Trades & Services : BDC Workspace News
OP reimagines CBRE’s workspace at 3 Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

OP reimagines CBRE’s workspace at 3 Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of CBRE’s new Birmingham office at 3 Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham. The project spans 16,549 sq ft within one of the city’s most architecturally striking new buildings.  When CBRE made the decision to relocate from their previous home at

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40 Leadenhall leverages Genetec to unify security and elevate the occupier experience

40 Leadenhall leverages Genetec to unify security and elevate the occupier experience

Advanced automation proves integral to daily operations for iconic London landmark Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), the global leader in enterprise physical security software, today announced 40 Leadenhall has deployed Genetec™ Security Center and Genetec Mission Control™ to create a seamless modern experience for visitors and tenants. Located in the capital’s insurance

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BW reports record financial year as turnover hits £326.7m

BW reports record financial year as turnover hits £326.7m

BW Interiors Limited, the trading name of BW: Workplace Experts (BW), has reported a 132% increase in pre-tax profit to £13.9 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. The London office fit out and design and build specialists are now targeting £500 million turnover by 2030. BW attributes

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BW scales project capacity by 85% through automated delivery data

BW scales project capacity by 85% through automated delivery data

BW: Workplace Experts (BW) delivers high-quality office fit-outs and refurbishments across London and beyond. With a portfolio spanning projects for London Business School, Skyscanner and Virgin O2, the company has built its reputation on its “Defect Free” standard; projects delivered on time, with no snags and best-in-class customer experience. As BW

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Latest Issue
Issue 341 : Jun 2026

Trades : BDC Workspace News

Mercury building renewal accelerates as Faithdean appointed to deliver 98,000 sq ft sustainable Holborn workspace

Mercury building renewal accelerates as Faithdean appointed to deliver 98,000 sq ft sustainable Holborn workspace

This summer will see the thoughtful refurbishment of Mercury – a prominent 1950s building on Theobalds Road – move forward at pace, in a positive signal to the London office market.  Originally designed by Stanley Gordon Jeeves, Orms Architects, in collaboration with Note Design Studio, are now breathing new life into the building to create 98,000 sq ft of design-led sustainable workspace that both embraces a contemporary, adaptable approach to office design and honours the building’s mid-century heritage.  Planning permission was granted in late 2024 and 2026 marks another key milestone for the project, with Faithdean appointed as the main contractor.  Once complete in late 2027, Mercury will provide 11 exceptionally refurbished floors of flexible workspace, alongside street level activations including enhanced public realm and a public cafe on the south west corner.  Central to the scheme is a circular sustainability strategy, focused on re-use and repurpose, with retention of 90% of the existing structural frame and 80% of the original stone façade. Low-quality 1990s additions will also be removed to further restore the neoclassical modern appearance of the original building.  Inside, the building has been reconsidered to prioritise flexibility, connectivity and natural light, including a six-story central atrium. Enhanced floorplates and integrated ceiling track systems will create a series of adaptable office suites that enable occupiers to evolve layouts as and when needed. All windows open, supporting mixed-mode ventilation and fresh air. The scheme is intentionally designed to deliver a beautiful, high-quality working environment and a lifestyle space, responding to the fundamental shifts in occupier needs as businesses navigate the return to the office and place greater value on the need for in-person experience. A curated ecosystem of shared amenity spaces sits at both the top and bottom of the building. These include a top-floor pavilion with terrace, a sunken courtyard lounge, a gym and cycle facilities, and newly landscaped external spaces to the front and rear, designed as integral parts of the building rather than add-ons. Sam Elliott (Development Director), comments: “Mercury is a clear statement of confidence in Midtown. By retaining and enhancing a remarkable 1950s structure, we are delivering nearly 100,000 sq ft of design-led workspace that blends heritage, sustainability and the flexibility that modern occupiers demand. The building has been carefully reimagined to provide light-filled, adaptable floorplates anchored by a dramatic central atrium and a curated amenity offer. With Faithdean appointed as main contractor, we are now firmly focused on delivering that vision to the highest standard.” Mercury is due to open its doors in late 2027. The appointed agents are Cushman & Wakefield, Farebrother and Levy Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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OP reimagines CBRE’s workspace at 3 Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

OP reimagines CBRE’s workspace at 3 Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

Leading office interior design consultancy, OP, has completed the fit out of CBRE’s new Birmingham office at 3 Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham. The project spans 16,549 sq ft within one of the city’s most architecturally striking new buildings.  When CBRE made the decision to relocate from their previous home at Temple Row, OP supported them through the entire journey – from the initial location review through to design and delivery. The resulting space draws heavily on the architecture of the building itself, with its distinctive red terracotta façade, fluted cladding and signature OGEE arches all reinterpreted within the interior. Terracotta tones, arched forms and tactile finishes create a clear visual connection between outside and in, giving the office a strong sense of place that feels authentically connected to the city. The design takes CBRE’s workplace philosophy and roots it firmly in Birmingham, creating something grounded and entirely specific to the city and the building. The workplace includes nine meeting rooms, three two-person focus rooms, eight call pods and a dedicated Clientology client engagement space with carefully considered sightlines across Chamberlain Square. Wellbeing is embedded throughout, with a dedicated Parents’ Room and a separate wellness room. Sustainability is central to the design story. Standout features include sculptural trees 3D printed from HS2 clay, the Altrock reception desk formed from reclaimed waste marble, a bespoke terrazzo worktop handcrafted from reclaimed Birmingham materials, and cork flooring. Recycled leather and Impact Cotton acoustic panels alongside cradle-to-cradle certified carpet tiles complete a rigorous material palette. The vast majority of CBRE’s existing furniture was also retained, refurbished and reintroduced – significantly reducing the embodied carbon of the fit out. Bespoke signage throughout tells the story of each element, giving staff and visitors a tangible connection to the thinking behind the space. The building holds BREEAM Excellent and WELL certifications and is the first in Birmingham to achieve a NABERS UK 5 Star Design Reviewed Target Rating. “Our vision was to create a workspace that feels genuinely of Birmingham – drawing on the architecture of the building, the character of the city, and the culture of the people within it. We’re incredibly proud of what this project has become.” Claire Stant, Creative Designer at OP “The new office has truly exceeded our expectations. OP have created a space that feels like a genuine reflection of both Birmingham and our business – full of thoughtful details that our team have really connected with. The feedback from staff and visitors alike has been overwhelmingly positive and we couldn’t be prouder of the result.” Will Ventham, Head of Midlands at CBRE Birmingham Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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40 Leadenhall leverages Genetec to unify security and elevate the occupier experience

40 Leadenhall leverages Genetec to unify security and elevate the occupier experience

Advanced automation proves integral to daily operations for iconic London landmark Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), the global leader in enterprise physical security software, today announced 40 Leadenhall has deployed Genetec™ Security Center and Genetec Mission Control™ to create a seamless modern experience for visitors and tenants. Located in the capital’s insurance district, 40 Leadenhall is one of the biggest City of London developments ever to receive planning permission. It spans over 900,000 square feet of commercial office, amenities, and retail space, serving up to 10,000 occupants. A unified security platform formed part of the original performance specification, with Genetec Security Center ultimately selected to give 40 Leadenhall the flexibility to integrate best‑of‑breed hardware and software, support informed decision‑making, and tailor the interface to a wide range of user needs and access privileges. “Genetec is proud to be safeguarding a growing portfolio of flagship buildings across the City of London – including some of its newest and largest developments,” said Viet Tang, Account Executive at Genetec Inc. “40 Leadenhall is a standout example of how forward‑thinking property owners are embracing unified, intelligent security to deliver safer, more efficient and more intuitive environments.” The smart building solution incorporates over 200 cameras, more than 250 doors, and 2,600 data points, all managed through Genetec Security Center and hosted on Genetec Streamvault™ servers and archives. Genetec Mission Control™ further enhances operations by standardising incident response with advanced automation. By integrating with other building systems, it can automatically trigger workflows for events such as power loss, water leaks, or high winds thus enabling teams to respond proactively with timely notifications and targeted actions that help ensure occupant safety. Access control and visitor experience technologies from partners including HID Global, Mercury Communications, and STid help enable seamless navigation throughout the facility. Occupiers can use mobile wallet credentials for frictionless entry, while visitors receive QR‑code passes that remove the need for temporary plastic cards. Integrated cameras from Axis Communications enhance situational awareness across the site. Genetec workstations located throughout the building provide role‑based access for operators. Reception staff can enrol visitors, while control-room security teams can run reports, investigate events, and monitor live video on either dedicated workstations or tablets. “The Genetec security system is easy to use and enables us to deliver a world class service to our occupiers and guests, ensuring occupant wellbeing and building security,” says Stewart Maynard, Smart Systems Manager at 40 Leadenhall. “Collaboration between delivery, systems and service partner teams has helped make 40 Leadenhall a truly smart building.” By uploading interactive floor plans into Security Center, operators can quickly identify devices, investigate activity, or access live video with a single click, significantly reducing training times. The building’s digital experience is further enhanced through integration with the 40 Leadenhall app, powered by VTS Activate. Occupiers can issue virtual visitor passes, receive arrival notifications, and seamlessly access amenities including wellness spaces, cycle facilities and the Peloton studio. “We believe Genetec provides the ideal platform to support 40 Leadenhall’s future growth and technology goals,” concludes Maynard. “The investment in leading technology, supported by strong partnerships, positions 40 Leadenhall at the forefront of innovation.” To read the full customer story, visit: https://www.genetec.com/customer-stories/40-leadenhall Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Legendre secures flagship City refurbishment with low carbon focus at Oriel St Bride’s

Legendre secures flagship City refurbishment with low carbon focus at Oriel St Bride’s

Legendre UK has been appointed as main contractor for a major office refurbishment scheme at 10 Salisbury Square in the City of London, marking another high profile project within the capital’s commercial retrofit market. The scheme will transform the existing six storey building into a high quality workspace totalling approximately 54,000 sq ft, alongside the addition of two new floors. Upon completion, the development will be known as Oriel St Bride’s. Working on behalf of Original Works, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and low carbon construction. Around 90 per cent of the existing structure will be retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon while aligning with the growing demand for more environmentally responsible office space. The development has already been recognised for its sustainability credentials, having been selected as part of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot Testing Programme. This reflects the scheme’s ambition to meet evolving environmental benchmarks and support the transition to lower carbon commercial property. Legendre UK’s appointment highlights its expertise in delivering complex cut and carve refurbishments, particularly within constrained urban environments such as the City of London. These projects require careful coordination, technical precision and a detailed understanding of working within existing structures. Thomas Vandecasteele, managing director at Legendre UK, said the project brings together the company’s experience in technically challenging refurbishments with its focus on sustainable delivery. He also highlighted the role of its self delivery MEP approach in supporting programme certainty and quality outcomes. Construction is scheduled to complete in autumn 2027, with the finished scheme expected to set a benchmark for sustainable office refurbishment in the City, while contributing positively to the surrounding urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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BW reports record financial year as turnover hits £326.7m

BW reports record financial year as turnover hits £326.7m

BW Interiors Limited, the trading name of BW: Workplace Experts (BW), has reported a 132% increase in pre-tax profit to £13.9 million for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. The London office fit out and design and build specialists are now targeting £500 million turnover by 2030. BW attributes its record performance, with turnover increasing by a third to £326.7 million up from £244 million in 2024, to its strong client partnerships and high-quality delivery, supported by a strong central London office market.  Companies across the capital are increasingly investing in high-quality workplace fit out as more implement return-to-office strategies. This market strength is reflected in BW’s own financial position as its net assets remain strong at £18 million, and year-end cash reserves stood at £57 million. BW came into 2026 with over £210 million in secured work for the current period and is on target to achieve £375 million turnover in 2026. £42 million has been secured for 2027 to date. The company recently completed one of its largest projects to date, a £63 million office for a tech firm in London and continues to focus on delivering projects of varying sizes, while planning to increase the number of larger schemes over the next five years across its key markets of commercial workplace and higher education, with sustained strength across the legal, tech and private equity sectors. In March 2026, BW moved into its new 16,500 sq ft office at The Carter, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, further reflecting its growth and expansion in the City of London. The BW team has grown from 65 people in 2016 to close to 320 employees this year. Steve Elliott, CEO at BW: Workplace Experts, said: “2025 was our 25th year in business and our strongest financial performance to date, a reflection of the incredible pace of growth over the past decade, where we have gone from a £60 million turnover business to £326.7 million, making BW the UK’s number two fit out contractor by brand. “We have strong ambitions for the next phase of growth and clear plans to deliver them. With turnover on target for £375 million in 2026 and £500 million by 2030, we remain focused on delivering exceptional, defect-free workplace fit out and design and build solutions across our core markets, offering our unique personable, and innovative approach to deliver high specification workplaces that people enjoy going to work at.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Addington Secures Rare Dual-Use Planning Consent for Senator Office Building in the City

Addington Secures Rare Dual-Use Planning Consent for Senator Office Building in the City

Consent enables both office and educational /conference use on the two lower floors widening the building’s appeal Addington, the property investor and asset manager, and its US joint venture partner Strategic Value Partners LLC and its affiliates (“SVP”), have successfully obtained a multi-use planning consent from the City of London Corporation. The consent grants dual use under Class E and F1 for 29,000 sq. ft. of space across the two lower levels of Senator, their 150,802 sq. ft. Grade A office building at 85 Queen Victoria Street, Such consents are unusual to obtain in the City. This consent allows the levels to be utilized for either traditional offices or for conference and educational purposes. They also benefit from a new dedicated entrance and reception in a self-contained space. Major Refurbishment Commences This planning milestone triggers Addington’s major 69,000 sq. ft. refurbishment program at Senator covering the Atrium, Levels 0, 1, and 2. Addington has awarded the building contract to specialists OD Interiors Ltd to deliver an enhanced workspace focused on sustainability, well-being, and premium amenities. The comprehensive works include a reconfigured and refurbished main reception; a refurbishment of the seventh-level communal roof terrace; the creation of a new private amenity courtyard garden for the occupier of level 0 and new end of trip facilities in the building – with new changing rooms and parking for 190 bikes. The building will also benefit from two new dedicated x13 people lifts within the central atrium accessed by the new self-contained second entrance and five new lifts in the existing core The on-floor office specification features exposed services ceilings on levels 2, 1 & 0 with new central plant and on-floor M&E, and newly refurbished WCs throughout. Prime City Location Senator was acquired by the joint venture last year and consists of 150,802 sq. ft. Grade A office and ancillary accommodation arranged over the atrium level, ground and seven upper levels in the building. While the lower levels undergo transformation, levels 3 to 6 remain let to wealth manager Quilter, which leases 84,000 sq.ft. of space, as well as a private terrace of 1,615 sq. ft. on the seventh floor. The building occupies a prominent island site with a 50-metre frontage onto Queen Victoria Street. It is located within a five-minute walk of four key transport nodes: Mansion House, Cannon Street, Bank, and Blackfriars. David Dalrymple, Principal at Addington, said: “We acquired Senator with the belief that with refurbishment we would create an outstanding opportunity for flexible, high-value space, and we are delighted the City of London Corporation shares our vision. We can now offer 69,000 sq. ft of exceptional workspace in a landmark City location, or the rare opportunity for multi-use space with a dedicated own branded entrance for those seeking 29,000 sq. ft. of self-contained space. We believe this flexibility will be a major draw for both educational operators and traditional office tenants.” Letting agents for the scheme are Allsop and Knight Frank. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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BW scales project capacity by 85% through automated delivery data

BW scales project capacity by 85% through automated delivery data

BW: Workplace Experts (BW) delivers high-quality office fit-outs and refurbishments across London and beyond. With a portfolio spanning projects for London Business School, Skyscanner and Virgin O2, the company has built its reputation on its “Defect Free” standard; projects delivered on time, with no snags and best-in-class customer experience. As BW grew from a £70 million to a £325 million business, the team faced a critical operational challenge. Manual processes for tracking deliveries and materials were creating a significant margin for error, consuming valuable time and limiting the company’s ability to scale without expanding headcount. The challenge BW’s rapid growth highlighted the need for more accurate, scalable data management. Manual processes that had served the company well were holding the team back as project numbers and complexity increased. As BW’s Tomas Hollingsworth explains, “There’s so much margin for error when you’re relying on multiple people retrospectively talking about hundreds of product deliveries in Central London.” The operational impact was multifaceted. Quality verification for key materials like FSC timber relied on trust rather than systematic checks. Delivery cost visibility was limited, making it difficult to identify opportunities for consolidation. Site teams lacked real-time data to monitor installation progress or prevent overcrowding in logistically tight, Central London environments. Skilled team members spent their time chasing data, rather than analysing it to identify cost savings and process improvements. Why Qflow? BW chose Qflow approximately two years ago for its ability to replace manual verification with automated, real-time data capture that would improve accuracy, reduce costs and enable scalable growth. The BW team led a comprehensive rollout, which included a roadshow supported by Qflow to demonstrate the system’s simplicity to logistics managers on site. The focus on reducing the paperwork burden made deployment straightforward. BW emphasised real-time adoption from day one, with teams scanning delivery notes as they arrived for immediate data capture and live notifications. The partnership also established an iterative feedback loop, enabling Qflow to refine usability based on real-world insights from the BW team. The solution Qflow’s mobile platform transformed BW’s operations from reactive to proactive, delivering improvements across quality, cost control and operational efficiency: 1. Single-scan verification: Every delivery note is captured and verified with one photograph, replacing thousands of manual conversations and dramatically reducing margin for error. 2. Real-time material alerts: Material specifications, such as FSC timber certification are now verified on arrival, ensuring quality and preventing non-compliant materials from entering sites. 3. Time-restricted delivery monitoring: The platform tracks deliveries against loading bay time restrictions, helping BW avoid financial penalties in Central London. 4. Long-term trend analysis: Historical data identifies patterns, enabling BW to consolidate unnecessary deliveries and reduce both delivery costs and carbon impact. 5. Automated compliance checks: The system verifies waste licensing against proper authorities, providing systematic tracking without manual effort. Results that scale The impact has been transformational. By digitising 14,579 tickets, BW now manages 37 major projects with the same team that previously handled 20, an 85% increase in capacity with no additional headcount. This achievement is even more impressive, given that project complexity increased significantly during this period. The margin for error has fallen dramatically. Real-time verification replaced trust-based processes with systematic checks, flagging issues as they happen, rather than weeks later. The team has reclaimed an estimated 30 days of time for strategic work, allowing them to focus on identifying cost savings and process improvements rather than spending valuable time chasing spreadsheet data. Visibility into delivery patterns has delivered unexpected financial benefits. BW can now identify suppliers making multiple daily or weekly deliveries, consolidating these to reduce delivery charges per project. The platform also helps avoid financial penalties by monitoring time-restricted loading bays in Central London. With potential compliance costs of £46,083 now successfully avoided. The data serves the wider organisation beyond the original use case. Finance teams use it to manage supplier costs and reduce delivery charges. Quality teams get real-time material verification. Site teams can mitigate health and safety risks. While commercial teams can monitor installation progress to de-risk project timelines. As an added benefit, the platform delivers strong sustainability credentials. Verified, real-time tracking provides demonstrable proof of environmental performance, achieving a 99.75% diversion from landfill rate and preventing 171,028 tonnes of material from ending up in landfill. Put another way, that’s equivalent to 1,140 blue whales, or 28,505 elephants or 950 jumbo jets. (Pick your favourite metric.) This helps combat ‘greenwashing’ concerns during tender processes. Moving ahead BW views the delivery and materials data as a competitive advantage for project delivery and quality. The ability to demonstrate accuracy, reduce errors, save significant sums and manage complex projects efficiently all combine to strengthen its market position. While the verified and impressive sustainability savings provides an additional edge. Hollingsworth concludes, “We’re not constantly paying that delivery charge any more, because Qflow replaced thousands of conversations with one scan of a delivery note. That is, in essence, the reason we looked at Qflow. We’ve gone from having thousands of conversations that Qflow now does automatically with one scan of a delivery note and can now see when suppliers are making multiple deliveries and consolidate them. That’s been a real step-change for us.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Urbana Partners UK unveil 78,550 sq ft office refurbishment in Birmingham city centre

Urbana Partners UK unveil 78,550 sq ft office refurbishment in Birmingham city centre

A prominent seven-storey office building in Birmingham city centre is now available to let following a major refurbishment by landlord, Urbana Partners UK. King Edward House, on New Street, offers 78,550 sq ft of newly refurbished workspace, including several unique internal courtyards and a range of high-quality occupier amenities. All seven floors have been refurbished to CAT A specification, providing generous floor plates of up to 12,000 sq ft. Originally built in 1936, King Edward House is characterised by its imposing Portland stone façade and will now be complemented by 5,000 sq ft of outdoor workspace. Internal light wells provide courtyard space on the second, third and fourth floors, while occupiers will also benefit from two roof terraces on the 7th floor, with far reaching views across the city centre. Additional amenities include a large gym and studio space, as well as end-of-trip cycle storage and shower facilities. In addition to the building’s attractive heritage façade, the refurbishment has provided strong sustainability credentials, including operational smart energy services, LED lighting and photovoltaic solar roof panels, and is targeting BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold certifications. Nick Lloyd, Partner at Urbana Partners UK, said: “We are delighted to bring King Edward House back to life through our sustainable refurbishment of the building, which has included a complete repositioning of the ground and lower ground floors. These now provide the new reception and arrival area overlooking New Street, as well as high-quality occupier amenities. “With wellbeing as a primary driver, the refurbishment includes a new 7th floor roof terrace for all occupiers as well as seven other lettable outdoor workspaces. With the space offered at a considerable discount to the current top rents being achieved in the city, we look forward to welcoming occupiers into the new King Edward House community very soon.” Charles Toogood, partner at Newmark, added: “King Edward House presents a compelling opportunity for occupiers seeking modern, energy efficient workspace in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The combination of generous floor plates and a wide range of amenities will appeal to a broad range of businesses, from established corporates to growing firms. “Given the significant investment in the building and its proximity to key transport hubs, we expect the scheme to attract strong interest, particularly from those seeking value relative to other available office space in the city centre.” King Edward House is located close to Birmingham New Street station and within a short walk of Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street and HS2’s future Birmingham Curzon Street station. For more information, please contact Mark Robinson and Charlotte Fullard at Avison Young, and George Jennings and Charles Toogood at Newmark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Flexible workspaces: The fast-growing sector transforming the UK commercial property market

Flexible workspaces: The fast-growing sector transforming the UK commercial property market

As flexible workspace provider Orega celebrates 25 years in business, the company is spotlighting how premium flexible offices have moved from perk to business-critical infrastructure. Against this backdrop of economic success, Orega’s 25 year milestone reflects not only the evolution of the flexible workspace sector nationally, but also the growing importance of premium flexible offices in cities across the UK.  Alan Pepper, CEO of Orega, comments:  “Reaching our upcoming 25th anniversary is a proud milestone for the business. The flexible workspace sector has evolved dramatically since Orega was founded – we’ve weathered the storm of three economic downturns and a global pandemic – and we’ve come out stronger than ever. “It’s clear that flexibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s now central to how modern businesses operate.” For growing businesses, the appeal is strategic as much as practical. Flexible workspaces allow firms to scale without long-term real estate commitments, access central locations that help attract talent, and present a professional environment that matches their ambitions. Bristol is perhaps the clearest example of a strong regional economy proving Orega’s point. The West of England is growing at four times the national average, generating over £54bn annually, with the city maintaining the highest rate of net business start-ups outside London. That economic momentum is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible office space from professional services, tech and financial firms. But Bristol is part of a broader national picture where hybrid working has matured from a pandemic-era experiment into an established operating model, prompting businesses of all sizes to fundamentally rethink what they need from office space, and why. Alan adds: “In cities like Bristol, we’re seeing sustained demand from established corporations and ambitious growing businesses who want flexibility without compromising on quality or location. The role of the office has changed; it’s about creating environments that foster collaboration, support wellbeing and reflect a company’s brand and ambition.” A proven model for sustainable growth Over the past two and a half years, Orega has opened eight new premium centres and grown its team with key strategic hires including CEO Alan Pepper, COO David Kinnaird, and Commercial Director Sophie Turnbull.  Orega is also the pioneer of Management Agreements with Landlords, a unique approach to flexible workspaces that has been central to its success, setting a precedent for sustainable growth in the sector.  The company’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with ambitious plans to expand to 45 locations over the next five years at an average rate of four new sites per year. The focus will remain on London, the UK’s six big regional cities – including Bristol – and select locations where demand for premium flexible workspaces continues to rise.  Alan comments: “Our future growth will be shaped by the same principles that got us to where we are today. We want to keep empowering businesses to unlock their true potential, remaining agile and responsive to the changing market. The flexible workspace industry is maturing and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that evolution.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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GBP 50m McLaughlin & Harvey contract awarded for PATRIZIA’s major City redevelopment at 108 Old Broad Street

GBP 50m McLaughlin & Harvey contract awarded for PATRIZIA’s major City redevelopment at 108 Old Broad Street

PATRIZIA, an investment manager in global real assets, has received approval from long-standing partner Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer, to execute the GBP 50 million main build contract for the redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street in the City of London. The contract has been awarded to McLaughlin & Harvey, with works commencing in early March 2026 and practical completion targeted for August 2027. The planning consent achieved in November enables PATRIZIA to transform the 1990s building into a modern, highly sustainable and amenity-rich destination in the heart of London’s financial district. The scheme will deliver approximately 120,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace following a 15% uplift in net lettable area. Works include sixth- and seventh-floor extensions, culminating in a new seventh-floor pavilion and large communal landscaped terrace. Ten landscaped terraces will be introduced across the upper floors, alongside a new ground floor café, enhanced reception and high-specification lower ground end-of-journey facilities. A fully electric, smart-enabled services strategy will underpin the redevelopment, targeting EPC A (B minimum), BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold, reinforcing the project’s low-carbon and future-ready credentials. Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield have been instructed as joint leasing agents, with marketing now underway to secure occupiers ahead of completion. The scheme has been designed by Stiff + Trevillion, with Quartz acting as project manager, Gardiner & Theobald as quantity surveyor, and Montagu Evans advising on planning. Dan Williams, Head of Investment Management Development at PATRIZIA, commented: “This appointment marks the transition from consent to delivery at 108 Old Broad Street and a key step in executing our repositioning strategy for prime City assets. With the building stripped out and ready to mobilise, we are progressing into construction with a strong team in place to deliver significant upper-floor extensions, best-in-class amenity and an all-electric building strategy. Our focus now is on safe, efficient execution and quality outcomes through to completion.” Chris Collins, Pre-Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, commented: “We are proud to partner with PATRIZIA on a redevelopment that combines significant structural interventions with ambitious sustainability targets. Our focus will be on delivering the extensions and all-electric building strategy to the highest quality standards while maintaining programme certainty in a busy City environment.” The repositioning of 108 Old Broad Street reinforces PATRIZIA’s wider value-add strategy across key European cities, building on a portfolio of landmark brown-to-green transformations within its EUR 2.5bn+ pan-European value-add programme. These projects form a core pillar of the investment manager’s commitment to delivering future-fit offices through design quality, decarbonisation and proactive asset management. Ker Gilchrist, Head of UK Investment Management at PATRIZIA, added: “The redevelopment of 108 Old Broad Street demonstrates how we connect international capital with our own asset solutions to deliver a Grade A, amenity-rich building offering compelling relative value in the City market. As we move into the construction, we remain focussed on disciplined execution to ensure the asset is positioned strongly for occupiers seeking quality and sustainability in a core financial district location.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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