Commercial : Office News
Mace to revamp £200m London City office

Mace to revamp £200m London City office

Mace has been appointed by JP Morgan Asset Management to redevelop 65 Gresham Street, one of the largest office building reuse projects in the City of London. The project will transform the existing structure into over 36,800 square metres of Grade A office, retail and ancillary spaces.​ Emphasising a reuse-first

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Multiplex to Begin Main Build at Landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street

Multiplex to Begin Main Build at Landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street

Multiplex is gearing up to commence the main build phase of the £1bn Fifty Fenchurch Street development in London this summer. With Keltbray now completing piling and excavation works, Multiplex is preparing to take over as the main contractor for the 36-storey, 650,000 sq ft office tower, developed by AXA

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Regal Secures £58.6m Refinancing Deal for Watford Office Development

Regal Secures £58.6m Refinancing Deal for Watford Office Development

Regal has successfully secured a £58.6 million investment loan from lender Firma Partners to refinance The Clarendon Works, its newly completed, sustainable office development in Watford. The 12-storey office scheme is the largest of its kind in Watford, offering nearly 140,000 square feet of high-quality workspace, complete with modern amenities.

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Broadgate Tower Set for £100m Sustainable Revamp

Broadgate Tower Set for £100m Sustainable Revamp

British Land has appointed Bam to lead a £100m transformation of Broadgate Tower, a landmark office building near Liverpool Street in London. The project will see the addition of a three-storey extension, including a 6,200 sq ft terrace at the front of the building. Tower floors and Broadgate Plaza will

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British Land Secures Green Light for £600m Euston Tower Redevelopment

British Land Secures Green Light for £600m Euston Tower Redevelopment

British Land has gained planning approval for a major £600 million transformation of Euston Tower, a 1960s skyscraper in London, into a cutting-edge life sciences and workspace hub. The ambitious project, designed by 3XN, will deliver 560,000 square feet of high-quality office space, alongside improved public areas and expanded amenities.

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British Land announces Broadgate Tower redevelopment

British Land announces Broadgate Tower redevelopment

British Land has announced a significant redevelopment of Broadgate Tower, a 34-storey office building within its Broadgate campus in the City of London. The project aims to enhance sustainability standards while delivering high-quality office space to meet growing market demand. The redevelopment will include a three-storey extension featuring a 6,200

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Willmott Dixon lands Gateway One office block

Willmott Dixon lands Gateway One office block

Willmott Dixon has scooped City of Doncaster Council’s Gateway One development, a new 52,000 sq. ft Grade A office building on Trafford Way which is set to become Doncaster’s new digital tech hub. Work on the £32 million development, adjacent to Doncaster train station, will begin in April with completion

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Latest Issue
Issue 328 : May 2025

Commercial : Office News

Mace to revamp £200m London City office

Mace to revamp £200m London City office

Mace has been appointed by JP Morgan Asset Management to redevelop 65 Gresham Street, one of the largest office building reuse projects in the City of London. The project will transform the existing structure into over 36,800 square metres of Grade A office, retail and ancillary spaces.​ Emphasising a reuse-first approach, the redevelopment aims to retain more than 70% of the building’s existing structure. Additionally, 95% of materials will be recycled or reused on-site, targeting a 66% reduction in whole-life carbon emissions. The building will operate fossil fuel-free during both construction and operation, incorporating air source heat pumps for heating, cooling, and hot water generation.​ The plans include adding four new lightweight floors to the existing eight-storey structure. External terraces and inset balconies will provide outdoor spaces on every floor, while expanded entrances and relocated retail spaces aim to activate the streetscape. Extensive greening initiatives are also planned to enhance biodiversity, aiming for a net gain of over 100%.​ Ged Simmonds, Managing Director of Private Sector at Mace Construct London, commented: “This ambitious retrofit project exemplifies Mace’s commitment to sustainable construction, showcasing innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact and set the standard for the next generation of sustainable offices. In the past five years, we’ve seen a growing trend in the City of London for sustainability-driven, reuse-focused office developments.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Aviva Investors completes letting at One Liverpool Street with Knight Frank

Aviva Investors completes letting at One Liverpool Street with Knight Frank

Aviva Investors, the global asset management business, announces it has completed a significant letting agreement at its flagship One Liverpool Street development in the City of London, with global real estate adviser Knight Frank. The agreement will see Knight Frank take 72,400 sq ft in the building on an 18-year lease, in what will become its London and global headquarters. It is the second major letting completed by Aviva Investors at One Liverpool Street, and follows the news in 2023 that Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, would be occupying almost 68,000 sq ft of space in the building. Due to complete in Q1 2026, One Liverpool Street will provide 176,000 sq ft of best in class office and retail space, spread across the ground and ten upper floors. It forms one part of a substantial development scheme that also includes One Liverpool Street’s sister scheme, 101 Moorgate, which itself provides over 70,000 sq ft of office and retail space over its ground and eight upper floors and roof terrace. The two buildings sit at the eastern and western entrances to the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street station respectively. Both sites are being developed to create office headquarters that are fit for the future, with energy-efficiency being a prominent consideration in their design, targeting a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating for sustainability performance and EPC A. They will also feature all-electric energy solutions. The measures are expected to lead to an overall carbon saving of 33 per cent over current Building Regulations, whilst lowering ongoing energy needs and costs for occupier firms. Sitting in the heart of the Square Mile, the scheme also supports the City of London’s strategic priority to deliver a minimum of 1.2 million sq m additional office floorspace by 2040 under its ‘City Plan 2040’. One Liverpool Street forms part of a significant development pipeline for Aviva Investors in the City of London. Alongside 101 Moorgate, a public consultation has also recently opened on Aviva Investors’ plans to redevelop 130 Fenchurch Street. Ed Atterwill, Head of Central London at Aviva Investors, said: “Attracting a business such as Knight Frank is testament to the quality of our development programme and the buildings that we create. We are delighted to welcome them to One Liverpool Street. This is a scheme designed to equip world-leading businesses with a truly flagship building, featuring best-in-class facilities and modern technologies, whilst sitting in one of London’s best connected locations. We believe this is a development which can help the City get ready for the future by creating flagship assets that continue to attract world-leading businesses to the heart of the Square Mile.” William Beardmore-Gray, Senior Partner and Group Chair at Knight Frank, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured a truly best-in-class building located in the heart of London as our new Global HQ. Our goal was always to secure a state-of-the-art space with exceptional ESG credentials, that embodies our market-leading brand, delivers what we need and sets us up for the future – 1 Liverpool St represents that. With excellent transport links surrounded by restaurants, shops, green spaces and much more, it will be an exceptional place for our people to come together, work, collaborate and welcome our clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Multiplex to Begin Main Build at Landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street

Multiplex to Begin Main Build at Landmark Fifty Fenchurch Street

Multiplex is gearing up to commence the main build phase of the £1bn Fifty Fenchurch Street development in London this summer. With Keltbray now completing piling and excavation works, Multiplex is preparing to take over as the main contractor for the 36-storey, 650,000 sq ft office tower, developed by AXA IM Alts. Awarded the contract in June 2024, Multiplex aims to complete the project by 2028. AXA IM Alts previously worked with Multiplex on the construction of 22 Bishopsgate, which was completed in 2020 and has recently reached full occupancy. Designed by Eric Parry Architects, Fifty Fenchurch Street is set to be one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse high-rise office buildings, targeting BREEAM Outstanding and net zero in operation. The tower will feature internal and external gardens on the 10th floor, along with over 40 planted balconies and terraces. Each upper-level office floor will include two terraces with shrubs and flowering plants, enhancing both biodiversity and employee wellbeing. The development will also incorporate a new subterranean livery hall for The Clothworkers’ Company and the restoration of Lambe’s Chapel Crypt beneath the tower. Rob Samuel, UK head of development at AXA IM Alts, commented:“Our success at 22 Bishopsgate confirmed the importance of designing workspaces that evolve with occupiers’ needs, encouraging employees to return to the office. At Fifty Fenchurch Street, we are delivering exactly that—a landmark structure that blends best-in-class office space with green public areas while preserving the City of London’s heritage.” Fifty Fenchurch Street is set to redefine sustainable office design in the capital, offering a future-focused workspace that integrates nature, innovation, and history. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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AXA IM Alts to commence Main Build Construction on new biodiverse office building at Fifty Fenchurch Street

AXA IM Alts to commence Main Build Construction on new biodiverse office building at Fifty Fenchurch Street

AXA IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments with €186 billion of assets under management[1], is set to follow completion of piling and excavation works with the commencement of main build construction this summer at its latest flagship London office development, Fifty Fenchurch Street. The Main Works contract for the landmark 36-storey, 650,000 sq ft development has been awarded to Multiplex Construction Europe, with the development expected to complete in 2028. AXA IM Alts used the same contractor to construct 22 Bishopsgate which set a new quality benchmark for prime office space when it completed in 2020 and has recently achieved full occupancy. This successful milestone reflected both London’s status as a global hub for business and finance as well as the continued strong demand for well-located offices that integrate advanced technology, sustainability and amenities. Designed by Eric Parry Architects, Fifty Fenchurch Street is set to be one of the UK’s most sustainable and biodiverse high-rise office buildings, targeting BREEAM Outstanding and net zero in operation. It will be the first building of this scale to incorporate such extensive vertical landscaping in the City of London, comprising 10th floor internal and external gardens designed by the architecture and urban design studio DSDHA and more than 40 planted balconies and terraces, collectively introducing over 70 species of plant life to the site. Each upper-level office floor will have two terraces with shrubs and flowering plants, providing office staff with direct access to nature and fresh air from their workspace. The building’s abundant greenery will be seamlessly integrated with state-of-the-art technology and wellness-led amenities to deliver a future-focused, people-centric workplace for generations to come. The expansive urban greening continues at the ground plane with the creation of further gardens inspired by the original fenlands which once populated the area surrounding Fenchurch Street.  The gardens also feature the Medieval Church Tower of All Hallows Staining as a spectacular historic centrepiece nestled within lush vegetation, trees and reed beds, all above a substantial new subterranean Livery Hall for The Clothworkers’ Company. Together with the reinstatement of Lambe’s Chapel Crypt beneath the new office tower, these initiatives are part of a broader ambition to integrate London’s medieval heritage into modern urban development, ensuring the preservation and public accessibility of these historic structures.  Rob Samuel, UK Head of Development at AXA IM Alts, commented: “Our success at 22 Bishopsgate has confirmed the importance of tailoring buildings to align precisely with the evolving needs of occupiers to create high-quality, innovative workspaces that make employees want to come to the office. At Fifty Fenchurch Street our aim is to deliver exactly that, creating a landmark structure that will be both one of London’s most biodiverse office towers and combine best-in-class workspace with green, accessible public areas that uniquely incorporate heritage buildings that will enrich the City of London’s landscape.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Regal Secures £58.6m Refinancing Deal for Watford Office Development

Regal Secures £58.6m Refinancing Deal for Watford Office Development

Regal has successfully secured a £58.6 million investment loan from lender Firma Partners to refinance The Clarendon Works, its newly completed, sustainable office development in Watford. The 12-storey office scheme is the largest of its kind in Watford, offering nearly 140,000 square feet of high-quality workspace, complete with modern amenities. With almost 80% of the space already let, major tenants include National Lottery operator Allwyn, which has taken 63,527 square feet across six floors, and global technology firm Epson UK, occupying 30,530 square feet. Interest remains strong in the two remaining floors of this premium-grade workspace, which has been designed to rival central London office standards. The deal marks another milestone for Firma Partners, a newly launched real estate lender. This is only its second transaction following last month’s support for McGrath Group’s £40 million acquisition and development project in West London. Victor Librae, chief executive of Firma Partners, commented: “We are pleased to provide Regal with an investment loan to refinance The Clarendon Works, a development that has set a new standard for office space in Watford and the wider South East. This highly sustainable, amenity-rich workspace has already attracted leading tenants, demonstrating its strong market appeal. “Firma Partners is committed to supporting innovative developers and investors in delivering top-tier real estate projects. The facility we are providing for The Clarendon Works aligns with our approach to backing high-quality developments with long-term potential.” Firma Partners specialises in flexible capital solutions for mid- to large-scale real estate investments and developments. Its focus spans across the living sector, including residential, mixed-use, build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, later living, hospitality, and hotels.

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Broadgate Tower Set for £100m Sustainable Revamp

Broadgate Tower Set for £100m Sustainable Revamp

British Land has appointed Bam to lead a £100m transformation of Broadgate Tower, a landmark office building near Liverpool Street in London. The project will see the addition of a three-storey extension, including a 6,200 sq ft terrace at the front of the building. Tower floors and Broadgate Plaza will also undergo significant refurbishment, with the scheme expected to complete by late 2026. Originally built in 2008, the 34-storey tower is set for a major refresh aimed at enhancing workspaces while improving environmental performance. The redevelopment is targeting top sustainability certifications, including BREEAM Outstanding, an EPC A rating, and WELL certification pre-conditions. Circular economy principles will be applied to reduce embodied carbon, featuring a hybrid pavilion structure incorporating reused steelwork and cross-laminated timber. Kim Sides, construction director at Bam, commented: “With this upgrade, Broadgate Tower will become one of London’s most desirable office destinations, offering flexible, modern workspaces with outstanding facilities. We are thrilled to work with British Land to bring its sustainability vision to life, delivering long-term value for businesses and communities.” David Lockyer, head of development at British Land, added: “We are excited to be repositioning Broadgate Tower, creating high-quality, sustainable office space that meets the evolving needs of today’s occupiers. This project, following our commitment to 2 Finsbury Avenue last year, marks another key milestone for Broadgate and the City as we deliver sought-after modern office space in a competitive market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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British Land Secures Green Light for £600m Euston Tower Redevelopment

British Land Secures Green Light for £600m Euston Tower Redevelopment

British Land has gained planning approval for a major £600 million transformation of Euston Tower, a 1960s skyscraper in London, into a cutting-edge life sciences and workspace hub. The ambitious project, designed by 3XN, will deliver 560,000 square feet of high-quality office space, alongside improved public areas and expanded amenities. With redesigned 19,000-square-foot floor plates, the scheme aims to cater to the evolving demands of modern businesses. Following concerns over sustainability, British Land revised its initial proposals last year, focusing on a more environmentally conscious approach. The approved plans will involve partial demolition and retrofitting, preserving the building’s central core and foundations while dismantling the façade and floor slabs. This method retains 31% of the original structure, reducing environmental impact. The redeveloped 31-storey tower will feature 4,000 square feet of restaurant and café space, alongside 8,000 square feet dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs, start-ups, and innovation initiatives. The site, located within British Land’s Regent’s Place campus, will operate on an all-electric system and target a BREEAM Outstanding rating for sustainability. Camden Council granted approval for the scheme during a planning committee meeting on 20 March, with a final decision still required from the Mayor of London. David Lockyer, head of development at British Land, commented: “We are delighted to receive planning consent for this incredible scheme – the first West End tower in a generation, and likely to be the last. This world-class building will provide space for the UK’s greatest minds to turn research into real-world solutions. “The tower is ideally located at our Regent’s Place campus, where the Knowledge Quarter meets the West End, offering businesses access to a thriving ecosystem of academic and research institutions stretching from Harley Street to King’s Cross.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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British Land announces Broadgate Tower redevelopment

British Land announces Broadgate Tower redevelopment

British Land has announced a significant redevelopment of Broadgate Tower, a 34-storey office building within its Broadgate campus in the City of London. The project aims to enhance sustainability standards while delivering high-quality office space to meet growing market demand. The redevelopment will include a three-storey extension featuring a 6,200 sq ft terrace at the front of the building. Additionally, the project will introduce modern amenities such as upgraded arrival areas, an amenity floor, cycle storage, and shower facilities. Tower floors will undergo extensive refurbishment to align with contemporary occupier expectations. Broadgate Plaza will also be transformed into a green oasis, boosting biodiversity and promoting employee wellbeing. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the project is strategically timed amid increasing leasing demand. With active leasing requirements at their highest since 2011 and a projected shortfall of 5 million sq ft of premium office space in the City over the next four years, Broadgate Tower is well-positioned to attract tenants seeking a prime location and modern facilities. The development is set to deliver a gross yield on cost exceeding 8% and a high-teen ungeared IRR. BAM has been appointed to oversee the project, which includes constructing a new pavilion, enhancing the public realm, upgrading reception and end-of-trip facilities, and refurbishing office floors. The installation of an air source heat pump is also part of the plan, with the total project cost estimated at £100 million, of which British Land’s share is £50 million. David Lockyer, Head of Development at British Land, said: “British Land has an excellent track record of developing high quality, sustainable towers which meet the standards of modern-day occupiers. “Following our commitment to deliver 2 Finsbury Avenue last year and recent leasing success across the Broadgate campus, this is another significant milestone for both the campus and the wider City as we deliver another office tower into a market where there is short supply of high quality, modern space but very high demand.” British Land has been actively securing new tenants, with approximately 200,000 sq ft of office space at Broadgate either agreed upon or under offer this year. This builds on the 750,000 sq ft of office leasing deals completed in 2024, which included agreements with Akin Gump and Marex at 155 Bishopsgate, as well as Citadel and Citadel Securities at 2 Finsbury Avenue. The company’s Broadgate REIT, co-owned with GIC, has also formed a joint venture with Modon Holding to develop the 750,000 sq ft 2 Finsbury Avenue project. Meanwhile, 1 Broadgate is set to complete later this year, with 96% of its office space pre-let to JLL and A&O Shearman. Sustainability remains at the core of the Broadgate Tower project, which is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, an EPC A rating, and WELL certification. Circular economy principles are being integrated to minimise embodied carbon, which is limited to just 230kg CO2 per sq m. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Willmott Dixon lands Gateway One office block

Willmott Dixon lands Gateway One office block

Willmott Dixon has scooped City of Doncaster Council’s Gateway One development, a new 52,000 sq. ft Grade A office building on Trafford Way which is set to become Doncaster’s new digital tech hub. Work on the £32 million development, adjacent to Doncaster train station, will begin in April with completion expected in January 2027, where it aims to be net zero carbon in operation, as well as achieve an EPC rating of A and BREEAM Excellent. Gateway One will also include an area of public open space and span across five floors with two commercial units on the ground floor which incorporate alfresco dining. It is largely funded through the Doncaster Town Deal fund, and overseen by the Town Deal Board, a sub-group of the new city centre board. It builds on Doncaster’s ambitions to grow a digital and tech cluster of national significance. The specialist digital tech hub and the businesses located there will focus on digital technology with global AI firm Automatic Analytics among the founding businesses set to take up residence. Chris Yates, Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon: “Our team of local commercial experts will bring a wealth of experience and innovation to Gateway One. In partnership with City of Doncaster Council, we will create a cutting-edge and sustainable hub where digital and technology businesses can thrive and grow in this city. “We’re passionate that innovation will be a catalyst for creating opportunities for the people of Doncaster, so, in partnership with our proud local supply chain partners, we are committed to creating six new employment opportunities directly on the project. Through our bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ initiatives in collaboration with Advance Employment Hub, we also aim to deliver more than 650 hours of impactful employment support for local people furthest from the job market, those at risk of redundancy and those looking to transition into the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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RAILPEN SECURES CONSENT FOR 157,000 SQ FT OFFICE IN CAMBRIDGE AS FIRST STAGE OF A NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT

Railpen secures consent for 157,000 sq ft office  in Cambridge as first stage of a new business district 

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, and Ridgelift, its development partner, have secured consent from Cambridge City Council for 230 Newmarket Road, a 157,000 sq ft six-storey Grade A office building in the city.  Outline consent has also been granted for 10,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space in a separate single-storey building adjacent to the office. Designed by Leonard Design Architects, 230 Newmarket Road is in a prominent position on a major thoroughfare into Cambridge.  It has been conceived as a multi-occupier headquarters building, providing exemplary quality and amenities. The ground floor contains a generous reception area and extensive cycling and end-of-trip facilities, with space to park 438 bikes.  Moving up through the building, the first floor includes an elevated lobby café and offices, with the floors above providing flexibility of configuration to reflect varied occupier requirements.  The top floor features two pavilion-style office spaces designed for co-working, both opening onto an inside-outside terrace.  Externally, the consent includes a new carpark with 45 spaces, 26 with EV charging.  Railpen also has strong ambitions for 230 Newmarket Road’s sustainability credentials, and is aspiring for BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and at least 20% biodiversity net gain.  The design follows the principles of the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, with targets including net zero enabled in operation, low embodied carbon (800 kg/CO2e/m2), and a maximum operation energy performance of 55 KwH/ m2. More widely, 230 Newmarket Road is a gateway to Railpen’s proposed 1m sq ft Beehive, which will blend modern workspace, retail, leisure, entertainment and community spaces, and is currently going through planning, along with proposals to enhance the neighbouring Cambridge Retail Park through the introduction of new retail and leisure facilities.  Together, the developments will create a new business district in Cambridge to serve the innovation and STEM sectors as part of the UK’s Golden Triangle, which was recently ranked by Savills as a top three life sciences hub globally. Matthew Howard, Head of Property at Railpen, said: “We’re delighted with the council’s decision to grant consent for 230 Newmarket Road, with the development adding to the quality of offices available to accommodate growth in a world-leading city for innovation.  As importantly, it is the first stage of a new business district for the city that will bring more long-term employment and prosperity to one of the UK’s most important economic areas.” 230 Newmarket Road is the latest of Railpen’s investments in Cambridge.  Part of its strategy of supporting the UK’s economic and social growth through the clustering of assets in key sectors and locations, it joins Mill Yard, its 180,000 sq ft mixed-use campus adjacent to Cambridge rail station, and the nearby Botanic Place, Railpen’s 500,000 sq ft headquarters office development.  Railpen also has a number of other significant proposed developments in the city, including its 1m sq ft Beehive scheme, which has been called in by the Secretary of State. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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