Commercial : Mixed-Use News
AM ALPHA’s Rylands scheme hits key milestone with topping-out ceremony  

AM ALPHA’s Rylands scheme hits key milestone with topping-out ceremony  

Manchester’s pioneering Rylands development hits a major project milestone this week, with stakeholders gathering to celebrate the topping out of the prestigious landmark building, which sits on the site of the former Debenhams store on Market Street.   The site project team, including Domis, Jeffrey Bell, Levrant, JLL, and Barker Proudlove

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Swansea Waterfront Regeneration to Deliver 140 New Homes and Landmark Aquarium

Swansea Waterfront Regeneration to Deliver 140 New Homes and Landmark Aquarium

Plans have been unveiled to transform Swansea’s long-vacant Civic Centre into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront destination, delivering new homes, commercial space and a landmark visitor attraction while preserving one of Wales’ most distinctive examples of Brutalist architecture. Urban Splash has launched a public consultation on proposals to regenerate the prominent

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A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

One of the UK’s largest regeneration partnerships has officially moved into delivery, with Lendlease and The Crown Estate completing their landmark £24bn joint venture to unlock thousands of new homes and millions of square feet of commercial development across London and Birmingham. The newly formed Impact Partnership Joint Venture establishes

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Camden Approves £1bn Film Quarter to Create Major Creative and Residential Hub

Camden Approves £1bn Film Quarter to Create Major Creative and Residential Hub

A landmark £1bn regeneration project set to transform part of north London into one of the UK’s largest film and television production destinations has received planning approval from Camden Council. The Camden Film Quarter development at Regis Road in Kentish Town will combine world-class production facilities, creative workspaces, education opportunities

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UK cities entering a new era of mixed-use development

UK cities entering a new era of mixed-use development

City centre development is becoming more integrated, with residential rental tenures now dominating delivery, prime office supply tightening, and retail reshaping regeneration across the UK’s major regional cities, according to a new report by Savills. This new phase of regeneration within UK cities is becoming defined by increasingly integrated mixed-use

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Latest Issue
Issue 345 : Oct 2026

Commercial : Mixed-Use News

The Crown Estate unveils next major West End projects as part of its largest ever development programme

The Crown Estate unveils next major West End projects as part of its largest ever development programme

Pair of landmark schemes to deliver more than 169,000 sq ft of commercial space in London’s West End The Crown Estate has unveiled the next phase of its West End development pipeline – the largest ever in its history – with two major developments at 10 Piccadilly and 21-29 Glasshouse Street. Together, the schemes push the boundaries of sustainable development, delivering 169,300 sq ft of new office, retail and hospitality space in the heart of this iconic and historic part of London. The projects mark the latest step in The Crown Estate’s long-term vision for its 10 million sq ft London portfolio. Sustainably regenerating heritage-led assets for the future, the developments support the continued evolution of the West End as one of the most globally competitive urban destinations. It also acts as a celebration of the area’s rich history, while providing an opportunity to make it greener, accessible and more inclusive. This latest phase of development reflects The Crown Estate’s long-term, estate-wide approach to investing in places that respond to the needs of businesses, workers, visitors and communities. By bringing together high-quality workplaces with new retail and hospitality uses, the reimagined buildings will support a diverse, resilient mix across the West End, strengthening its appeal as a place to work, visit and spend time. 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 schemes also complement plans to upgrade the West End’s public realm through the proposed transformation of the public spaces across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus in partnership with Westminster City Council. By reimagining John Nash’s historic route from St James’s Park to Regent’s Park, the plans would help connect investment in buildings with the spaces between them, creating a more accessible and future-ready West End. At 10 Piccadilly, The Crown Estate will deliver a 90,800 sq ft mixed-use development of the Grade II listed building which completes the iconic Regent Street curve. Facing on to Piccadilly Circus, 10 Piccadilly was the original Swan & Edgar department store, and then home to Tower Records in the 1980s. The refurbishment of the building will deliver a mix of uses, providing 62,700 sq ft of prime office space, alongside a 26,400 sq ft hospitality destination across the ground, basement and first floors, and a further 1,700 sq ft of retail space on Regent Street. At 21-29 Glasshouse Street, The Crown Estate will combine two existing office buildings into one best-in-class commercial scheme. The retrofit project will provide 63,000 sq ft of high-quality workplace, with upgraded interiors, larger and more efficient floorplates, a new rooftop space, and an enhanced reception area. The scheme will also deliver 15,500 sq ft of retail space at basement and ground-floor levels, improving the retail offer on Regent Street and Glasshouse Street and supporting a more vibrant mixed-use environment. The announcement of this latest phase in The Crown Estate’s development pipeline comes after the 124,000 sq ft office redevelopment of nearby One Hanover Street, announced earlier this year and fully pre-let to Ares Management. It also follows three projects announced in 2024 – New Zealand House, 10 Spring Gardens and 33-35 Piccadilly – which together will deliver 250,000 sq ft of commercial space across Regent Street and St James’s. As a long-term custodian of the West End, The Crown Estate is combining future-facing development with the sensitive retrofit of nationally significant heritage assets. 10 Piccadilly will target exceptional sustainability credentials, including NABERS 5 Star, WELL Platinum, BREEAM Outstanding, WiredScore Platinum and EPC A. Across the development pipeline, delivery is designed to support an embodied carbon target of 400kg per sq m, supporting the transition to a more climate-resilient estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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AM ALPHA’s Rylands scheme hits key milestone with topping-out ceremony  

AM ALPHA’s Rylands scheme hits key milestone with topping-out ceremony  

Manchester’s pioneering Rylands development hits a major project milestone this week, with stakeholders gathering to celebrate the topping out of the prestigious landmark building, which sits on the site of the former Debenhams store on Market Street.   The site project team, including Domis, Jeffrey Bell, Levrant, JLL, and Barker Proudlove all marked the occasion with an on-site celebration, followed by a drinks reception at The Edwardian Manchester Hotel to commemorate the fantastic progress to date on such a remarkable project.     The vacant building has been undergoing extensive refurbishment since 2022. Completion is expected in 2027.  The Grade II listed building is undergoing comprehensive redevelopment. Since 2023, AM ALPHA has been transforming the site, including a complete refurbishment of the original structure, conversion of the upper floors into premium office space, and the creation of retail units at ground level.  The scheme also includes a new four-storey contemporary extension, bringing the total number of floors to ten. Once finished, Rylands will offer high-quality office accommodation, retail space, and a leisure area focused on food and beverage.    Market Place Food Hall has already committed to a 15-year lease on the ground floor.   Martin Lemke, CEO of AM Alpha, said: “Reaching this construction milestone is an important achievement for everyone involved in the transformation of Rylands. Working with a listed building of this scale inevitably brings complexity and unexpected challenges. The progress made demonstrates what can be achieved through close cooperation, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to the project.  “Rylands is an important part of Manchester’s architectural and commercial heritage. Our ambition is to preserve that character while creating a modern, sustainable destination that meets the needs of future occupiers and visitors. We would like to thank Domis and the entire project team for their dedication and the significant progress they have made.”  Rory O’Donoghue, Construction Director at Domis Construction said: “The topping out of Rylands is a significant milestone and reflects the monumental effort, collaboration, and shared commitment of everyone involved in the project. We’ve shared AM ALPHA’s ambition from the outset to deliver this iconic building back to the city, and it’s been a privilege for Domis to help bring that vision to life. Transforming a landmark building of this scale and significance has only been possible through the close collaboration of the entire project team. While there’s still plenty of work ahead, reaching this stage is a fantastic achievement and one that everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.”   In keeping with the traditions of a topping out ceremony, a yew tree has been incorporated into the fabric of the building to mark the completion of the highest structural point. As well as a symbol of longevity and good fortune, the tree reflects the project’s commitment to preserving Rylands’ rich heritage, while laying the foundations for its next chapter.   Project team:  Client: AM ALPHA  Contractor: Domis  Architect: Jeffrey Bell Architects  Employer’s Agent and QS: Arcadis  Planning Consultant: Deloitte  Heritage Consultant: Levrant  Structural Engineer: Woolgar Hunter  Services Engineer / Sustainability Consultant: Max Fordham  Services Engineer: NOVO  Fire Consultant: Jensen Hughes / DFC  Acoustic Consultant: BWB / Andrew Jameson  Workspace Agent: JLL  Retail Agent: Barker Proudlove  Marketing & PR Agency: Real Estate Marketing Media  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Stratford Set for Landmark Three-Tower Regeneration with Homes, Hotels and Cultural Venues

Stratford Set for Landmark Three-Tower Regeneration with Homes, Hotels and Cultural Venues

A major new vision for Stratford Junction has been unveiled, with plans to transform the long-vacant former London Sphere site into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring more than 2,000 homes, 1,600 hotel rooms and a landmark cultural quarter at the heart of east London. Developer Hallmark Property Group has revealed proposals for a striking three-tower development, designed by Squire & Partners, which would replace the previously abandoned entertainment scheme with a dynamic neighbourhood combining residential, hospitality, leisure and public realm. The ambitious masterplan would regenerate the 2.05-hectare site, situated between Stratford Station and Stratford International, which has remained largely unused since serving as coach parking during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Rising between 31 and 47 storeys, the development will comprise around 2,100 shared living homes alongside 1,600 hotel rooms, creating a substantial new residential and visitor destination in one of London’s fastest-growing regeneration areas. At the centre of the proposals is a major cultural offering, with more than 20,000 sq m of immersive attractions, galleries and exhibition space designed to establish Stratford as an international destination for arts, entertainment and events. Two flexible live performance venues accommodating between 1,200 and 4,300 people will support a year-round programme of concerts, performances, festivals and exhibitions. The wider public realm has also been placed at the forefront of the design, with landscaped squares, green spaces, outdoor exhibition areas, art trails and more than 100 public art installations proposed throughout the development. A range of cafés, bars and restaurants would activate the ground floor, creating a lively destination for residents, visitors and local businesses. The project is expected to generate approximately 1,500 jobs while attracting significant visitor spending, complementing the continued expansion of Stratford’s wider cultural and commercial landscape. The scheme would sit alongside the £1.1 billion East Bank development, home to major institutions including V&A East, the V&A East Storehouse and Sadler’s Wells East, further strengthening Stratford’s reputation as one of London’s leading cultural and innovation districts. For the construction and property sectors, the proposals represent another major mixed-use regeneration opportunity, bringing together high-density residential development, hospitality, commercial uses, public realm and placemaking on a strategically important brownfield site with outstanding transport connectivity. Before submitting a planning application to the London Borough of Newham this autumn, Hallmark Property Group will undertake a further round of public consultation later this month to gather feedback from local residents and stakeholders. Subject to planning approval, a temporary meanwhile use is expected to open later this year, featuring food markets and community events while preparations for the permanent development continue. If approved, the Stratford Junction scheme would transform one of east London’s most prominent underused sites into a thriving new neighbourhood, delivering much-needed homes, world-class cultural attractions and significant economic investment while reinforcing Stratford’s position as one of the UK’s premier regeneration success stories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Works commence on Vivere Cornbrook as landmark tower rises at Manchester Waters

Works commence on Vivere Cornbrook as landmark tower rises at Manchester Waters

Construction has officially commenced on VIVERE Residences at Cornbrook, a landmark £64.2 million mixed-use development by Forshaw Land & Property Group marking a major milestone in the continued transformation of the Manchester Waters neighbourhood. With enabling works now underway and DOMIS appointed as main contractor, the scheme will deliver 237 luxury apartments, an 88-key VIVERE aparthotel, ground floor commercial space and a range of resident amenities on a prominent gateway site adjacent to Cornbrook Metrolink station. The development will also become the tallest tower delivered to date within Peel Waters’ Manchester Waters masterplan, creating a striking new addition to Manchester’s skyline and reinforcing Cornbrook’s position as an emerging residential and commercial destination between the city centre and Trafford. Through a complex land assembly process, Peel Waters unlocked the opportunity to transform the site at Cornbrook, a key neighbourhood within their wider emerging ‘Manchester Waters’ district, one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects. VIVERE Residences forms part of the wider Manchester Waters vision. The development occupies a strategically important site at the entrance to Pomona Island, the largest neighbourhood within the Manchester Waters masterplan, where Peel Waters is creating a new waterside community featuring new homes, extensive public realm and more than 10 acres of green space. The start on site follows the recent securing of Building Safety Act Gateway 2 approval, together with a £64.2 million development finance facility from Maslow Capital, providing the platform for construction to commence. The scheme will comprise a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments alongside five panoramic penthouses, designed to meet growing demand for city-centre living. Residents will have access to a comprehensive amenity offering including a 24-hour concierge, gym, co-working lounge, games room, meeting rooms, private dining facilities, cinema and coffee bar. The accompanying VIVERE aparthotel will form part of Forshaw Group’s new VIVERE hospitality brand, supporting Manchester’s growing visitor economy with high-quality short-stay accommodation in a highly connected location. Lyndon Forshaw, CEO of Forshaw Land & Property Group, said: “Breaking ground at VIVERE Cornbrook is a hugely exciting milestone for us and marks the start of our largest residential development to date. This scheme represents a significant investment in Manchester and reflects our confidence in the city’s continued growth and appeal. “Working alongside Peel Waters and DOMIS, we’re bringing forward a landmark development that will deliver high-quality homes, a premium new aparthotel offering and exceptional resident amenities in one of Manchester’s most exciting emerging neighbourhoods. From thoughtfully designed apartments and penthouses to amenity spaces including wellness, co-working and hospitality facilities, our ambition is to create a destination that sets a new standard for living and staying at Manchester Waters.” James Whittaker, Managing Director at Peel Waters, said: “VIVERE Cornbrook is a landmark project in every sense. As the tallest tower delivered within Manchester Waters to date, it will stand as a powerful statement of confidence in the future of this neighbourhood and Manchester as a whole. “What was once underused brownfield land is being transformed into a vibrant waterfront district that will support thousands of homes, jobs and opportunities over the coming years. The start of construction marks another significant step in turning that long-term vision into reality. “Working alongside Forshaw Land & Property Group and DOMIS, we’re creating more than a building; we’re helping to establish a new destination at the gateway to Pomona Island and continuing the evolution of Manchester Waters into one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects.” Kingsley Thornton, Managing Director of DOMIS added: “VIVERE Cornbrook represents a considerable milestone in the wider Manchester Waters masterplan and the continuation of our strong relationship with Forshaw Land & Property Group. “This is a challenging build on a compact city-centre site, but these are exactly the kind of complex projects DOMIS is known for delivering. Our focus is on bringing the scheme forward safely, efficiently and to the highest possible standard, while maintaining the quality and pace required for a development of this scale. “We’re proud to be working alongside Forshaw and Peel Waters to deliver what will become the tallest tower within the masterplan to date, and a landmark development that will make a lasting contribution to Manchester Waters.” Construction of VIVERE Residencies Manchester is expected to be completed by Winter 2028 To find out more about VIVERE Residencies visit: Vivere Residences – VIVERE Residences | Manchester Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Swansea Waterfront Regeneration to Deliver 140 New Homes and Landmark Aquarium

Swansea Waterfront Regeneration to Deliver 140 New Homes and Landmark Aquarium

Plans have been unveiled to transform Swansea’s long-vacant Civic Centre into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront destination, delivering new homes, commercial space and a landmark visitor attraction while preserving one of Wales’ most distinctive examples of Brutalist architecture. Urban Splash has launched a public consultation on proposals to regenerate the prominent seafront site in partnership with Swansea Council. The ambitious redevelopment would see the former civic headquarters repurposed rather than demolished, creating a sustainable new neighbourhood that combines residential, leisure, retail and business uses. At the heart of the proposals are up to 140 new waterfront apartments, complemented by cafés, bars, flexible workspace and approximately 15 commercial units. The scheme would also deliver around 59,000 sq ft of retail and business accommodation alongside a striking 20,000 sq ft aquarium, designed to become a major visitor destination and further strengthen Swansea’s tourism economy. The project is backed by £20 million of UK Government funding and forms a key component of Swansea Council’s wider waterfront regeneration strategy, which aims to reconnect the city centre with Swansea Bay through carefully planned mixed-use development, improved public spaces and enhanced visitor attractions. For the construction and property sectors, the scheme demonstrates the growing importance of adaptive reuse and retrofit-led regeneration. Rather than replacing the existing building, Urban Splash intends to retain and refurbish the Civic Centre using a fabric-first approach that preserves much of the structure’s embodied carbon while extending the life of the building for future generations. Originally completed in 1982 as the headquarters of West Glamorgan County Council, the Civic Centre has remained largely vacant since council operations relocated, leaving one of Swansea’s most prominent waterfront buildings significantly underutilised. By retaining the existing structure, the redevelopment is expected to reduce demolition waste, minimise carbon emissions associated with new construction and make more efficient use of existing materials, aligning with the industry’s increasing focus on sustainable development and whole-life carbon reduction. The proposals also reflect the continued evolution of mixed-use regeneration, where residential accommodation is integrated with employment space, leisure facilities, hospitality and public amenities to create active, year-round communities that support long-term economic growth. A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year following the completion of the public consultation process. If approved, the redevelopment would transform a landmark but underused civic building into a thriving waterfront destination, creating new homes, attracting investment and reinforcing Swansea’s long-term regeneration ambitions while demonstrating how thoughtful refurbishment can unlock the potential of significant existing buildings without the need for wholesale demolition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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£24bn Regeneration Partnership to Deliver Thousands of Homes and Commercial Spaces

£24bn Regeneration Partnership to Deliver Thousands of Homes and Commercial Spaces

A landmark £24 billion regeneration partnership between Lendlease and The Crown Estate is set to transform major urban locations across London and Birmingham, creating tens of thousands of new homes alongside world-class commercial, science and innovation space. The newly established Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents one of the UK’s largest long-term regeneration programmes and will initially focus on three flagship developments at Euston, Silvertown and Stratford Cross in London. Together, these schemes are expected to deliver around 9,000 new homes and more than 7 million sq ft of commercial, research and innovation space, supporting economic growth while helping address housing demand. For the construction sector, the announcement signals a significant pipeline of work spanning residential development, commercial construction, infrastructure, public realm, building services and sustainable placemaking over the coming decade. The construction programme is already moving forward. Work is scheduled to begin in September on 326 affordable homes at the 60-acre Silvertown regeneration scheme in East London, marking the first major delivery phase of the partnership. Meanwhile, plans continue to progress at Euston, where a planning application for the comprehensive redevelopment is expected to be submitted in spring 2027. The partnership has also confirmed that a second phase of expansion will see two further landmark regeneration projects join the joint venture later this summer. Birmingham Smithfield and Thamesmead Waterfront will increase the overall programme to approximately 27,500 new homes and almost 10 million sq ft of commercial floorspace, significantly extending the partnership’s development pipeline. Infrastructure works at Birmingham Smithfield are expected to commence later this year, with temporary market facilities due to open early next year before construction of the first residential buildings begins in 2027. The regeneration will transform one of Birmingham’s most strategically important city centre sites into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining homes, workplaces, retail, leisure and public spaces. The projects reflect the growing emphasis on large-scale mixed-use regeneration, where residential neighbourhoods are integrated with commercial, science and innovation districts to create sustainable, connected communities. Significant investment in transport infrastructure, public realm, green spaces and social infrastructure will also form an integral part of the long-term vision. By combining the development expertise of Lendlease with The Crown Estate’s long-term investment strategy, the Impact Partnership Joint Venture is expected to accelerate the delivery of complex regeneration projects while attracting further institutional investment into the UK’s property and construction sectors. As construction activity gathers pace across multiple sites, the partnership is set to generate extensive opportunities throughout the construction supply chain, supporting contractors, consultants, manufacturers and specialist trades while delivering new homes, commercial space and employment opportunities that will help shape the future of several of the UK’s most important urban regeneration locations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

A £24bn Regeneration Partnership Set to Reshape the Future of UK Cities

One of the UK’s largest regeneration partnerships has officially moved into delivery, with Lendlease and The Crown Estate completing their landmark £24bn joint venture to unlock thousands of new homes and millions of square feet of commercial development across London and Birmingham. The newly formed Impact Partnership Joint Venture establishes a long-term development platform focused on delivering some of the country’s most significant mixed-use regeneration schemes. Initially, the partnership will oversee the transformation of Euston, Silvertown and Stratford Cross, creating around 9,000 new homes alongside more than 7 million sq ft of commercial, science and innovation space. The announcement represents a major milestone for the construction and property sectors, providing a significant pipeline of work spanning residential development, commercial offices, life sciences, infrastructure, public realm and sustainable urban regeneration. Construction activity is set to begin almost immediately, with work scheduled to commence in September on the first phase of the 60-acre Silvertown regeneration in East London. This initial package will deliver 326 affordable homes, forming part of a wider mixed-use neighbourhood that will reconnect a long-underutilised section of the Royal Docks with the surrounding community. Elsewhere, plans for the highly anticipated redevelopment of Euston are continuing to progress, with a planning application expected to be submitted in spring 2027. The project is expected to transform one of London’s most strategically important transport hubs into a vibrant mixed-use destination combining homes, commercial space, public realm and enhanced transport connectivity. The partnership’s ambitions extend well beyond the initial three developments. Birmingham Smithfield and Thamesmead Waterfront are expected to join the venture later this year, expanding the overall programme to approximately 27,500 new homes and almost 10 million sq ft of commercial floorspace. Infrastructure works at Birmingham Smithfield are due to begin later this year, with temporary markets opening in early 2027 before construction of the first residential buildings commences. To support delivery, Lendlease and The Crown Estate have established a dedicated development management company responsible for coordinating the complex, multi-phase projects and ensuring consistent standards across the growing portfolio. Andrea Ruckstuhl, Managing Director of Development for UK and Italy at Lendlease, described the launch of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture as a major milestone that creates a long-term platform capable of unlocking some of the UK’s most important regeneration opportunities while delivering lasting value for investors and communities. Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, said the partnership would accelerate the delivery of complex regeneration projects while creating a scalable platform capable of bringing forward future housing and commercial developments across the country. For the construction industry, the creation of the Impact Partnership Joint Venture represents a substantial long-term pipeline of opportunities across civil engineering, infrastructure, residential construction, commercial development, sustainability, building services and public realm delivery. As work progresses over the coming decade, the programme is expected to play a significant role in supporting employment, investment and economic growth while delivering high-quality, sustainable places for future generations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Camden Approves £1bn Film Quarter to Create Major Creative and Residential Hub

Camden Approves £1bn Film Quarter to Create Major Creative and Residential Hub

A landmark £1bn regeneration project set to transform part of north London into one of the UK’s largest film and television production destinations has received planning approval from Camden Council. The Camden Film Quarter development at Regis Road in Kentish Town will combine world-class production facilities, creative workspaces, education opportunities and new homes within a single mixed-use masterplan, creating a major new hub for the capital’s rapidly growing screen industry. At the heart of the scheme will be 11 purpose-built sound stages operated by Oxygen Studios, alongside more than 100,000 sq ft of creative workspace designed to support production companies, digital businesses and wider creative enterprises. The development will also deliver 485 new homes, with half of the properties designated as affordable housing. Housing provider Places for People will be responsible for delivering 243 affordable homes as part of the wider neighbourhood. Designed by architecture practice SPPARC, the masterplan seeks to create a fully integrated creative ecosystem where production, education, employment and residential communities can thrive alongside one another. A key feature of the project is the inclusion of educational facilities, with both the National Film and Television School and London Screen Academy set to establish a presence within the development. Together, the facilities are expected to support more than 500 learners, helping to create a direct pathway between education, skills development and employment opportunities within the screen sector. Developers estimate that the completed scheme will support almost 4,000 direct jobs, while generating more than 5,000 additional employment opportunities across the wider economy. Beyond the studios and housing, the plans include 1.1 hectares of public open space, the planting of 301 new trees, a new recycling facility and the restoration of the Grade II-listed Kentish Town Police Station, helping to preserve an important piece of local heritage. Yoo Capital, the developer behind the project, describes Camden Film Quarter as far more than a studio development, positioning it as a destination that brings together culture, education, employment and community within a single vision. The approval marks a significant boost for London’s creative economy at a time when demand for studio space continues to rise, driven by ongoing investment from global film, television and streaming companies seeking high-quality production facilities across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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UK cities entering a new era of mixed-use development

UK cities entering a new era of mixed-use development

City centre development is becoming more integrated, with residential rental tenures now dominating delivery, prime office supply tightening, and retail reshaping regeneration across the UK’s major regional cities, according to a new report by Savills. This new phase of regeneration within UK cities is becoming defined by increasingly integrated mixed-use development, as residential, commercial and leisure uses become more interdependent in response to shifting economic dynamics, changing patterns of urban living and evolving investor preferences. Across regional markets, the balance between demand, development viability and structural change is shaping the next cycle of urban growth. According to the latest report by Savills Research – UK Cities: a mixed-use perspective – the decade leading up to the global financial crisis saw city centre development in the Big Six regional cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester) dominated by private sale housing. Over the last 10 years, however, a much broader mix of uses has emerged, with Build to Rent (BTR) overtaking private sale as the primary driver of city centre housing delivery, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) expanding rapidly, and co-living emerging as a new asset class. This shift reflects strong demand fundamentals and the growing role of institutional capital, which has supported large scale, placemaking-led regeneration. Savills notes that rental growth across the Big Six has averaged between 4% and 7.5% per year over the last five years, supporting strong returns – although continued build cost increases and growing affordability pressures mean developers and local planning authorities will need to take a pragmatic approach to viability in order to maintain strong development pipelines. The report also highlights a significant structural shift in office markets. In the post-pandemic environment, uncertainty around hybrid working contributed to rising vacancy in older, less efficient buildings, but demand has become increasingly polarised as occupiers prioritise modern, highly sustainable offices in central, well-connected locations. More than 60% of expected 2026 office take-up is forecast to be Grade A and prime, underlining the depth of demand for high-quality space. At the same time, the office development pipeline remains exceptionally thin. Savills states that only Manchester and Leeds currently have new schemes under construction that are due to complete beyond 2026, leaving supply constrained just as occupiers focus on securing prime accommodation. Prime headline office rents have risen by an average of 30% over the past five years and, if that trajectory continues, could soon approach the £60 per sq. ft. threshold that many developers consider necessary to re-establish viability. Retail is also evolving, moving away from traditional formats towards mixed-use environments centred on experience, leisure, and food and beverage. In this context, retail plays an essential role in placemaking by supporting footfall and enhancing the attractiveness of city centres. Ground-floor activation – including shops, bars, restaurants and cafés – is increasingly recognised as the element that connects homes, offices and hotels, helping to attract target occupiers and residents while maximising value across the wider scheme. Research from Savills also illustrates the scale and diversity of delivery across the UK’s major urban markets between 2016-2025. Among the Big Six, Manchester recorded 5.3 million sq. ft. of office delivery, 15,650 BTR homes and 3,448 co-living beds, while Birmingham delivered 3.4 million sq. ft. of offices, 6,397 BTR homes and 6,985 student beds. Leeds delivered 10,042 student beds, while Edinburgh recorded 947,000 sq. ft. of retail delivery. Looking ahead, Savills says city centre development will continue to be driven by strong underlying demand, but increasingly constrained by viability challenges. Emily Williams, Director of Residential Research at Savills, says: “Residential is expected to remain at the heart of city centre regeneration, particularly through rental-led models, although rental growth is expected to moderate as affordability limits are reached. High construction costs, borrowing costs and regulation are all expected to continue restricting new supply and widening the gap between demand and delivery.” Jonathan Lambert, Co-lead of Savills’ Mixed-Use Sector Group, adds: “Market polarisation is certainly a defining theme, with larger and more established cities best placed to sustain development, while smaller or more constrained markets may struggle in a higher-cost, higher-risk environment, particularly where planning obligations present too many challenges. “Local authorities will need to adopt a pragmatic approach to viability, with public-private partnerships and the attraction of long-term patient institutional capital likely to be key to unlocking future opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Derbion Masterplan Secures Green Light for 1,150 New Homes in Derby City Centre

Derbion Masterplan Secures Green Light for 1,150 New Homes in Derby City Centre

A major regeneration programme set to reshape Derby city centre has moved a significant step forward after plans to deliver more than 1,150 new homes received planning approval. Shopping centre owner Derbion has secured consent for an ambitious mixed-use masterplan that will transform two prominent redevelopment sites, supporting Derby’s long-term vision to create a more vibrant and sustainable city centre. The approved proposals focus on the former Eagle Market site and the nearby Bradshaw Way Retail Park, both of which have been identified by Derby City Council as priority regeneration areas within its wider Vision for Derby strategy. The largest element of the scheme will see the long-vacant Eagle Market site redeveloped to provide 674 new homes across six residential buildings. The plans aim to breathe new life into a key city centre location that has remained underutilised since the closure of the historic market complex. Meanwhile, the Bradshaw Way Retail Park site will accommodate a further 478 homes, including a landmark 14-storey residential tower that is expected to become a defining feature of Derby’s evolving skyline. Derbion said the development forms a central part of its broader strategy to diversify the city centre by creating a thriving mixed-use destination where people can live, work and socialise. Alongside new homes, the wider vision seeks to strengthen Derby’s retail, leisure and hospitality offer by increasing footfall and supporting local businesses. The company believes that encouraging more people to live in the city centre will help attract additional investment from retailers, food and beverage operators and leisure brands looking to benefit from a growing residential population. The professional team behind the proposals includes Leonard Design Architects, Currie & Brown, Bidwells and Waterman. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, described the masterplan as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to contribute to the revitalisation of Derby’s historic heart. She said the approval represented an important milestone in delivering much-needed new homes while creating the conditions for further economic growth and investment across the city centre. The development is expected to play a pivotal role in Derby’s regeneration ambitions, helping to transform underused sites into vibrant new neighbourhoods that support the city’s future prosperity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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