The Oxford Science Park has secured planning permission for a new 80,000 sq ft best-in-class laboratory and office building, unlocking the next major phase of growth at the Park. The approved development will see the construction of a state-of-the-art four-storey building offering high-specification laboratory and office space tailored to the
Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the £180 million Fabrica development in Oxford, a major new addition to the city’s rapidly expanding West End innovation district. Set to begin construction in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver five storeys of high-quality laboratory and
An office fit-out project by Morris & Spottiswood that incorporates modular construction and circular economy approaches has delivered embodied carbon savings equivalent to driving 45,255km in a large diesel car[1] – enough to circumnavigate the globe (40,000 km at the equator). The project to relocate Morris & Spottiswood’s own Glasgow
Innovative office redevelopment’s accreditation a first for Gilbert-Ash Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has welcomed confirmation its £29million office redevelopment on Manchester’s Great Bridgewater Street has been recognised as a ‘BREEAM Outstanding’ project. BREEAM is an internationally recognised standard for sustainability and to achieve this rating, the developer, architects
Aviva has submitted a planning application to transform 130 Fenchurch Street in the heart of the City of London into a striking 34-storey office tower, marking a significant addition to the capital’s evolving skyline. The proposal would see the current mid-20th century Fountain House demolished and replaced with a 146-metre-tall
Wolfe Asset Management Ltd (WAML) has today announced that the LEGO Group has signed a lease for 192,000 sq. ft. across three and a half floors of 76 Southbank. The LEGO Group will move its London Hub from Farringdon to 76 Southbank in 2027 and will be home to up
Orion Capital Managers and the Barbican have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement to showcase original digital moving artworks at Panorama St. Paul’s on 81 Newgate Street; a new 592,000 sq. ft office being developed adjacent to St. Paul’s in the City of London. The new partnership forms part of
Construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as the main contractor for Fabrica, a £180 million, five-storey commercial development in the heart of Oxford designed to support the city’s growing science and innovation ecosystem. Set to begin in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will provide high-specification laboratory
Cheyne Capital has acquired City Link House in East Croydon, a vacant office building set to undergo a £210 million transformation into a modern co-living development. The scheme will deliver 485 co-living units alongside 84 affordable homes, while retaining space for flexible commercial and community use. This large-scale project aims
The transformation and extension of 76 Southbank, a Grade II listed building adjacent to the National Theatre, has successfully reached practical completion – delivering 300,000 sq. ft. of cutting-edge and sustainable office space. The scheme has been delivered with Stanhope Plc as Development Manager, LaSalle Investment Management as asset manager
The Oxford Science Park has secured planning permission for a new 80,000 sq ft best-in-class laboratory and office building, unlocking the next major phase of growth at the Park. The approved development will see the construction of a state-of-the-art four-storey building offering high-specification laboratory and office space tailored to the needs of cutting-edge science and technology companies. Located at the eastern edge of The Oxford Science Park, the site is near the proposed new Cowley Branch Line, with a new station scheduled to open in early 2030, bringing direct links to central Oxford and London. Yong Shen, Director at The Oxford Science Park, said: “This is fantastic news for the Oxfordshire ecosystem and for the companies shaping the future of science and technology. This development allows us to offer more world-class facilities in an established setting that promotes collaboration, sustainability and discovery, further cementing The Oxford Science Park’s reputation as a leading destination for science and technology companies. My thanks go to everyone who worked on the planning application.” Designed with sustainability and community integration in mind, the development includes a 5.86% biodiversity net gain, extensive landscaping, improvements to the adjacent wildlife site, and enhanced cycle and pedestrian connectivity. Alongside 168 car parking spaces (25% with EV charging) and 104 bicycle spaces, the building itself will feature upgraded façades with anodised aluminium, high energy efficiency standards, and rooftop photovoltaic panels. The development will also deliver significant heritage enhancements. These include a public space showcasing archaeological discoveries and contributing to the setting of the nearby Grade II listed Minchery Priory. The unanimous decision by Oxford City Council follows extensive public engagement and marks another milestone in the park’s growth, following the unanimous approval of the 450,000 sq ft Daubeny Project in 2023. The expansion ensures Oxford remains competitive against global science hubs whilst enabling local communities to benefit from investment and employment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as main contractor for the £180 million Fabrica development in Oxford, a major new addition to the city’s rapidly expanding West End innovation district. Set to begin construction in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver five storeys of high-quality laboratory and office space. Located on Botley Road, Fabrica is being developed by science and innovation specialist Mission Street and real estate investment manager BGO. The project is being hailed as a significant milestone for the UK’s science and technology sector, marking the largest construction start in the field during the first half of 2025. Groundworks and site preparation are already underway, carried out by Colemans, with completion of the building anticipated in early 2027. Fabrica is also set to break new ground in sustainability and social impact. It is the first commercial science building in the UK to target a BREEAM Outstanding rating, and it will become Oxford’s first Living Wage building—ensuring that all employees working within it earn at least the Living Wage. Colin Brown, development director at Mission Street, said: “Following a collaborative, positive procurement process, Bowmer & Kirkland will shortly take forward the science and innovation sector’s biggest construction start of 2025 so far. As science companies increasingly look to central Oxford for its extensive amenities and unrivalled transport connections—including the future East West Rail link—Fabrica’s delivery represents a major vote of confidence in the UK market.” The scheme is the second phase of Oxford’s Central Science District, following the recent completion of Mission Street and BGO’s Inventa project. The wider pipeline from the joint venture spans 1.5 million sq ft across Oxford, Cambridge, and Bristol. Neil Brook, group construction director at Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “Our teams approached this project collaboratively from the outset, allowing us to complete the tender process in just 10 weeks. We look forward to starting on-site at the end of May with a 96-week programme.” Bowmer & Kirkland is also supporting Mission Street and BGO’s District East development in Cambridge, where it is engaged under a pre-construction services agreement for the 23-acre science campus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An office fit-out project by Morris & Spottiswood that incorporates modular construction and circular economy approaches has delivered embodied carbon savings equivalent to driving 45,255km in a large diesel car[1] – enough to circumnavigate the globe (40,000 km at the equator). The project to relocate Morris & Spottiswood’s own Glasgow office to new premises Eastworks, in the Dalmarnock area of the city, offered a unique opportunity for the business to showcase its full end-to-end service, drawing on expertise from the wider Morris & Spottiswood Group. With a clear focus on carbon reduction, the team committed to a circular approach, which included re-purposing existing flooring finishes and sourcing second hand furniture through partner company, Inspire Spaces. The reuse of materials has reduced the project’s carbon impact by 7.591 tonnes CO2e, which is a saving of 8.73% compared to procuring new materials and products. What’s more, the use of an innovative ‘plug and play’ modular pod system has saved 1.790 tonnes CO2e compared to creating a similar build-up using traditional methods – equivalent to flying 11,701km in short haul economy flights to and from the UK. The prefabricated pods are manufactured offsite, with all necessary cabling, lighting and services already integrated within the partitions, ready to be quickly assembled onsite and simply connected to a standard power supply. Various pod configurations are available, all of which are fully demountable and can be easily reconfigured or even disassembled and moved elsewhere should the need arise. This modular design vastly speeds up project delivery, with pods assembled in a matter of days rather than weeks, while waste is reduced thanks to the precision engineering and high-quality finish that can be achieved in a factory setting. “The pods have enabled us to deliver a high-quality fit-out within much shorter timescales,” Gordon Clyne, Joint Managing Director at Morris & Spottiswood commented. “In this instance, we installed a glass-fronted boardroom, flanked by two adjoining multi-purpose office spaces. The three pods were assembled and functional within four days – a feat that would have taken several weeks if we were required to construct and connect the spaces using traditional methods. “From work commencing on site in early January, to project completion at the end of March, this project has been delivered at an accelerated pace without compromising on quality – a testament to the efficiencies, both in time and carbon savings, that can be achieved by a multi-disciplinary service provider, such as the wider Morris & Spottiswood Group.” Decarbonisation has been a firm priority throughout the project and a Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (LCA) was undertaken by crbn solutions, another business within the Morris & Spottiswood Group that specialises in carbon reduction strategies. The LCA found that the project’s upfront embodied carbon was 93kg CO2e / m2 – significantly lower than the current 2025 threshold suggested by the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (260kg CO2e / m2) but also comfortably achieving the 2038 target of less than 100kg CO2e / m2. Oliver Connew, Associate at crbn solutions commented: “We viewed the Dalmarnock office move as an opportunity to deliver a flagship project that demonstrates our full service offering and incorporates the latest in fit-out approaches. The carbon reductions found in the LCA are a clear indication of this and reflect the careful decision making that has gone into every aspect of the project – from purposefully choosing a building that offers long term energy security, being part of a district heat network, to considering things such as the local transport facilities to help reduce travel-related carbon.” Drawing on the expertise of the wider Morris & Spottiswood Group, the project exemplifies the unique end-to-end service offering through its portfolio of nine businesses working seamlessly together to deliver a truly turnkey solution – including Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (LCA) by crbn solutions; architectural design and building warrant applications managed by McLennan Chartered Architects, who also contributed to the interior design alongside Inspire Spaces; M&E design and installation supplied by Livingston; materials supplied by Builders Station; flooring installed by Morris & Spottiswood’s Flooring division and bespoke carpentry details provided by Morris & Spottiswood’s in-house joinery workshop. The upper floor presents the Inspire Spaces furniture showcase and hospitality area for hosting internal and external events. Utilising this space, the new office was officially opened to staff at a celebratory event on Thursday 24th April, which was attended by George Morris – Chairman of the Morris & Spottiswood Group and grandson of founder George Morris – and his mother, Janet Morris. For more information please visit: www.morrisandspottiswoodgroup.co.uk [1] Total embodied carbon savings of 9.381 tonnes CO2e, with comparison calculated using an emissions factor of 0.20729 kgCO2e/km from the latest 2024 DESNZ ghg conversion factors: www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Innovative office redevelopment’s accreditation a first for Gilbert-Ash Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has welcomed confirmation its £29million office redevelopment on Manchester’s Great Bridgewater Street has been recognised as a ‘BREEAM Outstanding’ project. BREEAM is an internationally recognised standard for sustainability and to achieve this rating, the developer, architects and engineers must think outside the box in order to create a truly sustainable project. In the UK, less than 1% of registered non-domestic buildings have achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating. This is the first Gilbert-Ash project to have received this accreditation. Gilbert-Ash’s scope of works at the former warehouse site included the design and build redevelopment of an existing office building with the addition of two levels to form new CAT A office space over nine floors, including basement. As the company continues its relentless drive to deliver generational projects, a number of innovative approaches were taken throughout the work on Havelock House to ensure the BREEAM Outstanding rating could be achieved. From the outset, OMI Architects engaged with the BRE Green Guide and this engagement was followed through into the construction stage to ensure appropriately sourced products from the supply chain were selected. A deep retrofit strategy, included the installation of an entirely new façade system, developed as the optimum solution through the use of a whole-life carbon option appraisal, ensuring that, through the utilisation of the existing structure, the project retained 2,000 CO2e of embodied carbon, the equivalent of planting 10,250 trees. The offsite fabrication of the unitised façade reduced waste and shortened the construction time on site while the rainwater harvesting in the basement minimised the site’s water consumption. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson said this rating is further evidence of the company’s ability to deliver stand-out iconic projects. “At Gilbert-Ash we have delivered some of the UK and Ireland’s most iconic spaces and we are thrilled Havelock House is our first project to receive BREEAM Outstanding certification. “Innovation, collaboration and determination are at the heart of everything we do and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.” Gilbert-Ash Environmental, Social and Governance Lead, Michael Heron said everyone involved with the project is proud their efforts have been recognised in this manner. He said: “Over the years, Gilbert-Ash has garnered a plethora of BREEAM Excellent and Very Good ratings but this is a new level for us. “To achieve this BREEAM Outstanding recognition, we had to implement at least 10 minimum standards including an air quality plan, a building user guide, seasonal commissioning and the responsible sourcing of construction products. “It would not have been possible to achieve this accreditation without early engagement by OMI Architects with the Green Guide. Implementing BREEAM Outstanding will ensure resource efficiency and lower maintenance and energy costs over the structure’s lifespan.” Havelock House has been used in the UK Green Building Council document ‘Building the Case for Net Zero: Retrofitting Office Buildings’ and has achieved Wiredscore (Platinum) and NABERS 5* accreditation. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. It is also seeking to attract the industry’s best talent to deliver landmark projects. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com/careers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aviva has submitted a planning application to transform 130 Fenchurch Street in the heart of the City of London into a striking 34-storey office tower, marking a significant addition to the capital’s evolving skyline. The proposal would see the current mid-20th century Fountain House demolished and replaced with a 146-metre-tall building offering around 600,000 square feet of prime commercial space. The scheme is being developed in partnership with commercial real estate specialist CO-RE and renowned architecture studio WilkinsonEyre, with engineering consultancy Arup on board to deliver structural and building services design. Pending approval, demolition of the outdated 16-storey structure is expected to begin in 2026, with piling works targeted for late 2027. The development aims to respond to the shifting demands of post-pandemic office life, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, wellbeing and flexibility. Among the standout features of the new tower are two upper-level public spaces: a cultural and exhibition area on the 17th floor, and a public viewing gallery on the 20th floor, complete with an expansive outdoor terrace overlooking London’s Eastern Cluster. In addition to delivering high-quality office accommodation, the project promises an enhanced public realm. Plans include a new pedestrian route linking Cullum Street to Fen Court, revitalised ground-floor retail and hospitality spaces, and improved landscaping to create a more accessible and engaging street environment. The tower will be built with sustainability at its core, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL Platinum, and a 5.5-star NABERS rating. The project will also follow circular economy principles, aiming to retain and reuse materials from the existing building wherever possible. Whole Life Carbon assessments are currently being undertaken in line with the latest industry guidance. Stephen Black, Director at CO-RE, highlighted the importance of futureproofing office developments: “This project is about more than just creating a new workplace—it’s about reimagining what an office building can offer. From cultural programming and green spaces to cutting-edge sustainability features, we’re delivering a best-in-class destination that meets the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.” Though the site lies just outside a conservation area, it is surrounded by key heritage assets such as Leadenhall Market, the Lloyd’s Building and The Ship Tavern. As such, the design has been carefully developed to respond sensitively to its historic context while still delivering a bold, contemporary presence. Fountain House, built between 1954 and 1958, has long since outlived its design life. With poor environmental performance, dated interiors, and vacant office floors, the existing structure is no longer suited to the demands of modern commercial tenants. Earlier redevelopment plans were granted permission in 2014 and 2016, but were never implemented. Now, with London’s commercial sector rebounding and demand for high-quality, flexible office space on the rise, the scheme at 130 Fenchurch Street represents an opportunity to bring new energy, connectivity and innovation to one of the capital’s most iconic business districts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wolfe Asset Management Ltd (WAML) has today announced that the LEGO Group has signed a lease for 192,000 sq. ft. across three and a half floors of 76 Southbank. The LEGO Group will move its London Hub from Farringdon to 76 Southbank in 2027 and will be home to up to 1,500 employees. The move is part of the LEGO Group’s global strategy to create world-class workplaces in locations with access to top talent in order to meet its future growth ambitions. 76 Southbank is a Grade II listed, 300,000 sq ft sustainable office building adjacent to the National Theatre. The building has undergone transformation and an extension, delivered with Stanhope as Development Manager, LaSalle Investment Management as asset manager and was overseen by Multiplex as the Main Contractor. Leading real estate agencies CBRE and JLL have been appointed as agents for 76 Southbank with Taylor Wessing acting as the legal advisor to WAML. 76 Southbank is the last significant work of Sir Denys Lasdun, the renowned brutalist architect behind structures such as the National Theatre. The reimagined scheme has been designed by AHMM. The building offers exceptional connectivity, six stations, including Waterloo, Charing Cross and Blackfriars, are within a 10-minute walk from 76 Southbank, providing direct access to the West End, City of London and Canary Wharf. Setting a new standard in low-carbon office design, 76 Southbank is targeting BREEAM Outstanding certification and NABERS Design Reviewed Target Rating of 5 Stars. The remodelling and refurbishment of 76 Southbank was carried out with the utmost sensitivity, ensuring that 80% of its iconic structure has been retained for future generations. Featuring impressive outdoor terraces spanning 50,000 sq. ft., 76 Southbank offers panoramic river views alongside biophilic landscape. A double-height entrance lobby provides a generous office reception, with a striking centrepiece staircase serving as a visual focal point. Kevin Darvishi, Head of Leasing at Stanhope said: “The LEGO Group’s decision to select 76 Southbank as its next London Hub underscores the building’s pioneering sustainability credentials and central location. Providing occupants spectacular riverside views, 76 Southbank is highly connected and offers best-in-class amenities. Securing an occupier of this standard reflects the building’s alignment with market demand for environmentally responsible and amenity-rich workspaces.” Chris Lewis, Managing Director, International Accounts, Europe, LaSalle Investment Management said: “We are thrilled to welcome the LEGO Group to 76 Southbank. This addition further reinforces the building’s position as a standout, centrally-located commercial property. The LEGO Group’s choice reflects the growing demand for workspaces that blend sustainability, heritage and modern amenities. 76 Southbank’s ability to attract such diverse, high-profile tenants underscores its unique appeal in today’s evolving office landscape.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orion Capital Managers and the Barbican have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement to showcase original digital moving artworks at Panorama St. Paul’s on 81 Newgate Street; a new 592,000 sq. ft office being developed adjacent to St. Paul’s in the City of London. The new partnership forms part of Orion’s placemaking drive – having reached an agreement last year with the City of London Corporation to pedestrianise King Edward Street to create Greyfriars Square – which will become the Square Mile’s largest public square (measuring 3,000 square metres). The LED video screen, set to become operational in 2027, will run the length of a newly created pedestrian route going through the site, connecting Greyfriars Square and St. Martin’s Le Grand. The screen is 5.5m in height, spanning the ground and first floor of the building, and will be over 30m in length. The pixel pitch (density) of 1.2mm will make the screen one of the highest resolution public LED screens of its kind in Europe. To create a landmark arts and culture destination nestled within the heart of London’s iconic Square Mile, the Barbican’s Immersive team will curate unique creative content for the digital wall from the building’s completion date. This will be a series of exciting moving digital artworks for the public to engage with at a scale not seen before in the Square Mile. As part of the partnership, Orion Capital Managers will also become the lead sponsor of Barbican Immersive exhibitions held at the Barbican Centre each summer. The content will be original works of digital moving art, which can take many forms. This could work as one immersive experience or be multi-channel content. The screen will have the capabilities to showcase stand-alone digital artwork, but can also draw upon film, video, and performance-related footage related to Barbican programming, which will extend the Centre’s programme across the city. Aref Lahham, Founding Partner at Orion Capital Managers, said: “This partnership marries well into our wider strategy in the redevelopment of Panorama St. Paul’s; to create a truly outstanding office asset with best-in-class amenities in a prime location. The very best offices in the most sought-after European cities continue to benefit from intense competition among companies for top-quality, well-located space that offers something special to their employees. The new digital wall will represent something unique at the intersection of business, arts and culture with the curatorial oversight of the Barbican. In Panorama St. Paul’s we are determined to create an asset that represents an oasis within the bustling heart of The City. With the Barbican’s input, we aim to engage the wider community and further support the City of London’s vision of creating vibrant and animated spaces that complements one of the world’s most historic financial districts.” Barbican Immersive develops and curates exhibitions focused on contemporary culture, emerging technology and digital creativity. This will be the first time that the Barbican Immersive team has curated a digital wall in London, taking Barbican’s programme outside of the Barbican’s walls and into the heart of the City of London. Devyani Saltzmann, Director for Arts & Participation, Barbican, said: “Through this partnership, we extend the Barbican’s reach beyond its walls, bringing bold, innovative digital art right into the heart of the Square Mile, and supporting the City of London Corporation’s ambitious Destination City strategy. We look forward to commissioning works that challenge convention and redefine what public art can be, offering the City’s residents, workers and visitors thought-provoking works that ignite joy and spark meaningful conversations about the world in all its complexity.” Leading cultural placemaking agency Futurecity played a key role in brokering the partnership as part of its Cultural Strategy for 81 Newgate Street. Panorama St Paul’s was designed by international architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed as the main contractor for Fabrica, a £180 million, five-storey commercial development in the heart of Oxford designed to support the city’s growing science and innovation ecosystem. Set to begin in May 2025, the 180,000 sq ft scheme will provide high-specification laboratory and office space on Botley Road, within Oxford’s West End innovation district. The project is being led by Mission Street, a specialist in science and innovation developments, in partnership with real estate investment manager BGO. Fabrica is positioned as a game-changer for the UK’s science property market. It aims to be the first commercial science building in the country to achieve BREEAM Outstanding status, a globally recognised benchmark for sustainability in construction. In addition, the building will be Oxford’s first Living Wage-certified workplace, ensuring all employees working on-site are paid at or above the Living Wage. This major development follows successful groundworks and site preparation completed by Colemans, with overall project completion targeted for early 2027. Bowmer & Kirkland’s appointment comes after a fast-tracked procurement process and adds to their growing involvement in the UK’s science and technology sector. The company is also supporting early-stage work on District East, a major 23-acre science scheme in Cambridge led by the same developer-partnership. Colin Brown, development director at Mission Street, commented: “Fabrica represents the most significant UK science construction start of 2025 so far. The scheme reflects strong demand from science and tech firms seeking centrally located, highly connected spaces in Oxford, particularly with the future East West Rail link on the horizon.” The development forms the second phase of Oxford’s Central Science District, building on the completion of the Inventa scheme in 2024. The Mission Street and BGO joint venture continues to expand its influence across key innovation hubs, with a pipeline of over 1.5 million sq ft of projects spanning Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol. Neil Brook, group construction director at Bowmer & Kirkland, added: “We approached this project with a collaborative mindset from the outset, enabling us to complete the tender process in just ten weeks. We’re excited to start work on site with a 96-week build programme ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cheyne Capital has acquired City Link House in East Croydon, a vacant office building set to undergo a £210 million transformation into a modern co-living development. The scheme will deliver 485 co-living units alongside 84 affordable homes, while retaining space for flexible commercial and community use. This large-scale project aims to support the continued regeneration of Croydon, offering a new form of urban living that prioritises affordability, convenience, and community engagement. City Link House is the latest in a series of strategic investments by Cheyne Capital in the UK’s growing flexible-living sector. Previous projects include notable redevelopments in Canary Wharf and Central London, underscoring the firm’s commitment to redefining urban housing solutions. Matt Floyd of Cheyne Real Estate commented: “We are proud to support a project that will contribute to the revitalisation of Croydon and enhance its appeal as a place to live and work. This development reflects our ongoing focus on high-quality, flexible-living solutions that respond to evolving urban lifestyles.” The transaction was facilitated on behalf of the seller by advisory firms acting for Wittington Investments and its development partner, Fifth State. A representative involved in the deal added: “This acquisition demonstrates the sustained demand for premium, purpose-built shared living schemes across the capital. Co-living offers an attractive proposition for a wide range of residents seeking a balance of independence, community, and urban connectivity.” The development marks another step in the broader shift towards alternative housing models across London, as developers respond to rising demand for innovative, space-efficient and sociable living environments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The transformation and extension of 76 Southbank, a Grade II listed building adjacent to the National Theatre, has successfully reached practical completion – delivering 300,000 sq. ft. of cutting-edge and sustainable office space. The scheme has been delivered with Stanhope Plc as Development Manager, LaSalle Investment Management as asset manager and was overseen by Multiplex as the Main Contractor. PayPal, a global leader in digital payments, will be the building’s first occupier, after signing a lease for 40,000 sq. ft. of the top floor of the building. Targeting a Q2 2026 occupancy, PayPal selected 76 Southbank based on the building’s amenity offerings, proximity to their current City offices and its transport connectivity. Six stations, including Waterloo, Charing Cross and Blackfriars, are within a 10-minute walk from 76 Southbank, providing direct access to the West End, City of London and Canary Wharf. The completed refurbishment features impressive outdoor terraces spanning 50,000 sq. ft., offering panoramic river views alongside biophilic landscaping. A double-height entrance lobby provides a generous office reception, with a striking centrepiece staircase serving as a visual focal point. 76 Southbank prioritises occupant wellbeing, with the revitalised building offering adaptable office spaces designed to enhance productivity and comfort while fostering collaboration. Forward-thinking design principles prioritise the end user experience, such as touchless entry systems and curated amenity areas. The iconic space sets a new standard in low-carbon office design. The project construction has embraced a circular economy approach, prioritising off-site fabrication to minimise on-site waste and incorporating reused steel in its construction. This dedication to sustainability is embodied through energy-efficient solutions that have been installed whilst protecting the building’s brutalist heritage. The project is targeting a BREEAM Outstanding certification and NABERS Design Reviewed Target Rating of 5 Stars. The transformation project renews the last significant work of Sir Denys Lasdun, the renowned architect behind iconic structures such as the National Theatre. The remodelling and refurbishing of this historically significant Grade II listed building has been carried out with the utmost sensitivity, ensuring that 80% of its iconic structure is preserved for future generations. The architectural redesign has been led by AHMM. Stanhope are the Development Manager and LaSalle Investment Management are the asset managers for the project. Global alternative asset manager Cheyne Capital Real Estate provided the financing for the project. Leading real estate agencies CBRE and JLL have been appointed as agents for 76 Southbank. JLL acted for Paypal. Kevin Darvishi, Head of Leasing at Stanhope said: “Practical completion of 76 Southbank and the arrival of PayPal will breathe new life into this brutalist icon. Built for the future, 76 Southbank is accessed from a spectacular triple height reception and provides large floor plates that all benefit from unrivalled views of the Thames, in a thriving part of central London. An occupier of PayPal’s calibre underlines market demand for low-carbon and amenity-rich workspaces.” Chris Lewis, Managing Director, International Accounts, Europe, LaSalle Investment Management said: “The completion of 76 Southbank marks a significant milestone. Its strong location, best-in-class amenities and historical significance position it as a standout commercial property in central London. PayPal’s decision to occupy space here underscores the building’s appeal, and we look forward to welcoming their employees to this exceptional development next year.” Simon Bladon, PayPal UK CEO said: “This is an exciting time for PayPal in the UK, and we’re looking forward to welcoming in the next chapter with a brand new home on London’s iconic South Bank.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
