From Vacant Office to Premier Inn: Whitbread Fast-Tracks Phoenix House Conversion in Vauxhall
Work to convert the vacant office into a 180-bedroom Premier Inn hotel begins just eight months after securing the landmark location opposite Vauxhall Underground Station Construction work has begun to convert Phoenix House in Vauxhall, London into a 180-bedroom Premier Inn hotel – just eight months after the parent company to the UK’s largest hotel business agreed terms on a lease for the site. The high-profile location opposite Vauxhall Underground Station was acquired by Whitbread plc, which owns Premier Inn, as part of its London expansion program. In an innovative arrangement, Whitbread agreed to lease the 10-storey 7,469 sqm former office building from Lambeth Council, the virtual freeholder, and lead the conversion of the space into a latest format Premier Inn. The 30-year agreement between Whitbread and the Council was signed in March 2025 and planning permission for the conversion was secured 20 weeks later in July 2025. Now, just eight months on from signing the contract, Whitbread has full control of the building and has started strip-out works today [17th November] – with the target to open the new hotel in early 2028. Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “As an operating hotel business our goal is to open our pipeline development sites as quickly as possible for our customers. Thanks to a successful partnership with Lambeth Council, we have been able to acquire a fantastic hotel location, secure planning, and move into construction in just eight months, showing what’s possible when everyone comes together. “We have been looking for a suitable location for Premier Inn in Vauxhall for at least ten years. In a little over two years’ time, we will be welcoming customers to a sensational hotel location, literally opposite Vauxhall Underground Station, and delivering the new location in a very sustainable way through the conversion of a former vacant office building. There are enormous benefits to expanding our footprint in this way, and we are actively looking for similar opportunities across the capital as we continue to grow.” Phoenix House was formerly occupied by Lambeth Council before being vacated as part of its award-winning Your New Town Hall scheme. This wide-ranging project involved reducing Lambeth Council’s core office buildings from 14 to two, with further community benefits including 219 new homes for rent and sale. Whitbread intends to bring its award-winning hotel proposition to the building, including its popular enhanced Premier Plus rooms and an ancillary guest-focused restaurant on the first floor. Around 25 permanent hospitality jobs will be created on opening, with recruitment expected to begin in autumn 2027. Berkshire based Redhammer Demolition Limited has been appointed to begin the strip-out conversion works which are due to complete by Easter 2026. Whitbread is currently in discussions with several contractors for the fit-out work. The redevelopment of Phoenix House forms part of a city-wide expansion plan for Whitbread as it works to address an undersupply of affordable hotels in the capital. It currently operates more than 100 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the M25 – including five Premier Inn’s within the borough of Lambeth, the newest of which opened at Lambeth Road in January 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar breaks ground on flagship Sustainable Materials hub at Atom Valley
Glencar has been appointed by Wilson Bowden Developments to deliver the first major project at Atom Valley, with work now under way on the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) in Rochdale. The 43,500 sq ft facility will provide a cutting-edge environment for collaboration, research and development in sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing. Designed as a flexible, innovation-focused space, the centre will bring together businesses, academics and technology partners under one roof to accelerate low-carbon solutions and next-generation production techniques. Crucially, the SMMC is intended to act as a catalyst for a wider innovation cluster across the Atom Valley site, supporting high-value jobs, investment and long-term industrial growth in the region. The facility will form an important part of the evolving Kingsway Business Park offer, complementing existing occupiers and strengthening the area’s reputation as a hub for advanced industry. Tom Kearsley, North Regional Director at Glencar, said the business was pleased to be working once again with Wilson Bowden and the wider project team to deliver what he described as a unique, forward-looking facility. He highlighted the opportunity to support “future-facing innovation” by creating a building that encourages collaboration between different disciplines and sectors. Henry Henson, Development Manager at Wilson Bowden Developments, described the start of construction as a landmark moment for the scheme. He said the SMMC would play a central role in the continuing success story at Kingsway Business Park and that the project team was looking forward to turning the vision into reality on site. The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre is scheduled for completion in September 2026, marking an important early milestone in the development of Atom Valley as a nationally significant innovation location. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arada to acquire majority stake in £2.5bn Thameside West development
Unlocking one of London’s largest and most connected new waterfront neighbourhoods… Arada, the UAE’s fastest-growing master developer, announces that it has agreed the acquisition of an 80% stake in Thameside West, a landmark waterfront mixed-use development located at the western end of London’s Royal Docks. Master-planned by Foster + Partners, the vibrant new urban destination will deliver at least 5,000 homes, with half of the site dedicated to green space and a kilometre of active waterfront. Boasting unrivalled transport links, the integration of air, road, rail, river and tunnel links makes this one of the most connected sites in London. Spread over a 47-acre area – twice the size of the Hudson Yards mixed-use development in New York – Thameside West represents one of Europe’s largest and most strategically important regeneration opportunities, with a Gross Development Value (GDV) of £2.5 billion. It occupies central London’s longest stretch of undeveloped riverfront, with views across Canary Wharf and Greenwich Peninsula. Already awarded consent, Thameside West will see 1,000 homes delivered in the first stage of the project, with construction set to begin in 2027. The acquisition from private developer Keystone represents Arada’s second large-scale investment in the London residential market in the space of less than two months, following its purchase of local developer Regal in September. Arada will work alongside the London Borough of Newham, Greater London Authority and Transport for London to transform this former industrial site into a vibrant, new neighbourhood. Keystone’s vision and sustained commitment have been instrumental in progressing Thameside West to this stage, laying the foundations for one of London’s most ambitious masterplans. GLA Land and Property Limited (“GLAP”), as the other major landowner, will work closely with Arada to unlock this significant project. Thameside West is one of the most well-connected sites in London and benefits from the recently completed Silvertown Tunnel, Custom House station (Elizabeth, Jubilee and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) lines), City Airport, and the IFS Cable Car. The site also connects the Lea Valley Regeneration Area and the wider Royal Docks, and Arada aims to additionally deliver a new DLR station, in partnership with Transport for London. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “Our entry into this market was grounded in our unwavering faith in London and its attractiveness as one of the world’s leading capital cities. At the time of the Regal acquisition, we articulated our ambition to scale our London residential pipeline to 30,000 units over the next three years, and we have swiftly delivered on growing that pipeline. Thameside West represents a unique opportunity to create a landmark riverside development, and we look forward to working with our partners and utilising our long-standing track record in large-scale, amenity rich residential schemes to unlock the delivery of new housing for London.” Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development said: “I am delighted that Arada is investing in London to transform Thameside West – one of the key sites within the Royal Docks. This really is a fantastic example of how we can unlock London’s potential to deliver the homes our city so urgently needs. “Working together we will be able to deliver at least 5,000 new homes, 35 per cent of which will be affordable as part of a thriving new neighbourhood in the heart of this historic part of East London. “This is a landmark moment as we continue to push ahead with our plans to return the Royal Docks to its former glory and create a better, fairer, greener London for everyone.” Lord Norman Foster of Thamesbank, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, said: “Thameside West is a place where architecture, nature and infrastructure come together in balance. The stepped design ensures exceptional views from every building, while the integration of air, road, rail, river and tunnel links makes this one of the most connected sites in London. Half the master plan is dedicated to green space, including more than a thousand trees and a kilometre of active waterfront, creating a setting that is both restorative and dynamic. Our goal is to build a truly inclusive community – one that brings opportunity, sustainability and vitality to the heart of London.” Giorgio L. Laurenti, Chairman of Keystone, said: “One of the most significant development opportunities in Greater London, Thameside West is a transformational destination designed to deliver thousands of new homes while generating substantial economic and social value for the wider community. With Arada, we have found an ideal and trusted partner, with tried-and-tested experience in large-scale urban mixed-use districts, to work with as we move closer to bringing this landmark project to life.” The acquisition of Thameside West increases Arada’s London development pipeline to 15,000 homes, supporting its ambition to triple this to 30,000 units over the next three years, building on a 30-year track record in the capital’s real estate market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green light for major Tiller Road Estate transformation on the Isle of Dogs
A major regeneration of the Tiller Road Estate on the Isle of Dogs has taken a step forward after Mount Anvil and social landlord Riverside secured planning permission for a comprehensive rebuild of the site. Approved by Tower Hamlets Council, the scheme will deliver 411 new homes in East London, replacing three existing blocks that currently provide 72 homes. The new development will include 137 affordable homes, with the remaining properties offered through a mix of private sale and shared ownership, broadening the range of housing options available in the local area. Designed by PRP Architects, the proposals will dramatically reshape the estate’s skyline. The existing low-rise buildings will make way for two slender towers of 21 and 25 storeys, alongside two mid-rise blocks rising to 6 and 9 storeys. The aim is to create a more efficient use of land while introducing modern, high-quality homes and improved public realm. Beyond simply increasing housing numbers, the project is intended to support long-term neighbourhood renewal. Estate regeneration schemes of this kind typically deliver upgraded homes that are better insulated, more energy-efficient, and designed to meet contemporary space and accessibility standards. Residents can also expect improved landscaping, safer and more attractive routes through the estate, and communal areas that encourage a stronger sense of community. The Tiller Road scheme is the latest in an expanding partnership between Riverside and Mount Anvil. Together, the organisations are now working across four London locations, including Bellamy Close and Byng Street on the Isle of Dogs, Friars Close in Southwark, and 262 affordable homes at Royal Eden Docks. Marcus Bate, partnerships, planning, communities and sustainability director at Mount Anvil, said the approval marked an important milestone for the joint venture. He noted that the partnership now has more than 1,000 homes under development across its London projects and highlighted the long-term benefits expected for Tiller Road residents. The regeneration of Tiller Road Estate is intended to leave a lasting positive legacy, providing a new generation of homes and creating a more liveable, sustainable and inclusive place at the heart of the Isle of Dogs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kajima Properties Europe Completes 405-Bed Student Housing Development
Kajima Properties Europe (‘Kajima Properties’ or ‘KPE’), the vertically integrated investment, development and asset management subsidiary of the NIKKEI-listed Kajima Corporation, has completed the expansion of its existing 466-bed Student Depot residence in Poznań, transforming it into two interlinked buildings with 871-beds, the largest in Student Depot’s operational portfolio. This milestone marks Student Depot’s first-ever extension of a fully occupied building, demonstrating its ability to deliver complex projects while maintaining uninterrupted service for existing residents. Delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, the new extension introduces a wider variety of room types and standards at different price points, giving students in Poznań greater flexibility and choice. The development is already in use, with most residents having moved in for the start of the academic year. The existing building has also been upgraded with thoughtfully designed common areas that support both academic and social life. These include dedicated study zones, fitness facilities, a cinema room, and gaming spaces. As part of the investment, the building’s façade was renovated and thermally insulated to enhance energy efficiency. Each Student Depot residence is professionally managed in-house, offering 24/7 staffing, controlled entry, CCTV monitoring, and on-site management to ensure a safe and supportive living environment. The Poznań extension strengthens Student Depot’s presence in a key academic hub, opening at over 93% occupancy in response to strong demand for modern PBSA in Poland. According to Savills’ latest market research, there are more than 1.2 million students nationwide in Poland, but only 1.5% can secure a place in modern private dormitories. Poznań was the first asset in Student Depot’s portfolio, acquired in 2014. Following an initial investment from Kajima Europe (‘Kajima’) in 2019, Student Depot has since established itself as Poland’s largest PBSA platform by units under management. The platform now operates over 4,500 beds across nine PBSA assets in Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Łódź, Lublin and Poznań, with a secured pipeline of more than 1,000 additional beds. Jan Trybulski, Head of Poland at Kajima Properties Europe, said: “The extension of our Poznań asset, combined with the upgrade of the original scheme, marks a significant milestone for Student Depot. Delivering such a complex project on time, within budget, and exceeding our targeted occupancy level is a testament to the team’s capability and commitment. “Student Depot’s market-leading position and deep operational know-how enable us to enhance the offer continually, from diversified room types and upgraded amenities to improved building efficiency, ensuring we remain the first-choice private student accommodation in Poland. “Our strategy focuses on investing in high-quality, well-located residences across undersupplied academic cities. With over a decade of operational experience, we are uniquely positioned to identify the right locations and structures that deliver strong long-term performance. We see a significant opportunity to continue expanding across Poland’s major university hubs, supported by a secured pipeline of over 1000 additional beds.” Michał Obara, CEO of Student Depot, said: “The successful delivery of the Poznań extension is a very important step for Student Depot – not only because it enhances our offer in one of Poland’s most important academic cities, but also because it was our first ever expansion project delivered within a fully operational and occupied building. It was a highly complex challenge, but thanks to excellent planning and execution, we completed it with minimal disruption to residents. “This success would not have been possible without the continued support and engagement of our investor, Kajima. Their long-term commitment, expertise and trust in our team have been crucial in helping us grow into Poland’s largest PBSA platform, with even more projects in the pipeline.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Driving net-zero through governance and retrofit
Introduction The construction industry is facing constant and growing pressure to deliver projects faster, greener, and more responsibly. It is said to be accountable for 40% of carbon emissions in the UK, and even more surprisingly, 28% of all emissions globally. The sector has faced increased pressure to reform its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in order to create a more sustainable approach to the built environment. Although ESG commitments might look good on paper, in practice they are complex and long-winded to implement, and at times, can be viewed as a simple brand exercise or tickbox. But today, a strong ESG strategy is imperative. It not only reduces risk and meets increasing regulatory and investor demands within the sector, but also creates long-term value for businesses and their wider sustainability goals. Mark Garry, Watts Group Associate, and member of their public sector department delves into how retrofit is a key part of governance in action, ensuring that sustainability translates into tangible performance outcomes. Of the three key ESG pillars, governance is often the most misunderstood and underutilised. When in actual fact, strong governance is the enabler and key driver of innovation and sustainability in construction, particularly through the growing demand for retrofit. Defining governance within ESG In plain terms, governance refers to how decisions are made, who is accountable, and whether those decisions align with ethical, transparent, and responsible practices in a business or project. In construction, strong governance is applied practically through various processes such as procurement, supply chain oversight, and risk management frameworks. These factors guide everything from contractor selection to compliance, and allow for transparency, accountability and overarching commitment to sustainability targets. Without strong governance, environmental and social goals fall apart, and even the best ESG intentions lack structure, consistency, and credibility in the long run. How governance drives innovation in construction Today, strong governance frameworks are essential to accelerating innovation and responding to evolving regulatory, environmental, and societal expectations. While it may not sound as exciting as engineered timber or robotics, which focus on transforming how we deliver projects, governance ensures that innovation is implemented responsibly, supporting long-term sustainability and resilience. Governance also reinforces compliance with UK employment legislation, safeguards against unethical employment practices, and ensures ethical standards are upheld across construction supply chains. It provides the structure needed to implement circular economy principles, prioritising resource efficiency, waste reduction, and lifecycle value across the built environment. All of which are elements to a successful ESG strategy. At its best, governance acts as the bridge between vision and implementation, and supports faster, more accountable decision-making. It aligns ESG targets with commercial business objectives, and gives investors, clients, and the wider public confidence that technological and environmental progress will be delivered with transparency and sustainability in mind. Governance’s role in retrofit Retrofit, or the process of improving energy performance in existing properties and buildings, not only improves a buildings lifespan, it is one of the most practical demonstrations of governance in action. Britain has some of the oldest, and least energy-efficient housing stock in Europe and only a campaign of mass retrofitting will allow the UK to reach the government’s target of net zero by 2050. Strong governance determines how decisions are made, and whether they align with transparent, ethical, and responsible practices. In retrofit, governance underpins the framework that ensures retrofit measures are delivered to the highest standard, safeguards occupant safety, and embeds accountability across contractors, supply chains, and funding bodies. Under PAS 2035:2023, governance is built under every stage of the retrofit process from the initial assessor conducting a detailed energy assessment of the property, to the evaluator monitoring and verifying performance outcomes. Why governance matters in retrofit In retrofit, the industry is faced with various challenges; from skills shortages and fragmented supply chains to inconsistent standards, policy uncertainty, and the persistent performance gap between design and delivery. From a retrofit coordinator perspective, governance provides the framework that ensures retrofit measures are delivered to the highest standard. It safeguards against shortcuts that compromise energy efficiency or occupant safety, and embeds accountability across contractors, supply chains, and funding bodies. Strong governance also guarantees that carbon reduction targets translate into measurable improvements in building performance, rather than unverified claims. In this way, governance is the safeguard that transforms ambitious environmental goals into lasting outcomes for clients, investors, and communities alike. The foundation for lasting impact Strong governance is what turns ESG ambition into real-world outcomes. It provides the structure, accountability, and clarity needed to deliver innovation, secure investor trust, and stay ahead of regulatory and reputational risks. Without it, environmental and social goals remain ungrounded. With it, the construction industry can lead the transition to a more sustainable and resilient built environment through better decisions at every level. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals