McLaren has been appointed construction manager for the wholesale refurbishment of Colmore Gate, signalling a major upgrade for one of Birmingham’s best-known office towers. The project, led by owner AP UK (Ashtrom Properties), will reposition the 1990s building as a high-spec, sustainable workplace offering around 290,000 sq ft of Grade A space. Operating under its construction management model, McLaren will partner closely with the client and bring key trades to the table early to de-risk delivery and compress programme. Vince Lydon, managing director for Construction Management & Specialist Projects at McLaren, said the approach enables “a true partnership with our client and [to] involve the supply chain early on in the process”. For AP UK, the scheme is central to its Midlands strategy. Chief executive Guy Lewinsohn described Colmore Gate as a landmark at the heart of the city’s business district and said the overhaul will provide high-quality, sustainable space that meets evolving occupier needs and supports Birmingham’s growth as a leading hub for business. While full technical details are to follow, the upgrade is expected to focus on a comprehensive enhancement of building services, energy performance and internal layouts to match post-pandemic workplace standards. Typical Grade A refurbishments of this scale include replacing legacy MEP with efficient all-electric systems, improving façade performance, expanding end-of-journey facilities, and creating flexible floorplates with high natural light and modern amenities. Construction management is increasingly being adopted on complex urban refits where design development and procurement benefit from contractor and specialist input at an early stage. The model can help navigate constraints around live city-centre sites, heritage considerations and retained structures, while providing transparency on cost and programme as packages are let. Colmore Gate’s upgrade comes amid sustained demand in Birmingham for well-located, energy-efficient offices capable of supporting hybrid working, wellness and ESG reporting requirements. With net-zero targets tightening across corporate real estate, deep retrofits of existing assets are becoming the preferred route to deliver high performance with lower embodied carbon than new-build alternatives. With McLaren mobilising and AP UK driving a sustainability-led brief, the project is set to deliver a significant lift to the Colmore Business District’s prime office offer and add momentum to the city’s ongoing commercial regeneration. Further design and programme milestones are expected to be announced as the supply chain is engaged and detailed packages are agreed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Edge, the pan-European real estate company, has announced the topping out of EDGE London Bridge, its landmark 26-storey office development located on St Thomas Street, SE1. The milestone signals a major step towards delivering one of London’s most sustainable office towers, designed to set new standards in health, wellbeing and environmental performance. The project is being delivered by Mace as main contractor and is due for completion in 2026. Backed by long-term institutional capital through a joint venture between Edge and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, EDGE London Bridge demonstrates how global investment partnerships can drive domestic economic growth while accelerating the transition to a net zero carbon-built environment. The project highlights the crucial role of institutional investors in supporting sustainable development in the UK, fostering long-term growth and advancing the shift to a low-carbon economy. Located adjacent to London Bridge Station, the 260,000 sq. ft development has been designed by Pilbrow + Partners and is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Platinum certification. It features cutting-edge energy efficiency measures, smart building technologies and flexible, future-proofed office space designed to meet occupier demand for workplaces aligned with net-zero targets. Marian Herman, CEO, Edge said: “EDGE London Bridge embodies our vision of creating workplaces that are both people-focused and planet-positive. This milestone takes us one step closer to delivering a flagship office tower that demonstrates how sustainability and investment performance can go hand-in-hand. We are proud to be working with a long-term institutional partner to realise a project that will contribute to London’s global competitiveness while setting a new benchmark for the UK real estate market.” Fons van Dorst, Executive Managing Director UK Edge, said: “The topping out of EDGE London Bridge is not only a construction milestone but also a symbol of collaboration between developer, contractor, investors and the wider community. With its strong location, best-in-class sustainability credentials and future-ready design, EDGE London Bridge will help redefine what occupiers expect from prime London offices.” Ged Simmonds, Managing Director Private Sector Mace Construct, said:‘’We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone at Edge London Bridge, a project that exemplifies what’s possible when ambition and bold thinking come together. From the outset, our shared ambition with Edge has been to challenge convention and deliver a building that sets new benchmarks for environmental performance and sustainable construction. We’ve built on that commitment by pioneering low-carbon initiatives that push the boundaries of what’s achievable. Trust and a collaborative mindset have been central to our success. From design and project management to the supply chain, everyone is empowered to contribute ideas to achieve better outcomes. It’s this collective, proactive spirit that continues to shape a truly exceptional building.” EDGE London Bridge is Edge’s first London project and a flagship investment in the UK capital. It forms part of the company’s wider strategy to bring sustainable and future-ready workplaces to major European cities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading design and build contractor McAleer & Rushe has been appointed as Principal Contractor by Wellcome Trust to deliver a major £52m office redevelopment at 80 Pelham Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, West London. The project will transform a previously underutilised site into a sustainable, high-quality five-storey office building, totalling approximately 114,000 sq ft. Designed to meet modern office standards and attract long-term tenants, the scheme also respects the local heritage and enhances the surrounding streetscape. The development employs a contextual architectural approach, incorporating traditional materials such as stone and brick whilst drawing inspiration from surrounding heritage and neighbouring buildings. The design includes green roofs and terraces to support biodiversity, improved pedestrian experiences at street level, and the retention of gym facilities within the new building. The development is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, the highest environmental performance rating for building design, as well as WELL Platinum Certification, promoting health and wellbeing for building occupants. The project aims to achieve an EPC Rating A, demonstrating top-tier energy efficiency, as well as a NABERS 5-Star Rating for excellent operational energy performance. Enabling works are underway, with McAleer & Rushe delivering the main contract through to completion in October 2027. Darragh Greenan, Director at McAleer & Rushe, said, “We are proud to be chosen to deliver this exceptional new office development that combines outstanding design, sustainable practices, and community-oriented spaces. 80 Pelham Street, located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, is a prime example of our expertise in delivering modern, efficient workplaces that enhance the local environment and support the wellbeing of occupants. We look forward to working closely with our client, partners, and valued supply chain to bring this prime new office development to life.” Robert Coke, Head of Buyout Investments and Residential Property at The Wellcome Trust, said, “This is a landmark scheme for the Wellcome Trust and we’re delighted to appoint McAleer & Rushe as our trusted contractor. Their proven expertise and responsible approach give us full confidence as we move into the next phase to deliver vibrant new office space that will generate new jobs, attract talent and bring fresh energy to Brompton Cross.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McAleer & Rushe has been appointed Principal Contractor by the Wellcome Trust to deliver a £52 million office redevelopment at 80 Pelham Street, in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, West London. The scheme will revitalise a previously underused site with a five-storey, 114,000 sq ft sustainable office building designed to meet modern workplace standards and attract long-term occupiers. The project carefully balances contemporary design with local heritage, enhancing the character and quality of the surrounding streetscape. The development employs a contextual architectural approach, incorporating traditional materials such as stone and brick whilst drawing inspiration from surrounding heritage and neighbouring buildings. The design includes green roofs and terraces to support biodiversity, improved pedestrian experiences at street level, and the retention of gym facilities within the new building. The development is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, the highest environmental performance rating for building design, as well as WELL Platinum Certification, promoting health and wellbeing for building occupants. The project aims to achieve an EPC Rating A, demonstrating top-tier energy efficiency, as well as a NABERS 5-Star Rating for excellent operational energy performance. Enabling works are underway, with McAleer & Rushe delivering the main contract through to completion in October 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The City of London Corporation has approved plans for a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, formerly Fountain House. Backed by insurance giant Aviva, the scheme will deliver 57,491 sq m of Grade A workspace. Designed with a staggered, jewel-like form, the tower will add a distinct profile to the Square Mile’s cluster of tall buildings. Demolition of the existing block is scheduled for 2026, with completion targeted for 2030. Tom Sleigh, chair of the City’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said the project reflects the Corporation’s drive to support growth with high-quality workplaces, public routes and views, and to deliver jobs and best-in-class offices at scale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developers Mitsubishi Estate London and CO—RE have officially broken ground on Vista at 72 Upper Ground, a £800m mixed-use scheme on London’s South Bank. Main contractor Multiplex is delivering the 640,000 sq ft redevelopment of the former ITV Studios site, slated to open in 2029 as a new office and cultural destination. Designed by Make Architects, the commercially led scheme centres on a 25-storey office tower linked to two smaller buildings of 14 and 6 storeys, all set on a substantial podium. The design includes external terraces and balconies facing the Thames, a public rooftop restaurant and terrace, and a transformed public realm, with 40% of the site given over to public space. The buildings will be all-electric and are targeting net zero carbon in operation alongside BREEAM Outstanding. Masanori Iwase, senior executive officer at Mitsubishi Estate, said: “Breaking ground at Vista marks the beginning of a new chapter for London’s South Bank. We understand and respect the responsibilities that come with being a major investor in London, and it makes us very proud to demonstrate what can be achieved when working with local government and communities to achieve a shared vision.” Bradley Baker, chief executive of CO—RE, added: “This is a new cultural and commercial destination that will open up the riverfront, support Lambeth’s creative economy, and set new benchmarks for sustainability and wellbeing.” The ceremony brought together senior figures from government, international investment and the project team, including Japan’s ambassador to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Overbury has been appointed to deliver a landmark £1.1bn refurbishment of Citi’s 42-storey headquarters at 25 Canada Square, in one of the largest commercial refits undertaken in London. Originally unveiled in early 2022, the scale of Citi’s investment has now been confirmed at more than ten times initial estimates, underlining the bank’s long-term commitment to the UK and its role as a global financial hub. The project will reimagine the two-decade-old tower into a state-of-the-art, sustainable, people-centred workplace designed to future-proof Citi’s London operations. David Livingstone, Citi’s chief client officer, said: “This significant investment, which I am pleased to say is progressing on schedule and within budget, underscores Citi’s deep roots and future ambitions in the UK.” Around two-thirds of the £1.1bn spend will flow to UK firms and workers, creating substantial opportunities for SMEs across the supply chain. Citi said that by completion almost 6,000 people will have worked on the project, many living within 25 miles of the building. Edward Skyler, Citi’s head of enterprise services and public affairs, added: “It’s a statement to our thousands of colleagues that they deserve best-in-class workspaces and to our communities that they deserve our lasting commitment.” Delivered by Overbury, Morgan Sindall Group’s office fit-out and refurbishment specialist, the programme aims to set new benchmarks for workplace design, sustainability and user experience. Staff are due to begin moving back into the tower from spring next year. Citi employs about 14,000 people across the UK, including in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Jersey, making the Canada Square redevelopment a defining project for the bank and a significant moment for London’s commercial property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Castleforge LLP , a London-based real estate investment firm, and Conversant Capital LLC, a New Jersey-based real estate investment firm that specializes in investing in platforms and providing creative capital solutions within the real estate and real estate-related sectors, today announced a partnership to invest in Central London office assets, including acquisitions and structured capital solutions. Affiliates of Conversant have committed an initial £150 million to Castleforge Partners V (Special Opportunities Fund) (the “Fund”), which will focus on investing in the Central London office market. “I’m excited to be working with Michael and his team. Our two organisations have a lot of overlapping relationships and think very similarly about investing,” said Michael Kovacs, Founding Partner at Castleforge. “Central London remains one of the most dynamic office markets in the world, yet the imbalance between supply and demand is now more pronounced than ever. With Conversant’s support, we are well-positioned to deliver prime, well-located office space at a time when companies are looking to bring employees back to the office and prioritise quality, connectivity, and sustainability. Our investment in 75 London Wall, a rare, large-scale redevelopment that will provide London with a new benchmark for high-quality, future-proofed workspace epitomises this strategy.” “Our partnership with Castleforge reflects our conviction in London’s office market and in our collective ability to identify and unlock value,” said Michael Simanovsky, Managing Partner of Conversant Capital. “We believe the current dislocation in the sector presents an exceptional opportunity, where limited new supply and rising demand create the conditions for outsized risk-adjusted returns. With our two firms’ deep domain expertise and relationships, coupled with a flexible mandate to invest across the capital structure, this Fund is structured to capture opportunities others cannot, combining downside protection with significant upside potential.”  The Fund is being launched at a time when demand for prime office space in Central London is well above the long-term average, supported by return-to-office strategies and relocations to more central, transport-connected submarkets. Meanwhile, construction cost inflation and a more burdensome regulatory environment have limited new development starts, creating a shortage of high-quality office space. Castleforge and Conversant believe this environment creates an attractive entry point for this strategy, which takes a value-add approach and expects to be able to invest at meaningful discounts to pre-pandemic pricing. The Fund is structured to invest in more than £1 billion of total asset value over the next several years. Importantly, it is designed to invest across the capital structure, including both equity and credit positions as well as joint ventures, enabling it to tailor solutions to a wide range of opportunities. Initial Investments The Fund, acting as a credit provider, recently closed on the £90 million recapitalization of 55 Mark Lane, a 162,000 square foot multi-let office asset in the City of London’s EC3 insurance district. Proceeds will refinance the existing mortgage and fund a capital improvement plan. Castleforge will serve as lender, asset manager, and development manager. The Fund also acquired a secondary interest in 75 London Wall, Castleforge’s flagship office redevelopment. At nearly 500,000 square feet, the project is among the largest underway in the City and is being repositioned into a next-generation workplace focused on sustainability, occupier wellbeing, and modern design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals