The Northern Engineering Division of one of the UK’s leading engineering and services firms, HE Simm Group, has won a £16m contract to deliver a commercial project as part of the new regional hub in Blackpool – that VINCI is constructing as part of Muse and Blackpool Council’s £350m Talbot
17-storey glass structure in Central Manchester welcomes global pharmaceutical company as first tenant Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has agreed terms with its first commercial tenant at Glassworks, the Group’s first exclusively commercial development located in central Manchester. The tenant, a privately owned, international healthcare company,
Following the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for over 50 years, further excavations at a new London development site have uncovered a Roman mausoleum described by experts as “completely unique.” The incredibly rare finds have been uncovered at The Liberty of
The £300 million transformation of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City has reached another significant development milestone with the completion of structural work for a 346-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) complex, forward funded by Legal & General. Candleriggs Development 2 Limited – the joint venture between Drum Property Group and Stamford Property
Delivery of New Student Loans Company HQ Marks Final Point of Clydeside Regeneration – SLC to relocate in the Autumn The final building phase at Drum Property Group’s £500 million regeneration of Buchanan Wharf on Glasgow’s Clydeside has reached practical completion with the successful delivery of the new office headquarters for
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
Plans have been submitted for the second phase of Manor Road Quarter in the London Borough of Newham. The proposals were put forward by the English Cities Fund (ECF) to create a community in Canning Town. ECF is a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse, Homes England, and Legal &
Birmingham City Council’s planning committee have approved the development of Curzon Wharf, the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development. The decision was expected to be made back in February however the committee wanted further information around the size and affordability of the homes. Woodbourne Group have offered to
Award-winning construction and property consultancy, Summers-Inman, has been appointed to two major regeneration projects in Sheffield, both of which form part of the city’s ongoing redevelopment. In both cases, the developer behind the projects is York-based Grantside – well known for its hugely successful Quorum Business Park in Newcastle and
Architecture company Jeffrey Bell + Company has unveiled renders of what new developments at Manchester’s iconic Rylands building could look like. Global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha is set to redevelop the Grade II listed former Debenhams building into a mixed-use development site comprising retail, leisure and office space. Originally
The Northern Engineering Division of one of the UK’s leading engineering and services firms, HE Simm Group, has won a £16m contract to deliver a commercial project as part of the new regional hub in Blackpool – that VINCI is constructing as part of Muse and Blackpool Council’s £350m Talbot Gateway Regeneration Scheme. The contract, which will see the firm deliver a full MEP installation, over a 37-week programme, was awarded to the company following its ongoing, successful delivery, at VINCI’s New Victoria scheme for end client Muse Developments. Starting on site in November, and running through to September 2024, the company will also utilise its internal offsite manufacturing team, to provide a modularised roof top plant room amongst other modular items, including risers – to the value of three quarters of a million pounds. Greg Simm, Managing Director for HE Simm Engineering in the North, comments: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract, especially as it comes off the back of the work we are currently undertaking at New Victoria. “It will be the largest commercial scheme delivered by the Northern Engineering Division and we are looking forward to getting going in November.” Gareth Simm, Chief Executive Officer for the company, adds: “This contract award plays well into our continued diversification strategy, which sees more and more of our work completed in sectors including commercial, industrial and healthcare, whilst also staying true to our roots of delivering the very best MEP in the UK residential sector.” HE Simm was founded in 1948, 75 years ago this year. Since then, it has become recognised as a leading player in the design, delivery and installation of MEP, Fire & Security, Maintenance and Offsite Manufacturing capabilities across numerous sectors, for many long-term clients. To read more about the company visit www.hesimm.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
17-storey glass structure in Central Manchester welcomes global pharmaceutical company as first tenant Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has agreed terms with its first commercial tenant at Glassworks, the Group’s first exclusively commercial development located in central Manchester. The tenant, a privately owned, international healthcare company, signed up to a 10-year lease and will occupy 2,000 sq ft on the 14th floor of the Glassworks tower. Founded over forty years ago, the company operates globally and was searching for new premises for its UK Head Office. Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “We are delighted to welcome our first tenant to Glassworks, the destination for its new Manchester base. Our tenant has been based in Manchester for a number of years. The team came to us seeking modern, efficient and well-equipped new premises from which it will continue to benefit hugely not only from Manchester’s vibrant business sector but also the city’s impressive academic and scientific pedigree that’s nurtured by our leading universities.” Salboy and its dedicated construction partner, Domis, achieved practical completion on Glassworks, their first major commercial scheme, in February 2023. Glassworks is a 17-storey tower constructed in the heart of central Manchester. It was designed by Jon Matthews Architects. The scheme is located on Back Turner Street which connects Manchester’s busy Central Retail District to the vibrant Northern Quarter. The new scheme takes its name not only from its primarily glass structure but from the former glass dealership that existed on the site in the early 1900s. The scheme comprises 48,000 sqft of commercial space as well as high spec tenants’ amenities that include breakout spaces, bike storage, spacious showering facilities, an outdoor terrace for socialising and exclusive events, and a modern lobby with barista services. The scheme is also ideally situated within five minutes’ walk of major transport links, a high concentration of restaurants and bars, and the Northern Quarter’s fast expanding tech hub. Ismail continues: “Glassworks’ eye-catching aesthetic in one of the most lively, dynamic parts of the city makes it an ideal destination for companies looking to build a base in the heart of the Northern business community. Whether they are startups looking to scale, or larger businesses that want to upgrade the space they occupy, Glassworks is designed to work hard for its tenants, creating flexibility and enjoyable, productive working environments. We’re excited to see the early uptake from tenants and look forward to seeing Glassworks achieve its full potential at full occupancy before long.” OBI represented the tenant and Knight Frank represented Salboy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the discovery in February 2022 of some of the largest Roman mosaics found in London for over 50 years, further excavations at a new London development site have uncovered a Roman mausoleum described by experts as “completely unique.” The incredibly rare finds have been uncovered at The Liberty of Southwark site, a stone’s throw away from Borough Market and London Bridge Station. Archaeological investigations were led by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), on behalf of Landsec and Transport for London (TfL), who own the site, and Southwark Council. The remains of the mausoleum (a type of monumental tomb) uncovered on Landsec and TfL’s Southwark development include the walls and interior flooring. At its centre, is a striking mosaic surrounded by a raised platform on which the burials were placed. The lowest entrance steps into the structure also survive. Significantly, this level of preservation of the interior makes this the most intact Roman mausoleum ever to be discovered in Britain. Landsec and TfL are working together in a joint venture partnership on The Liberty of Southwark development and are committed to restoring and retaining the mausoleum within the permanent scheme for public display and enjoyment. The future display of the mausoleum will provide a tangible link between the Roman archaeology of Southwark and the site on which the artefacts were found, making these unique discoveries publicly accessible. Antonietta Lerz, Senior Archaeologist at MOLA – “This relatively small site in Southwark is a microcosm for the changing fortunes of Roman London – from the early phase of the site where London expands and the area has lavishly decorated Roman buildings, all the way through to the later Roman period when the settlement shrinks and it becomes a more quiet space where people remember their dead. It provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle in this part of the city in the Roman period.” Marcus Geddes, Managing Director – Workplace at Landsec – “These extraordinary finds add great significance to the already culturally rich location of The Liberty of Southwark. We’re pleased to have worked together to ensure these finds were uncovered prior to our construction on site and we’re committed to celebrating Southwark’s heritage in the future of the development. We’ll continue to work with MOLA to preserve and protect the mausoleum and mosaics, and to display them for the enjoyment of the public and our future office and retail customers at The Liberty of Southwark.” Councillor Catherine Rose, Southwark Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Leisure and Parks – “The rediscovery of this Roman mausoleum and mosaics is a testament to the rich tapestry of our past. It is a moment of pride for Southwark, as we pay homage to the ingenuity and artistic brilliance that graced our borough in the Roman times. We are extremely grateful to the archaeologists, historians, and all those involved in unearthing these extraordinary remnants. As a council we are committed to preserving and promoting these archaeological treasures, ensuring that they are accessible to the local community and beyond for generations to come. This includes the recent discovery of a stone sarcophagus built into a mausoleum near Harper Road and a 19th century sculpture of King Alfred in Trinity Church”. Victoria Shin, Senior Property Development Manager at TfL – ‘This new discovery builds on the exciting findings already uncovered and develops our understanding of the changing use of the site throughout the Roman period. It is key that as we bring forward new developments across the whole of London that we work hard with others to preserve and reflect the heritage of London whilst delivering the homes and jobs that London needs to continue to thrive in the future.” The mausoleum underwent significant modifications during its lifetime and archaeologists uncovered a second mosaic directly beneath the first – indicating the floor of the structure was raised during its lifetime. The two mosaics are similar in design, with a central flower surrounded by a pattern of concentric circles set within a pavement formed of small red tiles. The walls of the structure were almost completely dismantled, probably during the medieval period, for reuse elsewhere. However, all signs indicate this was a substantial building, perhaps two storeys high, requiring large buttresses in the corners for support. Alongside the mosaics, the mausoleum contained a raised platform formed of tiles bonded with a hard wearing and waterproof pink mortar known as opus signinum. The platform defined the locations for the burials, arranged around three sides of the structure parallel to the walls. The mausoleum would have been used by wealthier members of Roman society. It may have been a family tomb or perhaps belonged to a burial club, where members would have paid a monthly fee to be buried inside. Archaeologists didn’t find any of the coffins or burials that would have originally been inside the mausoleum. However, over 100 coins were discovered, together with some scrap pieces of metal, fragments of pottery and roofing tiles. Furthermore, the area immediately surrounding the mausoleum contained over 80 Roman burials, which included personal items such as copper bracelets, glass beads, coins, pottery, and even a bone comb. This collaboration to safely excavate the site ahead of construction has now concluded. Yet, work to process and fully understand the finds continues. Among other areas of investigation, MOLA specialists will be working to pinpoint an exact date for the mausoleum. The site is being redeveloped as The Liberty of Southwark, a complex of offices, homes and shops that is a joint venture by Landsec and TfL. This will bring exciting contributions to the local area including increasing connectivity, creating jobs, enhancing Crossbones Graveyard, and providing much needed affordable workspace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The £300 million transformation of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City has reached another significant development milestone with the completion of structural work for a 346-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) complex, forward funded by Legal & General. Candleriggs Development 2 Limited – the joint venture between Drum Property Group and Stamford Property Investments – first agreed a deal with Legal & General Investment Management Real Assetsin 2020 to bring the £81.5 million apartment complex to the 3.6-acre Candleriggs Square site, lying at the heart of the city’s popular Merchant City area. Designed to meet the growing post-lockdown demand for affordable and high-quality city centre rental accommodation in vibrant city centre locations, the 325,000 sq. ft building will provide 346 apartments together with a range of retail and commercial units at ground floor level creating an attractive and accessible public realm. A generous entrance lobby will open onto Glasgow’s Trongate, giving direct access to a communal landscaped courtyard at the first-floor level, while a range of roof terraces will provide spectacular views across the city. The ‘Topping Out’ of the building marks a new high point of the much-anticipated regeneration of the Candleriggs Square site. Also currently under construction is the 500-room hotel and leisure complex owned and operated by the pioneering hotel brand The Social Hub – formerly known as The Student Hotel Group – which is due for completion later this year. Senior representatives from Drum, Legal & General and building contractor Graham Construction gathered to mark the occasion with a traditional Topping Out ceremony, each recording their signatures on the last concrete pour on the highest part of the building. Graeme Bone, Managing Director of Drum Property Group, welcomed the building’s structural completion as marking an exciting future for the city centre. “Our significant progress at Candleriggs Square is fast becoming a highly visible symbol of the regeneration of Glasgow’s Merchant City and the city centre as it continues its post-lockdown recovery,” he said. “The L&G development is testament to the commitment and confidence we have placed in both the Candleriggs Square site and Glasgow city centre during very challenging times for our industry. It represents a significant step forward in the long-awaited regeneration of one Glasgow’s most prominent gap sites, driving forward the evolution of Candleriggs Square which has quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s largest and most important commercial and residential development sites. This will be a huge boost to the area and to local businesses and we can now look forward to bringing back to life a very special area which has always been at the centre of Glasgow’s commercial and social development.” Dan Batterton, Head of Residential at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, added: “We are proud to be working again with Drum following our successful partnership on the Solasta Riverside scheme at Buchanan Wharf. Through our development at Candleriggs Square, we are providing renters with an opportunity to move into a well-designed, flexible living space at the heart of the city, as well as supporting the local council’s target of 2,500 new homes per year over the next decade.” Drum and Stamford’s joint venture launched the ambitious £300m plan to transform Candleriggs Square when they first bought the site in March 2019. Plans include a high-quality mixed-use scheme combining homes, offices, hotels, restaurants and local amenities, together with landscaped open spaces and accessible walkways with a new public square at its heart. The L&G residential complex will sit at the heart of Merchant City, one of Glasgow’s most desirable neighbourhoods and will help meet tenant demand for city centre housing which is located next to large employers. The development aims to create the best possible experience for renters, providing high-speed digital connectivity, dedicated workspace and exercise facilities – all of which are essential in a post-covid world. For more information on Candleriggs Square, visit: www.candleriggs-square.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Delivery of New Student Loans Company HQ Marks Final Point of Clydeside Regeneration – SLC to relocate in the Autumn The final building phase at Drum Property Group’s £500 million regeneration of Buchanan Wharf on Glasgow’s Clydeside has reached practical completion with the successful delivery of the new office headquarters for the Students Loans Company (SLC). SLC will now progress the internal fit-out of the six-storey, 75,000 sq ft building with occupation scheduled for autumn this year. SLC staff are now set to relocate to the purpose-built complex from its Bothwell Street office as part of a 20-year deal. The build was forward funded by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, providing another regional government office for the company’s portfolio and strengthening its ongoing relationship with Drum Property Group. The completion of the SLC building represents the final piece in the jigsaw for the Buchanan Wharf site, one of Scotland’s largest ever development projects. The site provides a mix of local amenities, cycle lanes and landscaped public spaces on the banks of the River Clyde and is already home to Barclay’s state-of-the-art Northern European campus HQ and the award-winning Solasta Riverside, an 18-storey, 324-apartment residential complex also owned by Legal & General. Welcoming the SLC completion at Buchanan Wharf, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum Property Group said: “The practical completion of the Student Loans Company’s new office complex finally realises Drum’s ambitious five-year vision for Buchanan Wharf. We have now successfully transformed a neglected industrial brownfield site into a thriving living and working community, re-energising this waterfront area and once again making the River Clyde an integral part of Glasgow city centre. Buchanan Wharf is one of Scotland’s largest and most important commercial and residential projects, delivered whilst facing the extreme economic and logistical challenges created by the pandemic. The project is now recognised as a development of national significance and sets the direction of future regeneration of Glasgow’s city centre.” The new Student Loans Company headquarters supports the organisation’s vision and mission to continue to enable student opportunity and deliver an outstanding customer experience to its eight million customers. SLC colleagues played a lead role in the design of the new office space to optimise opportunities for collaboration and blended working to deliver a new flexible office experience. David Wallace, Deputy Chief Executive at the Student Loans Company added: “This is not only an important milestone for us but for the wider development which has reached its practical competition. Buchanan Wharf has transformed the landscape of this part of the city and it’s been great to watch our building progress over the last year. To reach the point where we can start to fit out our space, creating a collaborative and modern working experience for our colleagues, is really exciting. We are starting to bring our vision to life and we are looking forward to becoming part of the Buchanan Wharf community later this year.” The investment by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to UK regions, levelling up and the growing strength of regional hubs across the country. Neil Dovey, Head of Annuity Transaction for LGIM Real Assets, said: “This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to regions across the UK and levelling up, particularly as part of a mixed-use regeneration opportunity, and adds another high-quality government building to our portfolio.” For more information on Buchanan Wharf, visit www.buchananwharf.com
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
Plans have been submitted for the second phase of Manor Road Quarter in the London Borough of Newham. The proposals were put forward by the English Cities Fund (ECF) to create a community in Canning Town. ECF is a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse, Homes England, and Legal & General, one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and major global investor. The next stage of the landmark project will create 290 homes across four new buildings, along with new leisure and amenity space. Should the second phase receive consent in June, ECF will be working towards a start on site in 2024. Work on the first part of Manor Road Quarter started in September 2021 and has just passed the half-way point of the build. It features a landmark 32-storey tower and 335 new homes, alongside ground-floor retail units and beautifully-curated public spaces for the community to enjoy. Subject to planning approval, the second and third phases will see Manor Road Quarter bring forward a further 449 homes, making for a total of 804 new homes in Canning Town, of which 50% will be affordable. The completed neighbourhood will also include a new 2.5-acre park, providing a stunning space to dwell and spend time in for both residents and the wider community. The green space will also help promote active travel through new walking and cycle routes – creating a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community space. Duncan Cumberland, residential director at ECF, said: “We’ve been investing in Canning Town for a long time and feel Manor Road Quarter, which follows on from the new homes we created next door at Rathbone Market, is a key catalyst in revitalising the area. Aside from the new places we are creating, phase one has already delivered so many valuable benefits in terms of jobs, apprenticeships, training opportunities for the community, along with bringing investment into the local economy. We hope to continue that through phase two and beyond.” The design for phase two of Manor Road Quarter consists of a quartet of new buildings, designated D, E, F and G. Block D is the lowest of the buildings at 8-storey and is located on the western side of the scheme. It has ground floor commercial space and 55 residential homes on the upper floors. Block E is a standalone 12-storey building located to the northern end of the site and comprises 90 homes, also with commercial space on the ground floor. Blocks F and G are located on the eastern side of the site and include ground floor commercial, a residents’ lounge and amenity, storage and cycle parking and upper floors designated as residential, creating 145 homes in total. In each building, a proportion of the new homes will have three bedrooms. Manor Road Quarter will feature large cycle storage, in line with Greater London Authority guidelines. Given its very close proximity to London Underground, DLR and bus routes, only 24 car parking bays will be provided to encourage the use of sustainable and more active modes of transport. External features such as green areas, a skate park and an outdoor gym will also help improve the health and wellbeing levels of those living and working in the area. The new neighbourhood at Manor Road is being delivered by ECF in partnership with the Greater London Authority’s Homes for Londoners’ team, London Borough of Newham and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association (MTVH), one of the UK’s largest housing associations. The 177 affordable homes built in phase one will be owned, managed and administered by MTVH. Manor Road Quarter follows on from ECF’s successful completion of the Rathbone Market in Canning Town. This scheme saw the creation of a £160 million mixed-use development that features 652 homes, 32,000 sq. ft of retail space, a library, Neighbourhood Centre, and two new public spaces including the permanent home of the newly revitalised Rathbone Market. Manor Road Quarter has been designed by EPR Architects, with Gardiner and Theobald as the quantity surveyor, Gleeds operating as the client project manager, and Longboard Consulting as the planning consultant. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council’s planning committee have approved the development of Curzon Wharf, the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development. The decision was expected to be made back in February however the committee wanted further information around the size and affordability of the homes. Woodbourne Group have offered to increase the affordable housing offer from 3% to 5%, meaning 31 units will be classed as affordable to satisfy the council. The 564 ft, £360m Curzon Wharf scheme will be situated next to Dartmouth Circus Island and be comprised of 498 built-to-rent units, a 41 storey tower with up to 732 units of purpose-built student accommodation and a 14 storey development with up to 122 units of residential space. More than 3,000 sq ft of the total space will be dedicated to retail with plans for more than 15,000 sq. ft of leisure and dining out space. Paul Kitson, director of place, prosperity, and sustainability at Birmingham City Council, said: “Curzon Wharf is an exciting project for Birmingham and builds upon our ambition to be a greener and more sustainable city. Being home to the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development is something we’re immensely proud of and after six years in planning, we’re delighted that the £360m development has been given the green light to rejuvenate a key gateway into the city, as well as becoming another key piece of the Birmingham skyline.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning construction and property consultancy, Summers-Inman, has been appointed to two major regeneration projects in Sheffield, both of which form part of the city’s ongoing redevelopment. In both cases, the developer behind the projects is York-based Grantside – well known for its hugely successful Quorum Business Park in Newcastle and the Bonding Warehouse, York. At The Hive, Kelham Island – widely considered to be the coolest place to live, work and socialise in the city – the first Carbon Net Zero building will be developed, and Summers-Inman will be responsible for cost consultancy and project management. Located on Bowling Green Street, The Hive includes 100 co-living studios, spread over five floors and is designed with a focus on a curated community living style. It will offer residents facilities such as communal kitchens, roof top allotments, laundry/café facilities and dedicated working and rest zones, whilst at ground floor level, commercial units will provide space for start-ups, independent traders and entrepreneurs looking for creative and inspirational space to grow their businesses. The second project, known as 190 Norfolk Street and located on the corner of Charles and Norfolk Street, is also a Net Carbon Zero scheme. Seen as an architectural exemplar of design for Sheffield, it will overlook the award-winning public space, Peace Gardens. Summers-Inman has an expanded brief on this project, also taking on the role of principal designer. Grantside’s proposals for this six-storey office development were approved by Sheffield City Council’s Planning Committee in November 2022. This mixed-use office development, which is set to become a new landmark location in the heart of Sheffield’s commercial district, has again been designed with wellbeing and sustainability at its core. It will include around 2,200 sqft of retail and active space on the ground floor, with 19,500 sqft of flexible office space above. Designed for multi or single occupancy, the building benefits from excellent natural daylight, local controllable ventilation and terraces at each floor level giving access to outdoor space and will be completed to shell and core standard for fit-out by the incoming tenant(s). Summers-Inman was appointed to both projects following the submission of a competitive fee bid. Speaking about the firm’s appointment, North-East based John Harvey, Associate Director of Summers-Inman, is delighted to be working with Grantside’s Steve Davis again after a break of some years. He said: “We last worked on a project with Steve about ten years ago. Since then, as a construction consultancy, we have greatly increased our capacity and developed our expertise on inner city projects, making us perfectly placed for this appointment, which we hope is the first of many for Grantside. “We are just about to embark on detailed designs for both schemes and then we can go out to tender. I expect that construction will begin at The Hive in Bowling Green Lane first, later this year. “As a Net Carbon Zero building, the conservation of energy will be a key aspect of the final design. In seeking a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for both buildings, every opportunity will be taken to reduce their carbon footprint with the use of recycled materials, cross-laminated timber, rainwater harvesting and the incorporation of planting with bee-friendly flowers and foliage.” Steve Davis, Managing Director of Grantside Developments, added: “As a developer we always adopt a ‘people first’ approach to design, embracing wellness, the environment and technology. The human interfaces of our projects are always our starting point and I believe that both of these projects demonstrate our philosophy well. “We have taken the utmost care in designing the buildings to ensure they achieve the highest quality standards and we are very much looking forward to beginning the process of collaborating with Summers-Inman and the rest of the design team to take our plans to the next stage.” It is hoped the two-stage tender for The Hive will be launched before the end of April with construction likely to start around 20 weeks later, allowing for work on the detailed building design with the chosen contractor. Summers-Inman operates nationally with a staff of over 130 employed in seven offices throughout the UK in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Teesside, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Birmingham and London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architecture company Jeffrey Bell + Company has unveiled renders of what new developments at Manchester’s iconic Rylands building could look like. Global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha is set to redevelop the Grade II listed former Debenhams building into a mixed-use development site comprising retail, leisure and office space. Originally built as a warehouse, the building on the corner of Market Street and High Street later saw use as a department store until Debenhams’ collapse in 2021 saw its closure. The refurbishment will include redevelopment of the existing business and conversion of the upper floors into high-quality office space. The ground floor will see the development of a shopping arcade. Work on the site is expected to begin in the coming weeks with completion expected in early 2025. Construction company Russell WBHO is acting as a construction partner for the project while property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove are letting agents for the building. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
