Canary Wharf set for record-breaking tower as JPMorgan secures key approvals
JPMorgan Chase is moving closer to delivering Canary Wharf’s tallest tower after overcoming critical height restrictions linked to nearby London City Airport, clearing a major hurdle for its proposed £3bn headquarters at Riverside South. The Wall Street banking giant is now preparing a planning application for a 265-metre skyscraper that will surpass One Canada Square, which has dominated the Docklands skyline at 235 metres for more than three decades. Designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme will deliver approximately 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space. The development is intended to consolidate JPMorgan’s existing London operations into a single hub capable of accommodating up to 12,000 staff, establishing its largest base across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Flight path constraints had posed a significant challenge due to Canary Wharf’s position within the airport’s safeguarding zone. Aircraft approaching London City Airport follow a notably steep glide path, imposing strict limits on building heights across the estate. However, following negotiations, an agreement has been reached allowing the tower to rise to its proposed height while maintaining operational safety. The Riverside South site, owned by JPMorgan Chase since 2008, already benefits from existing foundations and basement structures. This could accelerate delivery timelines once planning consent is secured, with construction expected to take around six years. Canary Wharf Group will act as co-developer on the project. Economically, the scheme is expected to provide a substantial boost. Estimates suggest it could inject up to £9.9bn into the UK economy and support more than 7,800 jobs across construction and associated industries. However, questions remain סביב the role of government incentives in unlocking the project. JPMorgan is understood to have sought clarity over business rates liabilities, with discussions reportedly including potential discounts to support the investment. A report from Tower Hamlets council indicated the bank had requested a long-term business rates incentive, with government sources suggesting progress may depend on certainty around its future tax burden. The debate has drawn mixed reactions. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the development as a “multi-billion-pound vote of confidence” in the UK economy, critics have raised concerns over offering tax breaks to major corporations. Despite this, the project signals renewed momentum for Canary Wharf’s commercial market. A series of recent commitments, including expansions from major financial occupiers, point to a broader recovery in demand for large-scale office space in the Docklands. If approved, JPMorgan’s tower will not only redefine the area’s skyline but also reinforce Canary Wharf’s position as a leading global financial district, at a time when confidence in large office developments is returning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractors circle £30m high-rise container storage project at London Gateway
Contractors are preparing to bid for a £30m landmark logistics project at London Gateway, where plans are advancing for a 12-storey automated container storage facility at the major Thames-side port. The scheme, known as BOXBAY, will deliver a next-generation, high-density storage system for empty containers within the port’s existing MT Park area in Thurrock. Once complete, the structure will rise to around 55 metres in height, with a footprint of approximately 323 metres by 159 metres, making it one of the most technically ambitious industrial buildings of its kind in the UK. Procurement for the project is now underway, with contractors invited to participate in a competitive flexible tender process. A shortlist of bidders will be selected before final submissions are assessed on a 60:40 split between price and quality, with contract award expected in July. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly afterwards, with a two-year delivery programme. The project presents a complex engineering challenge, combining heavy civil engineering works with a substantial structural steel package. More than 15,000 tonnes of steelwork will be required, alongside around 50,000 sq m of cladding and a 46,500 sq m roof. Groundworks will also be extensive, involving the installation of over 5,000 precast piles, each approximately 28 metres in length, to support a 1.2 metre deep reinforced concrete raft foundation. The contractor will additionally deliver a full suite of infrastructure works, including drainage, power, firewater systems, IT networks and heavy-duty external pavements, as well as associated ancillary structures. A defining feature of the development will be its integration of advanced automation. The building will house 15 automated storage and retrieval machines operating along around 3km of rail, although the specialist systems themselves will be supplied separately. One of the key challenges will be delivering the project within a fully operational port environment. This will require careful sequencing, logistics planning and strict safety management to ensure ongoing terminal operations are not disrupted. The BOXBAY system is designed to significantly increase storage density and improve operational efficiency compared with traditional container stacking methods, helping to reduce congestion and maximise the use of available land. The project forms part of wider ongoing investment at London Gateway, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s most advanced logistics and port infrastructure hubs, and highlighting the growing role of high-specification, automated industrial facilities in modern supply chains. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chelmsford’s The Meadows enters a transformational era with a raft of new lettings as a growing a leisure and retail destination
The Meadows is entering an exciting new chapter with 2026 set to be a year of change and progress towards consolidating its position as a vibrant mixed leisure and retail destination at the heart of the city centre. Hollywood Bowl, recognised as the market leading tenpin bowling operator in the UK, has signed to take a substantial 30,000 sq ft unit for its latest multi-lane bowling, games zone, sports bar and party venue format. It is expected it will open this winter and will anchor the growing leisure hub at the core of the centre, complementing the Odeon cinema and the food offer. The food & beverage line-up is strengthened further with the growing restaurant brand Smoke & Pepper. Its 4,650 sq ft riverside unit opening in April will become its 14th outlet and feature its signature smash burgers, grilled chicken, loaded fries, smoked meats and speciality sauces. The retail offer is also being consolidated across fashion, gifts and convenience sectors. Suit Direct is taking a c5,000 sq ft unit for its menswear designer and bespoke styling range of men’s suits, accessories and casualwear from leading brands. Big Dog Land the innovative new lifestyle gifts, gadgets, and novelty technology products retailer is also set to open on the High Street frontage in a c1,500 sq ft unit. The High Street frontage also boasts the recently opened new convenience-led ‘grab and go’ food concept store – Co-op On The Go. One of the first of a “brand new chain of stores in vibrant, high foot-flow locations.” – The Co-op Group. This step up in the range and quality of the offer at The Meadows is complemented by other recent openings this year of women’s fashion brand Penny Plain and Taz’s Beauty Salon, part of a expanding chain of salons offering a range of beauty treatments. Alex Butler, Senior Asset Manager at Estama said: “It’s been a really strong start to 2026 at The Meadows, with a great mix of new lettings and openings already coming through. We’re proud to be playing a part in the centre’s ongoing evolution alongside a great team, and there’s more to come across both retail and leisure, which will build on this momentum and continue to strengthen the centre’s position in Chelmsford. The city is one of the key destinations in the East of England, and The Meadows is becoming an increasingly important part of that.” Agents for The Meadows are Savills and Purpose Real Estate. Estama is the Asset Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Last Mile secures major multi-utility contract for landmark 6500 home airfield redevelopment
Last Mile will help bring 6,500 new homes, five schools, and a range of commercial premises to the Waterbeach redevelopment in Cambridgeshire. UKPS, now Last Mile, was appointed by Urban & Civic Plc to design, build, and manage utility services at Waterbeach. This includes one of the UK’s single largest water network adoptions under the New Appointment and Variations (NAV) programme. The company will replace the incumbent, Staffordshire Water, taking ownership and responsibility for the clean water infrastructure at the development. In total, the contract encompasses the delivery of: Paul Betts, Senior Project Manager for Urban & Civic said, “Working with flexible, forward‑thinking partners is key to bringing large-scale strategic sites like Waterbeach to life. Last Mile’s joined‑up approach will help us keep things moving, making sure the essential services and infrastructure are ready to support our growing community from day one.” The new community is an ambitious redevelopment of the former Waterbeach Barracks, a WW2 RAF Bomber Command airfield. It is partially funded by a £61 million investment from Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator and regeneration agency. The transformative site aligns with national sustainability goals, aimed at supporting biodiversity and tackling climate change. It will feature low-energy homes equipped with EV chargers and air-source heat pumps, incorporate recycled materials during construction, deliver significant biodiversity net-gain, and reduce car dependency through over 20km of active travel infrastructure. “We’re delighted to support this visionary development which will create a sustainable, well-connected community for thousands of families,” said Craig Boath, managing director at Last Mile, Design and Build. “It’s a prime example of how electricity, water and fibre services from a single provider bring significant efficiency and cost benefits to developers. And how independent providers, such as NAVs and independent distribution network operators (IDNOs), can speed up house building to meet our important national and regional targets.” Following the government’s reform to planning permissions and Plan for Change target of building 1.5 million new homes over five years, the joint housing target for South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City was increased by one-third to 2,309 homes annually. Last Mile’s project comprises the western portion of the total Waterbeach site, which was identified in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan as a new town capable of bringing 11,000 homes to the area. Planning permission for the further 4,500 homes was granted in December 2024. Last Mile Asset Management will manage the infrastructure adoption process for the multi-utility network as it progresses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Newmark Acts as Sole Adviser to Bodycare as the Revitalised Brand Accelerates National Retail Expansion
Newmark, acting as sole adviser to value health and beauty brand Bodycare, has secured leases for six new retail locations in the UK as the business returns to the high street with a newly curated offering following its acquisition from administration in October 2025. The six exchanged stores are located in Merry Hill in Dudley, Derbion in Derby, The Moor in Sheffield, Highcross in Leicester, The Mall in Blackburn and St Johns in Leeds, and were selected due to their strong sales performance under the brand’s previous ownership. Executive Managing Director David Purslow and Surveyor Jake Blackwell of Newmark are advising Bodycare. To support the brand’s rapid growth, Newmark is delivering a capital-efficient property strategy which prioritises best-in-class locations and pace of execution, with lease terms negotiated to protect long-term performance as the portfolio grows. The acquisition of Bodycare marked the relaunch of the much-loved heritage brand in line with modern consumer expectations and enabled a full operational restart. An additional 19 stores are planned to open by the end of 2026, with the longer-term ambition for over 200 stores nationwide. The first 25 stores are set to launch under the new experiential ‘Bodycare Studio’ format with stores configured to drive discovery and encourage repeat visits while staying true to the brand’s core ethos of providing accessible beauty products. ‘Bodycare Studio’ additionally blends content and commerce via in-store demonstration zones, feature screens, live broadcast studios and dedicated creator spaces to complement the brand’s digital-first strategy and strong social media presence. The in-store concept is supported by a broader platform strategy focused on building local customer communities and strengthening operational performance. David Stern, Managing Director at Bodycare, said: “Since the acquisition of Bodycare, the team has reimagined both the in-store experience and the brand’s digital presence. The response from the industry to date has reinforced our confidence to scale quickly and we are looking forward to welcoming customers back as soon as possible. Newmark has been instrumental in supporting us in our ambitious vision.” Purslow, Executive Managing Director at Newmark, said: “Bodycare is executing a compelling retail strategy – moving at pace but with clear direction and a disciplined approach which sets it up for success. Our priority is to ensure the property strategy underpins the brand’s momentum as it scales nationally.” The instruction reinforces Newmark’s position as a trusted advisor to growth-focused retail and consumer brands, partnering with businesses at pivotal moments of expansion and transformation. About Newmark Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries (“Newmark”), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark’s comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform’s global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, Newmark generated revenues of nearly $3.3 billion. As of December 31, 2025, Newmark and its business partners together operated from approximately 175 offices with over 9,300 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark. Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company’s business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brogan Group Expands Scaffolding Operations Across the Midlands and North of England
Brogan Group has expanded its scaffolding operations across the Midlands and North of England, extending coverage to support projects nationwide, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle. Continued investment in local infrastructure, people, and operational capacity supports this expansion, enabling skilled regional teams to deliver scaffolding, powered access and common tower services on major projects. Industry expert Jon Cooke provides guidance, ensuring operations scale efficiently across the region. Jon commented: “I’m excited to be joining Brogan Group at such an important time for the business, as we continue to expand the business and scaffolding operations across the North. Brogan has built a strong reputation for technical excellence, safety and reliable delivery, and I look forward to working with our teams and clients to provide combined access solutions that support the successful delivery of projects throughout the region.” This strengthened presence enhances Brogan’s ability to deliver large-scale and complex scaffolding packages, bringing greater scale, technical capability, and delivery assurance, supported by robust resourcing, engineering input, and site management. Regional projects may also be supported by the Group’s wider national and international resources. The expansion follows last year’s strengthening of Brogan’s powered access capability in the Midlands and North, particularly construction hoists. Alongside scaffolding and powered access (hoists and mast climbers), the company’s access services include common towers, Atlas loading gantries, and crane decks. This multi-discipline offering allows solutions to be planned and delivered in a coordinated way, helping principal contractors reduce interface risks and simplify management on large or complex projects. Currently in a phase of rapid growth, Brogan has strengthened its nationwide delivery capability through investment in depots, equipment, and specialist personnel. The expansion of scaffolding operations reflects the Group’s focus on reinforcing core disciplines and meeting regional demand with technically led well-resourced teams and a proven delivery model. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals