Commercial : Office News
Bouygues UK celebrate official opening of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea

Bouygues UK celebrate official opening of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea

Bouygues UK joined Swansea Council representatives to officially open 71/72 Kingsway, a striking five-storey office development in the heart of the city designed to operate at net zero. Bouygues UK was the lead contractor for the project, located at the former Oceana nightclub site. The building, worth £32.6million a year

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Mace to deliver retrofit of Fresh Wharf

Mace to deliver retrofit of Fresh Wharf

Mace has been appointed by Pegasi to deliver the major transformation of Fresh Wharf, a prominent 1980s building located on the banks of the River Thames, into a cutting-edge, sustainability-driven workplace. Situated just minutes from Tower Bridge, the 11-storey structure will be transformed to offer 120,000 sq ft of premium

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catella apam

Catella APAM Secures 35,000 sq ft Letting at Arlington Park, Reading

Catella APAM has completed a 35,000 sq ft letting at Arlington Park, Reading, marking a major milestone in the Park’s leasing performance. A global occupier specialising in mission-critical technical services has taken full occupancy of Building 1240, a three-storey, Grade A office building. The transaction reflects the ongoing demand for

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Manchester’s Havelock House obtains BREEAM Outstanding rating

Manchester’s Havelock House obtains BREEAM Outstanding rating

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

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Latest Issue
Issue 333 : Oct 2025

Commercial : Office News

Bouygues UK celebrate official opening of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea

Bouygues UK celebrate official opening of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea

Bouygues UK joined Swansea Council representatives to officially open 71/72 Kingsway, a striking five-storey office development in the heart of the city designed to operate at net zero. Bouygues UK was the lead contractor for the project, located at the former Oceana nightclub site. The building, worth £32.6million a year to Swansea’s economy, will house 600 workers, including TUI, IWG and Futures First. It includes 114,000 square feet of commercial floor space with flexible co-working and office opportunities for businesses in sectors like tech, digital and the creative industries. The standout features of this innovative development include a lush roof terrace, beautifully landscaped with trees, shrubs, and other greenery, complemented by tree planters on all balconies. The building also boasts a versatile ground floor retail space and a dynamic basement event space, poised to become a hive of activity. A new pedestrian link connects The Kingsway with Oxford Street, while balconies offer impressive views of the city centre and Swansea Bay. Stephen Davies, Operations Director of Bouygues UK in Wales and the West, said: “It’s fantastic to attend the offical opening of Kingsway as this development marks a significant milestone for Swansea in setting a new benchmark for sustainable building in the region. Delivering a building that operates at net zero aligns perfectly with our wider goal of making all our projects carbon neutral.” Sustainability was at the forefront of this project. The building has solar panels on top of the building, as well as heat recovery systems to minimise energy use and a rainwater capture feature to help with water supply to plants and trees in and around the development. It also includes 69 bike spaces and electric bike charging as well as extensive shower and changing facilities. Social value has been another key factor during the build. Throughout the project, Bouygues UK delivered almost 2,000 weeks of employment for apprentices, trainees, graduates, and previously unemployed people. Additionally, 84% of the sub-contracts were procured from within Wales, with the aim of supporting local businesses and the Welsh economy. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said : ‘’The 71/72 Kingsway development will help tackle a lack of high-quality office space in Swansea while also creating more footfall for the benefit of other city centre businesses. “The construction of the scheme, led by our contractor Bouygues UK, has created a Grade A office complex that will combine with other schemes either complete, under construction or planned to deliver a thriving city centre for working, living, enjoying, visiting and studying.  A number of tenants have already been announced for the scheme and more will be announced in the near future. We anticipate the scheme being 100% let.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mace Secures Retrofit of Iconic City Office Building on Lower Thames Street

Mace Secures Retrofit of Iconic City Office Building on Lower Thames Street

Mace has been appointed by Pegasi Management Company to lead the extensive refurbishment of 3 Lower Thames Street in the City of London. The project will see Fresh Wharf – a prominent 120,000 sq ft office building constructed in the 1980s and located adjacent to London Bridge – undergo a major transformation to meet contemporary sustainability and performance standards. Originally designed by renowned architect Richard Seifert, the 11-storey building is being reimagined with ambitious environmental targets, including BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, NABERS 4.5 Stars, and WiredScore Platinum certifications. The refurbishment, led by architectural practice Buckley Gray Yeoman, exemplifies a growing shift towards retrofitting existing structures to enhance their environmental performance and market appeal. Sustainability is central to the project. Around 50% of the building’s raised access flooring panels will be retained and reused. In newly refurbished areas, low-carbon panels made from 86% recycled content will be installed, each supported by an Environmental Product Declaration and a material passport to ensure traceability and future reuse. In the early stages of the retrofit, 30 tonnes of glazing from the original structure have already been removed and sent for recycling via Saint-Gobain’s closed-loop glass system. Upon completion in 2026, the rebranded Fresh Wharf – formerly known as St Magnus House – will offer 25,150 sq ft of outdoor space, alongside a new riverside café and restaurant, creating a vibrant destination for occupiers and visitors alike. Stewart Ward, Managing Director for Fit Out & Retrofit at Mace Construct, commented: “This project is about more than refurbishment; it’s about redefining what’s possible with existing buildings. At Fresh Wharf, we’re proving that a 1980s structure can be transformed into a workplace that meets today’s highest sustainability standards, while delivering on design, modern occupier demands and creating long-term value.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mace to deliver retrofit of Fresh Wharf

Mace to deliver retrofit of Fresh Wharf

Mace has been appointed by Pegasi to deliver the major transformation of Fresh Wharf, a prominent 1980s building located on the banks of the River Thames, into a cutting-edge, sustainability-driven workplace. Situated just minutes from Tower Bridge, the 11-storey structure will be transformed to offer 120,000 sq ft of premium office space. The redevelopment will also include 25,150 sq ft of outdoor areas, a new riverside café, an enhanced public realm, and a destination restaurant. The project has been designed by renowned architecture firm Buckley Gray Yeoman, aligning with a growing industry shift towards retrofitting existing buildings for a net-zero future while elevating tenant experience. Fresh Wharf is targeting some of the highest sustainability and performance accreditations available, including BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, NABERS 4.5 Stars, and WiredScore Platinum. The scheme aims for a whole-life embodied carbon footprint of just 933 kgCO₂/m², setting a new benchmark in low-impact redevelopment. As part of its circular economy approach, the project will retain and reuse approximately 50% of the building’s raised access flooring panels—an initiative expected to save up to 100 tonnes of CO₂. Newly installed panels will be made from 86% recycled content, each with an Environmental Product Declaration and material passport to ensure traceability and future reuse. Sustainable progress is already underway, with 30 tonnes of glazing from the original structure recycled through Saint-Gobain’s closed-loop glass system, preventing 21.3 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Stewart Ward, Managing Director of Fit Out & Retrofit at Mace Construct, said: “This project is about more than refurbishment; it’s about redefining what’s possible with existing buildings. At Fresh Wharf we’re proving that a 1980s structure can be transformed into a workplace that meets today’s highest sustainability standards, while delivering on design, modern occupier demands and creating long-term value.” Scheduled for completion in 2026, Fresh Wharf is expected to become a landmark example of sustainable workplace redevelopment in central London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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catella apam

Catella APAM Secures 35,000 sq ft Letting at Arlington Park, Reading

Catella APAM has completed a 35,000 sq ft letting at Arlington Park, Reading, marking a major milestone in the Park’s leasing performance. A global occupier specialising in mission-critical technical services has taken full occupancy of Building 1240, a three-storey, Grade A office building. The transaction reflects the ongoing demand for high-quality workspace in strategically connected regional locations. Arlington Park comprises 365,000 sq ft across 11 buildings, set within a landscaped, amenity-rich environment. Over the past decade, Catella APAM has delivered a long-term asset management strategy, including seven whole-building refurbishments, a new amenity hub, and a curated occupier engagement programme. “This letting is a testament to our consistent asset management approach,” said Max Bingham, Asset Manager at Catella APAM. “Having acted as asset manager at Arlington Park for nearly ten years, we’ve created a community that supports modern business needs.” This latest deal rounds off a strong four months for Arlington Park, with over 68,000 sq ft transacted across 4 lettings and renewals – highlighting continued leasing momentum across the estate. About Catella APAMCatella APAM, an independent and market-agnostic asset and investment manager, has been delivering sustainable real estate solutions since 2010, managing £4B worth of assets across the UK and Ireland. As part of the Catella AB Group, we leverage our global network and extensive market knowledge to provide tailored, effective solutions across all market cycles to achieve remarkable outcomes for our clients. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Global Collectibles Business to Move into Milton Keynes’ Greenest Office Building

Global Collectibles Business to Move into Milton Keynes’ Greenest Office Building

RO Real Estate is proud to announce a landmark letting at Silbury House, Central Milton Keynes’ most sustainable office building, as Fanatics Collectibles, which includes Topps Europe, a global leader in physical and digital collectibles, commits to a 10-year lease for the top two floors – totalling approximately 18,000 sq. ft. Topps Europe has called Milton Keynes home for over 30 years. To support the company’s growing UK footprint, accelerated by global digital sports platform, Fanatics, acquiring the company in 2022, Topps is moving to Silbury House. Silbury House underwent a major refurbishment in 2024, achieving top-tier sustainability ratings including EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS 5 Star, RESET Air Quality, Fitwel 3 Stars, and WELL Performance Rating. The project has also earned nominations for Sustainability Initiative of the Year and Developer of the Year at the prestigious Property Week Awards. Topps Europe joins existing tenants Tickets.com and Scottsdale Lifetime Partners, leaving only two ground floor suites of 24 desks each available, in the flagship development. Topps Europe were represented by JLL and RO Real Estate were represented by Bray Fox Smith and LSH. Ed Davidson, Asset Management Director at RO Real Estate, commented: “With a 30-year history of investing and developing in Milton Keynes, the Silbury House project reflects our long-standing commitment to the city and our ambition to set a new benchmark for environmental performance. Central to our mission was prioritising sustainability at every stage, from design to operation, and creating a building that meets the needs of modern occupiers. We are delighted to welcome Topps, a global leader in the collectables market and a household name, whose decision demonstrates the growing importance occupiers place on sustainability, not only as a core business value, but also as a practical way to reduce energy use and support employee wellbeing.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Blackpool's new home for The Department for Work and Pensions completes

Blackpool’s new home for The Department for Work and Pensions completes

A new office in Blackpool, which will be home to over 3,000 employees from The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has completed. The £100m, 215,000 sq ft workspace – which forms phase three of the wider £350m regeneration of Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway – has been delivered by nationwide placemaker, Muse, Blackpool Council, and contractor VINCI Building. Located on King Street, the highly-sustainable, seven-storey building brings DWP’s employees into the heart of Blackpool from out-of-town, driving footfall for local businesses and the hospitality sector. It represents the largest commercial workspace to be built in Blackpool town centre and is the town’s most audacious build since Blackpool Tower. Designed by Make Architects to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards and an EPC ‘A’ rating, the office also sets new sustainability standards in Blackpool, with: As a result of all partners’ ambitions to deliver a building as environmentally considerate as possible, the workspace has achieved an upfront embodied carbon density of 630 kgCO2e/m2. compared with 1100kgCO2e/m2 for a typical office development. Elsewhere, a range of features have been incorporated into the building to promote occupant wellbeing and wellness. These include open-plan working areas, meeting rooms, and quiet zones to aid collaboration and productivity, while active low-carbon travel is promoted through extensive ground floor facilities including cycle storage, showers, and changing facilities. The development also promotes sustainable transport due to its proximity (250m) to Blackpool North train station and a new tram interchange, as well as cycle/pedestrian routes. Significant levels of social value were generated by the building’s creation too. The project provided over 350 weeks of training, created nearly 300 work placement weeks, and facilitated over 50 employment opportunities for people not in education, employment, or training. An on-site construction skills centre also helped 16 young people from Blackpool who had left school to complete qualifications and find work experience in trades such as bricklaying and plastering.12 of the young people impressed so much on site that they found permanent work with sub-contractors. The Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said: “I am delighted to announce the official opening of the new £100 million Civil Service Hub, a landmark development in our commitment to modernising and streamlining government operations. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a centralised workspace, fostering collaboration and innovation among our teams. “It is a testament to our dedication to creating efficient and sustainable working environments that support the vital work of our public servants. It will not only enhance productivity but also contribute significantly to the local economy by providing job opportunities and stimulating local businesses. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact this Hub will have on our community and the broader public sector.” Alan McBride, Technical Director at Muse, commented: “Completing the third phase of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration signifies a pivotal milestone on our journey with long-standing partners, Blackpool Council, to revitalise this iconic seaside destination and create opportunities for local people. “By bringing over 3,000 employees into the heart of Blackpool, this highly sustainable workspace will stimulate economic growth, and dovetails with Blackpool Council’s aim to future-proof the town for generations. With further phases still to come too, our and the Council’s ambition to build a bolder and brighter future for Blackpool is being realised.” Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “This is one of the most impressive builds in Blackpool in decades. It shows our ambitions to make Blackpool better for everybody who lives and works here and how we are transforming the area around the train station into a real central business district. “Local people have found work and training on the construction, while the boost of bringing 3,000 new workers into the town centre should be felt by many businesses. The new landscaped space next to the building is a lovely green oasis for the town centre and anybody living or working here.” The regeneration of Talbot Gateway has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy. A new 4 star 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant opened in May 2024, while a tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool Promenade opened in June 2024. Plans have also been approved for a multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College, bringing up to 3,000 students and staff into the area, with work expected to commence later this year. Elsewhere, full planning permission has been granted for a new £45 million, 82,000 sq ft office off Talbot Road – to be developed by Muse on behalf of Blackpool Council –  which would be home to another 1,000 civil service employees. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Planning green light for new state-of-the-art lab space at The Oxford Science Park

Planning green light for new state-of-the-art lab space at The Oxford Science Park

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

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Bowmer & Kirkland to Build Oxford’s Landmark £180m Fabrica Science Hub

Bowmer & Kirkland to Build Oxford’s Landmark £180m Fabrica Science Hub

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

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Modular office fit-out project delivers embodied carbon savings equivalent to circumnavigating the globe

Modular office fit-out project delivers embodied carbon savings equivalent to circumnavigating the globe

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

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Manchester’s Havelock House obtains BREEAM Outstanding rating

Manchester’s Havelock House obtains BREEAM Outstanding rating

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

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