British Land and GIC’s Broadgate joint venture has secured a £450 million five-year Green Loan for 1 Broadgate, following the development’s practical completion in July. The landmark building is already 96% pre-let, with major tenants including A&O Shearman and JLL. The 545,000 sq ft scheme delivers some of the most sustainable mixed-use space in London, combining best-in-class workspace with roof terraces, alongside prime retail and leisure accommodation. Positioned at the heart of the City of London, adjacent to Liverpool Street Station and the Elizabeth Line, the building forms a key part of the wider Broadgate campus. British Land has emphasised the building’s strong sustainability credentials, with 1 Broadgate ranking among the most operationally energy-efficient offices it has ever developed. The new financing, secured at competitive market spreads, further diversifies the group’s funding sources and is set to reduce Group Net Debt to EBITDA by around 0.6x once proceeds are distributed. David Walker, Chief Financial Officer at British Land, commented: “We are delighted to have successfully arranged this £450m loan on our newest, best-in-class office building. This transaction underscores the confidence of our banking partners in this asset and the campus, and Broadgate’s continued appeal as the place to be in London for ambitious, forward-thinking businesses. The financing further enhances our flexibility to continue delivering space that meets the evolving needs of our customers, into a heavily supply constrained market where rents are growing strongly.” Recommendation: Emphasise sustainability and financial resilience in positioning this development.Next step: Highlight 1 Broadgate as a benchmark for future green finance in UK commercial property. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Stockport’s town centre transformation has taken a major step forward after planning permission was granted for Stockport 8, a new £350 million walkable and sustainable neighbourhood. The eight-acre site, which sits on land either side of King Street West and next to the town’s historic railway viaduct, will deliver around 1,300 new homes alongside vibrant public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and community facilities. The project is being delivered by The Stockport 8 LLP – a joint venture between Stockport Council and ECF, itself a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse. It forms part of the Town Centre West regeneration programme, overseen by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which is leading £1 billion of investment to create what it calls the UK’s most sustainable and liveable town centre. Councillors on Stockport’s planning committee approved the scheme on 14 August, following a recommendation from the central area committee at the end of July. Detailed consent has been granted for the first phase, which will see: Work on the first phase is due to begin in 2026, with completion expected by 2028. The second phase is anticipated to start the following year. Stockport 8 will connect the new Stockport Interchange with surrounding communities and sits just a short walk from Weir Mill, another landmark redevelopment led by Capital&Centric on the banks of the River Mersey. The scheme is expected to breathe new life into an area once bustling under the railway arches, helping to attract new residents while creating a healthier, greener environment for existing communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major milestone has been reached in the transformation of Edgware town centre, as a joint venture between Ballymore and Places for London secures outline planning permission for its ambitious masterplan. Approved by Barnet Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, the regeneration scheme covers a 10.3-hectare site, including the Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Edgware Bus Station and Garage, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, Redhill Medical Centre and Deans Brook Nature Reserve. The £1.7 billion redevelopment will deliver around 3,500 new homes, alongside 460,000 sq ft of commercial space. This is expected to include a mix of retail, leisure, and community uses such as an integrated healthcare hub and library. One of the cornerstones of the plan is the creation of a modern public transport interchange, complemented by 11.9 acres of green and open spaces to enhance liveability and biodiversity in the area. Designed by leading architectural firm Howells, the masterplan offers a comprehensive approach to urban regeneration, seeking to make better use of brownfield land while supporting London’s ongoing need for housing, infrastructure and inclusive growth. Savills, which advised Barnet Council, played a key role in navigating the planning process. Iyabo Johnson, associate director in Savills’ London Planning team, commented: “The Edgware masterplan offers a sustainable, plan-led response to London’s pressing need for housing and growth. It unlocks a significant package of public benefits that will shape the future of the area for generations to come.” Next steps include the finalisation of the Section 106 Agreement and securing Stage II approval from the Mayor of London. Stakeholders hope to see the first phases of the development move forward in the near future, helping to breathe new life into one of North London’s key town centres. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Crown Estate has acquired the headlease of 100 Regent Street, a prominent mixed-use building in London’s West End, for £95 million. The purchase was made from a vehicle managed by Federated Hermes Real Estate and further cements The Crown Estate’s long-term commitment to revitalising the capital’s iconic retail and business corridor. The Grade II-listed property spans more than 53,000 square feet of retail and office accommodation. Already holding the freehold interest through the Regent Street Partnership—its joint venture with Norges Bank Investment Management—The Crown Estate will now gain full operational control of the building. This acquisition is seen as a strategic move to unlock the site’s full potential, both commercially and environmentally. The Crown Estate has confirmed plans to enhance the office interiors, refresh the retail offering, and invest in sustainability upgrades to improve the building’s overall energy performance. Dominic Packwood, investment manager at The Crown Estate, commented: “This important acquisition marks a key step in delivering our long-term vision for Regent Street and the wider West End. Direct ownership of 100 Regent Street will help us to realise our ambitious plans across our portfolio, including the delivery of our development pipeline and public realm investment, alongside our wider goal to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable West End.” Property consultancy Savills acted on behalf of The Crown Estate during the transaction. As part of its wider strategy, The Crown Estate continues to focus on modernising key assets across its central London holdings—enhancing both their commercial value and contribution to the city’s urban regeneration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The City of Westminster Council has appointed Altius Real Estate as its delivery partner for the comprehensive redevelopment of Huguenot House, a prominent site nestled between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. The 1960s-era building is set to be replaced with a vibrant mixed-use scheme, including a cinema, hotel, new residential flats, modern office space, and significant improvements to the surrounding public realm. Altius Real Estate will collaborate with contractor Erith and world-renowned architects Foster + Partners to bring the project to life. With design work now underway, a planning application is expected to follow a period of public consultation. The council first identified full-scale redevelopment as the preferred approach in 2021, following extensive studies and community engagement over several years. Councillor David Boothroyd, Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform, commented:“The redevelopment of Huguenot House represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform a key site in the heart of the West End. Altius has demonstrated a clear commitment to delivering high-quality homes, including much-needed affordable housing, alongside vibrant community spaces and a reimagined public realm.” The scheme aims to revitalise this strategic location with a mix of cultural, commercial and residential uses, helping to reinforce the West End’s role as one of London’s most dynamic and liveable districts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission for two major high-rise schemes at opposite ends of the City’s historic skyscraper cluster, reinforcing the Square Mile’s reputation as a global business and cultural hub. The approved projects, a 45-storey tower at 63 St Mary’s Axe and a 32-storey development at 85 Gracechurch Street, will jointly deliver over 110,000 square metres of Grade A, sustainable office space, supporting more than 6,500 jobs. The developments mark a significant milestone in the City’s Destination City growth strategy, designed to attract international business and boost weekday and weekend footfall through culture, heritage, and hospitality. Both towers have been designed with respect for London’s historic skyline, maintaining protected views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. In a rare integration of new and old, the projects will also bring previously hidden archaeological finds into public view—creating two free-to-visit heritage destinations open seven days a week. The 45-storey mixed-use scheme at 63 St Mary’s Axe will provide over 85,000 sqm of office floorspace, contributing 4.2% of the City’s projected space requirement to meet economic and employment growth targets. The tower is expected to create more than 4,500 jobs, further bolstering the City’s standing as a leading global centre for financial and professional services. At street level, the scheme introduces flexible commercial spaces, cultural offerings, and the new ‘Camomile’ Park, featuring elevated walkways, retail units, and green public spaces. A standout element of the development is the unveiling of a surviving section of the London Wall, alongside 1,500 sqm of public open space, two new pedestrian routes, and extensive urban greening, including the planting of 76 new trees. The updated 32-storey scheme at 85 Gracechurch Street builds on plans first approved in early 2023. Now redesigned to incorporate the discovery of a first-century Roman Forum-Basilica, the development will include 34,000 sqm of Grade A office space, supporting around 2,200 jobs. The Roman Forum-Basilica, the administrative and commercial heart of Roman London, will be preserved and celebrated through a world-class, immersive exhibition free to the public. This focus on cultural value aligns with the City’s long-term vision of broadening access to its rich history. The broader redevelopment will rejuvenate nearby Leadenhall Market, introducing a ground-floor public hall with food, retail, and event space. A historic pedestrian route linking Gracechurch Street to Lime Street Passage will be reopened, and visitors will also have access to a fifth-floor public terrace, offering new views of the evolving City skyline. The twin approvals reflect the City of London’s ambition to carefully grow its tall building cluster while embedding public value through job creation, heritage access, green spaces and cultural destinations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals