Plans have been formally submitted for a £1 billion transformation of Northampton’s long-derelict Greyfriars site, paving the way for one of the town centre’s most significant regeneration programmes in decades. Developer ECF is seeking permission from West Northamptonshire Council to create a major new mixed-use neighbourhood incorporating up to 1,220 homes alongside more than 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure, commercial and community space. ECF, the development partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse, has submitted a hybrid planning application covering the majority of the regeneration area. While the wider masterplan is seeking outline approval, detailed consent is being requested for the first 103 homes on the Upper Mounts and Newlands surface car parks. This approach would allow an initial residential phase to progress while subsequent elements of the wider development are brought forward. At the heart of the proposals is the ambition to turn one of Northampton’s largest brownfield sites into a new town centre neighbourhood where housing is integrated with workplaces, shops, leisure and community facilities. Significant investment in the public realm also forms part of the vision, with new green and civic spaces planned alongside improved pedestrian routes and connections across the site. Surrounding roads and infrastructure will also be reworked to better integrate Greyfriars with the existing town centre. A separate planning application has been submitted for the restoration and reuse of Northampton’s listed Corn Exchange. The heritage building is intended to become a centrepiece within a substantial new public green space, with potential cultural, leisure and food and drink uses helping to introduce activity throughout the day and evening. Greyfriars has remained a major regeneration challenge since the former Greyfriars bus station was demolished in 2015. Bringing the site back into productive use has subsequently become an important part of Northampton’s wider town centre ambitions. The scale of ECF’s proposals would see the area move beyond a single-use residential development, creating a broader mixed-use district capable of supporting new homes, employment, commercial activity and community life. Glyn Mutton, development director at ECF, said: “The Greyfriars application is an exceptional opportunity to reimagine a major part of Northampton town centre, to create a neighbourhood that people will enjoy for generations. “We are incredibly excited by the potential to bring new life, activity and energy to this important place, with new homes, workplaces and public spaces that will make a tangible difference to the town.” The scheme reflects a wider shift in UK town centre regeneration, with large brownfield and former infrastructure sites increasingly being redeveloped as mixed-use neighbourhoods rather than relying primarily on traditional retail and commercial uses. For Northampton, the combination of 1,220 homes, new commercial floorspace, restored heritage assets and substantial public realm could fundamentally reshape this part of the town centre. West Northamptonshire Council is expected to determine the planning applications in early 2027. Subject to securing approval and progressing construction, the first new homes are expected to be completed and ready for occupation in 2029. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A landmark former Birmingham department store is set for a major new chapter as Sphere Group advances plans for a £350 million mixed-use transformation of the Rackhams site in the heart of the city. The Birmingham-based developer, formerly known as Court Collaboration, is preparing to unveil its latest vision for the former department store and neighbouring buildings at One Temple Row and 43 Temple Row. More than 500 new homes are proposed alongside approximately 225,000 sq ft of modern office accommodation, with new retail, restaurants and cafés planned at street level. Sphere Group is acting as development partner for freehold owner Legal & General, with global architecture and design practice Gensler responsible for the mixed-use masterplan. Central to the proposals is the regeneration of a prominent but underused part of Birmingham city centre, combining new residential and commercial uses with improvements to the public realm. New public spaces are intended to create greater activity around the development and strengthen connections with the surrounding streets. The plans represent the latest evolution of proposals for the site. Earlier environmental scoping work examined the potential for a larger development of up to 650 homes and approximately 380,000 sq ft of offices. The emerging scheme retains a substantial residential component while reducing the amount of proposed commercial floorspace. Thomas Taylor, managing director at Sphere Group, said the developer was looking forward to presenting the plans and discussing them with Birmingham’s community. He described the project as urban regeneration centred around high-quality design, attractive public realm and new commercial spaces, with the potential to provide modern workplaces, homes, retail and improved public areas. The development is expected to represent approximately £350 million in gross development value and could support around 1,300 jobs, adding a significant new residential and employment component to the city centre. The transformation of Rackhams also sits within Birmingham City Council’s wider Central Heart vision, which seeks to rethink around 17 hectares of underused retail and commercial land within the city centre. The wider strategy reflects the changing role of UK city centres as traditional retail locations evolve towards more diverse neighbourhoods combining homes, workplaces, hospitality, leisure, culture and public space. For Birmingham, the Rackhams proposals could provide a significant example of that transition. Rather than allowing a major former retail landmark and its surrounding commercial buildings to remain underused, the project would introduce hundreds of residents alongside employment space and active ground-floor uses. With Gensler shaping the masterplan and Sphere Group leading the development on behalf of Legal & General, the £350 million scheme has the potential to become an important component of Birmingham’s next phase of city centre regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans have been submitted for the final major chapter of the Battersea Power Station regeneration, setting out how the remaining 16 acres of the landmark London development could deliver up to 3.2 million sq ft of new residential, commercial, retail, leisure and cultural space. Battersea Power Station Development Company has brought forward the refreshed proposals for the undeveloped part of the 42-acre riverside site, with Studio Egret West reworking the original masterplan created by Rafael Viñoly more than 15 years ago. The revised approach responds to changing expectations around how people live, work and spend their leisure time, while placing greater emphasis on connectivity, public realm and creating a finer-grained urban neighbourhood around the Grade II* listed power station. Rather than relying on larger development blocks, future phases would be arranged as clusters of smaller buildings connected by new streets, lanes, courtyards and pedestrian passages. New sightlines are also planned to improve views towards the historic power station. Landscape and public realm will form a major component of the next stage. Proposals include a new green connection across Nine Elms Lane towards Nine Elms Park, described by the development team as a “green handshake”, further integrating Battersea Power Station with the surrounding neighbourhood. A significant cultural component is also proposed. A new destination known as the “Third Generator” would provide space bringing together arts, music, fashion, food, education and sport, broadening the mix of uses already established across the regeneration. Progress is continuing elsewhere on the masterplan. Detailed consent has already been secured for Phase 5A, where Battersea Power Station Development Company is working in partnership with Wandsworth Council to deliver 200 council homes. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027. Sisk is also progressing Prospect Place South, where two buildings designed by Gehry Partners will provide around 300 homes alongside approximately 65,000 sq ft of commercial accommodation and a 15,000 sq ft community hub. James Saunders, chief executive of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said changes in working patterns, digital integration and the way people interact with cities had influenced the evolution of the masterplan. He said: “Our refreshed masterplan seeks to place community and connection at the core of Battersea Power Station.” The final build-out represents a substantial extension of one of London’s most prominent regeneration projects. With up to 3.2 million sq ft still to be delivered, the proposals would nearly double the amount of development completed so far and create a significant long-term pipeline of opportunities across construction, architecture, engineering, fit-out, landscaping and the specialist supply chain. The latest plans also underline Battersea Power Station’s continuing evolution from a major heritage regeneration project into a fully established mixed-use London neighbourhood. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Landsec has secured planning approval for a major reset of its £1 billion O2 Centre regeneration in North London, unlocking revised plans for up to 1,800 homes alongside new retail, workspace, leisure and public spaces. Camden Council has approved changes to the 14-acre Finchley Road masterplan after the original proposals stalled amid rising construction costs, viability pressures and new building safety requirements. The revised approach will allow Landsec to increase the height of several buildings and reduce the proportion of affordable housing, with the changes intended to make the substantial mixed-use development deliverable. Affordable housing across the masterplan will fall from the previously planned 35% to 20%, reflecting emergency measures introduced by the Government and Mayor of London to help unlock stalled residential developments. Despite the changes, the overall ambition remains to deliver up to 1,800 homes while transforming an underused site into a new neighbourhood incorporating shops, workplaces, leisure facilities, community amenities and extensive public realm. The first phase, which has secured detailed planning permission as part of the hybrid application, will provide 651 homes. Additional floors have been introduced to several blocks, with some of the buildings now expected to rise to around 17 storeys. The redesigned scheme also incorporates changes required to respond to updated building safety regulations, which have become an increasingly important factor in the design, viability and delivery of higher-rise residential projects. More than half of the wider development site is planned as publicly accessible space, with new landscaped areas, green spaces and improved walking and cycling connections between Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Landsec has also committed £10 million towards providing step-free access at West Hampstead Underground station, supporting wider improvements to connectivity around the new neighbourhood. GRID Architects and Heatherwick Studio have worked on the revised designs. The wider professional team includes AtkinsRéalis as cost consultant, Pell Frischmann providing civil and structural consultancy and Buro Happold responsible for MEP consultancy. Mike Hood, CEO of Landsec, said: “Camden Council gave us a clear mandate in 2023 to transform this isolated, underused land into a mixed-use neighbourhood with new homes, public space and community facilities. “The economic reality has shifted since then and that’s why we’re updating the first phase of the masterplan. “Our changes, which respond to emergency measures from the Government and Mayor of London, would enable delivery and protect the many public benefits that the scheme can deliver. Our vision for a greener, healthier and better connected neighbourhood remains the same.” The regeneration is expected to be delivered across three phases over approximately 10 to 15 years, representing one of the most significant long-term residential and mixed-use development projects in this part of London. The existing O2 shopping and leisure centre will continue operating through the earlier stages of the redevelopment before being demolished as part of the final phase. With the revised plans now approved, Landsec has cleared an important hurdle in bringing the stalled project back towards delivery, while retaining the wider vision of creating a greener, better-connected mixed-use neighbourhood around Finchley Road and West Hampstead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HB Reavis has unveiled new plans for One Waterloo, a transformational vision to sustainably redevelop Elizabeth House into a vibrant mixed-use destination and connected gateway to Waterloo Station and the South Bank Local residents, businesses and visitors are invited to shape the proposals, as HB Reavis launches public consultation on the scheme. Building on HB Reavis’ long-standing commitment to revitalise the site, the mixed-use masterplan for One Waterloo reflects a broader shift in the UK and London to prioritise sustainable development that minimises demolition and saves carbon through construction and operation. Encompassing a range of uses – including new hotels, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), built-to-rent (BTR) homes, retail and leisure, workspace and public realm – this scheme will create a multitude of jobs for local people. The proposals aim to catalyse Waterloo’s economy while delivering immediate and ongoing local benefits. As a landmark retrofit scheme, One Waterloo seeks to achieve net zero carbon in construction and operation. Compared to a demolition and new build approach, the new retrofit led One Waterloo proposals target embodied carbon cuts of 75%, to responsibly deliver major change. HB Reavis’ retrofit strategy for One Waterloo will mean an expected delivery date three and a half years following planning permission. PLP Architecture, the global architecture and urban design practice behind the proposals, has reimagined the existing building to reduce engineering complexity and minimise disruption next to the UK’s second-busiest train station and above Waterloo Station’s critical transport infrastructure that supports 70 million journeys annually. The proposals include: This campus will establish a complementary mix of hotel guests, students, residents, workers and visitors, creating a vibrant and resilient 24/7 destination. Three new pedestrian routes to connect Waterloo Station are central to the plans. Currently, Elizabeth House acts as a barrier between the station and the surrounding area. The proposals would open up the site, introduce a public square and provide new pedestrian routes between York Road, The Curve, Leake Street, the South Bank and Waterloo Station. Revitalising the station frontage, the proposals also feature new shops, restaurants and leisure spaces to create an active streetscape and a welcoming destination to stimulate activity throughout the day and evening. Once complete, One Waterloo is expected to support over 1,000 new jobs in restaurants, hotels, offices, startups, among other sectors. It would secure long-term investment in a strategically important part of Lambeth. Steven Skinner, CEO at HB Reavis Developments, said: “Waterloo is one of the most exciting places in central London. We have spent a long time looking closely at the site and what this part of Lambeth really needs. We are excited to share our ideas for a mixed-use scheme, including new homes, workspaces, shops and places for people to come together that will make this a genuine destination. Our starting point has been the environment and community. By retaining the existing structure rather than demolishing it, we’ll save 100,000 tonnes of carbon, with less noise and disruption for local residents and businesses as a result. But this only works in partnership with the people who already live and work here. That means leaving them better off through long-term jobs supported by the new workspaces, shops and hospitality, and real opportunities for local businesses. Which is why we’re encouraging people to come along to our consultation events and help shape what One Waterloo becomes.” Public consultation is an opportunity for people to learn more about the new proposals and share their views on the future of this important site. Feedback received will help shape the One Waterloo masterplan prior to submission of a planning application. Local residents, businesses, neighbours and visitors are invited to view the proposals, meet the project team and provide their feedback at the following consultation drop-in sessions:   More information can be found on the consultation website: https://onewaterlooconsultation.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction is restarting on the £500 million 100 Kensington development in West London after developer SevenCapital stepped in to take direct control of the project following the administration of main contractor Ardmore. SevenCapital has confirmed that Seven Capital (Woodrow) Ltd, an existing group company incorporated in 2016, is now acting as main contractor on the major West Cromwell Road scheme, allowing work to resume following a temporary halt caused by Ardmore’s collapse. The 1.7-hectare mixed-use development will deliver 462 homes across seven buildings, comprising 276 private and 186 affordable properties alongside new leisure, retail, office and community space. A new senior construction management team has been established to oversee delivery under SevenCapital Chief Operating Officer James Moody, working alongside the developer’s construction director and existing site management team. SevenCapital expects activity to ramp up significantly over the coming months, with more than 500 construction workers anticipated to be back on site by the autumn. The developer said it had been aware of financial difficulties facing Ardmore and had developed a contingency strategy to protect the delivery of the scheme in the event of the contractor entering administration. Moody said: “We had previously been aware of some of the financial issues facing Ardmore, which allowed us the time to develop a solid contingency plan to secure the completion of 100 Kensington should the effective administration happen, and at the same time diversify and extend SevenCapital’s capabilities for future schemes.” Existing development finance remains in place through Maslow Capital, which originally provided a £258 million four-year facility for the joint venture between SevenCapital and MARK Capital Management. The project has already passed the 30% completion milestone, with construction progressing across one of the most significant residential developments currently underway in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. At the heart of the scheme will be Oria, a 29-storey residential tower containing 129 private apartments and penthouses. SevenCapital is targeting an October topping-out for the tower as the wider construction programme gathers pace once again. The architectural masterplan for 100 Kensington has been produced by John McAslan & Partners, with Corstorphine & Wright responsible for the detailed design. Alongside its residential element, the combination of commercial, leisure and community uses will create a substantial new mixed-use destination on West Cromwell Road, with affordable housing representing a significant part of the overall development. The decision to bring construction delivery under a SevenCapital group company provides the developer with greater direct control over the remaining programme while limiting disruption following Ardmore’s administration. Phased completions are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2027, with the entire development currently scheduled for completion towards the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. With work restarting and the existing funding package remaining in place, the focus will now turn to rebuilding site activity and maintaining momentum towards the October topping-out of Oria and subsequent phased delivery of the wider 100 Kensington development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Crown Estate has unveiled the next phase of its long-term transformation of London’s West End, bringing forward plans to deliver more than 169,000 sq ft of high-quality office, retail and hospitality space through two major regeneration projects in the heart of the capital. The developments at 10 Piccadilly and 21–29 Glasshouse Street form part of the organisation’s wider strategy to enhance its 10 million sq ft central London portfolio while preserving the architectural heritage of one of the world’s most recognisable commercial destinations. At the centre of the programme is the comprehensive refurbishment of 10 Piccadilly, the Grade II listed building that completes the famous curve of Regent Street overlooking Piccadilly Circus. The historic landmark, once home to the Swan & Edgar department store and later Tower Records, will be sensitively restored and repositioned as a vibrant mixed-use destination. The redevelopment will create approximately 90,800 sq ft of accommodation, including 62,700 sq ft of premium office space alongside a 26,400 sq ft hospitality offering spanning the basement, ground and first floors. A further 1,700 sq ft of retail space will front Regent Street, helping to strengthen one of London’s busiest shopping and leisure destinations. Meanwhile, The Crown Estate will deliver a significant retrofit scheme at 21–29 Glasshouse Street by combining two existing office buildings into a single contemporary commercial development. The project will provide around 63,000 sq ft of upgraded workplace accommodation, featuring modernised interiors, an enhanced reception area and a new rooftop space designed to improve occupier wellbeing and amenity. At street level, approximately 15,500 sq ft of retail accommodation will be created across the basement and ground floors, further enhancing the area’s commercial offer. Together, the schemes demonstrate the growing role of retrofit and adaptive reuse in the evolution of central London’s commercial property market. By repurposing existing buildings rather than replacing them, the developments seek to preserve important heritage assets while delivering modern, sustainable workplaces and destination retail and hospitality spaces. The projects also complement wider proposals to improve the public realm across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus, with The Crown Estate continuing to work in partnership with Westminster City Council to enhance connectivity, accessibility and the overall visitor experience throughout the West End. For the construction and property sectors, the programme highlights the continued investment being made in mixed-use regeneration across London’s prime commercial districts. The emphasis on heritage-led refurbishment, high-quality workplace environments and integrated retail and hospitality uses reflects the changing demands of occupiers and visitors, while supporting the long-term resilience of the capital’s built environment. Kristy Lansdown, Managing Director of Development at The Crown Estate, said: “These developments mark the next step in our long-term vision for the West End, redeveloping historic buildings to reinvigorate an equally historic place. By taking an estate-wide view, we can invest in the places and experiences that help the West End succeed on the global stage – places such as 10 Piccadilly and 21–29 Glasshouse Street, where we are sensitively bringing heritage assets into their next chapter, creating outstanding new office, retail and hospitality spaces for London. “Our ambition is to shape a destination that continues to attract world-class businesses and visitors, while strengthening the city’s future resilience. Through long-term planning and investment, we are working to deliver a West End that will thrive for generations to come.” As demand continues to evolve across London’s commercial property market, the latest developments reinforce The Crown Estate’s commitment to delivering sustainable, mixed-use regeneration that balances heritage conservation with contemporary design, ensuring the West End remains one of the world’s leading destinations for business, retail, hospitality and culture.

Kier has been appointed main contractor for the landmark redevelopment of 10 Piccadilly, as The Crown Estate continues to progress its long-term transformation of London’s West End through a series of high-profile mixed-use regeneration projects. The appointment marks the next phase of The Crown Estate’s ambitious development pipeline, alongside the refurbishment of 21–29 Glasshouse Street, where BAM is serving as principal contractor. Together, the two schemes will deliver approximately 169,300 sq ft of high-quality office, retail and hospitality accommodation within one of London’s most prestigious commercial districts. Located at the gateway to Piccadilly Circus, 10 Piccadilly occupies one of the West End’s most recognisable heritage buildings, completing the iconic curve of Regent Street. The Grade II listed property has played a significant role in London’s retail history, having originally housed the famous Swan & Edgar department store before becoming home to Tower Records during the 1980s. Kier will deliver a comprehensive refurbishment of the 90,800 sq ft building, carefully preserving its historic character while creating a contemporary mixed-use destination designed to meet the evolving needs of occupiers and visitors. The redevelopment will provide approximately 62,700 sq ft of premium office accommodation, alongside a 26,400 sq ft hospitality offering spread across the basement, ground and first floors. A further 1,700 sq ft of retail space fronting Regent Street will reinforce the building’s presence within one of the UK’s premier shopping destinations. For the construction and property sectors, the project highlights the continued demand for high-quality retrofit and heritage-led regeneration across central London. Rather than replacing existing buildings, the scheme demonstrates how historic assets can be sensitively adapted to deliver modern, sustainable commercial space while preserving their architectural significance. The development also forms part of The Crown Estate’s wider strategy to enhance its 10 million sq ft London portfolio through long-term investment in mixed-use destinations that combine offices, retail, hospitality and improved public spaces. In parallel with the building projects, The Crown Estate is working in partnership with Westminster City Council to deliver major public realm improvements across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus, creating a more attractive and accessible environment for businesses, workers, residents and visitors. Kristy Lansdown, Managing Director of Development at The Crown Estate, said: “These developments mark the next step in our long-term vision for the West End, redeveloping historic buildings to reinvigorate an equally historic place. “By taking an estate-wide view, we can invest in the places and experiences that help the West End succeed on the global stage – places such as 10 Piccadilly and 21–29 Glasshouse Street, where we are sensitively bringing heritage assets into their next chapter, creating outstanding new office, retail and hospitality spaces for London. “Our ambition is to shape a destination that continues to attract world-class businesses and visitors, while strengthening the city’s future resilience. Through long-term planning and investment, we are working to deliver a West End that will thrive for generations to come.” The appointment of Kier marks another significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the West End, where heritage conservation, sustainable retrofit and mixed-use development continue to reshape one of the world’s most iconic commercial and retail destinations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals