Residential : House Builders & Developers News
Housebuilder set to invest £102 million to transform former Boots site

Housebuilder set to invest £102 million to transform former Boots site

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £102 million into a housing regeneration scheme at the former Boots site in Nottingham, now named Beeston Canalside, following a partnership with Platform Housing Group. The multi-million pound site will deliver new, energy-efficient and affordable homes, transforming the disused brownfield land.

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Final Piece of Collegelands Regeneration Gets the Go-Ahead in Glasgow

Final Piece of Collegelands Regeneration Gets the Go-Ahead in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council has approved plans for the final stage of the long-running Collegelands redevelopment, giving the green light to a £95 million mixed-use scheme in the city’s Calton district. The new project, known as Collegelands Park, will feature two purpose-built student accommodation blocks providing 591 beds, alongside 147 build-to-rent

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Salboy celebrates topping out milestone at Waterhouse Gardens - central Manchester’s last major regeneration site

Salboy celebrates topping out milestone at Waterhouse Gardens – central Manchester’s last major regeneration site

At 14-stories, Waterhouse Garden’s final and fifth residential building, reaches highest point Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has ‘topped out’ on the last of the five buildings under construction at Waterhouse Gardens, the central Manchester scheme comprising 556 apartments and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space.

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Barratt Backs Passivhaus: A Greener Future for London Homes

Barratt Backs Passivhaus: A Greener Future for London Homes

Barratt, the UK’s largest volume housebuilder, has announced a landmark move to futureproof its developments in the capital. Going forward, all of its new residential schemes in London will be built to meet or exceed the Passivhaus standard—setting a new benchmark in sustainable urban housing. The developer’s new ‘Lo-E’ (low

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Barratt commits to Passivhaus design for all London schemes

Barratt commits to Passivhaus design for all London schemes

Barratt London has announced a new housing concept, Lo-E Homes, which aims to deliver climate-resilient, ultra-sustainable homes across the capital that exceed Passivhaus standards. The developer will initially submit plans for 728 Lo-E Homes across two major developments at High Barnet and Bollo Lane, in partnership with Places for London,

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Keepmoat invests £80m into regeneration of forgotten Leicester waterways

Keepmoat invests £80m into regeneration of forgotten Leicester waterways

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £80m into a regeneration scheme that will help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester’s waterways.  Now named Waterside, in honour of its picturesque proximity to the Grand Union Canal and River Soar, the scheme is being delivered in partnership with Leicester

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Residential : House Builders & Developers News

Housebuilder will invest £59.5m into latest phase of Glasgow transformation

Housebuilder will invest £59.5m into latest phase of Glasgow transformation

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat has committed to investing £59.5 million into the next phase of the Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA). The housebuilder is set to create an additional 246 new homes at the multi-million pound NorthBridge development located on Pinkston Road, following the success of the first phase that created 154 homes. Keepmoat will be delivering another multi-tenure community at the second phase of the development site, with more than 41 of the new homes being made available for local housing association Wheatley Homes Glasgow (WHG). Delivering one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK across multiple phases, the housebuilder is also working with Glasgow City Council to create enhanced and new transport links, green spaces and walking and cycling routes. Tim Metcalfe, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Scotland said: “We’re delighted to launch the next phase of this flagship Scottish development, marking a significant step in our continued journey to transform the Sighthill area, providing much needed housing in Glasgow. “Delivered across multiple phases and in close partnership with the local authority, this project reflects our long-term commitment to the city and our ambition to create exceptional places to live. “Following a strategic re-plan to increase the total homes from 824 to 1,154,, we’re excited to move the latest phases forward, ensuring the team at Keepmoat deliver the right mix of quality homes, open space and connectivity into the city so residents can access amenities and opportunities.  “Keepmoat’s focus remains firmly on building sustainable, well-connected communities that stand the test of time. This isn’t just about building houses – it’s about investing in Glasgow’s future.” The development, now named ‘NorthBridge’ in honour of the new footbridge linking the new community with the heart of Glasgow directly across the M8, will create more than 1,150 new homes when complete, replacing 10 tower blocks that were demolished in 2011. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, City Convener for Housing, Development and Land Use at Glasgow City Council, added: “The transformation of Sighthill has been a great success so far with high-quality new homes, a new park and a fantastic environment close to the city centre, and the start of work on the next phase will develop what has already been achieved there as a great place to live.” To find out more about NorthBridge, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/northbridge  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Salboy Secures Strategic Renault Site in Salford to Continue Trinity Way Regeneration

Salboy Secures Strategic Renault Site in Salford to Continue Trinity Way Regeneration

Award-winning developer agrees to buy site of Renault dealership to expand Greengate development portfolio SALFORD, UK, 30 May 2025 – Salboy, the award-winning property developer and funding company, has completed a deal to acquire a prominent development site in Salford’s Trinity Way area, furthering the company’s commitment to regenerating this gateway location. The deal, facilitated by Savills on behalf of Renault, secures a strategically important plot that has operated as a car dealership since the 1990s. The 52,000 sq ft site, which currently houses a showroom and surface car parking, represents the next phase in Salboy’s ongoing transformation of the Trinity Way and Greengate corridor. Reimagining Trinity Way and Greengate has been a strategic priority for Manchester City Council since agreeing a 20-year regeneration plan for the area in 2018, and Salboy has been at the forefront to bring the Council’s vision to life since that plan’s inception. Salboy’s scheme on the Renault site will be its fifth development in eight years in the Greengate area. It follows:  Both Fifty5ive and Local Blackfriars sold out pre-completion, demonstrating the demand for quality homes in the area.  To date, Salboy has delivered new residential and commercial property worth in excess of £185 million GDV to the local area that is called home by more than 1350 individuals and families who want to live close to Manchester city centre and enjoy what Salford has to offer. This latest acquisition allows the company to continue to build on its track record for creating vibrant, connected communities in a rapidly evolving section of Manchester and Salford’s historic border. “We’re excited to finalise this deal, which allows us to continue our regeneration work in an area where we’ve already demonstrated our commitment to creating remarkable places,” said Simon Ismail for Salboy. “This site represents an excellent opportunity to deliver another high-quality development that contributes to the ongoing transformation of Trinity Way.” Salboy is now working with Studio Power to explore a range of design options and development approaches for the site, considering various building heights and configurations to ensure the final scheme complements both the location and the company’s existing developments in the area. Ed Rooney from Savills commented: “Savills are delighted to have concluded this deal with Salboy on behalf of our clients, Renault. We are excited to see the scheme for the site come to fruition and look forward to working with the Salboy team over the next few years as our clients hand over the site on the agreed basis.” Further details about the proposed development will be announced as the design process progresses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Housebuilder set to invest £102 million to transform former Boots site

Housebuilder set to invest £102 million to transform former Boots site

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £102 million into a housing regeneration scheme at the former Boots site in Nottingham, now named Beeston Canalside, following a partnership with Platform Housing Group. The multi-million pound site will deliver new, energy-efficient and affordable homes, transforming the disused brownfield land. The large-scale regeneration project will see Keepmoat deliver 604 high quality, multi-tenure new homes, with construction due to complete in 2029.  Of the new homes, more than half will be delivered by Platform Housing Group for affordable rent and shared ownership, with 157 allocated for affordable rent and 162 for shared ownership.  Adam Sharpe, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat East Midlands, said: “At Keepmoat, we’re proud to be a brownfield specialist housebuilder and we’re passionate about working to transform sites that have been previously developed and left unused.  “We’re extremely proud to play our part in unlocking one of the most significant land deals in the last decade. We’re also thrilled to be continuing our fantastic work with Platform Housing Group to deliver high quality, sustainable homes set to regenerate this flagship site.” Keepmoat has also recently announced its partnership with P3, a charity that supports individuals and families affected by homelessness and hardships within the Nottinghamshire region.  The housebuilder will donate surplus materials, to be used in the properties managed by the charity – reducing waste whilst supporting those in need. Paula Heatley, New Homes Delivery Director at Platform Housing added: “Sites like this will go a long way in helping the sector address the housing crisis and deliver quality, sustainable places for the people who will eventually get to call them home.  “This is a great example of how key partnership working is and will continue to be as we strive to deliver more affordable homes than ever before and I want to thank all the teams involved in not just the deal to get the site off the ground but also those who are now helping us develop what will be a flagship scheme.” Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/beeston-canalside Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Artisan Real Estate to Progress with Homes-Led Regeneration of Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery

Artisan Real Estate to Progress with Homes-Led Regeneration of Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery

City of Edinburgh Council Grants Planning Approval for New City Centre Neighbourhood of 168 Homes at Historic Site Artisan Real Estate is to progress with the homes-led transformation of the former Caledonian Brewery in Shandon, Edinburgh following planning approval by The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC).  Councillors at CEC’s Development Sub Committee last Wednesday unanimously granted consent for Artisan’s ambitious proposals to develop the historic brewery site into a sustainable, low-carbon residential neighbourhood delivering 168 new high-quality private and affordable homes. Sitting at the western edge of Edinburgh’s city centre, the Caledonian Brewery was the capital’s last major brewery prior to the ceasing of operations in 2022. The brewery was founded in 1869 by George Lorimer and Robert Clark and its distinctive range of B-listed Victorian buildings provide an important reminder of the city’s once extensive brewing heritage. Welcoming the planning consent, Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to breathe new life into a complex and historically important city centre site, providing a high-quality mix of new homes and affordable housing in line with the Council’s policy to help tackle the city’s housing emergency. “Artisan’s UK-wide expertise as a regeneration specialist will now deliver a sustainable new residential community in an accessible city centre location that will respect, preserve and enhance the rich history of the Caledonian Brewery. Working closely with our heritage experts, we have unravelled the different layers of history and development which have governed the evolution of the site. This has been a model design approach to a very complex and challenging site bringing together a mix of buildings developed at different stages during the last 150 years. “From the very start, Artisan placed the preservation of the site’s unique heritage right at the heart of our approach, creating a distinctive footprint which both reflects the brewery’s historical legacy whilst creating a high-quality and well-connected urban neighbourhood which promises to set new standards for city centre living.” The Caledonian Brewery’s unique heritage and character will govern Artisan’s development approach. Around one fifth of the homes will be housed in the existing listed buildings which will be preserved and repurposed. Additional development proposals will respect and reflect the original footprint of the brewery – including recreating the skyline of the maltings buildings which was demolished following a fire almost 30 years ago. Most of the listed buildings on the site date from the late 19th to early 20th century and were constructed using distinctive red brick with white brick dressings. The existing brewhouse and maltings were built in 1892 following designs by renowned Edinburgh architect Robert Hamilton Paterson, who also designed the Royal Scots War Memorial in the city’s St Giles Cathedral. The brewery currently houses a vast amount of brewing equipment – including what was the last remaining direct fired ‘coppers’ to be used in the UK, which have been attracting the interest of independent breweries across the world. As part of the redevelopment plans, Artisan intends to ‘upcycle’ as much of the internal equipment as possible, allowing the Caledonian Brewery’s significant technical legacy to continue to play a part in today’s global brewing industry. Artisan Real Estate has a strong track record in delivering award-winning sensitive urban regeneration projects. This includes the New Waverley mixed-use development in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and part of the World Heritage Site, as well as completing the transformation of Glasgow’s historic A-Listed Custom House district into a thriving hotel quarter. Mr Westwater added: “Artisan Real Estate is committed to delivering high quality urban living for everyone in well-connected central areas, bringing interest, investment and life back into the heart of our cities. Building high-quality, sustainable homes in sensitive and unique urban sites such as the brewery site is a lengthy, complex and expensive process – but we are confident that our comprehensive proposals will raise the UK bar for the homes-led regeneration of historically important city centre sites across the UK.” The previous operators of the brewery, Heineken UK, invited bids for the site in 2022. A spokesperson for Heineken UK said: “The Caledonian Brewery has been an integral part of Edinburgh’s brewing history and the local community for more than 150 years. We were keen that the legacy of the brewery was maintained and contributed positively to the local community. “Having received several bids for the site, we believed that Artisan’s plans to deliver a 100% residential scheme delivered the best outcome for the community as well as meeting the Council’s ambitions in terms of delivering sustainable housing. We are pleased that the planning consent has now been granted for this exciting city centre neighbourhood to progress which is set to preserve the brewery’s legacy for future generations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Final Piece of Collegelands Regeneration Gets the Go-Ahead in Glasgow

Final Piece of Collegelands Regeneration Gets the Go-Ahead in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council has approved plans for the final stage of the long-running Collegelands redevelopment, giving the green light to a £95 million mixed-use scheme in the city’s Calton district. The new project, known as Collegelands Park, will feature two purpose-built student accommodation blocks providing 591 beds, alongside 147 build-to-rent apartments and a new arts centre. A 2.5-acre public park is also included in the plans, offering meadows, orchards, exercise spaces and seating areas designed to enhance the local environment. The development is expected to generate around 250 construction jobs and marks the final phase of a regeneration programme that began over two decades ago. The broader Collegelands project has already delivered offices, homes, retail units and a hotel to the area. Paul O’Donnell, a representative of Glasgow Enlightenment, the development group behind the scheme, said: “It’s fantastic that we are now able to start work on delivering the final piece of the Collegelands jigsaw, creating a completely new neighbourhood that will help enrich the Calton area and address Glasgow’s urgent need for purpose-built student accommodation. “The Collegelands regeneration project began over 20 years ago, so it’s great news for the city that it’s now moving towards completion, bringing new residents and much-needed amenities to the area. We’re grateful for the support of Glasgow City Council and pleased that they share our vision for the future of this community.” The final phase is being seen as a major step forward for the east end of Glasgow, breathing new life into a site that has long been earmarked for transformation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Salboy celebrates topping out milestone at Waterhouse Gardens - central Manchester’s last major regeneration site

Salboy celebrates topping out milestone at Waterhouse Gardens – central Manchester’s last major regeneration site

At 14-stories, Waterhouse Garden’s final and fifth residential building, reaches highest point Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has ‘topped out’ on the last of the five buildings under construction at Waterhouse Gardens, the central Manchester scheme comprising 556 apartments and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space. Together with its dedicated construction partner, DOMIS, Salboy is preparing for the completion and handover of apartments in Phase 1 to residents by this summer, with the whole site on track to complete in Q1 2026. Waterhouse Gardens is a mixed-use development, specifically designed to create a dynamic and energetic new neighbourhood for Manchester’s students and young professionals, a few minutes’ walk away from the city’s main retail, business and nightlife districts.  With a maximum height of 25-storeys, the scheme will comprise 556 apartments, duplexes and penthouses, each catering to diverse needs but all offering stylish, contemporary living. Residents will have access to a private clubhouse offering high-end amenities including swimming pools, a squash/basketball court, lounges and a private cinema. Commercial space around the scheme will be home to boutique traders, independent restaurants and bars, and modern office and co-working spaces with their own private landscaped gardens. Running through the scheme will be a new public avenue, designed to foster a vibrant sense of community. Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone at Waterhouse Gardens, a prestigious scheme that’s breathing life into a part of Manchester that was neglected and underinvested for almost twenty years. We’re committed to delivering an exceptional standard of living throughout the city and we’re excited to now bring that commitment to the students, graduates and young professionals who want to make Waterhouse Gardens their home as together they shape the future of Manchester. We are looking forward to the full completion later this year.” The scheme, designed by local architects Studio Power, celebrates the best that city centre living has to offer to Manchester’s increasingly young, professional and international population.  Sales for both phases of the Waterhouse Gardens scheme are ahead of targets. By early May 2025, 85% of Phase 1 apartments were sold, as were almost half of those in Phase 2. This comes as new Hamptons data shows that the North West is outperforming all other regions in England and Wales for off-plan apartment sales, including London.* Show homes are available on site, allowing prospective local owner occupiers to walk around and sample life on location. A number of discussions with prospective commercial tenants have also reached legal terms.  Kingsley Thornton, Managing Director at Domis, adds: “A project as ambitious and transformative as Waterhouse Gardens comes with its own complex challenges. Domis was faced with a significant shift in levels across the site requiring a very detailed and methodical approach to planning and coordination. Using this strategy, we were able to progress and work on multiple fronts simultaneously to maintain momentum across the scheme. We are very proud to be restoring a sense of community and prosperity to an area that was disused and unloved for far too long.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Barratt Backs Passivhaus: A Greener Future for London Homes

Barratt Backs Passivhaus: A Greener Future for London Homes

Barratt, the UK’s largest volume housebuilder, has announced a landmark move to futureproof its developments in the capital. Going forward, all of its new residential schemes in London will be built to meet or exceed the Passivhaus standard—setting a new benchmark in sustainable urban housing. The developer’s new ‘Lo-E’ (low energy) design approach promises to deliver homes that are not only environmentally responsible but also significantly more affordable to run. Residents can expect up to 80% savings on heating and hot water bills compared to conventional district heating systems, alongside up to 90% reductions in carbon emissions. Passivhaus is an internationally recognised standard for ultra-efficient buildings, requiring minimal energy for heating or cooling. In response to London’s growing need for sustainable and resilient housing, Barratt is committing to this standard across all future developments in the city. The first Lo-E homes will be delivered at High Barnet, in partnership with Places for London. This scheme will deliver approximately 300 homes—40% of which will be classed as affordable. Every affordable home on the site will be built to Lo-E specifications, a commitment that will extend to all future London developments. Together with a parallel scheme at Bollo Lane, Acton, Barratt is aiming to develop 728 Lo-E homes across the capital in its initial phase—one of the largest Passivhaus rollouts in the UK to date. Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London, said: “Our Lo-E concept rethinks the traditional approach to high-density housing. It’s a response to the unique climate and affordability challenges we face in London. We’re proud to lead the way in delivering low-carbon, future-ready homes at scale.” Lo-E homes will incorporate key features such as advanced façade engineering to minimise solar gain, triple-glazed Passivhaus windows for superior thermal insulation, and climate-resilient air tempering systems to filter and improve indoor air quality. For residents, the benefits go well beyond environmental impact. In addition to lower running costs, the homes promise improved indoor comfort and health—particularly during the colder months—while reducing reliance on energy sources susceptible to price volatility. Barratt’s shift to Passivhaus is backed by positive feedback from local authorities and the Greater London Authority. Pending planning approvals, the company aims to roll out its new model across all its future developments in the capital. This bold step positions Barratt at the forefront of sustainable housebuilding in the UK, signalling a clear intent to lead the capital’s transition to greener, more energy-efficient living. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Barratt commits to Passivhaus design for all London schemes

Barratt commits to Passivhaus design for all London schemes

Barratt London has announced a new housing concept, Lo-E Homes, which aims to deliver climate-resilient, ultra-sustainable homes across the capital that exceed Passivhaus standards. The developer will initially submit plans for 728 Lo-E Homes across two major developments at High Barnet and Bollo Lane, in partnership with Places for London, in what is believed to be one of the UK’s largest rollouts of certified Passivhaus homes to date. The initiative comes as London faces rising summer temperatures, with the capital hitting a record 40.2°C in July 2022 – a level expected to become increasingly common. Designed in collaboration with sustainability specialists Beyond Carbon, the Lo-E Homes concept offers a scalable model for high-density, low-energy housing that goes beyond current building regulations. Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London, said: “Our Lo-E Homes concept is an opportunity to think differently and deliver a new approach to high-density, sustainable housing in London. This is a significant milestone for the business, as we look to the future and consider the unique challenges faced in the capital, such as more heatwave conditions every few years. Feedback from local councils and the GLA has been supportive, so we look forward to securing planning approval and moving ahead with our first homes, before rolling out on all future London schemes, subject to relevant approvals. “I am particularly pleased that we are planning to unveil the first Lo-E Homes across two significant partnership sites – High Barnet and Bollo Lane, as part of the West London Partnership we have with Places for London. Partnership working is vital in addressing London’s acute housing crisis, and through collaboration and a shared vision, we can achieve greater outcomes for our residents and the surrounding communities.” Lo-E Homes will feature carefully engineered façades to manage solar gain, triple-glazed Passivhaus windows for superior thermal comfort, and climate-resilient air tempering systems to improve indoor air quality. The design promises significant energy savings for residents—up to 75% less energy needed for heating and a 90% reduction in carbon emissions—making them resilient to future energy price shocks. The High Barnet site, located next to the Tube station, will deliver around 300 homes, 40% of which will be affordable, along with small-scale commercial spaces. Meanwhile, the Bollo Lane development in Acton will see 455 Passivhaus-certified homes built in its second phase, forming part of a wider 900-home community complete with green spaces, improved cycling and pedestrian routes, and new commercial units. The West London Partnership – a £1.9 billion collaboration between Barratt London and Places for London – aims to deliver over 4,000 new homes in the capital over the next decade. The Lo-E Homes initiative places sustainability, comfort, and resilience at the heart of its strategy, setting a new benchmark for future urban housing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Keepmoat invests £80m into regeneration of forgotten Leicester waterways

Keepmoat invests £80m into regeneration of forgotten Leicester waterways

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is investing more than £80m into a regeneration scheme that will help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester’s waterways.  Now named Waterside, in honour of its picturesque proximity to the Grand Union Canal and River Soar, the scheme is being delivered in partnership with Leicester City Council to create new, energy-efficient homes that will replace 17 acres of brownfield land. Previously home to abandoned textile factories, the housebuilder’s investment has transformed the waterways from Wolsey Island to the city centre. The wider regeneration project has also delivered flood protection measures, enhancements to biodiversity and improved access to the canal and river for local people. The transformation is set to be complete by the end of 2026, when Waterside will offer a thriving community of 350 homes nestled on the banks of the canal. Keepmoat has also worked with the local authority to improve the walking and cycling routes to Leicester city centre. As the development approaches the final phases of the regeneration, Keepmoat has shifted its focus to deliver a well-designed neighbourhood in Frog Island to meet the needs of the local community. Adam Sharpe, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, East Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing delivery under our strategic partnership model to unlock this vibrant brownfield site.  “At Keepmoat we’re proud to transform and breathe new life into areas in need of regeneration. By delivering quality, sustainable homes in Leicester, we’re able to support a vibrant new community in an area people want to live – close to employment hubs and amenities.” City Mayor Peter Soulsby added: “Leicester’s Waterside has for a long time had immense potential for regeneration. Bringing that redevelopment forward for the benefit of the city has been a long-held ambition of mine. “These new homes are a key part of that and have been a vital catalyst for the surrounding Waterside developments. We’ve worked closely with Keepmoat as our development partners to help transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work.” Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more, please visit: www.keepmoat.com/waterside-leicester Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Lendlease and The Crown Estate Set to Reshape UK Urban Development with £20bn Joint Venture

Lendlease and The Crown Estate Set to Reshape UK Urban Development with £20bn Joint Venture

Australian property giant Lendlease is on the brink of sealing a landmark joint venture with The Crown Estate to deliver six transformative UK developments, with an end value exceeding £20 billion. The proposed 50:50 partnership signals a bold new chapter in UK urban regeneration, with wide-ranging implications for housing, commercial real estate, and sustainable city planning. The collaboration will target major regeneration sites across London and Birmingham, including the £4.9 billion Silvertown Quays scheme in the Royal Docks, the extensive Thamesmead and High Road West housing projects, and the ambitious £5.5 billion over-station development at Euston. Also included are Stratford Cross at the Olympic Park and Birmingham’s 42-acre Smithfield Market site. Together, the developments promise to deliver over 25,000 homes and more than nine million square feet of commercial, life sciences, and office space. A strong focus on sustainability and future-ready infrastructure underpins the vision, aligning with both partners’ long-term strategic priorities. This potential deal comes as Lendlease shifts its global strategy, concentrating on capital recycling and scaling back its international exposure in favour of a renewed focus on its Australian operations. The UK partnership, however, represents a continued commitment to key global projects through capital-light models such as joint ventures, land sales, and development management agreements. Lendlease is expected to limit its future investment to around AU$125 million, primarily focused on early-stage site development and planning. The company will act as master developer, earning cost-plus and performance-based fees, with the right to invest in vertical build-outs if public approvals are secured. Development costs are anticipated to be largely offset through land sales within the portfolio, allowing projects to progress without additional capital strain. For The Crown Estate, the deal marks a significant expansion of its development activity. Known for its high-profile holdings on Regent Street and St James’s, the Estate is positioning itself as a central player in long-term, high-impact urban transformation. The move is also noteworthy given that its current CEO, Dan Labbad, previously led Lendlease’s European operations before joining The Crown Estate in 2019. As negotiations approach their final stages, this partnership stands to become a defining force in shaping the future of several of the UK’s most high-profile urban sites. If finalised, the agreement could serve as a model for how public and private sector collaboration can unlock long-term economic value while tackling housing shortages, supporting green growth, and reimagining the fabric of Britain’s cities. An official announcement is expected once a binding agreement is concluded. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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