Commercial : Specialist Facilities News

BARINGS SECURES GRANT THORNTON AT LANDMARK, MANCHESTER

Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has agreed a 15 year lease to global professional services firm Grant Thornton for 13,219 sq ft at its Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre. Grant Thornton’s 350-strong Manchester team is relocating

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PICK EVERARD ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS CONSORTIUM FOR DEVELOPER FRAMEWORK WIN

COMMUNITY Development Partnerships is a brand-new consortium – led by national independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard – that has gained supplier status on Pagabo’s new national developer-led framework, worth an estimated £47 billion. The Pick Everard-led consortium comprises Watkin Jones PLC, Charles Street Buildings (Leicester) Ltd, Trebor

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Glasgow’s Met Tower £100m refurb gets green light

Plans to transform the city’s iconic college tower, dubbed the Met, into a hotel with leisure and grade A office space are set to become a reality. Glasgow city council has granted developers Osborne & Co detailed planning permission to convert the 11-storey tower into a 260-bed hotel with grade

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Qualis Commercial submits planning applications for Bakers Lane Car Park and Cottis Lane sites

Following extensive public consultation with Epping Forest residents, businesses, local Councillors and interested organisations, Qualis Commercial has submitted planning applications for its Bakers Lane Car Park and Cottis Lane sites.  Feedback and comments have been taken into consideration throughout the consultation, with the evolution of the two schemes clearly demonstrating

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HADLEY PROPERTY GROUP SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 898-HOME BLACKWALL YARD SITE, TOWER HAMLETS

London-based regeneration specialist, Hadley Property Group, has this month submitted a full planning application to reimagine the 1.7 hectare riverside Blackwall Yard site, in London, following more than 18 months of extensive face-to-face and digital consultation with local residents, Councillors and local community groups. For years a privately-owned car park

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GODWIN AWARDED APPROVED SUPPLIER STATUS ON MAJOR NATIONAL DEVELOPER FRAMEWORK

UK RESIDENTIAL and commercial developer Godwin Developments has today (Tuesday 15 December) gained approved supplier status on Pagabo’s new national developer-led framework, worth £47 billion. The approval will enable Godwin to be directly appointed on developments or bid for contracts to deliver residential schemes such as housing, student, and multifamily

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Caddick Construction completes landmark £154m Moda Angel Gardens, Manchester

Caddick Construction, part of the Yorkshire-based Caddick Group, has completed on the £154m Moda Angel Gardens B2R scheme in Manchester. Caddick has officially handed over the 35-storey neighbourhood to Moda Living, the flagship development in Moda’s growing £2.5bn portfolio. Caddick Construction originally took over the contract in 2018, just months

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Planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel granted

Queensgate Investments and Rockwell secure planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel  Queensgate Investments and Rockwell has now been given the green light by the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the redevelopment of the Kensington Forum, to provide a world-class hotel and serviced apartment scheme alongside 62 genuinely affordable homes and substantial public realm improvements.  Designed by world-renowned architects, SimpsonHaugh, the new scheme will replace the existing 906

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Commercial : Specialist Facilities News

BARINGS SECURES GRANT THORNTON AT LANDMARK, MANCHESTER

Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, has agreed a 15 year lease to global professional services firm Grant Thornton for 13,219 sq ft at its Landmark office development at St Peter’s Square in Manchester City Centre. Grant Thornton’s 350-strong Manchester team is relocating from Spinningfields into the eleventh floor of Landmark which benefits from a panoramic roof terrace overlooking St Peter’s Square. The firm will take occupation of the space later this year upon completion of its fit-out. Grant Thornton UK LLP is part of the Grant Thornton network of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms with a global network of some 50,000 people in over 135 countries. For more than 100 years it has helped dynamic organisations realise their strategic ambitions. The firm encourages collaboration and interaction in its workspaces, embracing agility and with sustainability at the heart of its business. The deal announcement follows the recent news that Barings has signed a management agreement with flexible workspace group, Hana, for 32,000 sq ft at Landmark. Hana will design, build and operate the flexible space, called Hana at St Peter’s Square, which isexpected to open in mid-2021. Grant Thornton and Hana will join global property consultancy JLL who moved its Manchester team into the 14,004 sq ft 10th floor last year, representing JLL’s largest commercial office outside of London. The 180,000 sq ft award-winning Landmark development, which completed in 2020, offers 14 floors of BREEAM Excellent and Wired Score Platinum certified, next generation office space in the world-renowned St Peter’s Square district of Manchester City Centre. The development’s sustainability and technological credentials continue to appeal to forward-thinking organisations seeking a well-connected and inspiring workspace. Ian Mayhew, Managing Director at Barings, said; “We are delighted to welcome Grant Thornton to Landmark. To have concluded two significant transactions with global businesses in quick succession during the pandemic is an excellent result.  It is testament to Landmark’s appeal to companies seeking the highest quality offices, with keen attention to its exceptional environmental and well-being credentials along with the building’s excellent service levels and customer experience. We move into 2021 with strong interest in the remainder of the available space which demonstrates both the success of the building and the resilience of the Manchester office market.” Carl Williams, North West Managing Partner at Grant Thornton, said: “We are thrilled to be making this long-term commitment to Manchester and to this brilliant new workspace right at the heart of the city centre, on St Peter’s Square. “At Grant Thornton we recognise that post the COVID-19 pandemic the way people work will change, so the design of our new flagship office at Landmark will reflect our need for a best-in-class space to inspire collaboration, innovative thinking and knowledge sharing among our people, while also ensuring we deliver a great experience to our clients and intermediaries.” Leasing agents on Landmark are CBRE and Colliers International.

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PICK EVERARD ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS CONSORTIUM FOR DEVELOPER FRAMEWORK WIN

COMMUNITY Development Partnerships is a brand-new consortium – led by national independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard – that has gained supplier status on Pagabo’s new national developer-led framework, worth an estimated £47 billion. The Pick Everard-led consortium comprises Watkin Jones PLC, Charles Street Buildings (Leicester) Ltd, Trebor Developments LLP, APB (Leicester) LLP, Sowden Group Ltd, and Venture Properties Group Ltd. Acting on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, the Pagabo framework will cover a range of developer-led schemes within the construction industry and is open to all public sector bodies including schools, universities, local authorities, police and emergency services, NHS organisations, health and social care providers and housing associations, as well as central government departments and the Ministry of Defence. Pagabo’s framework – which will run for five and a half years – features nine lots covering three contract structures: Property Development via Joint Venture and Special Purpose Vehicle, Long Income Lease and Lease Back, and Property Development Single Site by Development Agreement. The awards will see Community Development Partnerships working with public sector organisations to offer developer management services – providing them with expertise, creative and viable development solutions, private sector investment and development delivery. Appointments cover single site development agreements valued up to £40m across the North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands and South West, as well as agreements valued at more than £40m in these regions, and London, the East of England and the South West. As well as this, the Pick Everard-led consortium has been selected on a direct award basis to cover projects valued between £20m and £40m across the Midlands, delivered through either special purpose vehicles or joint ventures; to cover long lease income and lease back schemes valued up to £40m in the South West, and between £40m and £100m in the Midlands, London and the South and the South West. Alastair Hamilton, partner at Pick Everard and executive lead for Community Development Partnerships, said: “Use of frameworks is central to a lot of our work at Pick Everard, so with this in mind we are really thrilled to be announcing the appointment of Community Development Partnerships to a number of lots and regions on Pagabo’s newest framework. “Procuring and delivering value for the public sector in particular is set to be incredibly important as we look to the future, and both this framework and our consortium are ideally placed to support the public sector in realising its aspirations for regeneration and inward investment. Together, they will be pivotal in helping public sector bodies unlock and realise the enhanced asset value across their property and land portfolios. “Our combined track record of working together to deliver success on projects in a range of sectors, and in creating social value and a sustainable built environment, the group of partners will maximise Community Development Partnerships’ ability to services the requirements of clients via this unique framework – bringing together the best in the market to deliver the best for clients.” Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “With all our frameworks we aim to simplify the whole procurement process, ensure flexibility and provider greater choice for clients, all packaged up with OJEU compliance – our developer-led framework is no different in that respect. It will allow developers the ability to procure works through a compliant and simple to use framework and help the public sector with vital expansion plans, creating an overall more robust sector. “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response we’ve had in this tender process and are really pleased to be bringing a unique procurement offering to market with such a strong set of companies.” The consortium secured a place on the framework following a rigorous OJEU compliant tender process, covering relevant experience and financial suitability, as well as dedication to delivering social value and implementing the use of technology. Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.

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Glasgow’s Met Tower £100m refurb gets green light

Plans to transform the city’s iconic college tower, dubbed the Met, into a hotel with leisure and grade A office space are set to become a reality. Glasgow city council has granted developers Osborne & Co detailed planning permission to convert the 11-storey tower into a 260-bed hotel with grade A office for up to 1,200 people. The redevelopment of the 1960s B-listed building on North Hanover Street will also offer 25-23,000 sq ft of retail leisure, food and drink space. Osborne & Co development director Will Hean said: “Achieving planning consent comes at a critical time in the real estate market which continues to be challenged because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Despite this, we are committed to investing significantly in Glasgow as we recognise the strength and diversity of the Glasgow economy. Glasgow’s tech sector in particular will be significant as the economy works its way back to strength.” Tower set to be tech magnet The building lies in the city’s innovation district close to the University of Strathclyde’s technology and innovation centre and the Inovo building which have attracted a host of tech firms. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders regarded the area as a business hot spot and were keen to offer funding for refurbishment and new building schemes. Osborne & Co plans to demolish an existing ‘podium’ building facing Cathedral Street to make way for the hotel, which would connect to the Met Tower via a landscaped plaza. A flexible double-height auditorium space is to be created below the plaza which could also suit a market hall, co-working space or suite meeting rooms and theatre-style conferencing facilities. This would link to the reception level of the tower and will have its own separate entrance on North Hanover Street. The project team for the refurbishment of the tower and surrounding developments include architects Cooper Cromar and structural engineering firm Woolgar Hunter.  Environmental design and mechanical & electrical consultants Atelier Ten, planning and property advisors Savills, construction consultants Gardiner & Theobald and quantity surveying consultants Thomas & Adamson are also involved. Glasgow’s College of Building and Printing was opened in 1964 by Labour prime minister Howard Wilson and was designed by Wylie Shanks Architects. LinkedIn Question: How important will the development of regional cities be for kick-starting the UK economy post the pandemic?

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Qualis Commercial submits planning applications for Bakers Lane Car Park and Cottis Lane sites

Following extensive public consultation with Epping Forest residents, businesses, local Councillors and interested organisations, Qualis Commercial has submitted planning applications for its Bakers Lane Car Park and Cottis Lane sites.  Feedback and comments have been taken into consideration throughout the consultation, with the evolution of the two schemes clearly demonstrating that the local community has influenced the final submitted designs.  Proposals for the Bakers Lane Car Park site show a new leisure facility incorporating a six lane pool, gymnasium, studios, a new sports hall and squash courts and a first floor public viewing gallery. The scheme has been designed to ensure no residential neighbours have loss of amenity and a comprehensive landscaping strategy is included to create high quality public and private spaces. This will be a true community facility, not just a leisure centre but an asset to serve numerous uses in the town, a place for people to exercise and also meet and socialise.  A new car park to service the high street with no net loss of spaces is proposed at the Cottis Lane site, providing priority spaces placed at ‘street level’ and all spaces will have the potential for electric vehicle charging. Cinema, retail and offices are also included in the final configuration but Qualis Commercial is committed to a phased approach to development to ensure that any new commercial activity is appropriate and complements the High Street as well as promoting and encouraging travel by environmentally friendly methods.  The vision is that Cottis Lane will form the ‘Yard’, a flexible hub for new and creative business that can connect into the town and use the new courtyard spaces to showcase their work and engage with the community. There will be space for events which will enliven the town, along with a new south facing public square and amenity space, new public toilets, cycle storage and public realm connecting to Bakers Lane and the High Street.   The company’s vision is to develop schemes of high quality in design and material which are sustainable, flexible and serve the best interests of the community.   Both proposals have been designed to reflect and consider the architecture and space of existing buildings, local character and the history of the town, breathing new life into the roads and streets beyond the High Street. 

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HADLEY PROPERTY GROUP SUBMITS PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 898-HOME BLACKWALL YARD SITE, TOWER HAMLETS

London-based regeneration specialist, Hadley Property Group, has this month submitted a full planning application to reimagine the 1.7 hectare riverside Blackwall Yard site, in London, following more than 18 months of extensive face-to-face and digital consultation with local residents, Councillors and local community groups. For years a privately-owned car park and data centre, Hadley is proposing to deliver an open and inclusive mixed-use neighbourhood with clearly defined and measured environmental and social sustainability standards, actively contributing to the health and wellbeing of Tower Hamlets’ residents and wider London under three pillars: empowering communities, stimulating economies and protecting the planet. Over the 10 years from the beginning of construction, the development will generate over £220 million of total additional social and economic value. Engagement with local people has directly informed the design and uses of Blackwall Yard. In the first round of consultation, residents made it very clear that there was a dearth of spaces for the community to use for faith meetings, that they wanted the dock to be brought back into use, and that they would like the provision of a pub or restaurant on the riverfront. These ideas were welcomed and have been worked into the proposed development plans. Blackwall Yard is one of the last substantial regeneration sites on the north bank of the Thames, opposite the O2 and a short walk from Canary Wharf and Poplar High Street; it fronts directly onto the River Thames and is a two-minute walk from East India DLR station. Hadley’s submitted masterplan combines high-quality architecture and new public spaces; the opening-up of the filled-in historic graving dock to become a large water feature with outdoor swimming; a carefully-considered ground-floor plane incorporating community spaces, as well as a pub and a grocery shop; and 898 new homes, of which at least 35% will be affordable housing, with access for all to a large communal roof terrace. It is also proposing to build a new, two-form primary school for the Borough. Blackwall Yard is a car-free development and the finished scheme will include an 100% electric car club. Its landscaping will provide spaces and equipment for children’s play, including a nature trail and sand pits. A new public square, larger than a football pitch, will contain a playable water feature and an indoor-outdoor café. Located in an area with lower-than-London-average skills and training opportunities, Hadley will offer local people 3,500 hours of apprenticeship work with the development’s design and construction teams. Up to £264 million of local economic value is also estimated to be generated through local spend in the supply chain during construction, of which up to 20% is targeted to be spent with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, generating up to £52.9m of local economic value. The development will create 277 construction jobs, 30% of which will go to local people, and 15 permanent, full-time jobs in estate management as well as 52 new jobs in the tenant businesses. Blackwall Yard also wants to make a positive contribution to the local and global environment. Its landscape design has greening wherever possible and uses natural materials such as granite and timber for structural seating. Between the buildings, a biodiverse pocket park will have green areas for nesting birds and wildlife, seasonal planting and mature trees. All buildings have rooftop gardens. Site-wide low carbon heating and cooling system with air source heat pumps mean sustainable energy provision. And for the first time in thirty years, public access to a wide stretch of the Thames Path will be opened up, allowing visitors to enjoy calming water views. To help residents and locals travel more sustainably, Blackwall Yard will also provide a mobility hub, with subsidised hire of fold-up Brompton bicycles, e-bikes and electric scooters. Andy Portlock, Chief Executive Officer at Hadley Property Group, says, “The submission of our Blackwall Yard application draws an intensive first phase of work to a close. Three years spent walking up and down the Thames Path, talking to local residents and working with an excellent team has got us to the point where we have proposals which we are really proud to submit. We’re looking forward to continuing our work with both Tower Hamlets and the people of Poplar to deliver homes, educational facilities, and community spaces as part of a development which reactivates a stretch of the river which has been neglected for far too long.” The main architectural team was selected through an international design competition, selected specifically for their work in tall buildings, waterside development and in the creation of inclusive public realm. It comprises Glenn Howells Architects, White Arkitekter and Panter Hudspith; and LDA Design. William Poole, Partner, Glenn Howells Architects, says, “We are delighted to have been part of this highly ambitious, community-focussed project. With sustainable living at its heart, Blackwall Yard brings together an incredible array of public benefits, including the restored Graving Dock, a new primary school and more than half a hectare of public realm that provides residents with much needed outside space in a post-Covid world. Michael Woodford, Partner, White Arkitekter, says, ““lackwall Yard represents a unique opportunity to create a spectacular and truly sustainable mixed-use residential neighbourhood on the River Thames. The site demanded a creative design approach that responded to a unique set of constraints. The proposal creates an essential link between existing communities and the riverfront whilst taking the opportunity to bring the historic graving dock back into public use as part of a vibrant public realm and sunny riverside destination. White Arkitekter is delighted to have worked with Hadley and the fantastic design team to deliver the masterplan and detailed designs for the waterfront buildings.” Gareth Hunter, Associate, Panter Hudspith Architects, says, “We were delighted to be chosen to participate in this compelling project from the inception of the masterplan. Our detailed design elements create fantastic social-rent family homes, a fascinating new-build primary school over five storeys and ‘The Hub’ which will form the community heart to the project. The collaborative nature of the project, with

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GODWIN AWARDED APPROVED SUPPLIER STATUS ON MAJOR NATIONAL DEVELOPER FRAMEWORK

UK RESIDENTIAL and commercial developer Godwin Developments has today (Tuesday 15 December) gained approved supplier status on Pagabo’s new national developer-led framework, worth £47 billion. The approval will enable Godwin to be directly appointed on developments or bid for contracts to deliver residential schemes such as housing, student, and multifamily schemes, as well as senior living projects. The EU-compliant framework, which will run for five and a half years, will assist Godwin in partnering with public sector organisations through single site development agreements valued between £20m and £40m across London, South West, East of England, East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, North West and North East England. In addition, the business will also be eligible to cover projects worth up to £40m in London, South East, Midlands and North of England, delivered through either special purpose vehicles, joint ventures, LLP or other corporate structures. Acting on behalf of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, the Pagabo framework will cover a range of developer-led schemes within the construction industry and is open to all public sector bodies including schools, universities, local authorities, police and emergency services, NHS organisations, health and social care providers and housing associations, as well as central government departments and the Ministry of Defence. The business secured a place on the framework after a rigorous OJEU compliant tender process, covering relevant experience, financial suitability as well as contribution to social value and technology implementation. Lindsay McCombe, senior development director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really proud to have been awarded a place onto this prestigious national framework. As an established UK developer with credentials across the residential and commercial sectors, we bring over 20 years of experience in property – from identifying sites through to design, planning permission and full build – and have a solid track record in both single-site schemes as well as projects delivered via SPVs, LLPs or joint ventures. “We are also passionate about enhancing local communities by attracting investment and creating homes and jobs, improving public realm, skills and opportunities, growing infrastructure and the provision of affordable homes. Similar to the UK government, we see construction and support for the public sector as a key component of recovery and long-term prosperity. We look forward to working with procurement departments in our appointed regions to realise their regeneration programmes.” Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “With all our frameworks we aim to simplify the whole procurement process, ensure flexibility and provide greater choice for clients, all packaged up with OJEU compliance – our developer-led framework is no different in that respect. It will allow developers the ability to procure works through a compliant and simple to use framework and help the public sector with vital expansion plans, creating an overall more robust sector.  “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response we’ve had in this tender process and are really pleased to be bringing a unique procurement offering to market with such a strong set of companies.”  Stuart Pratt, group development director at Godwin Developments, said: “It is fantastic to be concluding 2020 with news of our appointment to the Pagabo framework. Today’s award is an acknowledgement of our growing national capability, strong in-house team and exceptional advisory board – all of which will be able to support public sector teams across the country as they seek to improve infrastructure and services across their towns and cities. “I would also like to thank Pagabo for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of their programme, and we look forward to working closely with their teams over the next five years and beyond.” For further information on Godwin Developments visit www.godwindevelopments.co.uk    

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BAM appointed for next stage of Dunsbury Business Park in Havant, Portsmouth

Further development of the major Portsmouth commercial hub, Dunsbury Business Park, has been sparked as a new client has been attracted by the highly successful hub. Portsmouth City Council, working through Procure Partnerships, has appointed BAM Construction and BAM Design to create the fifth unit at the 45-acre business Park which was formerly farm land. BAM Design is also the masterplan architect for the business park.Unit five will be a 10,000m2 industrial warehouse and 750m2 office which is being taken by Bio Pure Technologies Ltd, part of the high-end industrial /pharmaceutical pipework specialist Watson-Marlow. The company’s products are highly valued by customers in the biopharmaceutical sector, a sector which has been at the forefront of news during the global pandemic. The building will be ready for production in 2022 when it will create around 120 new manufacturing and engineering jobs. The circa £12.5 million works follow the creation of three other units by BAM that are now occupied by 3M Fat Face, VW, and DPD UK. The new facility is the largest of the plots to be developed so far.  The development of the business park began in 2016. The Portsmouth City Council-owned business park is expected to generate millions of pounds of rental income for the authority. Kevin Hudson, the council’s head of development, said: “This is the largest development of a dedicated manufacturing facility on the south coast this year.‘It’s also the biggest new warehouse facility to be built on the south coast since BAM built a global headquarters for international clothing brand Fat Face in 2017 – also at Dunsbury Park.” John Rixon, Commercial Manager for BAM’s South East team, said:“This is an interesting appointment for us because Portsmouth has used Procure Partnerships, and it is a direct appointment for us.“Our enabling works across the whole of the business park put us in an excellent position to compete for each unit, but we have to prove the quality and value of what we do each time. Its pleasing to build on a strong relationship with Portsmouth City Council and on the strong track record we have down here on the south coast.” Phil Osborne, Procure Partnerships Key Account Manager, said:“We are delighted to be supporting BAM and Portsmouth City Council on the further development of Dunsbury Business Park. Procure Partnerships is proud to support local investment and it is fantastic to see new jobs being created in Portsmouth through schemes like Unit 5. This scheme is helping a local firm to expand and it has been a pleasure support Portsmouth City Council in appointing the right contractor for the project; hopefully Portsmouth can continue to attract investment for years to come.”  BAM has been on site in preparation for works commencing while the final contractual elements were agreed and is now commencing works in earnest. This scheme is helping a local firm to expand and it has been a pleasure support Portsmouth City Council in appointing the right contractor for the project; hopefully Portsmouth can continue to attract investment for years to come.” John Rixon, Commercial Manager, BAM

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GMI announces completion of new national headquarters for RM Resources at Harrier Park in Hucknall.

The contract to build the new 195,840 sq ft building was awarded to GMI by urban regeneration specialists Muse Developments and part of a joint venture with Rolls Royce. GMI Construction Group has announced the completion of a 195,840 sq ft national headquarters at Harrier Park in Hucknall for leading educational resource provider RM Resources. The 70-acre, Harrier Park, is part of a long-term joint venture between Rolls-Royce and urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, that will bring nearly one million sq ft of employment space, alongside hundreds of new homes and community facilities built on surplus land alongside the Rolls-Royce Aerospace supply chain plant off Watnall Road. RM Resources is part of RM plc, a leading supplier of technology and resources to the education sector, supporting schools, teachers and pupils across the globe – from pre-school to higher education – including examination boards, central governments and other professional institutions. Speaking about the project Lee Powell, Divisional Managing Director at GMI Construction, said: “It has been great to work on this exciting project at Harrier Park, we’re proud to have played a part in such an innovative development. Working with such illustrious clients as Muse Developments, RM Resources and Rolls-Royce to successfully and efficiently produce a business HQ of such high-quality is something we at GMI are very proud of.” Also commenting Dan Needham, development director at Muse Developments, said: “We’re delighted to hand over the keys to one of our latest distribution hubs to RM Resources, and we hope they’re happy in their new home. “We’ve been working hard with partners behind the scenes to deliver this and our residential schemes at Harrier Park safely and in line with government guidelines. What we’re looking at achieving here is to drive economic growth and prosperity, while creating job opportunities to benefit the Hucknall community and in light of the unprecedented situation we’re all in, this will be a welcome addition to benefit the town.” Monique Louis, managing director at RM Resources, said: “We are excited to be taking ownership of our new home for RM Resources which will see us consolidate multiple distribution centres into a solo, modernised and automated site. At the same time, the new location will enable us to bring together our office and operational teams into a single HQ that meets our longer-term business needs and objectives. “The modernisation and consolidation of our distributions facilities is part of a wider transformation programme at RM which includes the delivery of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. These investments will support our strategic imperatives of delivering excellence in customer service and digitalising our sales channels and wider organisational operations. They also reflect our confidence in the long-term future of RM and our commitment to the Nottinghamshire area.   “We very much look forward to moving into our energising and invigorating new working environment in April 2021.”

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Caddick Construction completes landmark £154m Moda Angel Gardens, Manchester

Caddick Construction, part of the Yorkshire-based Caddick Group, has completed on the £154m Moda Angel Gardens B2R scheme in Manchester. Caddick has officially handed over the 35-storey neighbourhood to Moda Living, the flagship development in Moda’s growing £2.5bn portfolio. Caddick Construction originally took over the contract in 2018, just months into the build after incumbents Carillion went into liquidation. Caddick’s intervention kept the scheme open and also helped safeguard 500 jobs. The build-to-rent project remains one of the largest outside of London and also includes 20,000 sq. ft of commercial space. Originally built on the site of Manchester’s first steam-powered cotton mill, Moda Angel Gardens now offers 466 high quality homes, ranging from studios to three-beds. Residents also have access to shared amenities including: a 24-hour gym and concierge service, parking, communal lounges including a library, cinema room and private dining room, co-working space and a multi-use roof terrace including a football pitch. On the corner of Miller Street and Rochdale Road, it sits across from Victoria Station and forms a key part of the exciting 20-acre NOMA neighbourhood in the city centre. Adrian Dobson, Caddick Construction’s Managing Director, said: “This has been a momentous scheme in every sense; from its size and quality of the build right through to the physical contribution it is making on a gateway district of Manchester’s city centre. “We are delighted to be able to hand over this prestigious project and the final result is testament to the team who have worked incredibly hard to deliver a truly iconic neighbourhood. He added: “Caddick Construction continues to grow its residential portfolio across the North and despite 2020 being an unprecedented year for the industry, we are confident there is still much to look forward to.” Architects were Ryder Architecture Ltd, with structural engineering provided by Burohappold Engineering. Quantity surveyors were Spring & Co Ltd.

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Planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel granted

Queensgate Investments and Rockwell secure planning permission for £1bn landmark London hotel  Queensgate Investments and Rockwell has now been given the green light by the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the redevelopment of the Kensington Forum, to provide a world-class hotel and serviced apartment scheme alongside 62 genuinely affordable homes and substantial public realm improvements.  Designed by world-renowned architects, SimpsonHaugh, the new scheme will replace the existing 906 room hotel with an exceptional high-quality development providing outstanding visitor accommodation for the future including restaurants, bars, health spa and conference facilities, vital to supporting London’s continued role as a world city and major global destination. Alongside the hotel will be a new, publicly accessible and sensitively designed 2,700sqm garden square, more than doubling the size of the existing green space, which will be the only publicly accessible green area within 1km of the site.  Kensington Forum is now set to deliver substantial public benefits for the local community through the creation of over 800 employment opportunities, in addition to 62 much-needed and genuinely affordable rented homes, worth £90m, for Londoners on low incomes: the capital’s first private development to deliver 100% genuinely affordable homes. Substantial contributions of almost £3 million will also be provided for public realm improvements to the area around Gloucester Road station, in addition to over £1 million to training initiatives to ensure jobs are created for the most in need. Despite the hospitality sector facing unprecedented challenges, this ambitious £1bn scheme, which is set to become one of London’s largest hotels, is perfectly placed to come forward as part of the capital’s recovery and is testament to the powerful role the sector is envisaged to play.  Approving the scheme, Deputy Mayor, Jules Pipe, commented: “There is desperate need for social housing across London… If we are to deliver affordable homes and other benefits for London, we must ensure we make the best use of land.”  “As well as improvements to the architectural quality, when compared to the existing building, the development includes a number of other significant benefits such as the addition of much-need affordable housing, a reconfigured public garden square, additional jobs, improved visitor accommodation and public realm improvements.”  Jason Kow, Founder and CEO of Queensgate Investments LLP commented: “Kensington Forum is an extraordinary scheme of exceptional quality, which will benefit both London and Londoners. The benefits of this redevelopment are substantial, and the new world-class hotel will establish a new benchmark for visitor accommodation in the capital that will doubtless become a landmark for the city.”   Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell added: “We pride ourselves on the delivery of genuinely transformative schemes and Kensington Forum is further testament to that. Not only will this be one of the highest-quality buildings in the country, but redevelopment of the Kensington Forum will deliver a 300% increase in employment, 100% genuinely affordable Social Rented homes and a new public garden square. This development will benefit those who live, work and visit London for years to come.” 

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