The City of London Corporation has approved plans for a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, formerly Fountain House. Backed by insurance giant Aviva, the scheme will deliver 57,491 sq m of Grade A workspace. Designed with a staggered, jewel-like form, the tower will add a distinct profile to
Developers Mitsubishi Estate London and CO—RE have officially broken ground on Vista at 72 Upper Ground, a £800m mixed-use scheme on London’s South Bank. Main contractor Multiplex is delivering the 640,000 sq ft redevelopment of the former ITV Studios site, slated to open in 2029 as a new office and
St John’s College has appointed VolkerFitzpatrick for the next phase of expansion at St John’s Innovation Park, Cambridge. The 85,000 sq ft Dirac Building will provide new office space alongside a dedicated Transport Hub. Barbour ABI values the project at around £50m, with Bowmer & Kirkland, Vinci and McLaughlin &
Overbury has been appointed to deliver a landmark £1.1bn refurbishment of Citi’s 42-storey headquarters at 25 Canada Square, in one of the largest commercial refits undertaken in London. Originally unveiled in early 2022, the scale of Citi’s investment has now been confirmed at more than ten times initial estimates, underlining
CBRE Investment Management’s (CBRE IM) ambitious sustainability approach has been fulfilled, with the final BREEAM certification for 30 Semple Street being awarded at the top “Outstanding” level. With a final score of 93.2%, this marks a number of significant achievements for the project as it becomes Scotland’s first BREEAM Outstanding-certified
Castleforge LLP , a London-based real estate investment firm, and Conversant Capital LLC, a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm that specializes in investing in platforms and providing creative capital solutions within the real estate and real estate-related sectors, today announced a partnership to invest in Central London office assets,
Sentinel attracts significant investor interest Lismore Real Estate Advisors (Lismore) is pleased to announce the successful sale of Sentinel, one of Glasgow’s most recognisable office buildings, in a significant investment transaction that underscores growing confidence in the city’s office investment market. Lismore advised Ardstone Capital investment managers on behalf of
Stanhope and Cheyne Capital have taken the reins of Row One, a landmark consented development on London’s South Bank previously owned by Landsec. The partners have acquired the 1.24-acre site between London Bridge and Southwark Bridge, close to Borough Market and Tate Modern, and will now steer delivery of a
Three Chamberlain Square (3CS) has emerged as one of Birmingham’s most striking new landmarks and a national benchmark for sustainable urban construction. Standing between the city’s Grade I-listed Town Hall and the busy tram line, the ten-storey building combines bold design with engineering ingenuity to create 189,000 square feet of
CBRE’s Project Management and Office Agency teams retained on iconic Liverpool landmark Princes Group plc ( ‘Princes’) , the new owner of the historic Grade-1 Royal Liver Building, has retained real estate advisory firm CBRE on the iconic Liverpool landmark. CBRE’s Property Management and Office Agency teams are both retained
The City of London Corporation has approved plans for a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, formerly Fountain House. Backed by insurance giant Aviva, the scheme will deliver 57,491 sq m of Grade A workspace. Designed with a staggered, jewel-like form, the tower will add a distinct profile to the Square Mile’s cluster of tall buildings. Demolition of the existing block is scheduled for 2026, with completion targeted for 2030. Tom Sleigh, chair of the City’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said the project reflects the Corporation’s drive to support growth with high-quality workplaces, public routes and views, and to deliver jobs and best-in-class offices at scale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developers Mitsubishi Estate London and CO—RE have officially broken ground on Vista at 72 Upper Ground, a £800m mixed-use scheme on London’s South Bank. Main contractor Multiplex is delivering the 640,000 sq ft redevelopment of the former ITV Studios site, slated to open in 2029 as a new office and cultural destination. Designed by Make Architects, the commercially led scheme centres on a 25-storey office tower linked to two smaller buildings of 14 and 6 storeys, all set on a substantial podium. The design includes external terraces and balconies facing the Thames, a public rooftop restaurant and terrace, and a transformed public realm, with 40% of the site given over to public space. The buildings will be all-electric and are targeting net zero carbon in operation alongside BREEAM Outstanding. Masanori Iwase, senior executive officer at Mitsubishi Estate, said: “Breaking ground at Vista marks the beginning of a new chapter for London’s South Bank. We understand and respect the responsibilities that come with being a major investor in London, and it makes us very proud to demonstrate what can be achieved when working with local government and communities to achieve a shared vision.” Bradley Baker, chief executive of CO—RE, added: “This is a new cultural and commercial destination that will open up the riverfront, support Lambeth’s creative economy, and set new benchmarks for sustainability and wellbeing.” The ceremony brought together senior figures from government, international investment and the project team, including Japan’s ambassador to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
St John’s College has appointed VolkerFitzpatrick for the next phase of expansion at St John’s Innovation Park, Cambridge. The 85,000 sq ft Dirac Building will provide new office space alongside a dedicated Transport Hub. Barbour ABI values the project at around £50m, with Bowmer & Kirkland, Vinci and McLaughlin & Harvey understood to have also bid. Work starts on site in November, with completion scheduled for Q2 2027. “This development exemplifies our commitment to building sustainable, high-quality spaces that meet the needs of forward-looking businesses,” said Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building division. “With our strong track record and experienced team, we look forward to bringing this important next chapter of St John’s Innovation Park to life.” The professional team includes Gardiner & Theobald (project manager), Sheppard Robson (architect), Ramboll (structural, civil and highways), Hoare Lea (building services), Stace (cost manager), Savills (town planning and commercial advisory) and OFR (fire engineering). Owned by St John’s College, the park hosts science, technology and knowledge-intensive organisations including PwC, Darktrace, Cambridge GaN Devices and Cambrionix. The Dirac Building continues a sustained investment programme supporting the North Cambridge R&D cluster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Overbury has been appointed to deliver a landmark £1.1bn refurbishment of Citi’s 42-storey headquarters at 25 Canada Square, in one of the largest commercial refits undertaken in London. Originally unveiled in early 2022, the scale of Citi’s investment has now been confirmed at more than ten times initial estimates, underlining the bank’s long-term commitment to the UK and its role as a global financial hub. The project will reimagine the two-decade-old tower into a state-of-the-art, sustainable, people-centred workplace designed to future-proof Citi’s London operations. David Livingstone, Citi’s chief client officer, said: “This significant investment, which I am pleased to say is progressing on schedule and within budget, underscores Citi’s deep roots and future ambitions in the UK.” Around two-thirds of the £1.1bn spend will flow to UK firms and workers, creating substantial opportunities for SMEs across the supply chain. Citi said that by completion almost 6,000 people will have worked on the project, many living within 25 miles of the building. Edward Skyler, Citi’s head of enterprise services and public affairs, added: “It’s a statement to our thousands of colleagues that they deserve best-in-class workspaces and to our communities that they deserve our lasting commitment.” Delivered by Overbury, Morgan Sindall Group’s office fit-out and refurbishment specialist, the programme aims to set new benchmarks for workplace design, sustainability and user experience. Staff are due to begin moving back into the tower from spring next year. Citi employs about 14,000 people across the UK, including in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Jersey, making the Canada Square redevelopment a defining project for the bank and a significant moment for London’s commercial property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE Investment Management’s (CBRE IM) ambitious sustainability approach has been fulfilled, with the final BREEAM certification for 30 Semple Street being awarded at the top “Outstanding” level. With a final score of 93.2%, this marks a number of significant achievements for the project as it becomes Scotland’s first BREEAM Outstanding-certified office building, Scotland’s highest-rated BREEAM building across all asset classes, and the second highest-scoring completed building refurbishment in the world, according to published BRE records. In addition to such other accreditations as NABERS 5*, “Platinum” scores for Air-Rated and Active Score, and an EPC “A”, the building is designed to achieve net zero carbon operation status in accordance with the UK Green Building Council’s framework definition. Zoe Gray, director at CBRE IM, commented: “Achieving the highest possible BREEAM rating for 30 Semple Street highlights our commitment to sustainability, future-proofing our assets, and delivering value to our occupiers and investors. We believe this office building embodies the future of work, providing a space designed to foster innovation and a high-quality, sustainable environment for our occupiers.” Nick Ball, managing director of Corran Properties, added: “We are delighted to have realised CBRE IM’s and our ambitions to create a genuinely class-leading office development. To have achieved such a high level of BREEAM accreditation is testament to the dedication of the entire design team who ensured every possible detail was considered in order for the building to operate as sustainably as possible.” Designed by MLA Architects, the redevelopment of 30 Semple Street comprised the strip-back to bare frame of the former office building on the site, the addition of two new floors, as well as a stunning 360-degree contemporary façade. The building has flexible floorplates up to 8,040 sq. ft. and an abundance of natural light and opening windows. The design team also included mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy K J Tait, project management and cost consultancy Axiom Services Limited, structural and civil engineering consultancy Blyth & Blyth, and Atelier Ten as fire engineering consultants. Ogilvie Construction was the main contractor. Cuthbert White and Knight Frank are marketing the remaining 25,000 sq. ft. of space in the property. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Castleforge LLP , a London-based real estate investment firm, and Conversant Capital LLC, a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm that specializes in investing in platforms and providing creative capital solutions within the real estate and real estate-related sectors, today announced a partnership to invest in Central London office assets, including acquisitions and structured capital solutions. Affiliates of Conversant have committed an initial £150 million to Castleforge Partners V (Special Opportunities Fund) (the “Fund”), which will focus on investing in the Central London office market. “I’m excited to be working with Michael and his team. Our two organisations have a lot of overlapping relationships and think very similarly about investing,” said Michael Kovacs, Founding Partner at Castleforge. “Central London remains one of the most dynamic office markets in the world, yet the imbalance between supply and demand is now more pronounced than ever. With Conversant’s support, we are well-positioned to deliver prime, well-located office space at a time when companies are looking to bring employees back to the office and prioritise quality, connectivity, and sustainability. Our investment in 75 London Wall, a rare, large-scale redevelopment that will provide London with a new benchmark for high-quality, future-proofed workspace epitomises this strategy.” “Our partnership with Castleforge reflects our conviction in London’s office market and in our collective ability to identify and unlock value,” said Michael Simanovsky, Managing Partner of Conversant Capital. “We believe the current dislocation in the sector presents an exceptional opportunity, where limited new supply and rising demand create the conditions for outsized risk-adjusted returns. With our two firms’ deep domain expertise and relationships, coupled with a flexible mandate to invest across the capital structure, this Fund is structured to capture opportunities others cannot, combining downside protection with significant upside potential.” The Fund is being launched at a time when demand for prime office space in Central London is well above the long-term average, supported by return-to-office strategies and relocations to more central, transport-connected submarkets. Meanwhile, construction cost inflation and a more burdensome regulatory environment have limited new development starts, creating a shortage of high-quality office space. Castleforge and Conversant believe this environment creates an attractive entry point for this strategy, which takes a value-add approach and expects to be able to invest at meaningful discounts to pre-pandemic pricing. The Fund is structured to invest in more than £1 billion of total asset value over the next several years. Importantly, it is designed to invest across the capital structure, including both equity and credit positions as well as joint ventures, enabling it to tailor solutions to a wide range of opportunities. Initial Investments The Fund, acting as a credit provider, recently closed on the £90 million recapitalization of 55 Mark Lane, a 162,000 square foot multi-let office asset in the City of London’s EC3 insurance district. Proceeds will refinance the existing mortgage and fund a capital improvement plan. Castleforge will serve as lender, asset manager, and development manager. The Fund also acquired a secondary interest in 75 London Wall, Castleforge’s flagship office redevelopment. At nearly 500,000 square feet, the project is among the largest underway in the City and is being repositioned into a next-generation workplace focused on sustainability, occupier wellbeing, and modern design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sentinel attracts significant investor interest Lismore Real Estate Advisors (Lismore) is pleased to announce the successful sale of Sentinel, one of Glasgow’s most recognisable office buildings, in a significant investment transaction that underscores growing confidence in the city’s office investment market. Lismore advised Ardstone Capital investment managers on behalf of the Ardstone Regional Office Fund a joint venture with CBRE IM on the £19.60m sale to Clydebuilt II Limited Partnership (CLP II), a joint venture between Scottish property company Ediston and Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF). Prominently located on the corner of Waterloo Street and Douglas Street, Sentinel is a Grade A landmark office building offering high-quality and flexible accommodation, extending to 84,095 sq ft over ground and 9 upper floors, together with 26 secure basement car parking spaces. The prime asset has undergone comprehensive refurbishment, with the most recent works completed in 2022. It now offers superior sustainability credentials, including an all-electric specification, EPC ‘A’ rating and WiredScore ‘Gold’ certification. Through this repositioning, Ardstone attracted a high calibre of occupiers including JLL, DWF, Chubb, Aggreko and Sedgewick International. Commenting on the sale, Simon Cusiter, Director of Lismore said: “The sale of Sentinel represents one of the most notable office investment transactions in Glasgow city centre this year, reinforcing investor appetite for prime, income-producing assets in Scotland’s largest city. Ardstone Capital repositioned the building, helping attract high quality tenants and providing a platform for future performance. The quality of the building was highlighted by the competitive nature of the sale process” Calum Bruce, Fund Manager of CLP II said: “Sentinel provides Clydebuilt with an attractive income stream which can be further improved through active asset management and the letting of the vacant floors. In a market with a limited supply of high-quality office accommodation, Sentinel is an attractive opportunity for tenants looking for new premises, with good interest already being shown by prospective occupiers.” Lismore Real Estate Advisors represented Ardstone Regional Office Fund. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stanhope and Cheyne Capital have taken the reins of Row One, a landmark consented development on London’s South Bank previously owned by Landsec. The partners have acquired the 1.24-acre site between London Bridge and Southwark Bridge, close to Borough Market and Tate Modern, and will now steer delivery of a best-in-class office building with a gross development value of around £450m. With demolition already complete, enabling works will pave the way for the main contract to begin in early 2026, followed by an anticipated two-year build. The consented scheme comprises two basement levels and 11 storeys above ground, providing 235,000 sq ft of flexible Grade-A workspace supported by 15,000 sq ft of retail at ground level. Generous terraces and outdoor areas are planned to maximise the site’s riverside setting and create the kind of amenities increasingly sought by occupiers. Stanhope will act as development and asset manager, drawing on a London pipeline that currently includes 70 Gracechurch Street, One Undershaft, The British Library and 1 Victoria Street. The company’s investment head, Joe Binns, called Row One “a rare opportunity to acquire a significantly de-risked, best-in-class office development in one of London’s most vibrant sub-markets”. He highlighted the South Bank’s continuing evolution as a complementary business district to the City, and pointed to a tightening supply of Grade-A space towards the end of the decade as a key context for the acquisition. “There is an opportunity for high-conviction investors to play a crucial role in ensuring the capital retains its position as a pre-eminent global business hub,” he said, adding that the deal brings another blue-chip capital partner into Stanhope’s orbit. Cheyne Capital, an alternative investment fund manager with a growing presence in real estate, will provide funding alongside Stanhope and help to shape the project’s sustainability ambitions. Nick Grosse, director in Cheyne’s Real Estate Group, said the partnership would deliver “a best-in-class office building distinguished by exceptional ESG credentials, design quality and occupier amenities”. He noted that the scheme already benefits from planning consent and significant site preparation undertaken under Landsec’s stewardship. Occupier expectations are central to the brief. The design is set to prioritise daylight, access to outdoor space, and high-performance building systems that reduce operational carbon and enhance resilience. Excellent connectivity—by rail, Tube, riverboat and active travel—adds further weight to the location’s appeal, while the retail accommodation aims to knit the ground plane into the neighbourhood’s established food, culture and leisure offer. For London’s office market, Row One is another signal that capital is flowing into highly specified, well-located, consented schemes with clear delivery pathways. While secondary stock faces tougher headwinds, prime developments that can demonstrate environmental leadership, strong amenities and transport links are continuing to move forward. If Row One advances on its current timeline, the project will complete into a market that many expect to be short of new Grade-A floorspace—particularly in amenity-rich, mixed-use districts such as the South Bank. As the team progresses design, procurement and enabling works, attention will focus on locking in the building’s sustainability credentials and tenant experience, alongside the rhythm of a construction programme set to begin in 2026. For now, the change of ownership marks a fresh chapter for a prominent riverside site—and another statement of confidence in central London’s long-term office fundamentals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Three Chamberlain Square (3CS) has emerged as one of Birmingham’s most striking new landmarks and a national benchmark for sustainable urban construction. Standing between the city’s Grade I-listed Town Hall and the busy tram line, the ten-storey building combines bold design with engineering ingenuity to create 189,000 square feet of Grade A offices, plus retail and leisure space, all within a remarkably tight city-centre footprint. From the outset, sustainability guided every decision. The project targeted and achieved BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5-star ratings at design stage, placing it among the most environmentally advanced commercial buildings in the UK. Reducing embodied carbon was a constant priority. The structural team used post-tensioned concrete slabs, cutting steel content by about half, and took advantage of exceptionally firm ground conditions to avoid piling altogether. Designers even revisited structural support levels to reduce concrete use further while maintaining full integrity. A close partnership with the supply chain ensured these ambitions were met. Early engagement allowed key contractors to innovate, such as the dry-lining specialist who introduced off-site prefabrication to trim site waste by up to 25 per cent. Biogenic internal finishes added renewable materials to the mix, reinforcing the project’s low-impact credentials and demonstrating a practical approach to circular design. The façade is both a visual statement and a lesson in sustainable craftsmanship. More than 8,000 unglazed terracotta tiles were painstakingly installed over the course of a year, each piece fully demountable so it can be refurbished or recycled in the future. Forgoing a second kiln pass reduced embodied carbon, while the unglazed surface gives the building a warm, tactile character. On the seventh floor the façade curves inward, shifting from vertical to sloped and demanding exceptional precision from the engineering team to align corner units and maintain schedule. Logistics on the constrained site called for inventive solutions. Surrounded by existing buildings and a live tram line, the project relied on one of the UK’s largest hoists, the Alimak Mammoth TM 55/50. Measuring five by three metres and capable of lifting four tonnes—or 50 people—at a time, it moved ducting, plasterboard and workers efficiently, preventing delays that often plague high-rise city builds. A spider crane managed lower-level façade installation while the hoist kept upper floors supplied, demonstrating how careful planning can overcome even the tightest urban constraints. Safety performance was equally impressive. Over 700,000 work hours were completed without a single RIDDOR-reportable incident, an achievement so unusual that the client initially questioned the data. Early enabling works, spanning 20 weeks, helped de-risk the site and embed a “Be Safe, Home Safe” culture. Modern tools such as DataTouch interactive planning software identified and controlled hazards in real time, informing daily briefings and reducing the chance of accidents. Recognition soon followed. Three Chamberlain Square earned a perfect 100 per cent from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, scoring the maximum 15 points in each category of community respect, environmental care and workforce value—an accolade rarely awarded. This outcome reflected a collaborative spirit that ran through every tier of the project team, from developer and asset manager MEPC to consultants, subcontractors and suppliers. The result is a building that marries aesthetic boldness with rigorous environmental responsibility. With its distinctive terracotta skin and advanced construction methods, Three Chamberlain Square sets a new standard for what a city-centre office can be: a workplace that reduces its impact throughout its life cycle, engages the community and inspires everyone who passes by. As Birmingham continues to re-shape its skyline, 3CS stands as proof that ambitious design and genuine sustainability can coexist—and that future urban developments need not compromise on either. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CBRE’s Project Management and Office Agency teams retained on iconic Liverpool landmark Princes Group plc ( ‘Princes’) , the new owner of the historic Grade-1 Royal Liver Building, has retained real estate advisory firm CBRE on the iconic Liverpool landmark. CBRE’s Property Management and Office Agency teams are both retained following the leading food and drink group’s purchase of the building for £60M, further cementing its commitment to its Liverpool roots. Both CBRE teams have played an integral role in breathing new life into the enduring symbol of Liverpool’s history since being appointed in 2012 with CBRE also advising on the original sale in February of 2017. CBRE’s seamless work has supported the vision to create highly desirable premier space in the city, as well as the management of the ongoing refurbishment and transformation programme of the building. Princes’ investment in one of Liverpool’s most recognisable landmarks, forms a key part of a broader £83M real estate plan that also includes the Cross Green facility in Leeds (£23M), underlining the Group’s long-term commitment to the UK. Built in 1911, the Royal Liver Building has an unrivalled, prime position on the City’s waterfront overlooking the River Mersey. Andrew Willoughby, Director, CBRE’s Property Management team said: “We are delighted to continue our involvement in the management of the Royal Liver Building; the team has done a great job in positioning the building as the best in class customer experience, and we look forward to working with Princes in delivering the next phase of its journey.” Simon Harrison , Princes Chief Executive Officer said : “The Group plans to expand its presence within the Royal Liver Building, using it not only as a corporate HQ, but also as a multi-purpose venue for events, collaboration and public engagement. Liverpool is important to our heritage, having been a tenant at the Royal Liver Building since 1982 with more than 400 colleagues based there. The acquisition further reinforces our deep connection to the city and our dedication to create a stable and sustainable operating base for the future. We recognise the significance of this iconic asset and are honored to assume its custodianship. Partnering with CBRE, we are dedicated to preserving its unique character and maximizing its potential for future success.” Neil Kirkham, Senior Director, CBRE’s Office Agency team said; “It is an immense source of pride for our team to continue our long-standing relationship with a globally recognised and iconic landmark like the Royal Liver Building. Over the last seven years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting its transformation and success alongside Corestate, and we are excited to work with Princes to build upon this legacy and deliver the next chapter for this premier space in Liverpool.” Andy Byrne, Director, CBRE’s Office Agency team said: “We are excited to be working with Princes to build upon the existing success of this landmark building. We are planning a diverse selection of new spaces, presenting a unique opportunity for occupiers to establish a presence in a highly sought-after location. The next phase of spaces will range from 1,000 sq ft up to 21,000 sq ft, with flexible options to accommodate a variety of requirements.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals