RED Construction Group, the specialist contractor, has announced the completion of a £20.5m office refurbishment to Aviva Investors’ Grade II listed Victorian building, 134 – 146 Curtain House, in Shoreditch. Carried out by RED Construction’s London team, the six-storey, 54,000 sq ft building has undergone an extensive refurbishment, including the introduction of rooftop terraces covering 3,700 sq ft, structural alterations to the existing office into Cat A and B workspace, a new main entrance, reception area, and lifts. Originally built between 1881 and 1887, Curtain House was first used for furniture and clothing manufacturing, and now hosts 40,000 sq ft of office space for the modern-day tenant. Designed by architects Anomaly, Curtain House has been refurbished with a primary focus on sustainable practices, achieving BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating. Complementing the rich history associated with the building, RED’s London team carried out considered external masonry, window and timber floor restoration, and repair of internal brickwork and steel columns. Tony O’Farrell, Divisional Director at RED Construction London, commented: “Considered refurbishment of heritage-rich sites is a core part of RED Construction Group’s expertise, with our London team having successfully delivered an extensive portfolio of developments across multiple sectors in the capital. These types of projects are extremely important and rewarding, especially when we partner with a client like Aviva Investors, that shares our deep-rooted commitment to social value, alongside a desire to evolve buildings in a way that retains heritage.” Petr Esposito, Co-Founder/Director at Anomaly, added: “Working alongside a deliciously formidable team that fundamentally understands the importance of heritage, its nuances, its irks, its challenges, its charms, and is committed to developing innovative and sustainable practices to best support the retrofit of a gorgeous historic site such as Curtain House, is unquestionably imperative. RED Construction Group have been the ideal partner to bring the relentless ambition of Aviva Investors to life, delivering our combined vision for what is a truly landmark, truly naughty building.” Aiming to build a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry and committed to leaving a positive legacy, RED Construction Group partnered with Aviva Investors on a range of social value initiatives to give back to the community. Alongside partnerships spanning wood recycling initiatives and creative placemaking, the Curtain House team has maintained a long-term partnership with The Land Collective as part of their Black Girls in Property programme. Intended to equip young black women with skills and knowledge for careers in the built environment, the team has held four repeat engagement events through the project’s duration that include a site tour for 20 students, a three-day ‘Investing in Your Future’ initiative, two internships, and an engagement event showcasing the progress of the project. The emphasis on Social Value initiatives at Curtain House has meant that the project has surpassed its initial targets across an array of education metrics. Including the work with The Land Collective, RED has through the course of the project helped to deliver nearly four times more than the targeted number of educational hours for outreach, and more than double the number of work experience placement days. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hertfordshire based contractor Conamar has secured an £18 million contract from Alchemy Asset Management to refurbish and decarbonise 7–21 Wilson Street in the City of London. Work is due to start on site in January, with completion targeted for summer 2027. The project will see the former Arbuthnot Bank building transformed into around 36,000 square feet of best in class, sustainably refurbished office space, including a substantial rooftop terrace. A key feature of the scheme is a new façade designed to refresh the building’s presence on Wilson Street. The upgraded frontage will incorporate curved glazing alongside high performance stone and terracotta cladding, giving the property a contemporary look while improving its environmental performance. Conamar is understood to have beaten competition from RED Construction and Forcia to secure the job following a competitive tender process. David Hughes, director at Alchemy Asset Management, said:“We are delighted to have selected Conamar to deliver this exciting project on behalf of our overseas client. This speculative investment responds directly to sustained occupier appetite and reflects our confidence in the resilience of the London office market. “Having secured planning consent earlier this year, we ran a competitive tender process over the summer, and we were impressed with Conamar’s diligence and commitment to the project. We look forward to delivering this refurbishment with them into an increasingly tightly supplied market.” Nathanial Crichton, pre construction director at Conamar, added:“The competitive tender, followed by a rigorous due diligence period, enabled us to demonstrate our understanding of the client’s development drivers and value priorities. “Through collaborative design and commercial analysis, we identified additional net internal area and realised close to £2 million in cost efficiencies. Our dedicated design partners and core supply chain have been instrumental in shaping a deliverable and efficient route to market. We are very pleased to be moving forward and look forward to bringing this project to life.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction has been chosen by developer Global Holdings Management Group to deliver Xylo, a pioneering 100,000 square foot office building in Clerkenwell that will become the UK’s largest all timber frame workplace. The nine storey scheme in central London moves into full construction following the completion of enabling works. McLaren will now work with architects Piercy&Co, project manager Avison Young, services and sustainability engineers Max Fordham, and structural and civil engineers Heyne Tillett Steel, with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2028. Xylo is being billed as one of the most environmentally advanced office buildings in the world. Its structure will be formed entirely from glulam beams and cross laminated timber, supplied by Hybrid Structures, part of the William Hare Group. The extensive use of engineered timber significantly reduces embodied carbon when compared with traditional steel and concrete, while also aiming to create a warm, natural internal environment for future occupiers. Darren Gill, managing director for London and South at McLaren Construction, said the job represents a major step forward for sustainable office development in the capital. “This is a pioneering use of structural timber and off site manufacturing to deliver a high level of buildability and sustainability on a typically tight central London site,” he said. “The result will be a landmark project that redefines what a sustainable, healthy workplace can be. Rigorous digital information management systems enable us to monitor carbon emissions as the project progresses and ensure that it comfortably meets its ambitious targets.” Josh Lawrence, chief executive of Global Holdings Management Group UK, added: “We are delighted to be working with McLaren to deliver Xylo – a game changing project and a significant milestone for our industry. Xylo is going to be the perfect building for companies that are leaders in their fields, showcasing the most environmentally friendly technologies in a truly beautiful building, underpinned by a vibrant neighbourhood and excellent transport links.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The timetable for a major new over-station development at Paddington has been brought forward, with main contractor Mace now preparing to start full construction in the first quarter of next year. Developer Helical, which is delivering the project in joint venture with Transport for London’s property company Places for London, said the programme for the canalside scheme has been “materially accelerated” following early engagement with Mace. Preparatory works are already under way on site ahead of formal acquisition, which is due to complete in January 2026. The scheme will deliver a 235,000 square foot office building above Paddington Station, adding premium workspace in a location with strong transport links and constrained supply. Designed by Grimshaw, the proposed 19 storey building will provide 15 floors of office accommodation above ground floor retail, activating the canalside frontage and stitching the new development into the wider Paddington regeneration area. The value of Mace’s contract has been reported at around £200 million. As a result of the reworked programme, completion is now targeted for the third quarter of 2028, bringing the delivery date forward from the previous target of the fourth quarter. Helical noted that this would see the building come to market at a time when prime office supply in central London is expected to be particularly limited. Alongside progress at Paddington, Helical has also confirmed that heads of terms have been agreed for the forward funding of its development above Southwark Tube station, again in partnership with Places for London. This project will see the construction of a 429 studio student accommodation building, with the 44 affordable homes within the scheme forward sold to the London Borough of Southwark. Both transactions are expected to exchange before the end of the year. Construction at Southwark is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026, with completion of both the student accommodation and the affordable housing targeted for 2029, further underlining Helical’s role in delivering complex, transport-linked schemes across the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major deep retrofit of the former Pinners Hall at 108 Old Broad Street has been approved, paving the way for a significant transformation of the 1990s office block in the heart of the City of London. Development manager Patrizia has secured planning consent for the project, working alongside long-standing partner Far East Organization, which owns the building. The site sits between Liverpool Street and Bank, in one of the busiest pockets of new development in the City core. Designed by architect Stiff and Trevillion, the scheme will add new upper levels and a pavilion on the seventh floor, enhancing the building’s profile and contributing to a total of around 200,000 square feet. Patrizia says the plans will increase net lettable space by roughly 15 per cent. The building has already been stripped out and main construction work is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, with completion targeted for summer 2027. A contractor has yet to be appointed. The project team includes Quartz as project manager and Gardiner and Theobald as quantity surveyor. The redevelopment builds on Patrizia’s value add portfolio across Europe, including recent projects at 40 Grosvenor Place in Belgravia, 24 Endell Street in Covent Garden and The Louise in Brussels. The company continues to advance its brown to green strategy, focusing on delivering future fit offices in major markets. Dan Williams, head of investment management development at Patrizia, said the planning approval represents an important step towards realising the vision for 108 Old Broad Street. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hines, a leading global real estate investment manager, has acquired Worship Square, a newly built Grade A office building at 65 Clifton Street in the heart of the City of London, from HB Reavis, a preeminent European real estate developer and investor, in an off-market transaction. The 139,000-square-foot property offers premium workspace across nine floors with terraces and amenities. Located right in the heart of the City, the building was completed by HB Reavis in 2024 and is 97% leased to leading occupiers, including Wise, a global technology company, and Frontier Economics, a prominent European economic consultancy. A mix of flexible workspace is available, with the lower ground and basement floors offered by HB Reavis’ brand HubHub. 3,800-square-foot of retail space is also available on the ground floor. Alfonso Munk, Global Co-Head of Investment Management at Hines, said: “We are delighted to make this acquisition at a time when compelling demand-supply dynamics for prime office space in London have created an extremely favorable backdrop for rental growth.” “Occupiers are demanding high-quality, amenity-rich office space in the city’s best locations, and this building delivers on every front. Our research shows a growing bifurcation between best-in-class offices and the rest, and Worship Square positions us firmly on the right side of that trend.” Steven Skinner, CEO of HB Reavis Developments, added: “Worship Square is a landmark, multi-award-winning UK project that embodies our long-held strategic focus delivering highly sustainable and healthy workplaces that put the occupier at the heart. The calibre of occupier and attracting a near 100% occupancy at building completion is testament to the quality of development. The completion of the asset sale to Hines enables additional capital to reinvest into our existing development pipeline.” With limited Grade A availability and rising construction costs, businesses have been driving a flight to quality, prioritizing modern, sustainable and well-located offices. Institutional liquidity is also returning to the London office market, reinforcing confidence in prime assets like Worship Square. Jake Walsh, Managing Director at Hines said: “Securing an asset of this quality in a prime location in London off market is a testament to Hines’ unique ability to deliver on behalf of our investors, in a market where alpha creation at all stages of the ownership lifecycle is vital.” This investment, made on behalf of a Hines-sponsored fund, aligns with the firm’s global strategy to focus on prime assets across all asset types in gateway cities, delivering resilient income and positioning its portfolio to benefit from new macroeconomic and geopolitical trends shaping the future. HB Reavis’ long-term strategy continues to centre on premium projects and long-term asset management, while retaining the flexibility to respond to opportunities which support the strategic optimisation of its portfolio. In this context, transactions such as the sale of Worship Square create additional capacity for the company to advance new development opportunities in the United Kingdom and Germany, which remain key markets in its development strategy Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction consultancy Bentley has opened a new office in London, marking a significant step in its regional growth strategy and strengthening its footprint across the South of England. The expansion builds on the success of the firm’s established operations in the Midlands and the North, where Bentley has continued to grow its client base and deliver projects across both the public and private sectors. The new London base will support strategic land schemes and other major projects across the region. Main board directors Jonathon Bentley and Tom Mascari are leading the office launch, overseeing the company’s expansion in the South and ensuring continued delivery of core services including project management, development and cost management. Jonathon Bentley, managing director at Bentley, said: “Opening our London office is an important milestone for us. Our strategic plan for 2024 – 2030 always identified regionalisation as a key objective, building on the strong foundations we’ve set in the Midlands and North. With a growing portfolio of sites and clients in the South, the time is right for us to establish a permanent base in London. “This move allows us to be closer to our clients, strengthen our work in strategic land, and grow a local team that reflects our ambitions in the region. We’re excited about the opportunities this brings and look forward to replicating the success we’ve achieved elsewhere.” Bentley currently has 13 active sites across the South and is working with a number of established clients to promote and deliver new developments. The consultancy is also recruiting regionally to support its expanding pipeline and mirror the growth achieved in the North. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One Fleet Realty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Takenaka Corporation, together with Savills Development Management, has secured planning permission for Tessera, a landmark office development at 1 Fleet Place. Designed by renowned architects Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the building is set to deliver 155,000 sq ft of premium office space in the heart of the City of London. The scheme represents a comprehensive redesign of the existing structure, with a focus on high-quality specification, sustainability, and tenant experience. Tessera will feature: Located at the convergence of Farringdon, Midtown, Blackfriars and St Paul’s, Tessera offers exceptional connectivity—within walking distance of multiple Underground lines, the Elizabeth Line, and Thameslink services. Sustainability is central to the design, with the development targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, NABERS 5* and EPC ‘A’ ratings. Takenaka is one of Japan’s leading engineering, construction and investment companies, with an extensive real estate portfolio spanning commercial, residential, and hotel assets across Asia, Europe, and the USA. Kat Norton, Director at Savills Development Management, commented: “Bringing Tessera to market marks a major milestone for both the building and the City. With limited new supply in the pipeline, demand for high-quality office space remains strong. Tessera’s location, scale and amenity offering make it an ideal choice for occupiers seeking a future-facing headquarters.” Savills and Cushman & Wakefield have been jointly appointed to lease the building, which is scheduled for completion in 2029. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Great Portland Estates (GPE) has received planning approval for a major refurbishment of Whittington House in London’s West End, paving the way for 74,500 sq ft of new premium headquarters workspace. Camden Council has resolved to grant consent for the comprehensive eight-storey revamp, which will retain the building’s original Richard Seifert & Partners architecture while introducing a series of modern, sustainability-led upgrades. The proposals include enhanced energy performance, improved building services, a new rooftop terrace and a pavilion overlooking the recently pedestrianised Alfred Place. Due for completion in early 2027, the scheme will strengthen GPE’s growing cluster of Grade A offices around Tottenham Court Road. Together with the Gable Building, the Courtyard Building and existing holdings on Alfred Place, the Whittington House project will help deliver a combined 220,000 sq ft of high-spec workspace in one of the capital’s most connected locations. The refurbishment is designed to respond to evolving occupier expectations for quality, flexibility and amenity, rather than pursuing wholesale demolition. By retaining and reworking the existing structure, GPE aims to reduce embodied carbon while still delivering a workplace that meets modern standards for comfort, wellbeing and environmental performance. Trevor Phyo, senior development manager at GPE, said: “Securing planning permission from Camden Council marks a significant milestone for this project. We’re proud to be breathing new life into this building, recognising its architectural heritage, and transforming it into a standout workplace that reflects the future of office design.” With planning now secured, detailed design and pre-construction work will progress ahead of the main build, positioning Whittington House as a key part of GPE’s long-term West End office strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Multiplex has claimed the top spot in the latest Barbour ABI contractors’ rankings after securing the flagship Dovetail Building project at One Cutler Street in the City of London. The landmark appointment marks one of the most significant commercial tower wins of the year and reinforces Multiplex’s strong presence in the capital’s high-rise market. Developed by Brockton Everlast, The Dovetail Building will deliver around 450,000 sq ft of Grade A, net-zero carbon office space close to Liverpool Street Station. The 23-storey tower, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), will replace the former 115–123 Houndsditch site and is set for completion in the second quarter of 2029. Built to a Cat A finish, the building will feature approximately 22,000 sq ft floorplates with private terraces on every level. The 13th and 14th floors will include dramatic triple-bay, double-height hubs offering panoramic views across the City, while the top floor will feature a distinctive sky pavilion. The scheme’s design prioritises sustainability, wellbeing and flexibility – targeting NABERS 5*, BREEAM Outstanding, LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum certifications. David Marks and Richard Selby, co-founders of Brockton Everlast, said: “We are pleased to be delivering The Dovetail Building in the heart of the City – a project that reflects our long-term commitment to delivering high-quality commercial spaces in London. Aligned with the Corporation of London’s ‘City Plan 2040’ vision, The Dovetail Building will deliver net-zero office space that positively contributes to a vibrant and sustainable future for the Square Mile. We are looking forward to seeing Deconstruct commence the piling phase next month and are pleased to have now selected Multiplex as our construction partner; both important milestones for the project.” According to Barbour ABI data, Multiplex’s major City win helped propel it to the top of the monthly contracts league, reflecting both the scale of the Dovetail project and the continued momentum in London’s commercial property market. The development represents a significant addition to the City’s skyline and a benchmark for the next generation of sustainable, high-performance office buildings. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals