Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on an extensive upgrade of listed buildings in Oxford’s historic city centre. The £4.6m project is set to significantly boost energy performance. Beard is working on 19-21 St Johns Street, three late Georgian Grade II listed buildings used for student accommodation for nearby St
Leading Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe are partnering with Ulster University to launch their new 2024 Degree Apprenticeship Programme, in time for the 2024/25 academic year. The programme offers an alternative to the traditional degree route, providing students aged 18 and older with the opportunity to gain fully
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA)’s newest office building at Culham Campus. The new facility provides expanded office capacity with agile working space, new shared meeting amenities and collaborative breakout areas. In addition, it also features a new staff canteen and
Caddick Construction has appointed Steve Ford as Regional Managing Director for Yorkshire and the North East, closely following the business’ most successful year-to-date with Caddick Construction Group reporting a turnover of £318m. In his new role, Steve will be responsible for heading up the regional team in the North East
Construction work has commenced at Cordia UK’s latest project and inaugural build-to-rent (BTR) development, The Lampworks, in Birmingham. The Birmingham-based property developer has appointed Shropshire-based construction management practice buildfifty5 to deliver the main construction works for the project in partnership with residential general contractor Pedrano UK. The Lampworks will incorporate
Leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction has completed a new £37m Keynsham Recycling Hub for client Bath & North East Somerset Council, on time and on budget. The significant project involved the development of a modern facility offering a range of services that have made it easier for
Local contractor, Hobson and Porter have been appointed to restore and preserve the last remaining WW2 civilian ruin in the UK, National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road. Thanks to funding from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the façade will be restored to its former period style,
Work to transform a 16-storey residential scheme at Wellington Street in central Leeds is progressing at pace, with Caddick Construction appointed to remove the cladding facade and commence reinstallation of regulatory compliant materials. Delivered on behalf of Mainstay Residential and West Point Management, the £24.5 million project at West Point
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has completed and handed over a luxury 20-storey student residential scheme in Leeds city centre for client Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group. A total of 212 studio apartments have been provided in the Live Oasis St Albans Place
Due to be completed in 2027, the 750,000 sq. ft. project is the largest yet to be undertaken at the Broadgate campus… Sir Robert McAlpine has today announced that it has been appointed by the Broadgate joint venture, between British Land and GIC, to deliver 2 Finsbury Avenue (“2FA”), a
Award-winning contractor Beard has started work on an extensive upgrade of listed buildings in Oxford’s historic city centre. The £4.6m project is set to significantly boost energy performance. Beard is working on 19-21 St Johns Street, three late Georgian Grade II listed buildings used for student accommodation for nearby St John’s College. To achieve high energy performance standards, Beard is upgrading the external fabric of the building to drastically reduce heat loss. It is also installing high performance woodfibre insulation to the internal face of the building. This will greatly increase energy performance at the same time as allowing traditional stonework to breathe. The works include replacing gas boiler systems with air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water. To improve air tightness and soundproofing, Beard is also upgrading the windows with sensitively designed, secondary internal glazing. The design team has carefully pursued this approach to minimise the impact on the external appearance of the listed buildings. Beard is working to protect and retain the building’s special historic features, including existing floors and stonework. Dean Averies, Beard director for its Oxford office, said: “We are actively conserving these wonderful, listed buildings and using innovative techniques to bring them up to an extremely high energy performance standard. This important project will reduce carbon emissions and improve students’ standard of living. Our work is based on decades of experience in completing complex development and restoration projects, including St Johns College itself, and many other high-profile listed buildings across Oxford.” Ian Stokes, works bursar at St John’s College, Oxford, said: “We are very pleased to work with Beard again, drawing upon their wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in restoration but in high energy performance techniques.” Beard is a family-owned and run construction company based in Swindon, with more than 130-years of experience. Alongside its head office in Swindon, Beard has regional offices in Bristol, Oxford, and Guildford, and a new south coast office. The design team is: Project managers/contract Administrators: Fusion Project Management Architects: TSH Architects M,E & Sustainability Engineers: CPW Structural and Civil Engineers: HRW Landscape Architects: Adams Habermehl. For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe are partnering with Ulster University to launch their new 2024 Degree Apprenticeship Programme, in time for the 2024/25 academic year. The programme offers an alternative to the traditional degree route, providing students aged 18 and older with the opportunity to gain fully paid employment in the construction industry while studying for a fully funded University accredited degree. Launching today, this partnership signifies an entrance into the apprenticeship space for McAleer & Rushe, which the Cookstown-based company has strategically targeted to provide students with the best possible opportunity to pave their way into the construction industry. The new apprentices will take up a role within McAleer & Rushe’s Commercial and Engineering teams, working closely with a mentor who will provide support and guidance, while undertaking a part-time, fully funded, five-year BSc Honours degree in Ulster University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The associated courses include Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management and Construction Engineering & Management, with programme teaching delivered at Ulster University’s state-of-the-art Belfast campus located in the vibrant cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter. As the apprentices ‘earn while they learn’, they will also get started on the pathway towards gaining a membership of professional bodies and pursuing a professional chartered status. Working on the company’s substantial portfolio of projects across their core sectors of residential, hotel, office and student accommodation, apprentices will get the opportunity to travel throughout the programme to sites in major cities across the UK and Ireland, such as London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Applications for their September 2024 intake are now open. Visit McAleer & Rushe’s website to apply: https://bit.ly/3JZgdSJ Commenting on the launch, Shane McCullagh, Director at McAleer & Rushe said: “We are thrilled to launch our Degree Apprenticeship Programme in partnership with Ulster University, providing students with an excellent opportunity to take the first step towards a diverse and fulfilling career in the construction industry. “By investing in apprenticeships, we are not only diversifying our workforce, but we are also innovatively creating career pathways for students by empowering them with invaluable experience early on in their careers. At McAleer & Rushe, we pride ourselves in nurturing staff from the beginning of their career journeys and throughout their careers, and with the guidance and support of our experienced staff, we can guarantee our apprentices’ personal and professional aspirations will be achieved.” Abbie McKenna, Head of Centre Apprenticeship, Skills & Flexible Education at Ulster University, commented: “We are thrilled McAleer & Rushe are launching their Apprenticeship Programme. Ulster University have long established links with McAleer & Rushe and we are proud that so many of our alumni students now enjoy successful careers with the company. We are confident that as we continue to work together, we will strengthen the joint success story Ulster University and McAleer & Rushe have together.” Clare Mahon, Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Ulster University, commented: “This is an incredible opportunity for school leavers to gain a pathway into the construction industry. “Along with ourselves in Ulster, McAleer & Rushe have carefully sculpted the bespoke delivery model for the Degree Apprenticeship to include a range of flexible learning opportunities at university and in the work place. We are really excited to be part of it. “This partnership offers apprentices the opportunity to gain a university level qualification tailored to meet the needs of McAleer & Rushe. This earning and learning pathway not only leads up to graduation but also paves the way for apprentices to pursue professional chartered status as they progress in their careers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA)’s newest office building at Culham Campus. The new facility provides expanded office capacity with agile working space, new shared meeting amenities and collaborative breakout areas. In addition, it also features a new staff canteen and coffee bar, external plaza space, and car parking provision located at the site entrance. Works included the construction of a four-storey office building arranged in an L-shape to provide two dual aspect office wings to the east and south, wrapping around a centralised core and atrium. The design ethos of the new office building is based around efficiency, adaptability and flexibility, identity, wellness, innovation, and sustainability. The building has achieved this vision, providing a flexible office environment that can be easily modified according to future needs and conditions. The central shared atrium space promotes wellbeing for its occupants and encourages innovation through collaboration. UKAEA’s Culham Campus is central to UKAEA’s mission to develop fusion energy. UKAEA believes that meeting the challenges of fusion requires collaboration across multiple industries and disciplines. UKAEA’s vision is for its facilities, such as the new office building, to support Culham Campus becoming a destination to inspire and grow the fusion community. External works also included the construction of an associated car park, the installation of incoming utilities, and the creation of a central landscape square and ‘garden’ spaces for staff and visitors. McLaughlin & Harvey has been identified as a supplier by UKAEA under the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework Construction Works & Associated Services. This was the third UKAEA scheme awarded to us through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework Construction Works & Associated Services. Michael Kieran, McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Director, said, “We have enjoyed working in collaboration with our Client UKAEA to successfully complete their new office building. This is the third project we have completed for UKAEA under the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework. We look forward to continuing to deliver excellent results for UKAEA in the future.” Tim Bestwick, Deputy CEO at UKAEA commented, “The expansion and redevelopment of Culham Campus is an important part of UKAEA’s objectives – it is becoming an international centre of innovation, scientific advancement and excellence, fostering collaboration in pursuit of a more sustainable future.” Simon Peck, Interim Head of Campus and Property Development said “We aim to create an attractive and sustainable working environment as we strive to realise our goals for Culham Campus’ development and growth. The new office building embodies these objectives and has been built to a BREEAM Excellent standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has appointed Steve Ford as Regional Managing Director for Yorkshire and the North East, closely following the business’ most successful year-to-date with Caddick Construction Group reporting a turnover of £318m. In his new role, Steve will be responsible for heading up the regional team in the North East and Yorkshire, building on Caddick’s 40-year legacy across Yorkshire and the North West, and its recent expansion into Midlands. Steve joins the business from Marrico Asset Management where he held the position of Development Director for over eight years. With wider industry experience spanning two decades, Steve’s background offers a unique perspective from both the contractor and development side. His expertise spans the retail, commercial, education, industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as residential and heritage buildings. Notable previous projects include: Leeds Hyatt Hotel, Central Square Office development, Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre, Heathrow Terminal 2a, HSBC Northern Data Centre, Barnsley BSF Programme, and the refurbishment of Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Steve’s appointment follows a period of sustained growth for Caddick Construction as it sets out to broaden its delivery of projects across its core sectors, including manufacturing, industrial, commercial, health, residential and education. Caddick Construction Group has this month announced a record financial year ending August 2023, with a turnover of £318m, 38% up on the previous year. Profit sits at £7.4m with the company’s forward order book up 12% to £740m. Speaking of his appointment, Steve comments: “Joining such an established company with an excellent reputation and legacy is something I’m very proud of. Caddick is well-known for delivering high-quality projects, and as the business grows so does its expertise. With a varied portfolio of project work in my career to-date, I look forward to steering the business’ continued growth while retaining everything that makes Caddck such a success.” Paul Dodsworth, Group Managing Director at Caddick Construction Group, comments: “Steve has an excellent track record for managing and delivering exceptional developments and I’m very pleased to be welcoming him to the business. We are excited about the future in our Yorkshire and Northeast business. Caddick Construction has had a fantastic year across the board, and we as a collective are determined to continue to grow in a sustainable, controlled and profitable way building on our team’s passion to deliver safely for clients and customers across the regions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has commenced at Cordia UK’s latest project and inaugural build-to-rent (BTR) development, The Lampworks, in Birmingham. The Birmingham-based property developer has appointed Shropshire-based construction management practice buildfifty5 to deliver the main construction works for the project in partnership with residential general contractor Pedrano UK. The Lampworks will incorporate a total of 148 apartments and is set to be one of the most energy-efficient projects in Birmingham – offering exclusively A and B EPC-rated dwellings. As the first building in Cordia UK’s BTR portfolio, it will offer a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and affordable homes, alongside contemporary commercial units on the ground floor set in a series of striking landscaped courtyards. Residents will have access to high-quality communal facilities, including a co-working space, individual meeting rooms, a shared lounge and a communal kitchen/diner, fit out with modern designs and the latest technologies. Located at the intersection of Great Hampton Street and Harford Street, The Lampworks will reflect the industrial heritage of the Jewellery Quarter. It forms part of Cordia UK’s wider vision for Great Hampton Street, a master plan to transform the area into a thriving residential and commercial destination. András Kárpáti, CEO at Cordia UK, said: “The Lampworks is the first development in our build-to-rent portfolio and a unique addition to Birmingham’s rental market – offering contemporary architectural design and amenities in a setting that maintains and reflects the Jewellery Quarter’s renowned heritage. “We are excited to be working with our construction partners buildfifty5 and Pedrano UK on the project and look forward to seeing our vision for Great Hampton Street continue to come to life with new residents and independent businesses.” As a member of one of the largest residential real estate development and investment groups in Europe, Cordia International (Member of Futureal Group), Cordia UK benefits from a vast track record of international projects and is driving forward innovative practices in the UK residential market. Construction at The Lampworks is being supported by Cordia International’s key strategic partner, Pedrano Group. With 15 years of experience in apartment developments across Europe, Pedrano will work closely with local contractor buildfifty5 to provide strategic direction on the project. Financial support for the development has been provided by Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments and a leading specialist real estate investor and lender, with assistance from financial advisor BBS Capital. The loan was provided as part of its Greener Homes Alliance with Homes England, which pledges to commit £172 million in finance and expert support to SME housebuilders ─ enabling them to build more high-quality, energy-efficient homes throughout England. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction has completed a new £37m Keynsham Recycling Hub for client Bath & North East Somerset Council, on time and on budget. The significant project involved the development of a modern facility offering a range of services that have made it easier for residents to recycle and help reduce general waste and operational costs. The four-hectare site includes a reuse shop for people to donate pre-loved items for resale and an MOT and Servicing Centre. While the Reuse and Recycling Centre opened to the public in April 2023, Phase 2 of the project continued throughout the year with the demolition of the old Pixash Recycling Centre. Additional construction works in this phase included the development of new operational infrastructure for waste and recycling collections and bulk transfer to processing or treatment sites and a significant installation of sorting and baling equipment for recyclables. Phase 2 was completed in January this year. Clare Taylor, contracts manager at Farrans Construction, said: “Our team has been proud to deliver Keynsham Recycling Hub, a state-of-the-art facility which offers its visitors a truly sustainable experience by encouraging reuse and recycling in line with the council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency policy aims. With its own onsite power generation capabilities, this hub is an example of what can be created with innovation and collaboration. “We have worked with local partners in Keynsham and the wider B&NES region to provide employment and training opportunities, engage in educational and community initiatives and support the local economy throughout the project. We worked with local supply chain, led construction workshops for 1,295 school children and donated over £4,000 to charities in this area. We have had a growing presence in the Bath and Bristol region over the last decade and we are continuing our work here on site at a large public transport hub at Bristol Airport with our JV partner Alun Griffiths.” Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “The investment in construction of the purpose-built, modern Keynsham Recycling Hub and the consolidation of collections, disposal and recycling processing operations will help to reduce general waste and operational costs and ensure the service can meet current pressure and future demand from an increasing population.” Information on the new reuse and recycling centre can be found on the council website including directions and a layout of the new site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local contractor, Hobson and Porter have been appointed to restore and preserve the last remaining WW2 civilian ruin in the UK, National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road. Thanks to funding from Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the façade will be restored to its former period style, including its iconic windows and signage. Structural elements, including the two large concrete beams, which saved the lives of the 150 people inside the theatre on the night it was bombed, will also be preserved. Set to become a flexible space for community events and education, it will also become a place of reflection for the 1,200 Hull civilians that died during WW2. Hobson and Porter have delivered other heritage projects within the city and work on this historical site will get underway in the coming weeks. Gillian Osgerby, Programme Director at Hull City Council, said: “It is great to reach this key milestone in restoring this iconic site and tell its remarkable story. It’s a reminder of how civilians on the home front were affected by the Blitz. “After London, Hull was the UK’s most bombed city during World War 2 and thanks to National Lottery players, we can now remember and recognise the sacrifice that was made.” The former National Picture Theatre was designed by architects Runton and Barry for the De-Luxe Theatre Company and was constructed in 1914. The building was badly damaged during a Luftwaffe air raid on 18 March 1941, although none of the 150 people inside the cinema at the time were killed or seriously injured. The former National Picture Theatre gained Grade II listed status in 2007 due to its significance as a rare surviving bomb-damaged building from the Blitz of the Second World War. Air raids on Hull went on longer than on any other British city and, out of Hull’s 91,660 houses, only 5,945 survived the air raids undamaged. Remedial work to stabilise the building took place in 2020 and now the major works are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. It is expected to be complete in the autumn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work to transform a 16-storey residential scheme at Wellington Street in central Leeds is progressing at pace, with Caddick Construction appointed to remove the cladding facade and commence reinstallation of regulatory compliant materials. Delivered on behalf of Mainstay Residential and West Point Management, the £24.5 million project at West Point residential complex, is one of the largest recladding contracts outside of London, with this scheme due for completion in May 2025, following a 121-week programme. The building, which was not originally constructed by Caddick, has remained occupied throughout the project with Caddick working considerately to ensure residents’ safety and comfort throughout, with clear and direct lines of communication established.Paul Dodsworth, Caddick Construction Group Managing Director, comments: “As with any project in an occupied building – in a challenging city centre location and particularly one of scale – safety compliance, consideration, efficiency and communication are absolutely vital to the success of the job. Our carefully selected project team endeavours to ensure the safety and comfort of residents is upheld whilst building work is undertaken on-site. As such, we have partnered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme on this, and every development we undertake, with our recent on-site score coming back at an impressive 45. This enables Caddick to set and push the boundary when measured against our peers in the industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has completed and handed over a luxury 20-storey student residential scheme in Leeds city centre for client Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group. A total of 212 studio apartments have been provided in the Live Oasis St Albans Place development, featuring kitchens, bedrooms, en-suites, storage and living facilities. The range of communal spaces includes a gym, communal lounge, kitchen, study spaces, wellbeing lounge and eighth floor roof terrace. The property is aligned to the existing Live Oasis brand and maintains the client’s reputation for high-quality studio-based student accommodation, with a luxurious interior design and enhanced amenity space. Farrans continues to build on its presence in the region having recently been appointed as the main contractor for the Phase 1 terminal extension as part of a £100m regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). The company has also secured a spot on a major works framework covering highways and transportation projects in Yorkshire. Alongside the alliance partners, Farrans will deliver projects valued over £7m. The framework firms will be used by Leeds Council and the wider Yorkshire Highways Alliance, which also includes the councils of Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees Council, York and Calderdale. It will also be available to any local authorities or contracting authorities who are a wholly owned subsidiary of the local authorities within the Yorkshire and Humber region. Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction, said: “Live Oasis St Albans Place has been an exciting and challenging project in the heart of a busy city centre location and we are proud to have delivered an unrivalled luxury student experience which matched our client’s expectations. We had an excellent project team on the ground who worked collaboratively with our client, architects, the management company YPP and our supply chain to minimise disruption while remaining on target and on programme. “Our experience of constructing student accommodation and high-rise properties using sustainable approaches means that we were well placed to deliver a cutting-edge design which relied exclusively on precast construction from the first floor upwards with a façade design and high-quality material palette. We have been able to optimise the speed of construction using innovative technology without compromising on the luxury finish. The precast panels offer a more sustainable approach to construction delivery as well as working well in a tight site footprint. We are looking forward to continuing our construction and civil engineering work in this region while also building on the relationships we have made so far.” The development is managed by YPP Student and Professional Lettings, which currently manages over 2,000 beds and 50 properties across seven cities with plans to expand further. Harry Granger, Head of Marketing & Business Change at YPP, said: “When we were planning St Albans Place in Leeds we wanted to achieve a new level of luxury for the student accommodation market. Our completed building provides the ultimate all-inclusive experience in the heart of Leeds city centre, an easy walk from cafes, restaurants, shops and a thriving student community. The bespoke apartments are spaces made for high-quality living while studying. We selected Farrans based on their experience in the student accommodation sector and also because they have delivered multi-room, tall buildings. We are pleased to have partnered with them on this project and we are delighted with the top quality finishes that have been achieved.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Due to be completed in 2027, the 750,000 sq. ft. project is the largest yet to be undertaken at the Broadgate campus… Sir Robert McAlpine has today announced that it has been appointed by the Broadgate joint venture, between British Land and GIC, to deliver 2 Finsbury Avenue (“2FA”), a dual high-rise, mixed-use building located in the heart of Broadgate. Sitting at a height of 170 metres and due to be completed in 2027, 2FA will be an instantly iconic addition to Broadgate and to London’s skyline. The appointment follows work undertaken by Sir Robert McAlpine in delivering 100 Liverpool Street and 1 Broadgate, extending the longstanding partnership with British Land. The building will boast a 21-storey West office tower and 36-story East office tower, characterised by triangular patterns combining a solid and glazed sawtooth-shaped façade that supports double height spaces. The towers will be linked by a 12-storey podium, incorporating green, leisure and a range of publicly accessible spaces, with a single-story Winter Garden at level 13 connecting the two towers. 2FA will raise the bar in its sustainability strategy. It will be all-electric, and a smart-enabled development ensuring leading carbon and energy efficiency in operation, as well as BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum, WIRED Platinum, Nabers 5-star and EPC ‘A’ accreditations. The office design, designed by architects 3XN and sustainability consultants GXN, includes green spaces and terraces that are designed to foster creative collaboration and social interaction. Community engagement with the scheme took place amid COVID restrictions, seeing a successful online exhibition facilitated through a dedicated public website, replacing the traditional public consultation. Invitations reached 800 local properties and Broadgate tenants, with local City members and residents expressing excitement to the scheme. Commenting on the news, Grant Findlay, Executive Managing Director of Buildings at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering another world class building for British Land and GIC. 2 Finsbury Avenue is the sixth scheme in the Broadgate framework, following the multi-award-winning 100 Liverpool St and 1 Broadgate projects. This is testament to exemplary industry collaboration and our commitment to nurturing close relationships with our clients to better realise their aspirations and deliver technical excellence.” David Lockyer, Head of Development at British Land, said: “Our longstanding and collaborative relationship with Sir Robert McAlpine has delivered fantastic buildings for us at Broadgate, so we are delighted to be working with them to deliver this iconic new building at the campus. 2FA will set a new standard for workspace in London and is further proof of the continued demand for world class, sustainable workspace in well-connected locations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
