RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced that its London team has completed comprehensive refurbishment works at Hines’ £36.6m flagship mixed-use retail and office scheme at 80 New Bond Street, in the heart of London’s West End. Working alongside award-winning architecture firm Orms, RED Construction London developed 37,414 sq ft of existing office and retail space with dual frontage to both 80 New Bond Street and 325 Oxford Street. Targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating with a BIM Level 2, 80 New Bond Street’s structural alterations featured a complete renovation of internal steelwork, with an innovative pre-cast concrete lift core, glass-reinforced concrete façade panels, and pre-cast feature columns inserted between the ground and first floor. The team carried out the part demolition and removal of the existing lift core structure, with three additional floors added to the building, totalling eight floors to a Category A fit-out, with two retail units created on the ground and first floors, spanning 6,000 sq ft. The scheme has created a total office area of 31,000 sq ft, with floorplates ranging from 3,000 to 6,500 sq ft, and a large communal roof terrace. The office entrance has been repositioned onto Dering Street, incorporating a dedicated, spacious reception area. Dave Osborne, Group Operations Director at RED Construction London, commented: “We are extremely proud of the calibre of the 80 New Bond Street project and have enjoyed working with Hines, Orms and the full development team on such a unique London site. 80 New Bond Street now serves as another example of RED’s capability with considered regeneration works in the heart of the city and we are pleased to add yet another outstanding inner-city mixed-use development to our portfolio.” The news follows RED Construction Group’s appointment to deliver the £31m redevelopment of 55 Pall Mall, to be carried out by its dedicated London team. RED Construction London will oversee the creation of a new office development located on Pall Mall in St James’s, London, spanning a Net Internal Area of 3,271 sq m, comprising of basement, ground, and seven storeys, with terraces at fifth, sixth and seventh-floor levels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

THE bioscience phase of The Island Quarter is one of just a handful of projects from the Midlands being showcased as part of the government’s Global Investment Summit held on Monday at Hampton Court Palace. The 51,000m2 Discovery Park on the 36-acre Nottingham site is set to feature as one of the Midlands Engine’s flagship projects at the event, which will be attended by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and more than 200 global CEOs. The landmark event will see the launch of the Universities as Drivers of Trade and Investment pilot, which has been developed by Midlands Innovation and Midlands Engine Universities (MEU). As part of the launch, the Discovery Park at The Island Quarter will be highlighted as a key hub for innovation and growth, with the aim of attracting foreign direct investment to the region. The Conygar Investment Company received detailed planning consent for the first phase of the Discovery Park in June 2023, with the second phase currently in design stage. When complete, the first phase will provide high quality, flexible research and laboratory space, further enhancing the city’s reputation as the bioscience capital of the UK. With more than 200 bioscience businesses in the city already, the proposed facility will act as an incubator for new and growing companies, in what is a strategically important sector within Nottingham. Christopher Ware, property director at The Conygar Investment Company PLC, said: “The Global Investment Summit is a brilliant place to showcase the opportunities at The Island Quarter, particularly those in the field of biosciences. Nottingham has long been a leading light in terms of science and discovery, be that the invention of the MRI scanner or the creation of ibuprofen, and the Discovery Park that forms part of the wider development at The Island Quarter is a logical next step in that journey of innovation.” Roger Mendonca, chief executive of Midlands Engine, said: “Investment in The Island Quarter’s Discovery Park clearly demonstrates the leading role the biosciences sector plays in the Midlands, as well as the power of collaboration between local and regional partners.” Having been given outline planning permission in 2019, The Island Quarter has regenerated a significant area of brownfield land in Nottingham city centre, and is now home to bars and restaurants, as well as a student living scheme set to open in 2024. Christopher said: “With the first phase having already been granted planning consent and more to come as part of the regeneration of the wider area, The Island Quarter provides unrivalled opportunities – not just with the bioscience space, but also with places for workers to live and spend quality time. “This latest step is just a part of the momentum building on site, and we’re excited to continue bringing forward a scheme that will be transformational not just for Nottingham, but for the region as a whole.” For more information on The Island Quarter, visit theislandquarter.com.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has started a public consultation process, in conjunction with DOMIS, its dedicated construction partner, for revised plans for the next phase of its Viadux scheme in central Manchester.  Refreshed designs for Phase Two – images of which are available to download below – would see the construction of two new towers: As part of the second phase of development, there will be around 780 apartments in a 76-storey building, delivering exclusive city-centre living space for domestic and international buyers. The architecturally ambitious building will be elevated above ground with its foundations built under a retained Victorian archway.  A second building will stand at 23-storeys tall creating around 130 brand new affordable homes in a hugely well-connected and desirable part of Manchester. The properties are likely to be available to occupants on a range of tenure types that could include shared ownership and affordable rental.  At the base of the towers, commercial and public realm space will be created to compliment a world-class, mixed-use neighbourhood that will help to meet growing demand for city centre living while bringing economic and environmental benefits to the area.  In plans first drawn up in 2017, Phase Two of the Viadux scheme had been expected to comprise 240,000 sq ft of Grade A office space. The new plans, designed by the same architects, SimpsonHaugh, respond to updated market dynamics, including exceptionally strong demand for high quality living space to continue to support the growth of Manchester city centre’s residential population. If approved, these plans will see the final Viadux scheme create over 900 new homes across a very wide range of price points and tenure types in a development that will shape the Manchester skyline for years to come.  Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “City centres throughout the UK are facing the same falling demand for office space, but in Manchester that decline is being hugely outweighed by the ever-growing demand for high quality homes. When you are developing schemes like Viadux that will take years to come to fruition, being tenacious and adaptable is critical for success.  “We are excited to reveal new plans that will complete the Viadux masterplan and deliver a neighbourhood of high quality, design-led homes that meet Manchester’s substantial need for accommodation at a range of price points and tenure types. Viadux Phase Two will deliver on that demand, while at the same time bringing to the Manchester cityscape a crowning feature that offers panoramic views of a city rich in heritage and sympathetic regeneration.” Construction of Phase One, which comprises a 40-storey tower of 364 apartments, began in 2020 and is well underway with practical completion on course for Q2 2024. By November 2023, more than 95% of Phase One properties had been sold or reserved. Proposals for the enlarged residential scheme are now out for consultation until Friday 22 December 2023. A public consultation event will be held at 53two on Watson Street M3 4LP on Monday 4 December 2023 between 4pm and 7pm. Further to feedback, submission of a planning application is expected to follow in early 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

FLEET STREET QUARTER’S ERA OF CHANGE A radical new place-making and public realm vision has today been revealed by the Fleet Street Quarter BID, representing over 350 businesses across a 43 hectare footprint of the western part of the City. The proposed strategy could be the biggest transformation that this part of the City has seen since Bazalgette Embankment 150 years ago. This estimated £80 million strategic vision could see the public realm transform over the next decade to meet increasing demands from businesses, occupiers, residents, and visitors. An investment which would mirror the area’s extensive development pipeline totalling £5 billion, which includes ground-breaking schemes including the City of London’s new Justice Quarter at Salisbury Square. The proposed vision seeks to maximise the potential for Fleet Street in line with the area’s new designation in the City of London’s ‘Local Plan’ as a Key Area of Change.  For 2000 years, the Fleet Street Quarter area has shown an extraordinary capacity for re-invention, with this next period of evolution set to be the most radical yet. The proposed 10 year public realm vision identifies 34 public realm opportunities that could be seen across the 43 hectare area. The Fleet Street Quarter BID commissioned global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler, Norman Rourke Pryme and UP Projects to develop this new vision for the area, in consultation with the City of London and other key stakeholders and businesses. The strategy titled ‘Fleet Street Quarter’s Era of Change’, was launched today at an event to over 100 business and stakeholders from across the Fleet Street Quarter area. A key commitment in its BID Proposal, the proposed vision aims to deliver an attractive and sustainable community for workers, visitors and residents, supporting local business growth in the area over the next ten years. The 34 identified opportunities will result in improvements to reconnect the area, enhance movement and walkability, address issues of legibility, and provide green spaces and amenities for people to enjoy. The ambitious vision targets a more unified and improved experience for the Fleet Street Quarter area. The Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change vision highlights the following improvements: The proposed public realm vision is intended to support the re-positioning of the Fleet Street Quarter area as a key contributor to the City of London’s economy. Green shoots are already emerging in the Fleet Street Quarter area, as it looks to develop its support of the local economy. Since 2018, the total number of jobs in the area has grown by 5.9%, with GVA per worker increasing by 13% in the same period. The Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change Strategy targets an improved experience for retail and leisure, discovery and work, a blend identified by Gensler’s recent City Pulse Index Findings as criteria for a great Central Business District (CBD) experience. The proposed widening of the pavements on Fleet Street and the Holborn Forest scheme would improve the streetscape and offer green spaces where residents and visitors can relax in nature – both key physical improvements desired by respondents in the City Pulse Index Findings. This ambition to re-invigorate this area and transform it into a thriving retail and leisure destination is further amplified in the City of London’s City Plan, where it highlights the need for the creation of more distinct retail and leisure mix, using heritage assets, meanwhile uses and development opportunities to enliven the area and create more continuous active frontages. The first design ideas were revealed today and are subject to further development and consultation with City of London Corporation, Transport for London and key stakeholders and businesses in the area. Key locations for hero opportunities: Fleet Street – Major transformation project to widen the pedestrian footpath, plant new trees and introduce new greening and seating. Holborn Circus – Creating an urban forest and increased public accessibility. Providing pop-up facilities and introducing art installations. Increase the variety of seating areas for workers, visitors and local residents to enjoy. Holborn Viaduct – Creating a new gateway to the area from Farringdon Station and the new Museum of London with the creation of art installations and an infographic that celebrates the history of the Fleet River. Ludgate Circus – Improving pedestrian accessibility across Ludgate Circus through the introduction of a diagonal crossing and widened footpaths. Enhancement to pedestrian experience by creating new seating, planting new greenery and improve wayfinding. Blackfriars Gateway – Transforming the existing underpass and traffic islands to allow for additional planting, seating and introducing art installations to improve the gateway experience Following the adoption by the Fleet Street Quarter BID and its members, the strategy will also be used to start discussions and facilitate decision making with stakeholders in the area including City of London, Transport for London, developers, businesses, residents, institutions, and community groups. Improved public realm will support the local economy by creating opportunities for events, markets and cultural activities, drawing visitors to the area. The activation of the Fleet Street Quarter area’s alleys, squares and public spaces is already underway. Through an activated programme of seasonal marketing campaigns including an area wide lighting scheme for Christmas due to launch this year to animate the spaces and attract new audiences to the area. The overall mission of the ‘Fleet Street Quarter Era of Change’ strategy is to develop a vision and framework to support the development pipeline over the next decade To drive further growth in the area the City of London in its new ‘Local Plan’ identifies the area as a Key Area of Change and the Fleet Valley as an area for tall buildings. The report runs alongside the City of London’s draft Fleet Street Healthy Streets Plan, which maps out an integrated approach to improving the public realm and managing traffic and to support the delivery of the City of London’s new Transport Strategy outcomes in the area. In collaboration with VuCity, the Fleet Street Quarter BID also unveiled 3D modelling showcasing how buildings, street furniture and roads could develop

St Helier’s Waterfront ‘Horizon’ development is now completed. The development comprises 280 apartments and 12 commercial units. Completion was reached when the third and final building, ‘Horizon West’ was handed over to its new apartment owners at the end of October. The three Horizon development buildings (West, South and East) are situated on the last remaining marina plot alongside the Radisson Hotel and Castle Quay residential development. The 280 one, two and three bedroom residential apartments have been successfully delivered by Jersey Development Company (JDC) the Government of Jersey’s regeneration arm and joint venture partner Groupe Legendre . The concept and design were created by one of the world’s leading international architecture firms, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM). Horizon has also created new areas of public realm, including two new pedestrian streets that help enhance vibrancy and connectivity to the Waterfront promenades, Elizabeth Marina and new alfresco dining areas which form part of new landscaped areas. 76 apartments have been purchased by first-time buyers. Of those, 72 were able to secure their first home using JDC’s First-Time Buyer monthly deposit payment plan. The payment plan offered first-time buyers the opportunity to secure an apartment with an initial £2,000 reservation fee, and the balance of the 10% deposit paid in monthly instalments over the build programme enabling locally qualified purchasers the ability to secure their home, while renting or still living with parents. To date, the scheme has helped 117 buyers purchase their first home. Lee Henry, CEO of Jersey Development Company said: “We are delighted Horizon is now completed and we are in the enviable position of having secured legally binding pre-sales on 98% of the residential units with only six remaining available to purchase. The 280 new homes, retail and hospitality space, plus new areas of generous public realm will provide further footfall and vibrancy to the Waterfront area. We’ve received some fantastic testimonials from home owners, in particular first-time buyers who are delighted to have secured their first home and pleased with the exceptional quality of the development, the size of their home and the finishes and fixtures. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Joint Venture partner Groupe Legendre for their unwavering commitment throughout this challenging journey which entailed navigating a series of unforeseen events leading to various delays that had to be overcome.” Luc Richard, Director of Groupe Legendre’s Jersey office said: “Horizon marks a significant milestone on St Helier’s Waterfront, and we are thrilled to see the completion of this ambitious development. The collaboration between Jersey Development Company and Groupe Legendre has resulted in the successful delivery of 280 exceptional homes and vibrant commercial spaces. We are proud to have played a role in shaping the dynamic and vibrant community that the Waterfront has become. As the ground-level commercial spaces are now ready for occupation, we eagerly anticipate Horizon evolving into Jersey’s newest and most exciting lifestyle hub, solidifying its place as a testament to growth and innovation in the heart of St Helier.” The ground-level commercial spaces within Horizon are now ready for occupation. The commercial space offers 12 food, beverage and retail establishments with four units having the benefit of alfresco dining areas. Five of these units have either been secured or are currently under negotiations with potential tenants. JDC is delighted to announce that furniture and home accessories company TLC Home has been confirmed as the inaugural commercial tenant to occupy one of the spaces at Horizon South. This reflects a strong belief in the Waterfront area’s potential as a dynamic and vibrant community, making it poised to become Jersey’s newest and exciting lifestyle hub. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals