The first phase of the £11 million Beehive Business Park development in Ulverston, South Cumbria has been handed over to developer Rawdon Property Group by Caddick Construction, with the first store an 18,600 sq. ft. Aldi opening on May 28th, 2020. The prestigious development represents a major uplift in retail
Nottingham Science Park has welcomed a new state-of-the-art office space to its premises. The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building, named to honour Britain’s first female doctor and celebrate collaboration and innovation on the site, has officially reached completion. The new development provides space for growing firms to expand their research and
Global financial giant JP Morgan has expanded its services in Maidenhead with the completion of a new state-of-the-art office. Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick has completed the Building 5 Foundation Park project two weeks ahead of schedule, with members of the team turning out last month to mark the milestone. The team, which
Office rents in Oxfordshire have risen by 24.3 per cent over the past year, according to research by property consultant Bidwells. Bidwells recorded more than 1.1 million square foot of office and laboratory space in Oxfordshire and found that only 569,500 square foot of space was available, which was less
UK storage group SureStore is moving forward with plans to expand its business across the nation. A contract has been agreed which will see a new £4 million storage facility built for the company in Wigan. Triton Construction has signed on for the project, which involves the development of a
Luxury Scottish five-star resort, Cameron House, has unveiled the first glimpse of the interior of its major extension, which will include a brand-new ballroom and 68 bedrooms, following the news of planning approval from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. The resort has released a stunning digital
Addington Capital, the property investment and asset management specialist has sold Aireside House, a 9,500 sq ft office block immediately behind the railway station on Aire Street in Leeds City Centre for £3.05 million. The purchaser is the Wesleyan Assurance Group, a financial services company. The building was fully occupied and
GMI confirms appointment as contractor on new 14-storey, 331 room hotel development on last remaining plot. GMI Construction Group has today announced that is been appointed by property management business Marrico as the contractor for the construction of a new 14-storey high, 331 room hotel development within the high profile
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks
Cladding work to Stephen George + Partners’ £7.3 million office building, now named No1 Great Central Square, at the old Stibbe factory site in Leicester is nearly 90% complete. Part of a £45 million masterplan designed by Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) for Charles Street Buildings Group, No1 Great
The first phase of the £11 million Beehive Business Park development in Ulverston, South Cumbria has been handed over to developer Rawdon Property Group by Caddick Construction, with the first store an 18,600 sq. ft. Aldi opening on May 28th, 2020. The prestigious development represents a major uplift in retail and business space in Ulverston. Three other buildings in the first phase are an M&S Food store of almost 12,000 sq. ft., a Screwfix Warehouse occupying 6000 sq. ft. and a purpose-designed 14,500 sq. ft. facility to house processing of top quality Cumbrian meat by Lake District Farmers. Discussions are taking place with interested parties on the smaller, second phase of the business park. A spokesman for the developers Rawdon Property Group explained: “It is hugely satisfying to achieve handover just over a year after starting construction on the site. As the main contractor, Caddick Construction has done a splendid job in driving progress on the site despite some very challenging weather conditions in the early stages, and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their hard work and careful management of the project has been a vital factor in our success. He added: “There is a great deal of excitement surrounding the opening of two new major retailers in the town. We are confident that opening the Beehive will encourage more local people to do their main shopping in Ulverston rather than travelling to Barrow, and will attract people from the surrounding communities such as Dalton, Coniston and Grange.” Ian Threadgold, North West Managing Director for award-winning contractor Caddick Construction commented: “Caddick Construction has been delighted to work on such an important and high profile project for Ulverston that is going to bring an economic boost and much-needed jobs to the area. The Beehive Business Park’s prime location and generous parking will also mean easy access for visitors who will undoubtedly enjoy having well-known high street names such as Aldi and M&S on their doorstep.” Construction journey video:
Nottingham Science Park has welcomed a new state-of-the-art office space to its premises. The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building, named to honour Britain’s first female doctor and celebrate collaboration and innovation on the site, has officially reached completion. The new development provides space for growing firms to expand their research and development facilities near like-minded businesses. It includes a café, an 80-space car park and a conference space, allowing companies to host conferences and events, creating a central hub for networking across the entire Nottingham Science Park site. Designed by CPMG Architects and built by Willmott Dixon, the building incorporates a daring and dramatic cantilever at its entrance and the façade is a pattern of modules in a combination of glazed elements and aluminium cladding panels, the latter finished in contrasting dark grey and gold colours. Stuart Kerr, operations director for Willmott Dixon in the East Midlands said: “We are really proud to have helped deliver this important scheme for Nottingham and Nottingham City Council, which will really shape the city centre and create a hub for research and development. As with all our projects we aim to give back to the local community, making a difference to real people. “During the project, we teamed up with social enterprise Think Big Academy to deliver a careers event on the live construction site, this attracted 100 young people and resulted in over 20 work experience enquiries. We also created jobs for an additional six local people on the scheme, alongside having seven apprentices on the site while also providing work experience opportunities for students of Nottingham College.” Stuart added: “In tandem with the project, our site team worked with Nottingham’s Emmanuel House – by helping it secure funding and refurbish its dilapidated facilities – we donated hundreds of Willmott Dixon hours and secured support from our partners including CPMG to deliver a fantastic result. We are also incredibly proud that Katie Butler, our commercial lead on this project, won in the Women in Construction category at Nottinghamshire Live’s Women in Business Awards 2019 for her amazing work locally.” Willmott Dixon worked together with Perfect Circle, a property, construction and infrastructure consultancy comprising of Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, via The Scape National Built Environment Consultancy Services framework. Construction of the new building has been part funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Councillor David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, commented: “Nottingham has long been a city of scientific innovation with the MRI, ibuprofen and the legacy of Jesse Boot and expanding our reputable Science Park supports our ambitions to continue to be a city of innovation and creativity. “Providing more Grade A office space in the city is a long held ambition of the city to meet the demands of potential tenants and so far it looks as though there’s been good interest in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building, given its proximity to the Boots Enterprise Zone, University of Nottingham, the tram, the M1 and the city centre. “As a Science City, we know scientific research and new innovations like fintech can create jobs, stimulate growth and keep talented graduates in the city and are committed to this with our £2bn Southside regeneration programme.”
Global financial giant JP Morgan has expanded its services in Maidenhead with the completion of a new state-of-the-art office. Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick has completed the Building 5 Foundation Park project two weeks ahead of schedule, with members of the team turning out last month to mark the milestone. The team, which began work on the project in October 2018, successfully completed a three-storey CAT A office, featuring open plan work spaces, a full height atrium with internal staircase, and a balcony terrace. The building has also been finished with energy saving LED lighting and photovoltaic roof panels. Throughout the project, the team worked strategically to overcome a series of logistical challenges, not least working within a live business park, neighbouring an aerodrome. Close collaboration with the airport during the planning phase allowed both parties to coordinate their schedules, ensuring that work to erect the building’s steel frame could proceed on time, with minimal disruption. Rob Lindsay, project manager for VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “What a fantastic journey Foundation Park has been for us. There’s been a real sense of teamwork from start to finish and we have risen to any challenges which we’ve encountered along the way. The result is a client who values our opinion and trusts us to deliver.” Speaking following an official tour of the new facility, Paul Harris, vice president at JP Morgan Asset Management, added: “It has been a pleasure to work with the VolkerFitzpatrick team on the Building 5 development and we are delighted with the finished product. From the very beginning, VolkerFitzpatrick led a positive and open relationship, and this, combined with their attention to detail, enabled us to deliver a building of the highest standards.”
Office rents in Oxfordshire have risen by 24.3 per cent over the past year, according to research by property consultant Bidwells. Bidwells recorded more than 1.1 million square foot of office and laboratory space in Oxfordshire and found that only 569,500 square foot of space was available, which was less than at the end of 2018. David Williams, partner at Bidwells, said: “Ensuring the world’s best can flourish in Oxford is critical for our region’s economy, but ensuring an adequate supply of correctly located offices and research labs is equally important to ensure our most successful businesses can develop and expand in Oxfordshire. There is now just 173,000 square foot of grade A space available to expanding businesses. “We are emerging from a period where demand has outstripped supply, but we are now entering a new and exciting stage in Oxford’s evolution as major new campuses like Oxford North and regeneration projects in the city centre deliver significant floor space. There is no shortage of interest in Oxford. Total Oxford office take-up for last year was 225,300 square feet, with science and technology businesses taking 60 per cent of lettings by floor space. Of those still seeking space, half of requirements by size are for space of more than 30,000 sq ft.
UK storage group SureStore is moving forward with plans to expand its business across the nation. A contract has been agreed which will see a new £4 million storage facility built for the company in Wigan. Triton Construction has signed on for the project, which involves the development of a new 50,000 sq ft building on a vacant site on Pitt Street in the town centre. The contractor will begin work on site next month with clearance of the existing foundations for the former building occupied by furniture maker, Latham Jenkins. Construction will be carried out on the four-storey facility over a phased period due to tight restrictions around that site that is circled by the Pitt Street one-way road system. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Triton Construction said: “We are pleased to secure our first contract with SureStore as it progresses its expansion in the UK. Our credentials in building storage and warehouse facilities that stand out from the ordinary are strong and we are hoping to secure more projects with SureStore with three further projects pending in the North.” Mike Wilson, Managing Director at SureStore added: “We were already familiar with Triton Construction due to its good working relationship with our architect C4 Projects and we are also aware of its good credentials in constructing striking buildings for operators in the self-storage industry. In particular Triton has shown great flexibility, allowing us to have early access for fit out during the build programme, and thus speeding up the process for us to become operational. We hope to be able to work with Triton on more of our pipeline projects.” SureStore has major plans to expand further across the UK and expects to be managing over 20 stores in the next 18 months.
Luxury Scottish five-star resort, Cameron House, has unveiled the first glimpse of the interior of its major extension, which will include a brand-new ballroom and 68 bedrooms, following the news of planning approval from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. The resort has released a stunning digital walkthrough including CGI footage of a new 7,345 square foot ballroom and pre-function space complete with spectacular views of Loch Lomond. Suitable for large gatherings, the new ballroom is perfect for weddings and dinners, with capacity for 350 guests and over 400 people in a theatre or reception style arrangement. Expected to be completed by summer 2021, the extension will include 68 new bedrooms on the upper three floors, the majority featuring large balconies with loch-facing views. A large outdoor terrace on the lower ground floor will create a separate, external space for smaller events with views overlooking Loch Lomond and the hills beyond. Following a careful and sensitive restoration, Cameron House Hotel will re-open in late 2020 offering unrivalled five-star luxury and one of the most unique function venues in the UK. The hotel is now taking bookings for functions from January 2021. Andy Roger, resort director at Cameron House, said: “We warmly welcome the National Park Authority’s planning approval, which is a major step forward in the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the hotel. “The proposed extension will maximise the stunning views of Loch Lomond whilst fully respecting the architectural integrity of the original house. The plans include a new loch-facing ballroom and 68 bedrooms, which will adjoin the hotel’s existing leisure wing. This will bring the resort’s total offering to 208 bedrooms, including 28 spectacular suites. “The extension will also allow us to increase the number of weddings, functions and guests we’re able to accommodate at Cameron House, and we’re confident these improvements will have a significant positive impact on the local economy.” Cameron House is investing £17.5 million in the extension, which has been developed by architects 3DReid, closelysupported by principal Designer Thomson Gray, Interior Designer Greyline Design, and Hirst Landscape Architects. For more information please visit Cameron House’s dedicated web pages. For MICE enquiries https://meetings.cameronhouse.co.uk and for weddings please visit https://weddings.cameronhouse.co.uk. For further information please contact events@cameronhouse.co.uk or contact Cerelle Gooding: cgooding@cameronhouse.co.uk
Addington Capital, the property investment and asset management specialist has sold Aireside House, a 9,500 sq ft office block immediately behind the railway station on Aire Street in Leeds City Centre for £3.05 million. The purchaser is the Wesleyan Assurance Group, a financial services company. The building was fully occupied and the sale equates to a 6.66% net initial yield. Addington acquired the building in a £42 million mixed-use portfolio with its joint venture partners and has since completely refurbished the building to offer a modern and creative office environment over four floors, with cycle storage and shower facilities added as part of the renovation. Phil Symonds of Addington Capital said, “This is an excellent example of what Addington is best at – buying and re-working old, under-utilised buildings to develop a contemporary renovated office environment well suited to the local market in terms of location, floorplate size and, in particular, specification and finish. The Leeds office market has performed very well lately, with strong occupier demand across the size and specification ranges, alongside increasingly constrained supply.” Agents on the deal were Cushman & Wakefield for Addington Capital and Lambert Smith Hampton for the Wesleyan Assurance Group.
GMI confirms appointment as contractor on new 14-storey, 331 room hotel development on last remaining plot. GMI Construction Group has today announced that is been appointed by property management business Marrico as the contractor for the construction of a new 14-storey high, 331 room hotel development within the high profile Sovereign Square scheme in Leeds. Marrico have submitted a planning application for the new hotel development which sits on the last remaining plot. The scheme once complete will feature a high-profile frontage onto the popular Sovereign Square and offer short and long stay accommodation catering for both business and leisure guests. It will include an on-site gym, meeting facilities, bar, restaurant and coffee shop fronting the square. It has been designed by Leeds-based architectural practice DLA Design, with the façade taking inspiration from the surrounding architecture and Leeds merchandising and textile history. The project will support around 190 construction jobs over the life of the project with the hotel creating 80 full-time jobs upon completion. Talking about the project GMI Divisional Managing Director Lee Powell said: “Sovereign Square is one of the most sought-after destinations within Leeds and an extremely high-profile development. GMI are delighted to have been appointed by Marrico to deliver the final phase of this development and bring forward another high-quality hotel development. This project serves as the 12th hotel project that GMI has been entrusted to deliver including 5 in the past 3 years and testament to the strength of our credentials in this growing sector” Also commenting Mark Barnes, partner at Marrico, said: “We are pleased to be able to share plans for a new hotel within the final remaining development site at Sovereign Square. The site is superbly located for hotel use from both business and visitors to the city being adjacent to the station, business core and the vibrant retail and leisure offer Leeds provides.”
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks to deliver more projects that play a key role in the county’s future. The opening comes shortly after the successful completion of L3 Technologies’ new flight simulator production and training facility on Gatwick Road in Crawley. It was designed to promote an agile, collaborative, project-led working approach, and will accommodate both pre-construction and operations staff, with partners and customers also encouraged to utilise the space. “Willmott Dixon has been well established in the county since 1930 when we built Bailiffscourt at Climping near Littlehampton for Lord Moyne. Since then we’ve grown across Sussex and opening our new Gatwick hub, close to where many of our people live, is a natural evolution,” explained Russell Miller, Willmott Dixon Director for Delivery in Sussex. “Gatwick is a thriving area and has, along with Sussex, a really bright future with many bold and imaginative initiatives to encourage growth and investment. We want to be part of shaping that by basing ourselves in an area close to our partners and customers,” Russell added. The event also saw Chestnut Tree House – the children’s hospice for Sussex –presented with a cheque for £7,104.12 which was raised by the team at Willmott Dixon following a sponsored skydive.
Cladding work to Stephen George + Partners’ £7.3 million office building, now named No1 Great Central Square, at the old Stibbe factory site in Leicester is nearly 90% complete. Part of a £45 million masterplan designed by Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) for Charles Street Buildings Group, No1 Great Central Square is the latest component in the transformation of the 1.89 hectare site into the wider Great Central Square redevelopment, which is set within the Waterside Strategic Regeneration Area. The building will offer up to 33,000sq.ft of Grade A offices whilst the scheme will also feature two new hotels, the refurbishment of the Great Central Railway Station and a new public plaza, all of which are overseen by SGP. Adjacent to the All Saints conservation area and flanked by several listed buildings, the five-storey office’s V-shaped form evolved with the design of SGP’s masterplan. Double storey height curtain walling at ground and high level achieves a critical lightness whilst the twisting roof parapet adds further visual interest to the building, creating an attractive and aspirational place for future tenants to work and do business. The slanting element in the façade was a conscious design decision to reduce the building’s scale in respect of its neighbours, creating street harmony and bringing forward the once neglected Great Central Railway Station. To further emphasise the sleek modern design, joints were kept to a minimum. This was achieved through large cladding panels up to 5m long together with specially constructed 3D pre-formed corner panels. SGP’s meticulous detail is crucial to give a quality edge to the building. Explains Hing Ow, Associate at SGP: “Due to the twisting form and building tolerance, precision is of utmost importance to ensure correct installation can be achieved. Furthermore, there are nearly 250 individual aluminium panels and up to 270 different sizes of ceramic panels used in the building. To avoid errors, we had to use a 3D modelling tool to draw up each panel, so each panel can be precisely cut in the factory and correctly installed on site.” For the cladding, aluminium with a natural muted colour was chosen to give a light contemporary feel that contrasts and highlights the softer finishes of the hotel. On at the bottom level, ceramic panels were specified in a similar colour tone to ground the building, as well as giving a visual connection between No1 Great Central Square and the hotels. Continues Hing: “We worked closely with the client and the contractor through a number of design reviews and cost analysis exercises to uphold the essence of the design while meeting the budget constraints.” Explains Ian Yallop, Chairman at SGP: “The new development is a key piece in the central Leicester jigsaw, transforming a neglected site into a vibrant and engaging destination as well as a safe and welcoming link between the city centre and the City Council’s ambitious Waterside development.” Work started on site in March 2018 and is expected to complete in December 2019. Morgan Sindall is the contractor for the highway works, hotels, and new office building, and the contractor for the refurbishment of the station is Charles Street Buildings (the client’s construction arm).
