A wave of high-spec office schemes across London and other parts of the UK is opening up substantial new work for contractors, as developers respond to demand for energy‑efficient, grade‑A space that helps employers attract and retain staff. April’s Glenigan Construction Review reports that office project starts totalled just over £4 billion in Q1 (January–March), a 75% rise on both the previous quarter and the same period last year. London dominated activity, supported by large City of London schemes and major data centre projects. Starts in the capital were worth almost £2.9 billion in January–March, more than double a year earlier. Other regions also posted strong gains, notably the South West (starts rose 15‑fold), Scotland (up 55%), Northern Ireland (more than 16‑fold) and the North East. Looking ahead, London offers the brightest prospects. Glenigan figures show the value of office planning approvals in the capital climbed by 90% in the first quarter compared with last year. The latest Deloitte office crane survey for London highlights developer confidence in resilient occupier demand for grade‑A offices. Anticipating a potential office supply gap later in the decade, the survey finds most developers expect their pipeline to either ‘increase’ (58%) or ‘remain stable’ (34%) over the next 12 months, while three‑quarters feel ‘more positive’ about leasing demand. Refurbishments remain a key driver: they made up around two‑thirds of all new office starts in the capital last year, covering some 3.1 million sq ft. Glenigan project data also flags major City of London schemes set to break ground in the coming months. The £330 million Alliance House at 60 Gracechurch Street—a 36‑storey tower with ground and basement levels—is due to start later this summer. Bovis is the main contractor on the 52,000+ sq m project (Project ID: 24112367). Construction on the £477 million, 53‑storey office at 99 Bishopsgate (pictured) is likewise expected to begin later this summer, following detailed consent, delivering over 144,000 sq m of new space. At 1 Undershaft – The Trellis, demolition is progressing and planning conditions are being resolved ahead of a planned start next spring. The 74‑storey, £510 million office tower by developer Stanhope will provide over 154,000 sq m, is at pre‑tender, and has a 60‑month build programme. Larger schemes are becoming more prominent in the pipeline. Although the total value of underlying office planning approvals fell year on year in Q1, approvals for major projects over £100 million rose by 2%. Beyond London, approvals strengthened in the South East (up 48%), surged in the North East (almost tenfold) and climbed in Wales (up 157%). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Contractor Legendre UK has secured the main construction role on the major redevelopment of 50 Stratton Street in the heart of Mayfair, London, on behalf of Berkeley Estate Asset Management. Designed by acclaimed architects Stiff + Trevillion, the 135,000 sq ft office development is set to deliver a premium commercial destination tailored to the evolving demands of the central London market. The scheme has been created with a strong emphasis on sustainability, modern workplace design and long-term building performance. Targeting both BREEAM Outstanding and LEED Gold certifications, the redevelopment will introduce a highly efficient all-electric building designed to align with the growing demand for low-carbon office environments across the capital. A key feature of the project is its focus on reducing embodied carbon through innovative construction methods and material selection. Lightweight steel will be used throughout the structure, alongside the addition of four new cross-laminated timber floors, helping to minimise environmental impact while supporting modern standards of sustainable development. The redevelopment will also significantly enhance the building’s external appearance and operational efficiency. New façades featuring high-quality stone cladding, aluminium-framed glazing and curtain walling systems will create a refined architectural identity suited to Mayfair’s prestigious commercial landscape. As demand continues to grow for sustainable Grade A office space in London’s prime business districts, the project reflects a wider industry shift towards environmentally responsible redevelopment and future-ready workplaces that prioritise energy performance, occupier wellbeing and design excellence. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Helical plc and a vehicle managed by Orion Capital Managers have reached practical completion on the repositioning of 100 New Bridge Street, delivering a 195,000 sq ft best-in-class office scheme in the City of London. Located between Blackfriars and Farringdon stations, the landmark building has been transformed into a carbon-friendly workplace designed to meet growing occupier demand for high-quality, sustainable office space in central London. Designed by Gensler and delivered by Mace, the project has retained and upgraded much of the original structure, demonstrating how existing commercial buildings can be reimagined rather than replaced. The redevelopment introduces a striking new façade, 30,000 sq ft of additional net internal area and 9,690 sq ft of terraces across four floors, offering views towards St Paul’s Cathedral and across central London. Sustainability has been central to the scheme. Around 90% of the original structure has been retained, with materials reused, repurposed or donated where possible. As a result, the project’s embodied carbon is tracking 61.4% below the Greater London Authority benchmark for offices. The all-electric building has also achieved strong environmental and wellbeing credentials, including BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5-star and WELL Platinum ratings. The milestone follows the completion of the forward sale of the property to State Street on 20 May 2026. The deal, first announced in April 2025, saw the building sold for State Street’s own occupation at a net price of £333m, representing a Helical share of £166.5m. The transaction reflects a capital value of £1,712 per sq ft, or around £2,000 per sq ft on a topped-up basis, based on a capitalisation yield of 5% after deducting corporate sales costs and a notional rent free period. Proceeds from the sale will be used to repay the amount drawn under the £155m development facility, with surplus funds distributed to the joint venture partners under the terms of the agreement signed in May 2024. Matthew Bonning-Snook, Chief Executive Officer of Helical, said the completion marked “a significant milestone” for the project, describing 100 New Bridge Street as a future-focused workplace that highlights the potential of existing assets to meet modern occupier expectations while supporting carbon reduction. Aref Lahham, Founding Partner and Managing Director of Orion Capital Managers, said the project had created value through repositioning and forward selling in a supply-constrained market, reinforcing Orion’s focus on opportunities driven by clear demand and strong asset execution. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Three established occupiers at Exchange Quay have reaffirmed their commitment to the flagship Manchester office campus with a series of lease renewals totalling almost 27,000 sq ft. Insurance specialists First Central have agreed a new 10-year lease on their 21,600 sq ft office space, underlining their long-term confidence in the campus location. They are joined by RW Invest, which has signed a two-year renewal for its 1,364 sq ft office, and identity security experts Proof ID, which has also committed to a two-year lease extension on its 4,029 sq ft workspace. The trio of renewals highlights the continued appeal of Exchange Quay’s established office community and amenity-rich campus environment. Located at the gateway to Salford Quays and close to MediaCityUK, Exchange Quay comprises 435,000 sq ft of Grade A office space across seven buildings and benefits from its own dedicated stop on the Manchester Metrolink network. The campus has undergone significant investment in recent years, with upgraded workspaces, enhanced landscaping and a growing amenity offering designed to support occupier wellbeing and collaboration. Les Lang, Director, asset manager at Till AM commented: “It’s extremely rewarding to see occupiers choosing to stay and grow with us at Exchange Quay. Retaining high-quality businesses like First Central, RW Invest and Proof ID reflects the strength of the campus community and the continued investment we are making to deliver an outstanding workplace experience. “From a wide range of workspace solutions and upgraded offices to our on-site amenities and connectivity, we focus on creating an environment where businesses and their people can thrive.” Exchange Quay is one of the largest office campuses in the North West and is home to thousands of workers across a diverse range of sectors. The campus continues to attract strong occupier interest thanks to its combination of high-quality office space, a range of leasing options and proximity to Manchester city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Derwent London is moving forward with two significant office developments in central London as confidence returns to the capital’s commercial property market following a strong rise in leasing activity and rental growth. The developer has already begun demolition works at Holden House on Oxford Street, where a major retained-façade redevelopment will deliver around 133,500 sq ft of new office-led space opposite the Dean Street Elizabeth line station. Kier has been appointed under a pre-construction services agreement to oversee the main construction phase of the project, with completion targeted for the second half of 2028. At the same time, Derwent has confirmed it will progress the redevelopment of 50 Baker Street in London’s West End. Demolition works on the scheme are expected to begin in the coming months, with contractor Multiplex understood to be lined up to deliver the £150m project. Designed by architects AHMM, the Baker Street development will provide approximately 236,000 sq ft of new space within one of London’s strongest office markets. The decision to move ahead with both schemes follows what Derwent described as a strong period of leasing activity across its portfolio. This includes the successful pre-letting of its recently completed Network building, where rental levels reportedly exceeded expectations. Alongside its development programme, Derwent has also made significant progress with its asset disposal strategy. The company confirmed it has exchanged contracts on £278m worth of property sales as part of a wider three-year target to dispose of £1bn in assets. Chief executive Paul Williams said the business had experienced strong momentum driven by leasing success and rental growth across key London locations. He added that progress on disposals had enabled the company to proceed with the redevelopment of 50 Baker Street, where strong rental performance is expected to support future profitability and earnings. Derwent also confirmed it is continuing to advance plans for another major scheme at Old Street Quarter EC1. A planning application is expected to be submitted towards the end of 2026 for a large mixed-use campus on the 2.5-acre former Moorfields Eye Hospital site close to Silicon Roundabout. The proposed development is expected to become one of the company’s next major regeneration projects as demand continues to strengthen for high-quality office and mixed-use space in central London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Talk Talk Business has leased 10,472 sq ft of office space in Building 1 at Exchange Quay in Manchester on a 7-year lease. The deal sees Talk Talk Business relocate its 136-strong team from Soapworks to the prominent waterfront office campus, with occupation expected mid-May.  The move follows the company’s recent demerger from the wider Talk Talk Group, marking a significant step in establishing its independent brand and operational footprint. The new, ground-floor space will provide a modern working environment tailored to support hybrid working, with a strong focus on collaboration and client engagement.  The office features multiple Teams-enabled meeting rooms, flexible collaboration areas and a dedicated demo suite showcasing Cisco Meraki technology.  This allows Talk Talk Business to demonstrate its products directly to clients in a live environment. Exchange Quay was selected for its strong connectivity, high-quality onsite amenities and flexibility for future growth.  Its established position within the Manchester City Region’s business and technology cluster ensures continued access to local talent and transport links, aligning with the company’s operational needs. Les Lang, Director, Till AM, investment managers for Exchange Quay commented: “This letting highlights the continued appeal of the campus to forward-thinking occupiers seeking high-quality, flexible workspace in a well-connected location.  Exchange Quay offers an exceptional amenity-led environment for businesses to grow, collaborate and attract talent and we look forward to supporting Talk Talk Business as they establish their new base here.” Ruth Kennedy, CEO, Talk Talk Business added: “Our move to Exchange Quay represents an important milestone following our transition to an independent business.  Remaining in the area was important to us, and Exchange Quay offers the ideal combination of connectivity, amenities, green space and flexibility.  The new office will not only support our hybrid working model, but also provide an enhanced environment to collaborate internally and showcase our technology to customers.” Joint agents for Exchange Quay are Canning O’Neill and Colliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Prescient Capital has secured funding to deliver a new £60m office development in Leeds, bringing forward one of the city’s most prominent new commercial schemes. The developer’s 31 Wellington Street project will replace the former Wellington Plaza building, which has now been demolished. The site sits opposite Wellington Place, in the heart of Leeds’ West End business district. Commercial property investment company BGO has provided a £27m loan to support the development of the new nine-storey building. The scheme will deliver 80,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and is expected to be ready for occupation by the end of next year. Work has already started on site, making 31 Wellington Street one of the few new office projects in Leeds with live construction and a clear delivery date. The scheme is being developed speculatively, reflecting confidence in the city’s office market and the demand for high-quality workspace. Prescient Capital said the backing from BGO was a major vote of confidence in both Leeds and the project. The company said there is already strong interest in at least two floors of the building, while Prescient itself plans to occupy one of the ground-floor units. The development comes at a time when Leeds is facing a shortage of new, high-quality office space. Agents for the scheme said demand for modern, well-located offices remains strong, with rents at 31 Wellington Street being quoted at £55 per sq ft. The building is expected to strengthen the professional core of the West End of Leeds, an area that has seen significant investment and growth in recent years. Its location opposite Wellington Place places it close to major employers, transport links, restaurants and amenities. Knight Frank, Fox Lloyd Jones and AC7 have been appointed to market the building, with office floorplates available from 3,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

JPMorgan Chase is moving closer to delivering Canary Wharf’s tallest tower after overcoming critical height restrictions linked to nearby London City Airport, clearing a major hurdle for its proposed £3bn headquarters at Riverside South. The Wall Street banking giant is now preparing a planning application for a 265-metre skyscraper that will surpass One Canada Square, which has dominated the Docklands skyline at 235 metres for more than three decades. Designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme will deliver approximately 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space. The development is intended to consolidate JPMorgan’s existing London operations into a single hub capable of accommodating up to 12,000 staff, establishing its largest base across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flight path constraints had posed a significant challenge due to Canary Wharf’s position within the airport’s safeguarding zone. Aircraft approaching London City Airport follow a notably steep glide path, imposing strict limits on building heights across the estate. However, following negotiations, an agreement has been reached allowing the tower to rise to its proposed height while maintaining operational safety. The Riverside South site, owned by JPMorgan Chase since 2008, already benefits from existing foundations and basement structures. This could accelerate delivery timelines once planning consent is secured, with construction expected to take around six years. Canary Wharf Group will act as co-developer on the project. Economically, the scheme is expected to provide a substantial boost. Estimates suggest it could inject up to £9.9bn into the UK economy and support more than 7,800 jobs across construction and associated industries. However, questions remain סביב the role of government incentives in unlocking the project. JPMorgan is understood to have sought clarity over business rates liabilities, with discussions reportedly including potential discounts to support the investment. A report from Tower Hamlets council indicated the bank had requested a long-term business rates incentive, with government sources suggesting progress may depend on certainty around its future tax burden. The debate has drawn mixed reactions. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the development as a “multi-billion-pound vote of confidence” in the UK economy, critics have raised concerns over offering tax breaks to major corporations. Despite this, the project signals renewed momentum for Canary Wharf’s commercial market. A series of recent commitments, including expansions from major financial occupiers, point to a broader recovery in demand for large-scale office space in the Docklands. If approved, JPMorgan’s tower will not only redefine the area’s skyline but also reinforce Canary Wharf’s position as a leading global financial district, at a time when confidence in large office developments is returning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals