Oval Real Estate has secured planning permission for a landmark, mixed-use cluster beside Albert Bridge on the River Irwell, reshaping a central Manchester site currently occupied by surface car parks and the ageing 18-storey office block that lent the scheme its name. The revised proposals, designed by Studio Egret West, pivot the development towards homes in response to changing market conditions. Two octagonal residential towers will rise to 49 and 37 storeys, joined by a scaled-down 18-storey commercial building. In total the trio is expected to cost around £350m to deliver, with the office element accounting for just over £100m. Housing capacity has doubled versus the 2023 consent, with approximately 800 apartments now planned. The residential offer emphasises liveability: dual-aspect layouts to improve daylight, cross-ventilation and views across the city, alongside communal amenity set within a re-greened public realm. The commercial block has been reworked to target Net Zero Carbon in operation, pairing a thermally dynamic façade with smart climate systems to support Manchester’s 2038 carbon-neutral ambition. A significant public realm strategy sits at the heart of the scheme. More than 5,700 sq m of new streets and spaces will be created, opening up walking and cycling routes between Parsonage Gardens and the Irwell. An “Urban Arboretum” retains mature trees and layers in new planting, aiming to stitch the river edge back into the city and provide a biodiverse buffer for residents and office users alike. The project team includes Gardiner & Theobald as cost consultant, AKT II as structural engineer and Hoare Lea leading MEP design. Together they will navigate the site’s technical challenges, including foundation interfaces from the existing office block and delivering high-rise residential cores alongside a high-performance office on a constrained plot. For Manchester, the approval reflects a broader realignment of city-centre development—prioritising high-density homes, best-in-class workplace and generous public realm over single-use blocks. If delivered to the current specification, Albert Bridge House will add a distinctive silhouette to the skyline while unlocking a riverside route long hidden behind car parking, signalling confidence in the city’s continued growth and a push for more sustainable, people-first urbanism. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Studio Egret West and Oval Real Estate have received planning approval for the redevelopment of Albert Bridge House, a landmark project set at the historic junction between Manchester and Salford, where Albert Bridge spans the River Irwell. The approved scheme will transform a car park-dominated site, currently occupied by vacant mid-century office building, including the 18-storey Albert Bridge House, into a vibrant mixed-use quarter that reconnects the area with the river and surrounding neighbourhoods. The new design represents a refined evolution of the previously consented 2023 plans, which proposed a single residential tower and a large commercial block. In response to changing market conditions, the updated scheme now features three distinctive buildings, maintaining the same design ambition while delivering a more balanced urban composition and a striking addition to the Manchester skyline. The development will comprise: The proposals also include 5,780 sqm of new public realm, introducing new pedestrian and cycling routes linking Parsonage Gardens to Trinity Bridge and King Street West to the River Irwell. At its heart, an Urban Arboretum will anchor the central square, preserving mature trees and enhancing biodiversity with additional native and non-native planting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hammerson’s plans to transform an underused city centre car park into a vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood called the Edgbaston Street Gardens have been approved. This paves the way for a major regeneration project in the heart of Birmingham. The Edgbaston Street Gardens development, located adjacent to the Bullring, has the potential to deliver up to 745 new apartments or 1,544 student rooms, or a combination of both. Detailed designs will be finalised ahead of demolition work, expected to begin in late 2027, with construction anticipated from 2028 onwards. The scheme forms a key part of Birmingham’s broader city centre regeneration strategy, directly addressing local priorities around housing, sustainability, transport, and urban renewal. Plans include the creation of new green spaces, community amenities, commercial areas, and extensive public realm improvements designed to better connect the Bullring with neighbouring districts such as Digbeth and Smithfield. Hammerson, a long-term investor in Birmingham since the late 1990s, is already well established in the city’s development landscape. The company was responsible for funding and managing the original Bullring redevelopment, and earlier this year became the sole owner of the Bullring and Grand Central for the first time — a move underscoring its continued commitment to Birmingham’s growth. Since 2021, Hammerson has repositioned more than 400,000 sq ft of retail space in the city, introducing new flagship stores and first-to-region brands including Sephora, Pull&Bear, Space NK, and Uniqlo. The Bullring has also diversified its offer with a broader range of food and leisure experiences, now featuring the largest M&S in the Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Derwent London has announced a strategic partnership with Related Argent to transform one of the last major regeneration plots in central London, located at Old Street. The collaboration will focus on redeveloping the 2.5-acre former Moorfields Eye Hospital site, situated close to the capital’s tech hub around Silicon Roundabout. Early studies have confirmed the potential for a substantial mixed-use campus, which could redefine this part of the city’s urban landscape. Completion of the site acquisition is expected in late 2027, after which the partners will work together to secure planning consent for a “living-led” masterplan. The proposals are set to explore a broad mix of uses, including residential, co-living, student accommodation, offices and hotel space. The development framework is being designed to give Derwent London maximum flexibility in how the project is delivered, with options ranging from joint ventures and forward funding to individual plot sales. Related Argent was selected through a competitive tender process, with its proven expertise in large-scale regeneration — demonstrated by landmark projects such as King’s Cross and Brent Cross Town — cited as a key factor in the decision. Paul Williams, chief executive of Derwent London, described the Old Street Quarter as “an exciting regeneration opportunity for one of the few remaining significant island sites in central London.” He continued: “We have actively explored a number of options to ensure we deliver the best possible regeneration and, as part of a competitive tender, Related Argent showcased their extensive experience in master planning this type of large-scale project.” Tom Goodall, chief executive of Related Argent, added: “Together, we will draw on our collective experience leading complex, mixed-use developments to successfully bring forward this site — propelled by a shared ambition to bring long-term value to London.” Once complete, the Old Street project is expected to deliver a new benchmark for mixed-use regeneration, combining residential, commercial and community spaces to create a vibrant new destination in the heart of the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wrexham Council has submitted detailed plans to ignite the city’s long-trailed Gateway regeneration with a mixed programme of culture, commerce and transport improvements next to Wrexham General Station. At the heart of the proposals is a celebration of the city’s brewing heritage. A former Jewson builders’ merchant warehouse would be converted to house a new Wrexham Lager brewery, while the neighbouring Cambrian Sheds are earmarked for a taproom and museum telling the story of local beer-making. Together, they aim to create an anchor visitor attraction on the station’s doorstep, activating the wider site from day one. The application is hybrid. Alongside the detailed change-of-use plans for the brewery and museum, the council is seeking outline consent for a five-storey commercial office building, a new public plaza at the station entrance, and a pedestrian footbridge connecting the northern end of the plot. Public-realm and mobility upgrades include new bus stops, EV charging points, secure cycle storage and improved pedestrian and cycle access from Mold Road. The scheme sits within the broader Wrexham Gateway project, which also encompasses the new Kop stand at the STōK Racecourse and a linked transport hub. Demolition of the former Girl Guides and Wrexham District Scouts buildings is proposed to clear space for the new facilities and public routes. SHR Studio Architecture leads the design team, with Cushman & Wakefield as cost consultant, Hoare Lea on building services and Civic Engineers providing civil and structural input. The design intent pairs adaptive reuse with contemporary infill: industrial sheds are repurposed and made public-facing, while new-build elements frame a coherent station square. For contractors and consultants, the opportunity blends heritage refurbishment with phased new build, complex interfaces around live rail and highway environments, and a sustainability brief that leans on reuse, low-carbon mobility and energy-efficient services. If approved, the project would set a strong urban gateway for arrivals to Wrexham, establishing a cultural draw alongside workspace and improved connectivity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A main contractor has been selected for the first phase of Cheltenham’s landmark Golden Valley project, a £1bn mixed-use development set to become a centre for UK cyber, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. HBD, part of Henry Boot, has appointed Bowmer & Kirkland to lead the initial stage of the scheme, which will be delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council. The 200-hectare development will eventually provide around 2,500 new homes and 1.25 million sq ft of commercial space, positioned next to the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The first phase will feature two flagship buildings, Idea and Router, alongside enabling works to support future development. Work is scheduled to begin on site in spring 2026. Idea, the National Cyber Innovation Centre, will provide 160,000 sq ft of workspace and flexible event facilities. Router, a transport hub powered by smart technology, is designed to enable sustainable travel across the wider scheme and will sit alongside new leisure, retail and wellbeing amenities. Bowmer & Kirkland has an established relationship with HBD, having most recently delivered Island, a £60m office scheme in Manchester city centre. Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: “The importance of Golden Valley in strengthening the UK’s position as a leader in secure innovation really can’t be overstated. The development will play a key role in driving innovation across cyber and deep tech industries while delivering significant economic benefits for Gloucestershire and the wider southwest. With outline planning consent for phase one approved, it’s positive to be able to announce the appointment of Bowmer & Kirkland as we focus on getting started on-site.” Stuart Fanshaw, regional construction director at Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with HBD on this exciting scheme, which will contribute to putting the UK at the forefront of cyber innovation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Southwark councillors have approved London & Regional’s plans to replace the vacant Skipton House office block at Elephant & Castle with a major mixed-use redevelopment comprising four towers, new public realm and ground-floor amenities. Two taller blocks of 30 and 31 storeys will deliver 1,434 purpose-built student rooms let at market rents. Flanking them, two residential towers of 21 and 23 storeys will provide 243 affordable homes, split between 171 for social rent and 72 intermediate units (including shared ownership and London Living Rent). The affordable mix comprises 77 one-bed, 108 two-bed and 58 three-bed flats. Designed by HTA Design with landscape architect Turkington Martin, the scheme also includes around 1,629 sq m of commercial and community space and a new civic square, Skipton Circus, intended to relieve pedestrian congestion and host events, markets and performances. Retail and food-and-beverage uses are planned at ground level within the student buildings, with office space and medical services on the first and second floors. Skipton House, a seven-storey 1990s office block above the former tube station concourse, has been empty since 2022 and will be demolished. The estimated 3.5-year build has prompted local concerns over disruption, alongside objections to height and massing: the consultation logged 116 objections and two letters of support. During committee, residents argued the scheme was out of scale and under-served by infrastructure; councillors acknowledged the step-change in height but weighed this against the site’s long-term vacancy and the on-site affordable housing offer. Planning permission was granted. The decision underscores the council’s focus on housing delivery and town-centre renewal around a major transport node, while consolidating Elephant & Castle’s position as a cluster for higher education demand. It follows a separate approval at the same meeting for a 15-storey student scheme on Old Kent Road from Tailored Living Solutions, providing 169 rooms (studios, “twodios” and accessible units) with a £7.8m payment in lieu to support off-site affordable housing. With demolition clearing the way, London & Regional’s project will reshape a prominent gateway site, adding high-density student accommodation alongside family-sized affordable homes and an upgraded public realm aimed at stitching the development into the wider district. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals