED the ideal partner for Aviva Investors’ plans to preserve and progress Curtain House.” RED Construction Group’s partnership with Aviva Investors has developed throughout the project’s PCSA period, with the companies aligning on their values to give back to the community. Working with the Black Girls in Property Programme at The Land Collective, an organisation aiming to bridge the gap between ethnically diverse youth and the built environment industry, the Curtain House project team welcomed 20 girls for a site visit and talks from expert speakers. RED Construction Group’s active contribution aims to build a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry, emphasising the significance of social value and the importance of leaving a positive legacy. The news follows RED Construction Group’s completion of comprehensive refurbishment works at Hines’ £36.6m flagship mixed-use retail and office scheme at 80 New Bond Street, working alongside award-winning architecture firm Orms to transform the 37,414 sq ft space in the heart of London. RED Construction Group continues to be the contractor of choice for sustainable redevelopment and refurbishment projects, and delivering on historic inner-city London sites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
