The transformation of a landmark building in the heart of London’s Covent Garden reached a significant milestone recently as The Acre ‘topped out’. This hugely complex project will see a 1980s office building transformed into the district’s largest, healthiest and greenest workplace.    The dramatic transformation of the building involves a series of interventions that retain over 80% of the existing structure while transforming its identity and performance. That work includes replacing the current building’s corner block with a taller structure, ‘infilling’ two existing forecourts where there was previously unused spaced with two 10-storey blocks and adding two extra storeys onto another block.   The primary purpose of the building will continue to be to provide workspace, alongside new retail units at street level. The retention of structure will reduce the embodied carbon emissions by half compared with new-build proposals and save 4,250 tonnes of CO2. When construction is complete The Acre will boast 240,000 square feet of workspace and 20,000 square feet of amenity and retail space. It will be net-zero in operation with the fully-electric building being supplied from renewable energy sources. Rainwater will be collected on the rooftop and re-used, reducing water consumption by half compared to a typical building of this type.   Designed with modern occupiers in mind, The Acre will also have fully openable windows to give tenants greater control of the environment, increasing natural light and ventilation. Over 350 cycling spaces will be available to take advantage of The Acre’s position on Quietway 1, the main cycle route north to south through central London. Eight large terraces will offer green spaces with spectacular views across the skyline of central London.   Lendlease Construction is delivering The Acre project, which is being advanced by development manager Platform on behalf of Northwood Investors with Gensler as the architects.  The project aligns with Lendlease setting itself stretching carbon targets, including a commitment to becoming a 1.5°C aligned company and achieving Absolute Zero Carbon, with no excuses and no offsets, by 2040.  Quote attributable to Simon Gorski, Managing Director for Lendlease Construction:  “The Acre promises to be a cutting-edge workplace, designed to the highest standards of sustainability and offering unparalleled levels of wellbeing for its future tenants. I’m proud that we’ve been able to work together collaboratively with our partners Platform, Northwood Investors and Gensler to retain so much of the existing structure and are helping rethink the future of workplace in central London.”    Quote attributable to Richard Strachan, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at Northwood Investors:  “We’re proud to see The Acre reach this milestone. As Covent Garden’s largest workspace it will not only provide tenants with the highest quality office space in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter, but the retention of the existing structure contributes significantly to London’s Net Zero targets by reducing embodied carbon to that of half a new build development. The team is delivering a new healthy and green landmark for Covent Garden.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Construction of the Paper Yard, comprising 30,000 sq ft of modular lab space designed by Hawkins Brown, is due to complete in May, and is seeing positive early interest from potential life science occupiers. British Land and AustralianSuper have appointed Stanton Williams to draw up plans for a 300,000 sq ft building with potential to support innovation and life sciences businesses, as part of the second phase of its Canada Water Masterplan in Central London. Stanton Williams was selected on account of its unparalleled track record in delivering world class, innovative life sciences projects, including winning the Stirling Prize for Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge.  Stanton Williams’ newest venture at Canada Water will be equally ambitious and will consider the potential to accommodate a range of complex scientific requirements, within an uplifting and highly sustainable environment that encourages interaction, maximises daylight and promotes wellbeing. The first phase of the Masterplan is already underway.  As part of this, British Land and AustralianSuper are delivering the Paper Yard, circa 30,000 sq ft of modular lab space located next to TEDI-London, a new engineering higher education enterprise co-founded by three global universities: King’s College London, Arizona State University and UNSW Sydney.  The new modular lab space, which is seeing positive early interest from occupiers across the life sciences sector, takes just under nine months to build and will be ready for occupation in May. Emma Cariaga, Joint Head of Canada Water at British Land, said: “We have an incredibly rare opportunity at Canada Water to reimagine an entire district for London.  Our vision is to create a diverse and exciting neighbourhood rooted in innovation – somewhere that businesses can be inspired to grow and where people will put down roots. “Delivering up to 2.5m sq ft of highly sustainable business and innovation workspace across the masterplan, Canada Water is in prime position to cater to the growing number of life science and innovation businesses requiring new, high-specification lab space, supporting the aims of the Government’s newly published Science and Technology Framework which pinpoints these burgeoning sectors as a crucial driver of economic growth. Canada Water presents a compelling proposition for prospective occupiers, on account of its vibrant, well-connected central London location which benefits from being in close proximity to three leading teaching and research hospitals including Guy’s Hospital in London Bridge; St Thomas’ Hospital in Waterloo and King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill.” Richard Wardle, Director at Stanton Williams, said: “We are delighted to be part of British Land’s ambitious regeneration of Canada Water. This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the creation of a vibrant and collaborative environment that will foster innovation and nurture a new sense of community in the heart of the post-industrial Southwark Docks.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

British Land unveils first homes at Canada Water, London’s newest sustainable district surrounded by green space and waterways British Land launches its first homes, a collection of 186 studio, one, two- and three-bedroom net zero apartments, at The Founding, Canada Water. The launch of this 35-storey residential building – designed by architects Allies and Morrison – is the first chance to buy at this new central London district as it undergoes a rejuvenation as a place to live, work, play and relax. The expansive open plan homes within the flagship residence, The Founding will provide unique panoramic views across London from large, metal framed feature windows and private balconies. The bespoke interiors have been carefully curated by award-winning design studio Conran and Partners. Brushed stainless steel, matte finish feature ironmongery, polished concrete-style worktops and European oak flooring have been incorporated to reflect the area’s rich heritage as a former shipping and timber heartland and a working dock during the 18th and 19th centuries. In homage to the 160 acres of surrounding woodlands, parks, docks and waterways, and in keeping with the sustainable vision of the Canada Water masterplan, a mix of natural and sustainable materials have been incorporated to create a contemporary and elegant feel. High recessed ceilings feature exposed concrete and designer track lighting, while soft furnishings include 100% wool carpets, linens, textured fabrics, and recycled materials. Three separate and distinctly designed roof terraces on floors 6, 29 and 32 will feature extensive and lush planting inspired by Ecuadorian rainforests. From these rooftops residents will have exclusive skyline views to enjoy sunrise looking east over the River Thames to Canary Wharf, and sunset looking west with the stunning London skyline of Tower Bridge, The Shard and St Paul’s Cathedral. Amenities within the building include an impressive mezzanine-level resident lounge that will provide home working and social spaces, in addition to flexible areas for private gatherings and entertaining.  Emma Cariaga, Head of Residential and Joint Head of Canada Water, at British Land, said: “Canada Water is the most ambitious and sustainably driven regeneration project underway in London. The launch of The Founding presents a rare opportunity to purchase a home at the very start of a high-profile masterplan and be a part of an incredible revitalisation story. A whole new district and destination for London, will be created at Canada Water, with the rest of London on the doorstep. Canada Water is incredibly well-connected to central London, minutes from London Bridge, and has huge untapped potential – it’s incredibly exciting. “Sustainability has been prioritised through the design and delivery of every element of the new homes and reflects rising consumer awareness of the need to make sustainably driven decisions in every aspect of our lives. The apartments at The Founding will benefit from panoramic views across London’s skyline while being surrounded by an incredible amount of greenery, from parks to woodlands and the River Thames.” Nina Coulter, director at Savills, comments: “The demand for not only green spaces but homes near water continues to grow from all types of buyers. Canada Water will provide an abundance of wide green spaces adding huge health benefits to residents from cleaner air to improving well-being. Increasingly, buyers are looking for areas that provide a natural environment and a resilient, sustainable urban fabric, that will add value to their recreational time as well. Schemes such as Canada Water in particular provide a valuable opportunity to build nature into the core of a development offering. “British Land is creating a new district for London focusing on providing not only great apartments to live in, but a whole new way of living in the capital. The apartments at The Founding have been created with huge attention to detail, and stunning outside spaces.  The incredible, uninterrupted views show how close Canada Water is to the City and Canary Wharf, and with the Jubilee Line and Elizabeth Line both easily accessible, West London is not far away either.  Savills views Canada Water as the most exciting launch of 2023.” Culture, Creativity and Community | Canada Water, British Land’s 53-acre masterplan is set to deliver 3,000 net zero homes, office space for an estimated 20,000 workers and up to one million sq. ft. of leisure, cultural and education facilities. This once in a lifetime project will be a net-zero neighbourhood by 2030, achieved through materials innovation and a sustainability first approach to all elements of design and construction. From earth friendly concrete to an all-electric energy strategy which uses 100% renewable electricity, to heat sharing between offices and homes, to finding inventive ways to give old buildings a new lease of life. Canada Water will have 12 acres of new open space, including a 3.5-acre park, a new Town Square, the first new high street in London in a generation and 16 new streets. The destination is served by the Jubilee Line, London Overground and TfL bus services, with proximity to the best of art, culture, nature and nightlife that London has to offer. Prices for homes at The Founding at Canada Water start from in the region of £696,650. First homes at The Founding are scheduled to complete in Autumn 2024. For sales enquiries, please visit www.thefounding.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals