The Oxford Trust has submitted plans to Oxford City Council for its new Aspen Building to be built at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford, to provide additional laboratory and office grow-on space for science and tech start-ups. The Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, named
Developer Delancey has secured planning permission for a landmark commercial building at the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter in London. The 200,000 sq ft life sciences and technology-focused building will be constructed on a brownfield site on York Way. Delancey aims to start construction next year, with completion expected in 2028.
Skanska has signed a contract with Baola Properties Limited, c/o Old Park Lane Management, for construction and mechanical and electrical engineering services for the redevelopment of 7 Millbank in London, UK. The contract is worth GBP 105M, about SEK 1.4 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City
Caddick Construction Group has launched its new headquarters at Wakefield 41 Business Park in Yorkshire. The launch signals a new phase of the Group’s growth strategy and provides a new base for delivery of its £700m+ forward order book. Formerly Cape House, the new office will now be named Calder
Tellon Capital, real estate investment and development business, has appointed RED Construction Group to deliver its redevelopment of 40 Broadway, creating a high-quality, wellbeing-led office building within the heart of Westminster. Spanning more than 130,000 sq ft GIA, works on the landmark scheme will be carried out by RED Construction’s
A contemporary workspace in the heart of Bristol’s bustling commercial district will officially launch this week following a £12m major refurbishment. Set in Bristol’s city centre, BLOK can boast an unrivalled location with excellent transport networks via road, rail, and an international airport. Temple Meads Train Station is just an
The Mint Building offers an outstanding and rare investment opportunity in the heart of Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square Lismore Real Estate Advisors has brought The Mint Building, a premier investment opportunity, set in the heart of Edinburgh’s most highly desired office and leisure locations, to the market on behalf of
BAM has started building work on the first office development at Brent Cross Town in north London. 3 Copper Square is located at the 180-acre, £8 billion mixed-use park town development, which is targeting to be a net zero carbon town by 2030. The building designed by Shedkm Architects will
Helical has selected Mace to serve as the principal contractor on the redevelopment of a City of London office at 100 New Bridge Street. Located next to City Thameslink station with views overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral and St Bride’s Church, the 1990s office building will be renovated to create 194,000
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The Oxford Trust has submitted plans to Oxford City Council for its new Aspen Building to be built at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, Oxford, to provide additional laboratory and office grow-on space for science and tech start-ups. The Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation, named after the Trust’s late founder Sir Martin Wood’s favourite tree, has been designed in response to the increased demand for grow-on laboratory space in Oxford, particularly within the globally significant Headington Science Cluster. It will enable the Trust to further its mission and support for scientific research, discovery and education. It will total 12,926 sq ft (1,200 sq m) over two floors to provide flexible CL II laboratory and office space. The building will also include a new STEM resources and preparation room that will allow the Trust to support the increase in demand for its outreach delivery to schools across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire as well as local communities and further the impact of its Science Oxford education programme. The building will target BREEAM Excellent and include photovoltaic roof panels, a green wall, cycle parking, shower and locker facilities and a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain to enhance its surrounding 15-acres of woodlands, ponds and grassland. Harvesting and storing rainwater will provide grey water for toilets and, separately, additional flow for the ponds. The Aspen Building has been sensitively and sustainably designed and carefully positioned in the site on the existing car park to fit into its surroundings by a leading group of local architects, landscape designers, ecologists, project managers and planning consultants. The design will mirror and complement the existing buildings and will be landscaped to enhance the site. Car parking will remain at the same level and, to continue the encouragement of sustainable travel, additional rapid electric vehicle charging bays will help the adoption of this technology. The Wood Centre for Innovation, which was opened in 2019 and is also the Trust’s HQ, totals 14,961 sq ft (1,390 sq m) of CL II laboratory and workspace across two floors and is home to pioneering science and technology companies, Barclays Eagle Lab incubator and Oxford Hospital Charity which together employ 191 people. Companies include: DJS Antibodies, PicturaBio, Helio Display Materials, RedShiftBio, Jack Fertility, Samsara Therapeutics, Lumai and Spintex. The Wood Centre for Innovation adjoins the Trust’s Science Oxford Centre, which is the first indoor-outdoor hands-on science education centre for primary-aged children in the UK. Since opening the Centre five years ago, Science Oxford has run more than 600 term time school visits and 240 Family Days on Saturdays. Under the Trust’s charitable business model, the funds generated from leasing the laboratory and office space will be reinvested in its innovation and STEM education and engagement programmes. Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust said: “All our Wood Centre for Innovation companies are pushing the boundaries of research and development with breakthroughs in biotech and deep tech, driving positive change. “This multi-million pound investment funded by the Trust underlines our commitment to the Headington Science Cluster. The Aspen Building will mean we can continue expanding our support of science and tech start-ups by providing high-quality R&D lab and office space for grow-on companies to further scientific research and discovery, create local jobs, and contribute to Oxfordshire’s impressive wider innovation ecosystem. “The Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation will also allow the Trust to further expand the impact of its Science Oxford education programme with a new resources and preparation room to support the growing demand for outreach delivery in local schools and communities. We hope to inspire even more young people about the wonders of STEM.” Glen Moses, architect and project director, ADP Architecture added: “Our brief was to design a new carbon-efficient building with flexible laboratory and workspace to both enhance the Wood Centre for Innovation site and sit beautifully within its surroundings. We have worked hard with the consultancy team and carried out public consultation with the Trust to ensure that the Aspen Building is low impact while helping to boost life-enhancing discovery. It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to build on the success of the Science Oxford Centre and the Wood Centre for Innovation and to assist The Oxford Trust in continuing is mission on its important and sensitive site in Headington.” The project team includes ADP Architecture, Carter Jonas, BSG Ecology, Landshape, Glanville, Gleeds, Sylva Trees and CPW. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Delancey has secured planning permission for a landmark commercial building at the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter in London. The 200,000 sq ft life sciences and technology-focused building will be constructed on a brownfield site on York Way. Delancey aims to start construction next year, with completion expected in 2028. The project is anticipated to cost around £170m and will employ an average of 300 workers annually during the 31-month demolition and construction programme. Demolition contractor JF Hunt has been advising Delancey on the demolition phase. Structural engineer Arup and architect Kohn Pedersen Fox have developed an innovative structural design to accommodate the building over three Network Rail tunnels and two Piccadilly Line tunnels, situated as close as 4.5 metres below the surface. The structural strategy, created with Arup, utilises a deck-stiffened arch inspired by 20th-century bridges designed by Swiss civil engineer Robert Maillart. This design employs long-span arches to distribute the building’s load over the underground railway lines. The 176-178 York Way building will feature 130,000 sq ft of research and laboratory space, 13,000 sq ft of affordable workspace, and a mixed-use flexible community and events space. The massing of the nine-storey building is stepped back in sequence to reduce the perceived scale at street level. Passive and active strategies have been implemented to reduce the building’s whole life carbon footprint. These include an all-electric MEP strategy, roof-mounted PV panels, and optimised external shading to reduce operational energy. Careful material selection and structural efficiencies have been employed to reduce embodied carbon, with the development targeting NABERS 4.5+ Stars. Nathan Watt, Development Director at Delancey, said: “We are delighted to have secured unanimous planning approval for this progressive, innovatively designed development that offers cutting-edge sustainable facilities. The project will deliver significant public realm improvements and provide much-needed office, science, and technology workspace.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Skanska has signed a contract with Baola Properties Limited, c/o Old Park Lane Management, for construction and mechanical and electrical engineering services for the redevelopment of 7 Millbank in London, UK. The contract is worth GBP 105M, about SEK 1.4 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for Europe for the third quarter of 2024. Skanska will lead the construction of a new nine-storey office building with two basement levels. The design and build of approximately 12,100 square meter flexible workspace will include reconstruction of the original historic façade, which has been carefully deconstructed and stored before being rebuilt into the new structure to maintain and enhance the building’s historic character. The building is targeting environmental standards to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum and Design for Performance to secure a Nabers 5* accreditation. Construction will begin in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in January 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City formerly known as Pioneer Park, within Leicester’s Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. Known as Docks, 3, 4 and 5, the new buildings include two new offices that cater for up to 45 businesses across c.43,000 sq ft. A terrace of nine manufacturing units provides more than 21,500 sq ft for innovative start-ups and established businesses seeking grow-on space. New buildings are net carbon zero in operation and require no gas heating. They house a range of environmentally sustainable features, such as low energy LED lighting, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels on the offices, air source heat pumps, and super-thick insulation. Externally there is cycle storage and 12 electric vehicle charging points in a new parking area. The Dock extension has been designed to complement the look and feel of the original Dock workspace buildings and is part of Space City Leicester, one of the largest and most connected Enterprise Zones for space-related activities in the UK. Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of BPD, said: “We are very pleased to have delivered the expansion of the successful Dock managed workspace development for Leicester City Council. “These three new energy efficient units deliver purpose-built space for exciting new businesses in a range of sectors. Extending the Dock innovation hub will undoubtedly support the attraction and retention of local talent and hi-tech entrepreneurs, ensuring Leicester continues to be a hub for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.” Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “It’s fantastic to see the next chapter of our innovative workspace development for hi-tech businesses take shape. “Space City Leicester is helping to put our city firmly on the map for research, production and manufacture in the space industry. “We’re proud to contribute to that momentum by further expanding our Dock innovation hub with three new, low carbon buildings which will help meet demand from businesses keen to locate here from the UK and overseas. The new buildings will also provide valuable grow-on space and much-needed manufacturing facilities for our local talent and high-tech entrepreneurs. “The new buildings are looking fantastic and I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to work with locally-based Brackley Property Developments as our development partner on this ambitious project.” The development was supported by £12 million from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund, with The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership providing £3.5 million from Enterprise Zone retained business rates. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction Group has launched its new headquarters at Wakefield 41 Business Park in Yorkshire. The launch signals a new phase of the Group’s growth strategy and provides a new base for delivery of its £700m+ forward order book. Formerly Cape House, the new office will now be named Calder House as a nod to the former headquarters at Calder Grange in Knottingley where the business has been based for 45 years. The launch follows an extensive £3.8 million renovation to modernise the building, increasing its size from 11,000 sq. ft to 15,000 sq. ft and adding a range of features to improve sustainability. These include EV charging points and solar panels, which will supply power to the new office. Designed to future-proof the business for growth, the opening of Calder House closely follows the release of Caddick Construction Group’s most recent annual results, which saw turnover rise 38% to £318m with a profit of £7.4m for the year ending August 2023. Features of the new office include a glazed atrium, open-plan office space, feature walls, a cafe and breakout spaces, and a wellbeing zone to help attract and retain talent within the region as the business expands. Chosen for its connectivity, the new office will be home to 130 employees that lead business development and project delivery across Yorkshire as well as supporting the Group’s regional premises in the North West, Midlands and North East. Calder House will also provide headquarters for the Group’s multi-disciplinary businesses, including Caddick Civil Engineering, which achieved a record £13.5m turnover and £2.1m profit in its last trading year. Also based at the office will be the Group’s facade specialists, CCL Facades, which was established in 2022 when Caddick acquired assets and IP rights from the former Yorkshire-based Speedclad business. The Leeds-based design team supporting the renovation included DLA Architecture, commercial fit out specialist, Design Tonic, civil and structural engineering firm, Roscoe, and engineering consultancy, CSD, with a range of locally-based supply chain partners also contributing. Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director at Caddick, commented: “Caddick Construction was established in 1979 at our former premises at Calder Grange in Knottingley, and these offices have served us well as we have grown and evolved over the years. We are undergoing an exciting period of change; we are growing in size and stature, but we are also determined to enhance our reputation for delivering high quality projects whilst ensuring the family ethos and feel is retained.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tellon Capital, real estate investment and development business, has appointed RED Construction Group to deliver its redevelopment of 40 Broadway, creating a high-quality, wellbeing-led office building within the heart of Westminster. Spanning more than 130,000 sq ft GIA, works on the landmark scheme will be carried out by RED Construction’s London team. The redevelopment will offer a variety of Grade A office space from the basement to the eighth floor, together with a ground floor café, roof terraces on the majority of floors, and a communal roof terrace with exceptional views across St James’s Park, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The vision aims to maximise building performance and wellness for occupants and will achieve WELL Platinum and BREEAM Excellent ratings. Situated within the Broadway and Christchurch Gardens Conservation Area, the design of 40 Broadway has been sensitively considered to seamlessly sit within its surroundings. RED Construction Group’s London team will deliver the works, and will erect a steel frame from the ground to eighth floor and create a natural stone façade on the Broadway elevation with projecting full-length feature windows. In keeping with the appearance of the neighbouring Grade II listed buildings, the rear of the building features traditional brick work and a metal clad mansard from the fifth floor to the roof. With Tellon Capital’s successful track record of delivering exceptional developments that respond to and enhance the local character, 40 Broadway will encourage innovative and collaborative working, with offices enhanced by landscaped outdoor terraces. James Burchell, Founder of Tellon Capital, added: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of RED Construction Group for 40 Broadway, allowing us to commence construction of this landmark new building for Westminster. We are thrilled to be delivering a high-quality office development that sets an example for a high-performing building whilst considering the sensitive local context. This is a really exciting project, breathing new life into Westminster.” Ian Hopkinson, Executive Director at RED Construction Group, commented: “The redevelopment of 40 Broadway is a prime example of what RED Construction London does best. Nestled in the heart of Westminster, our team is well-versed in appraising the unique construction challenges due to the capital’s heritage and scale. Tellon Capital’s 40 Broadway is yet another first-class well-being-focused office development that we are excited to be a part of.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A contemporary workspace in the heart of Bristol’s bustling commercial district will officially launch this week following a £12m major refurbishment. Set in Bristol’s city centre, BLOK can boast an unrivalled location with excellent transport networks via road, rail, and an international airport. Temple Meads Train Station is just an eight-minute walk away. Already 60% let prior to practical completion and boasting a series of new tenants, including Coreus Projects, 5 Values Consulting, RWK Goodman and Nathaniel Lichfield Partners, the completed BLOK building will serve as a welcome addition to the city’s thriving business sector. Offering 70,000 sq ft of modern workspace and a further 11,000 sq ft of occupier welfare and amenity space including communal lounge, meeting rooms, presentation spaces, independent coffee shop, courtyard garden, roof terrace and private gym. Having purchased the tired 1980s-built property in 2021, real estate transformation specialists Boultbee Brooks decided against demolition and instead employed Mutiny Architecture & Design to come up with plans which could breathe new life into the existing structure. The process of ‘reimagining instead of rebuilding’ prioritises sustainability and occupier experience reflected in the extensive building certification including high BREEAM, EPC, Fitwell, Activescore, and Wiredscore ratings. Boultbee Brooks Managing Director, James Whitcher, comments “In line with our core ethos of ‘Repurpose, not Rebuild’, we’re passionate about reviving older buildings and giving them a new lease of life, with the aim of keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible. “From the outset we committed to retaining the existing façade, instead prioritising expenditure in areas of the scheme that would deliver the highest level of day-to-day benefit for the occupiers using it, resulting in one of the most amenity rich workspaces in Bristol at a very competitive price point. “We look forward to announcing and welcoming new businesses to Blok over the summer!” Further space is available on flexible terms and layouts from 1,000 sq ft up to 12,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Mint Building offers an outstanding and rare investment opportunity in the heart of Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square Lismore Real Estate Advisors has brought The Mint Building, a premier investment opportunity, set in the heart of Edinburgh’s most highly desired office and leisure locations, to the market on behalf of Hines. This iconic property, strategically located on the south-east corner of Edinburgh’s prestigious St Andrew Square, is fully let to four prestigious tenants: FNZ, Nationwide Building Society, Franco Manca, and Tattu. Adjacent to the £1bn St James Quarter, The Mint Building stands as a beacon of modernity and sophistication in one of the UK’s most dynamic cities. Completed in 2019, it extends to 70,467 sq ft across nine floors, featuring a statement double-height reception, roof terraces, secure parking, cycle storage and quality end-of-journey facilities. It comprises 59,427 sq ft of Grade A office space, alongside 11,040 sq ft of restaurant / retail accommodation. Future-proofed to meet the exacting ESG standards of occupiers and investors, the all-electric office building boasts an EPC rating of A(7). Commenting on the sale, Colin Finlayson, Director of Lismore Real Estate Advisors said: “Edinburgh is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in the UK. The Mint Building is a true trophy asset, in Edinburgh’s most prized location. It offers an outstanding and extremely rare opportunity to acquire a newly-developed building on St Andrew Square, with an immediately reversionary income profile.” St Andrew Square is renowned as Edinburgh’s premier office and leisure destination, boasting unrivalled public transport links and an array of exceptional amenities. The immediate vicinity is home to prestigious names such as Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Louis Vuitton, Gleneagles Townhouse, Dishoom, and The Ivy, as well as a selection of top-tier hotels, enhancing the prestige of this prime location. The Mint Building represents a unique opportunity to invest in a landmark property that stands at the forefront of the city’s thriving office and leisure market, offering an unrivalled blend of location, design, tenant quality and immediate investment performance. Further information can be found by visiting: THE MINT BUILDING Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BAM has started building work on the first office development at Brent Cross Town in north London. 3 Copper Square is located at the 180-acre, £8 billion mixed-use park town development, which is targeting to be a net zero carbon town by 2030. The building designed by Shedkm Architects will provide 239,000 sq ft of office space over 14 floors plus flexible retail space at ground level. It forms the cornerstone of a new business and innovation district that will extend to 3m sq ft and create workspace for up to 25,000 people – alongside the 6,700 new homes, student housing, homes for later living, a new high street, three schools and 50 acres of parks and playing fields. Sheffield Hallam University is setting up its first university campus outside Yorkshire at Brent Cross Town and will be the anchor tenant. The University will occupy around 110,000 sq ft across the lower six floors of the building. Sheffield Hallam has award-winning teaching, learning and research capabilities alongside an outstanding student offer. The University’s London campus will provide tailored support to help businesses innovate, with access to sector expertise from academics and highly skilled graduates. It will also act as a conduit to strengthen links between South Yorkshire and London, creating new opportunities. 3 Copper Square is scheduled to open in Q3 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Helical has selected Mace to serve as the principal contractor on the redevelopment of a City of London office at 100 New Bridge Street. Located next to City Thameslink station with views overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral and St Bride’s Church, the 1990s office building will be renovated to create 194,000 sqft of modern Grade A office space, 3,592 sqft of retail spaces and a 4,000 sqft terrace providing views across central London. Circularity is central to the redevelopment, as the original structure will be preserved, aiming for a remarkable 95 per cent reuse, recovery and recycling of construction waste. The project will maintain 91 per cent of the reinforced concrete lift cores and 85 per cent of the reinforced concrete walls Aiming for BREEAM Outstanding and Well Platinum certification, this project is set to achieve net-zero carbon emissions throughout both its construction and operational phases. The redevelopment is part of a joint venture with a vehicle led by Orion Capital Managers. As one of seven current construction projects within the Fleet Street Area, 100 New Bridge Street is the latest in a series of modern, best-in-class sustainable offices in this location, formerly synonymous with the printing and publishing industry. Ged Simmonds, Managing Director of Private Sector at Mace, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Helical once again on another highly sustainable best-in-class office space at the heart of the City of London. Not only will this development be net zero carbon in construction and operation, but by retaining the existing structure and reusing existing materials, this scheme is leading the way in circularity.” Gerald Kaye, CEO of Helical plc, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Mace to redevelop 100 New Bridge Street to create a best-in-class, carbon friendly office in a prime location in the City of London. This development will help meet the growing demand we are seeing for prime office spaces with the highest sustainability credentials.” Construction has already commenced and is due to complete in Q1 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
