Bhangals Construction Consultants, an award-winning construction consultancy, has relocated to a newly refurbished two-storey office space in Northampton. The company spent months meticulously planning and designing the new office, in Grange Park, which offers open plan working, as well as dedicated meeting rooms, a kitchen and staff breakout areas. All
Henry Boot Construction, part of the Henry Boot Group, has officially completed work on Elshaw House, the flagship office development within Heart of the City. The exceptionally-designed building, with its striking black metal façade, has already become a standout aspect of Sheffield’s evolving skyline. Located between Wellington Street and Carver
Parthena Reys acquires Manchester’s largest office building CBRE’s Investment Properties team in Manchester has successfully advised Parthena Reys on the strategic acquisition deal of the 365,542 sq ft One Hardman Boulevard, Manchester’s largest office building, in the heart of Spinningfields. Investment company Parthena Reys has acquired the landmark building from
Bradford’s One City Park office scheme, delivered by Muse in partnership with Bradford Council, is now complete and contracts have been exchanged with a corporate anchor tenant, to be announced in the coming weeks. The landmark city centre building was delivered on schedule, a major feat for a scheme of
Collaborative approach to retrofit and reuse generates 91 tonnes in equivalent carbon savings Fit out and refurbishment specialist, Overbury, has helped multidisciplinary sustainable development firm, Arup to bring to life its vision for a larger, more sustainable, fully hybrid workspace in Manchester. Arup has been based at 3 Piccadilly Place
1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The South West’s first Net Zero Carbon in operation out-of-town development has reached practical completion. Commissioned by CEG and delivered by Beard Construction, 1000 Aztec West in South Gloucestershire near Bristol ambitiously reused the existing frame and shell to deliver
Guide supports the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has partnered with CBRE’s ESG Consultancy team to create a new commercial Occupier Retrofit Guide to support the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038. The collaborative guide aims to help commercial
Innovative flexible office provider, Canvas Offices, has doubled its London market share over the last 12 months following a period of impressive growth. Established in 2018, Canvas has grown into one of the Capital’s leading flexible office space providers, synonymous with providing modern and authentic work environments that enable businesses
Bouygues UK has welcomed representatives of Swansea Council, the UK Government and other project partners on site at 71/72 The Kingsway to mark the official ‘topping out’ for the major five-storey office development in Swansea city centre. Located at the former Oceana nightclub site, when finished the building will house
Construction is now under way on the comprehensive refurbishment of the Grade II listed Adelaide House in the City of London. Originally completed in 1924 on the site of the original London Bridge, Adelaide House was the City of London’s first steel frame building. At the time of construction, it
Bhangals Construction Consultants, an award-winning construction consultancy, has relocated to a newly refurbished two-storey office space in Northampton. The company spent months meticulously planning and designing the new office, in Grange Park, which offers open plan working, as well as dedicated meeting rooms, a kitchen and staff breakout areas. All the desks have been purpose built to fit the ample space, and the renovations have been completed to the highest standard to enable the best possible working environment for staff. A yet to be opened upstairs space will soon also provide a versatile events area for both Bhangals staff and the wider business community. The entire space totals 7,500 square feet. The move, which has rehoused the company’s 30-strong workforce, will allow for further growth as managing director Parm Bhangal adds to the team. It comes just five years after the company doubled the size of its previous office space by taking over the office next door. Parm said: “I am very proud and excited to finally share our new office space with everyone. This has been in the works for over a year, and after months of meticulous planning and renovations, it’s great to see the team settled into their new home. I had a very specific vision in mind – an office space that not only fosters collaborative working but also stands out in a way people haven’t seen before. “It’s been a massive project, and I won’t deny there were moments of stress, however, the outcome is truly worth it, and I take pride in the modern and inviting atmosphere we’ve created. We really thought about our team and our clients throughout the entire process. Their needs and expectations were at the forefront of our decisions so, it’s really satisfying to see them settle into their new office space and bring their enthusiasm into the workspace. We thank our team for their continued support and hard work and look forward to continuing our growth. “I can’t wait to see what our incredible team achieves in this space. Welcoming our clients here adds another dimension to our ability to serve and collaborate effectively. The new office is not just a physical space; it’s a vibrant home for our collective success and growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henry Boot Construction, part of the Henry Boot Group, has officially completed work on Elshaw House, the flagship office development within Heart of the City. The exceptionally-designed building, with its striking black metal façade, has already become a standout aspect of Sheffield’s evolving skyline. Located between Wellington Street and Carver Street in Sheffield, it is the city’s first zero carbon-ready office building, incorporating 70,000 sq ft of flexible workspace across seven floors. With Henry Boot Construction now finished on-site, Elshaw House is ready for occupiers to move in and tailor their own bespoke fit-outs. A key part of the transformational Heart of the City masterplan – led by Sheffield City Council and their Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry, the innovative design reduces overall operational energy use. It has achieved an “excellent” five-star NABERS UK rating, placing it in the top 1% of office buildings in the country for energy efficiency. Elshaw House also boasts an Excellent BREEAM sustainability rating and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A. The latest energy-efficient technologies have been adopted, including heat pumps, mixed-mode ventilation and cooled slabs to regulate the building’s temperature, whilst green energy supplies will further boost its sustainable credentials. Tony Shaw, Managing Director for Henry Boot Construction, said: “It’s a great moment to see Elshaw House reach completion. This is the pinnacle of commercial developments, utilising the very latest in sustainable technology. “We’re proud to have delivered this project despite facing a number of well-documented industry-wide challenges. Working in partnership with Sheffield Council has demonstrated a blueprint for collaboration and there’s no better place to do this than in our home city. “Elshaw House complements the objectives of the masterplan to support a city with a refreshed work, live and play dynamic. Spilling out onto Pound’s Park, adjacent to the new food hall and nearby residential schemes like our own Kangaroo Works, the new workspace will play a key role in attracting new businesses and talent in Sheffield.” Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see the completion of Elshaw House. We’re incredibly eager for Sheffield to be a standard bearer for sustainable practice in the region. This project, with its five-star NABERS accreditation, is a testament to the Council’s bold ambition to drive the city forward and raise the bar for other developments to follow. “Heart of the City is moving into an incredibly exiting stage of the project, with Burgess House, Isaacs Building, Elshaw House and Kangaroo Works all finished and ready for occupiers to move in. This includes the recently announced retailers Yards Store and Fjällräven. “This is a transformational year for the city centre with Leah’s Yard, Cambridge Street Collective food hall and Radisson Blu also set to open their doors in the coming months. It all shows how Sheffield is undeniably a city on the up.” Elshaw House has been attracting strong market interest, with tenants expected to be formerly announced in the coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Parthena Reys acquires Manchester’s largest office building CBRE’s Investment Properties team in Manchester has successfully advised Parthena Reys on the strategic acquisition deal of the 365,542 sq ft One Hardman Boulevard, Manchester’s largest office building, in the heart of Spinningfields. Investment company Parthena Reys has acquired the landmark building from NatWest Group (NWG), for an undisclosed figure following NWG’s recent consolidation into their newly refurbished building at 1 Spinningfields Square, and plans to reposition the scheme, releasing newly refurbished, best in class workspace back into the supply-starved Manchester market by end 2024. The modern office building provides the city’s largest Grade A floor plate of c40,000sq ft, which is inherently flexible both vertically and horizontally, and capable of accommodating occupiers seeking 10,000 sq ft upwards. Accommodation is spread over nine floors with ground floor retail and is situated in the internationally renowned Spinningfields, one of the most successful urban developments in the UK, which has become a destination of choice for the region’s financial, professional and business services industry sectors. The vision for One Hardman Boulevard is to reincarnate the building into a world-class, flagship Grade A office development with market-leading ESG credentials, capitalising on occupier trends of higher take up in best-in-class assets and rental premiums for leading green buildings. Parthena Reys will announce further details on the planned refurbishment work in early 2024. Will Kennon, Executive Director at CBRE’s Investment Properties team who led the transaction commented; “This acquisition represents a strategic, counter cyclical investment by our client, acquiring a Grade A building in the heart of Spinningfields, with a business plan to release newly refurbished workspace back into a supply starved market in 2025. With new build development unviable at rents of below £50psf, we are expecting existing best in class assets to experience strong growth over the next 12-24 months and look forward to working with our client on the repositioning and leasing strategy.” Addleshaw Goddard advised on the legals for Parthena Reys, with Cushman & Wakefield and DLA Piper advising NWG. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford’s One City Park office scheme, delivered by Muse in partnership with Bradford Council, is now complete and contracts have been exchanged with a corporate anchor tenant, to be announced in the coming weeks. The landmark city centre building was delivered on schedule, a major feat for a scheme of this scale in a prominent and extremely tight city centre location. Brought forward by national place makers Muse and in partnership with Bradford Council, the scheme offers 56,403 sq. ft of sustainable and flexible office space in the heart of the city and was delivered by main contractor Caddick Construction. Additional funding came from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said: “One City Park will be a catalyst for further investment in the city and signifies a newfound confidence in its commercial centre that will attract future big-name businesses. The project also demonstrates a very successful public/private partnership that will reap long-term benefits by providing incredible job opportunities for the younger, growing, population in the city.” The project is the first large capital development to complete in the city, ahead of the £23m Darley Street market scheme set to open next year, as well as Bradford Live which is currently undergoing its own multi-million-pound transformation. The city has also committed to a Walking and Cycling Improvements Scheme that is set to transform the way people get around the city centre. The £43m scheme includes the pedestrianisation and landscaping of a number of city centre streets and re-routing some buses – all aimed at creating a healthier, safer and more attractive place in which to live, work and visit. One City Park only launched to market last year and is represented by commercial agents Knight Frank and Colliers. It features five floors of workspace and a roof terrace, flexible floor plans that can adapted to accommodate more agile working practices as well as promote wellbeing. It is designed to suit a range of businesses from home grown starts-up and SMEs, through to larger organisations and multi-national occupiers. The building, which has now been formally handed over to Bradford Council as the owners, is framed by new public spaces including stepped access and attractive seating areas. Cultural assets such as the Grade I Listed City Hall, St George’s Hall and new music venue, Bradford Live, all surround One City Park and are expected to play a major role in the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations in 2025. Sustainable design elements are at the core of One City Park including high-performance glazing, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to make sure the building operates on renewable energy. Every car park space has an electric car charging point, coupled with secure cycle storage and changing facilities to encourage workers to take more sustainable and healthier modes of transport. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Collaborative approach to retrofit and reuse generates 91 tonnes in equivalent carbon savings Fit out and refurbishment specialist, Overbury, has helped multidisciplinary sustainable development firm, Arup to bring to life its vision for a larger, more sustainable, fully hybrid workspace in Manchester. Arup has been based at 3 Piccadilly Place since 2014, and earlier this year committed to a further 15-year lease on a total of 36,000 sq. ft for their 500 colleagues at the Grade A Manchester office building. Owned by Longmead Capital, 3 Piccadilly Place has undergone significant improvements to build on its sustainability credentials on a pathway to net zero carbon. The building already boasts a BREEAM Excellent rating, Certified 100% renewably sourced energy, and a WiredScore Platinum mark. As its previous lease ended, Arup opted to expand its presence within 3 Piccadilly Place to capitalise on the building’s enhanced sustainability and well-being credentials. The commitment to 3 Piccadilly Place aligns with Arup’s national estates investment strategy for net-zero by 2030. The Overbury team worked closely with the Arup team to transform its workspace using the most sustainable methods possible, including reusing furniture where possible. From the 1,109 pieces of furniture required across the project, Overbury reused 70 per cent (709 items) of existing furniture, working with circular economy partners from the local supply chain to limit the number of items being bought new or sent to landfill. Where furniture could not be reused, Overbury purchased items through its subcontractors to create cradle-to-cradle solutions. The repurposed items also included reupholstered sofas and lounge chairs, plus re-powder coated stools and media units. Also, 1,800m2 of carpet was returned via a local take-back scheme. Using this approach saved 91 kgCO2e of carbon – the equivalent to 42 return flights from Manchester to New York City. Overbury used Carbonica, its in-house carbon reduction calculator, to monitor carbon savings throughout the project and produce a report that was presented to Arup at the end of the project. Both companies also collaborated to create an inclusive and accessible design to promote productivity and well-being throughout the Arup Manchester team, ensuring perspectives of all employees were considered, including neurodiverse colleagues. Some design adjustments included dedicated quiet pods and semi-private focus booths to create a hybrid workspace for all. Finally, Overbury implemented a social value plan for the project, which aligned with Arup’s ESG commitments. Philip Westwood, director at Overbury, said: “We worked closely with Arup throughout this project to create a vibrant new workplace that meets the company’s broader net zero targets and aligns with their ambitious ESG strategy. By expanding into the existing premises at 3 Piccadilly Place using the most sustainable approaches to office design, including a strong focus on reuse, we’ve produced a future-proof office space for many years to come.” Mike Wilton, leader of the Manchester office, said: “Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts supporting a wide range of organisations across the globe with sustainable development. Practising what we preach is therefore key, so we are proud to be able to demonstrate state-of-the-art sustainability in our own office spaces. “There are intrinsic benefits to our Manchester offices. Proximity to Manchester Piccadilly rail station means we are in fact the UK Arup office with the lowest commuting carbon emissions. As an employee-owned organisation, we care what our employees want. Three quarters of our staff voted to stay and retrofit the space at 3 Piccadilly when our previous lease came to an end. “We believe that reusing existing assets is part of the future of offices in the city minimising carbon emissions involved in transitions. We are proud to have worked with Overbury to create a space fit for now, but sustainable for the future too. This project is an example of the benefits we find when we collaborate with partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.” Longmead Capital is completing a programme of substantial works to improve the ESG performance at Piccadilly Place through the implementation of a pathway to net zero carbon and delivery of a high-quality amenity hub, which will include 100 bike racks and lockers, as well as shower and changing facilities. Recent refurbishment of the common areas and on-floor office space has been completed, with the scheme now offering both conventional and fully fitted Cat B workspace solutions available from 8,000 sq. ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The South West’s first Net Zero Carbon in operation out-of-town development has reached practical completion. Commissioned by CEG and delivered by Beard Construction, 1000 Aztec West in South Gloucestershire near Bristol ambitiously reused the existing frame and shell to deliver a best-in-class development. The addition of a new floor and striking three-storey atrium to the centre of the stunning new, all-glass structure has expanded the building from 38,000 to 80,000 sq ft, capable of housing an 850-strong workforce. The development has been delivered by local company, Beard Construction. Matt Cooper, director for Beard in Bristol said:“We are immensely proud to have played a key role in the delivery of this striking office development. Not only does it bring a state-of-the-art facility away from the city centre and out of town, but it sets the benchmark for sustainable, low carbon construction. This aligns closely with our core values at Beard and provided a fantastic opportunity to utilise our skills and experience in this area. “Sustainable construction presents both challenges and opportunities. Repurposing the existing steel framework was certainly a challenge, but it provided the opportunity to retain a significant amount of the embodied carbon of the initial build. It now serves as a centrepiece of the entire build and a great example of CEG’s ambitions for the project. It has been a pleasure working with CEG and we hope to have the opportunity to work collaboratively again in the future.” Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG said: “1000 Aztec West was redesigned with modern tenants’ key requirements in mind. From environmental sustainability and data connectivity, to the wide variety of onsite facilities designed to maximise staff wellbeing, we have delivered city-centre specifications not seen in out-of-town Bristol before.” The development has achieved BREEAM Excellent and EPC A. An all-electric building, it is powered by renewable energy and boasts energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. As well as saving some 1.7 million kg of embodied carbon, coupled with its Net Zero in Operation performance, 1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The building incorporates a secure cycle block, with leisure club quality shower and changing facilities to encourage sustainable travel. The 1,300 sq ft state-of-the-art gym, wellness facility and daily classes on offer are designed to boost tenant health, fitness and productivity. The setting alongside Aztec Lake, landscaped gardens and picnic areas and the rooftop terraces, helps boost mood. There is also a myriad of indoor spaces, including café, provide places to eat, meet, drink and work, all with access to Wi-Fi and plug-in points. Architect Ed Hayden, director of Scott Brownrigg, said: “Aztec 1000 takes advantage of location, orientation and existing materials to maximise ‘fabric first’ design principles and create a stunning new addition to the architecture of Bristol’s workspace. “Sustainability is achieved by retaining as much of the existing material as is practically possible and building passive energy and carbon saving strategies into the layout and fabric of the design. Overheating in the summer is negated with the careful specification of extremely high performing solar control glazing and the inclusion of ‘light shelves’ which bounce daylight into the heart of the building. “The result is a strikingly contemporary reimagining of the workplace, which Scott Brownrigg is proud to have supported CEG in creating.” The agents marketing the development are Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Cushman and Wakefield and Carter Jonas. Ian Wills, Director office agency and tenant representation at JLL said: “We knew the building would be good, but walking the finished floors it is clear just how inspiring this work environment is compared with the usual business park offer. The semi-exposed ceilings, full height glazing, views of the lake and park, the impressive reception, gym and café make this the most amazing place to work.” To entice new tenants to the space, CEG is providing an on-site Life concierge team to make occupier’s lives easier and healthier. A dedicated smartphone app will be used to book meeting rooms, organise events, arrange dry-cleaning, book bike maintenance or fitness classes, as well as offer local shopping and activity discounts. CEG also offers an innovative, flexible approach to leasing, even providing fit-outs to reduce occupiers’ capital spend. Its Core and Flex model also allows a business to expand and contract within the space to help manage uncertainty, growth and seasonal demand. CEG has £300m investment properties currently under management across Bristol, providing some 450,000 sq ft of the highest-quality city centre and out-of-town workspace for start-ups, scale ups or corporate headquarters. As well Quorum in the city centre, CEG is redeveloping The Crescent Centre and is delivering the 200,000 sq ft EQ development at 111 Victoria Street. More information is available at: www.1000aztecwest.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Guide supports the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has partnered with CBRE’s ESG Consultancy team to create a new commercial Occupier Retrofit Guide to support the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038. The collaborative guide aims to help commercial occupiers understand the actions they can take to play their part in delivering the Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral ambitions and wider sustainability strategy. To achieve this target, Greater Manchester has taken steps to tackle emissions across multiple sectors, especially in buildings and transport, where emissions are the highest. The scale of mitigation activities is increasing year on year, however there is much more to do. Commercial buildings account for 6% of Greater Manchester’s total carbon footprint. Councillor Tom Ross, Greater Manchester Lead for Green City-region, said: “To achieve our ambitious environmental aims, we must not only build better, greener buildings, but must also improve the quality of our many existing buildings across the city-region. Local Authorities are already leading by example, with 240 public buildings having been fitted with energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating systems over the last four years. “But improving public sector buildings will only get us so far – we need to encourage commercial building owners and occupiers to do the same. This new guide will provide examples of good practice to help them do just that, all whilst supporting our wider sustainability strategy, which includes increasing the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes, installing more local renewable energy generation and improving public and active transport.” The purpose of the guide is not only intended to steer occupiers towards what to look for, but to help them understand the associated benefits linked with effective retrofit. It focuses on two areas including best practice certification, giving an overview of current market certifications and the benefits related with each; as well as guidance on landlord engagement and green leases, with advice on how to maximise the impact during the term of a contract, and energy provision and management. Part two of the guide expands on circular economy solutions, covering design principles for the future based on the dynamic of reduce, reuse and recycle. It helps to crystalise the direct benefits to organisations, such as direct cash impacts through lower energy bills and reduced operating costs; enhanced strategic and corporate alignment through ESG strategy compliance and ESG messaging to stakeholders; and ultimately improved wellbeing and talent retention through a healthier work environment, and better employee facilities. Lucinda Lay, Associate Director, ESG Consultancy, CBRE, said: “Greater Manchester has one of the most ambitious targets in relation to the climate emergency. By collaborating with the team on this project we can play an important role in helping them realise the city region’s ambitious plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2038, with the role of retrofit playing a significant part in its push. “Sustainability and real estate trends are accelerating. We have investor demands expanding, increasing sustainability and climate change regulation and we have tenant demands evolving. It’s all coming together to actually need greater consideration of ESG and sustainability in the built environment. That’s why guides such as this commissioned by the Council are crucial to get ahead of the climate curve.”
Innovative flexible office provider, Canvas Offices, has doubled its London market share over the last 12 months following a period of impressive growth. Established in 2018, Canvas has grown into one of the Capital’s leading flexible office space providers, synonymous with providing modern and authentic work environments that enable businesses to grow and thrive. Having recently brought two additional buildings into its portfolio, Canvas now boasts over 15 office buildings in desirable locations across the City, including Shoreditch, Mayfair, Clerkenwell, Farringdon and Old Street. With two further sites under negotiation, this level of growth comes just 10 months after Canvas secured £2.5 million in debt investment from alternative finance provider, ThinCats. Having just agreed a long-term lease for its new flagship 35 000 SQM seven floor building above Holborn tube station, Canvas now has firm plans in place to dominate the flexible office space sector throughout the Capital, while driving international growth into Europe and the US. Oren Rosenblum, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Canvas Offices, confirmed: “Over the last 12 months, the Canvas team have worked incredibly hard to not only source new opportunities to grow our footprint, but to also elevate the Canvas brand and ensure it is positioned as a leading player in London’s flexible office space market, mastering the unique touch of our product at scale. I am incredibly proud of the level of growth we have achieved during this time and now look forward to the next stage in our business journey, with an immediate focus on our 35 000 SQM flagship site above Holborn tube station. ”Headquartered in Shoreditch, Canvas boasts above 95% occupancy rate across its entire portfolio, with growing waiting lists and strong occupier demand. Underpinned by a growing team of industry experts, Canvas buildings are home to ever expanding businesses from start-ups to Global HQs, including influential brands Rough Trade, Patchwork, Malin+Goetz, and Augustinus Bader, to name a few. For more information about Canvas, visit: https://canvasoffices.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK has welcomed representatives of Swansea Council, the UK Government and other project partners on site at 71/72 The Kingsway to mark the official ‘topping out’ for the major five-storey office development in Swansea city centre. Located at the former Oceana nightclub site, when finished the building will house up to 600 workers, will be operationally carbon zero and is worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy. Bouygues UK’s Operations Director for Wales and the South West, Stephen Davies showed the client delegation which included Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales James Davies and Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart, around the construction site, where five floors and two basement levels have now been completed. Swansea Council is developing the project and it is being built by Bouygues UK. It is part-funded by the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal. The scheme, earmarked for completion in early 2024, will include 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. Other features of the new development include a roof terrace, a new link between The Kingsway and Oxford Street, and balconies overlooking the city centre and Swansea Bay. The building will include solar panels on top of the building, as well as heat recovery systems to minimise energy use. It will also include 69 bike spaces and electric bike charging as well as extensive shower and changing facilities. Stephen Davies said: “Bouygues UK is very proud to be working with Swansea Council on this landmark project for the city. It was a pleasure to welcome to the site so they could see the brilliant progress that is being made. “Sustainability is hugely important to Bouygues UK and it’s wonderful to work on such an innovative and environmentally-friendly building. The fact that the building, when finished, will operate at net zero is very important to us as a business, as it’s our ambition to achieve this on all of our sites and builds. “71/72 The Kingsway is a key part of the history and infrastructure of the city centre, and this landmark building certainly fills the need for high quality office accommodation. The mix of commercial and office space is going to be a great asset to Swansea, along with the other ongoing regeneration projects.” Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The topping-out event marks another milestone for the construction of this landmark scheme, which is needed due to the limited amount of high-quality office accommodation in Swansea. Visiting the site has enabled us not just to see for ourselves the progress that’s already been made, but also to learn from our main scheme contractor Bouygues UK about some of the exciting digital tools soon to be used as part of the project as the development gathers even more pace. “Once complete, this scheme will offer the kind of modern, flexible office space we know our businesses need to thrive, particularly in the digital, tech and creative industry sectors where an agile workspace with networking opportunities and high-quality digital connectivity is so important. The scheme has attracted significant attention from potential tenants, and it will also benefit other city centre businesses by generating more footfall and spending.” Wales Office Minister James Davies said: “I was delighted to attend this exciting milestone in the construction of 71/72 Kingsway in Swansea. The UK Government is proud of our investment in the Swansea Bay City Deal which, along with our partners, has built this brilliant new facility for the city. “The UK Government is focused on creating jobs and spreading prosperity in Wales and this development will do exactly that by providing space for 600 jobs in growing sectors.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is now under way on the comprehensive refurbishment of the Grade II listed Adelaide House in the City of London. Originally completed in 1924 on the site of the original London Bridge, Adelaide House was the City of London’s first steel frame building. At the time of construction, it was also considered the tallest building in the City. Designed by Scott Brownrigg for St Martins Property Investments, the refurbishment will enhance and celebrate the existing structure of the building, whilst improving accessibility and weaving in contemporary services and facilities as required by tenants today. New interventions and materials pay homage to the building’s historic elements, whilst referencing the modern context. Staff and visitors will have access to high quality amenities onsite which include a new business lounge within the reception area on the ground floor. The roof top, originally a rose garden and putting green for building occupiers, will once again be accessible to tenants as it is converted into a communal terrace with extensive views over the River Thames. The BREEAM Excellent design will provide double the number of cycle parking spaces and changing facilities than currently recommended by the British Council of Offices, facilitating a greener commute to work. With Galliford Try appointed as the Main Contractor, the building us expected to be complete in early 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
