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
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, is celebrating a major milestone in the creation of the £22m voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, one of the UK’s first full life cycle net zero carbon hotels. Being delivered by RED Construction’s South West team, it is being constructed with half the
Leading Magherafelt-based contractor Henry Brothers has been appointed onto the University of Manchester Construction Framework for the first time. The company has won four contracts to deliver developments at the university over the past few years and this appointment onto the framework opens up a pipeline of future projects. The
Principal contractor, McConnell, broke through the £50m turnover mark in March 2024, and expects full year revenue to reach £55m at end of April 2024 (FY24). Revenue growth was 10% higher than forecasted, driven by a strong performance in Scotland, and delivery of significant cladding remediation and defence housing projects
SJ Roberts Construction has secured three new contracts worth £17.6m with Barcud, one of the leading housing associations in Wales. The news further strengthens the relationship between the two organisations which have previously collaborated on developments in Newtown and Presteigne in Powys. These most recent contracts form part of Barcud’s
Plans have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for a multi-million-pound maritime hub in Whitby. The hub will provide training and certification opportunities for the maritime, marine and offshore industries, to residents of Whitby and the wider area. The application has been submitted following a public consultation in January and
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
RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, is celebrating a major milestone in the creation of the £22m voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, one of the UK’s first full life cycle net zero carbon hotels. Being delivered by RED Construction’s South West team, it is being constructed with half the embodied carbon of a standard hotel, while generating 100 per cent of its electricity through solar panels, beating 2030 targets for operational energy consumption and in line with the 2050 Paris Agreement requirements. The topping out of the 4-star, 142-bedroom hotel, which achieved BREEAM Outstanding at the design stage, comes just over halfway through the construction programme, with the building on track to complete in December for an opening in January 2025. Zeal has an exclusive agreement with IHG for the 5,000m2 hotel, which will be the first net zero carbon hotel for both companies, and will be managed by Valor Hospitality. Creating a 4* hotel with a target to be a net energy producer of carbon-free electricity was a significant challenge. However, by working with RED Construction Group and other specialist contractors, Zeal has been able to design and deliver this landmark project. Design has focused on reducing energy use and incorporating renewable energy sources on and within the building fabric, enabling the building to every year generate more electricity than it consumes. This energy efficiency is highlighted by its ability to surpass 2050 targets, dramatically outperforming CRREM’s 95kWh/m2/yr Energy Use Intensity aim by keeping below 60kWh/m2/yr. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park will align with UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition, and exceed the RIBA 2030 embodied carbon target of less than 750kgCO2e/m2, benefitting from a full life cycle approach that accounts for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Simon Lousada, developer and investor in voco Zeal Hotel, Exeter Science Park, said: “Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards sustainable hospitality. By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising cutting-edge technology, we aim to create a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. This project represents more than just a building; it symbolises our dedication to sustainable development – we are tracking ahead of future sustainable goals, surpassing the 2030 sustainability target for carbon emissions during construction, and far exceeding the 2050 target for energy use during operation. This hotel is repeatable proof that well designed zero carbon buildings can be built on time and on budget. Finding ways to make this happen profitably is the positive legacy we should be leaving our future generations.” Derek Quinn, Managing Director of RED Construction South West, commented: “We are thrilled to have celebrated the topping out of Zeal’s first-ever net zero carbon hotel, a pioneering development that is paving the way in the hospitality industry. It is a milestone project for RED South West, working within the prestigious Exeter Science Park, and we look forward to completing the Zeal Hotel as part of such a brilliant team.” Dr Sally Basker, Chief Executive of Exeter Science Park Ltd, added: “It has been very exciting to see this ground-breaking project develop over the last few months. We are proud to be the location for the first Zeal/IHG net zero carbon hotel which is compatible with Exeter Science Park’s own net zero ambitions. There are huge potential synergies between the hotel and Exeter Science Park and we anticipate these will benefit Exeter Science Park’s businesses, the hotel’s residents, and the wider Devon community.” Alongside RED Construction South West, Zeal, and IHG, the landmark scheme has been designed and delivered by a collaborative team that includes ECE Westworks, Introba, and Hydrock Bristol, all of whom having worked towards a fabric first approach that has incorporated sustainable energy solutions, low embodied carbon materials, and green technologies at each stage, while not compromising on a quality, 4-star guest experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading Magherafelt-based contractor Henry Brothers has been appointed onto the University of Manchester Construction Framework for the first time. The company has won four contracts to deliver developments at the university over the past few years and this appointment onto the framework opens up a pipeline of future projects. The four-year framework is for schemes from £5m to £20m and Henry Brothers is one of five contractors that have been awarded a place on it. Ian Taylor, Managing Director at Henry Brothers Construction, said: “We are proud to have been appointed onto the University of Manchester Construction Framework and look forward to supporting the university as it continues to improve its estate and facilities. “Henry Brothers initially began working with the university in early 2022 on the first phase of the refurbishment of its Chemistry Building, and we are currently now delivering the second phase of this extensive project. “Since then, we have also been appointed to undertake two further schemes at the university, so we are very pleased to be cementing our partnership with The University of Manchester by being awarded a place on the university’s construction framework. “This appointment will support us as we continue to expand our North West office, which opened in Manchester in 2022, and has already relocated to larger office space in the city. “Henry Brothers has wide-ranging experience of working with universities in the East Midlands, West Midlands and the North West, supporting our partners to invest in their buildings and facilities. This latest framework appointment is great news for the company.” Henry Brothers is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. In partnership with clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, accommodation, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Principal contractor, McConnell, broke through the £50m turnover mark in March 2024, and expects full year revenue to reach £55m at end of April 2024 (FY24). Revenue growth was 10% higher than forecasted, driven by a strong performance in Scotland, and delivery of significant cladding remediation and defence housing projects in England. Established in 1928, McConnell was taken over in 2018 by Rob McGregor and Eamonn McGarvey. Rob was previously the CEO of Apollo Property Services Group, a £400m property services provider that merged with Keepmoat Group in 2012 and is now part of Equans UK. Eamonn was the Regional Managing Director for Apollo/Keepmoat in Scotland. McConnell has firmly established itself as a Principal Contractor, whilst retaining its in-house specialist services of Roofing, Cladding, and Specialist Coatings. McConnell delivers building refurbishment and energy efficiency works to all forms of buildings and infrastructure in the UK, using directly employed skilled operatives supported by a capable supply chain. To support growth, a new regional office was opened in St Albans in September 2023, to augment existing regional offices in Glasgow and Dartford. Chairman, Rob McGregor, commented “FY24 has been a significant year for McConnell. Our growth has been a direct result of the continued strengthening of our management team. We have a Tier 1 senior leadership team that underpins growth, generates customer confidence, and allow us to attract the best people in the sector. We’ve also invested in the growth of our operational and support services teams, and in early April 2024 we took on our 200th employee, of which more than 80 are skilled operatives. They form the backbone of our service delivery and are augmented by carefully selected supply chain partners.” Managing Director, Eamonn McGarvey, added “We’re moving into FY25 in May, with more than £60m of secured work for the year and are well positioned on a number of national frameworks in England and Scotland. We’re forecasting further strong growth opportunity for FY25, therefore plan to open a regional office in the North of England to increase our geographic reach and capability.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SJ Roberts Construction has secured three new contracts worth £17.6m with Barcud, one of the leading housing associations in Wales. The news further strengthens the relationship between the two organisations which have previously collaborated on developments in Newtown and Presteigne in Powys. These most recent contracts form part of Barcud’s ongoing commitment to deliver new homes in the communities where they’re most needed and will see affordable housing constructed in Knighton on the Shropshire/Wales border, in Builth Wells, Powys and Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. Work has started in Knighton where a mix of eighteen 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes are being built to A-rated energy standards thanks to the inclusion of air source heat pumps and solar PV panels. The homes, located on West Street in the town, will all be available on an affordable rent basis, with work anticipated to complete in Spring 2025. A further 31 homes will be built on Hospital Road in Builth Wells, and 34 on Piercefield Lane in Aberystwyth. Work on those sites will start later this year. Commenting on the investment and decision to again partner with SJ Roberts Construction, Alex Dawson, Head of Development at Barcud, said: “Investing in the communities where affordable housing is most needed is a priority for Barcud, and ensuring those homes meet the very highest standards of quality and energy efficiency is a value we’re all very proud of. “It is, therefore, vital that we partner with a main contractor that shares these values and which can demonstrate an unrivalled commitment to quality and excellent construction management. Having worked with SJ Roberts on previous projects, we are confident in the team’s ability to successfully deliver these new homes and look forward to seeing the positive impact that they have in the communities of Knighton, Builth Wells and Aberystwyth.” Concluding for SJ Roberts Construction, Mike Sambrook, MD, said: “Our track record delivering quality homes across a range of tenures for social landlords is something we’re incredibly proud of.“Having successfully partnered with Barcud previously on a 36-home project in Presteigne, Powys and the Maes Dulais development in Newtown, it is testament to our experience in this sector that we’ve been appointed to build 80 further homes for the team. To us, this isn’t simply an agreement to build houses, but instead to create vibrant communities that the residents feel proud to call home.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for a multi-million-pound maritime hub in Whitby. The hub will provide training and certification opportunities for the maritime, marine and offshore industries, to residents of Whitby and the wider area. The application has been submitted following a public consultation in January and February when 69 per cent of those who responded to the survey were supportive of the scheme. Chief Executive, Richard Flinton, said: “Submitting the planning application is an exciting step forward for this project. The Maritime Hub will open doors to new economic growth in Whitby and help provide a route for young people into the maritime and marine industries. I encourage everyone in the community to look at the plans on our website and leave comments if they wish.” Concerns about the hub being located on a flood plain have also been mitigated as the building will be designed to flood. In the event of a flood, the ground floor units will allow water to enter, and all services will be raised above one metre. After water levels drop, the units would be easily washed out. Corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, added: “We have listened to stakeholders and consultation feedback throughout the planning process before submitting this application. “Endeavour Wharf will still retain around 200 parking spaces and the height of the Maritime Hub will match the surrounding buildings such as The Angel Hotel. “We have received some suggestions that following Eskdale School’s merger with Caedmon College this summer, the school site would be a better location. But existing and potential future tenants of the wharf have stated they need direct access to the water and as such the school site would not be a suitable alternative.” The project has been developed to address a local need to develop a better supply of technical abilities in the maritime sector and put the town at the forefront of the growing renewable energy sector. The hub will also provide accommodation for maritime businesses and service providers. Workshops on the hub’s ground and first floors will house the current and new wharf-based operations and functions of the Harbour Authority. There will be classroom space, engineering workshops and marine biology laboratories, offering opportunities for training and employment in areas ranging from marine biology to off-shore wind. The second floor will be an office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries. The space is intended to be occupied by local, regional and national businesses and organisations, making Whitby a hub of maritime activity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
