Panattoni Powers Ahead with 500,000 Sq Ft Wakefield Logistics Development
Panattoni has appointed three leading property agencies to market its major Wakefield 500 development, as construction progresses on one of the largest speculative logistics projects currently being delivered in Yorkshire. Knight Frank, Colliers and Commercial Property Partners (CPP) have been selected as letting agents for the development at Wakefield Europort in Castleford, where Panattoni is delivering a 500,000 sq ft cross-docked logistics facility. Panattoni acquired the 23-acre site from Delin Property earlier this year and is developing Wakefield 500 in joint venture with Newport by Panattoni, with the project forming part of the Newport Logistics Fund III investment portfolio. Construction started in June, with the building expected to be ready for occupation in May 2027. The scale of the speculative investment reflects confidence in West Yorkshire’s logistics market at a time when the availability of modern large-format warehouse space remains constrained. Wakefield Europort is already an established distribution destination, with major occupiers including Asda, Royal Mail, Haribo, Warburtons and Menzies. Located close to Junction 31 of the M62, the development provides onward access to the M1 and A1(M), connecting occupiers with markets across Yorkshire, the North, Midlands and wider UK. Rail connectivity provides another important advantage. Wakefield Europort includes a rail freight terminal operated by Maritime, offering businesses an alternative to road-based distribution and supporting the decarbonisation of supply chains. Wakefield 500 is being constructed to a high Grade A specification, with a 15-metre clear internal height, 56 dock doors, eight level-access doors and yard depths of up to 50 metres. The development will also provide 62 HGV spaces, 384 car parking spaces, EV charging infrastructure and a 2.5 MVA power supply. Sustainability forms a major part of Panattoni’s development strategy for the scheme. Wakefield 500 is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, net zero carbon in construction and strong EPC performance. Environmental measures include roof-mounted solar PV, rainwater harvesting, water leak detection and energy sub-metering, alongside extensive natural daylight within the warehouse. Chris Brown, development director at Panattoni, said the building had been designed around the requirements of modern large-scale logistics occupiers, with factors including resilience, labour availability, power, sustainability and access to major consumer markets influencing its specification. The appointment of Knight Frank, Colliers and CPP will now step up the marketing campaign as construction advances. Iain McPhail, logistics and industrial property partner at Knight Frank’s Leeds office, said the project was arriving at a time when the supply of large-format logistics accommodation remained severely restricted across both the UK and West Yorkshire. Rob Whatmuff, director at Colliers, highlighted the combination of road and rail connectivity, workforce availability and modern specification, while CPP director Toby Vernon described Wakefield 500 as one of the most highly anticipated speculative industrial and logistics developments to emerge across the North. With its combination of scale, multimodal connectivity and ambitious environmental standards, Panattoni Wakefield 500 represents a significant addition to Yorkshire’s logistics development pipeline and a major vote of confidence in the region’s long-term industrial property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
KPE Receives green light for the refurbishment and modernisation of Grade A Soho office building
· Westminster Council has approved the refurbishment and modernisation of Kajima Properties Europe’s 27 Soho Square, a 31,000 sq ft Grade A office building in the heart of Central London. · The approved plans will revitalise the asset through a refurbishment of existing space, improvement of sustainability credentials, accessibility and façade, and introduction of a restaurant space on ground floor. · The scheme targets BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings and prioritises the re-use of existing building elements to minimise environmental impact. Kajima Properties Europe (KPE), the European development, investment and asset management arm of the Nikkei-listed Kajima Corporation, has secured planning consent from Westminster City Council for the refurbishment of 27 Soho Square, a 31,000 sq ft Grade A office building located on one of central London’s most famous and historic squares. Designed by Gibson Thornley, the approved plans will upgrade the existing office space, modernise building systems, design and sustainability infrastructure to target BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. New features will include outdoor private terraces on 4th and 5th floors, ground floor and part basement commercial space, improved façade and street-level aesthetic, and enhanced streetscape activation through lightwells, railings and planters. There will also be creation of new occupier amenities including showers, changing areas and bike storage. 27 Soho Square is situated within the Soho Conservation Area and benefits from unrivalled transport connectivity, including proximity to the Elizabeth Line at Tottenham Court Road station. The asset forms part of KPE’s value-add workspace strategy to invest into dynamic London sub-market opportunities supported by robust occupational demand drivers. The planning approval for 27 Soho Square builds on KPE’s growing London workspace portfolio. The firm is advancing design plans for its 1 St John’s Square workspace project in Farringdon, working alongside Carter Gregson Gray architects. Acquired in November 2025, the scheme is expected to be submitted planning later this year. KPE also recently strengthened its workspace development team with the appointment of Ian Patillo, who joins as Senior Development Manager from Landsec. Tim James, Investment Director, said: “As occupier demands intensify, the refurbishment of 27 Soho Square will reposition the building as a high quality, highly desirable workspace in one of Central London’s most sought-after locations. The refurbishment will significantly enhance the occupier experience, address the building’s limitations and strengthen its connection to the character and vitality of Soho. This announcement represents an important step delivering our London value-add workspace strategy and creating a best-in-class asset with enduring occupier appeal.” Project Team: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones Strengthens UK BTR Portfolio with Two Major Scheme Completions
Watkin Jones has completed two major Build to Rent (BTR) developments during its 2026 financial year, marking further progress for the residential developer as it continues to deliver large-scale schemes despite challenging market conditions. The completions represent another important milestone for Watkin Jones, which has established a significant presence across the UK’s purpose-built rental and student accommodation sectors. Among the developer’s major BTR projects is Loftlines, a significant residential development that forms part of the wider regeneration of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The project demonstrates the scale and ambition of the purpose-built rental schemes now being delivered in major UK cities, combining new homes with the amenity-led approach increasingly associated with modern BTR development. Watkin Jones has also progressed its Tai Afon BTR development in Cardiff, adding further purpose-built rental accommodation to its portfolio and strengthening the company’s presence within the residential market. The latest completions arrive against a demanding backdrop for the UK development sector. Higher construction costs, financing pressures and changing investment conditions have all influenced the pace at which new residential projects can be funded and brought forward. Despite these challenges, BTR continues to represent an important area of activity within the UK housing market, supported by demand for professionally managed rental accommodation and continued institutional interest in residential property. For the wider construction and built environment industry, the delivery of major BTR developments also creates opportunities across a substantial supply chain. Large schemes require expertise spanning main contracting and structural construction through to façades, M&E services, fit-out, landscaping and public realm, before moving into long-term property and facilities management following completion. Watkin Jones’ latest progress therefore provides another indication of the continued evolution of the UK BTR sector, particularly in regional cities where large residential developments are increasingly becoming an important component of wider regeneration strategies. With two major BTR schemes reaching completion during FY26, Watkin Jones continues to demonstrate its ability to take substantial residential developments through construction and into operation while navigating a more challenging development and investment environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One Golden Lane launches to market, delivering 120,000 sq ft of premium office space
London based real estate investment firm Castleforge has launched One Golden Lane to market, its 120,000+ square feet of Grade A office redevelopment in the City of London. The milestone was marked with an event at One Golden Lane on 9 September 2026. Situated between the iconic Barbican Centre and Golden Lane estates, and four minutes from the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon, the building is now complete and available to occupiers. The completion comes at a demanding time for the City’s office market. With Grade A vacancy in prime City locations down to just 1.9%, occupiers are competing for a limited pool of best-in-class, well located spaces.[1] One Golden Lane responds to that demand with over 120,000 square feet of flexible, sustainable, modern office space across 12 storeys. The space includes 7,000 square feet of terraces and roof gardens designed by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist Andy Sturgeon, a statement double-height lobby and café, and 3,900 square feet of wellness and community space designed to support modern working patterns. Originally designed by Tate Britain architect Sidney Smith, the Grade II listed development retains its heritage features including the 1896 façade, with its upper storeys offering commanding views across the Barbican. Sustainability was designed into the scheme at the highest level. One Golden Lane retains 95% of the existing building and is the first London scheme to reuse over 5 tonnes of reclaimed steel from the same site. The development is targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification, with integrated urban greening throughout and 100% renewable energy powering operations. Beyond a workplace, One Golden Lane also delivers lasting social value. The building’s retained heritage space, once home to the renowned Cripplegate Institute, now houses the Proud Places Hub, a permanent creative and heritage skills space for young Londoners delivered in partnership with Heritage of London Trust. Michael Kovacs, Founding Partner of Castleforge, said: “One Golden Lane brings 120,000 square feet of best-in-class office space to a part of the City where demand for it far outstrips what is available. Sitting a stone’s throw from the Elizabeth line, it’s one of the best-connected buildings on the market right now. “Occupiers are competing hard for well located, sustainable buildings that meet their people’s expectations. Very little of this calibre is coming through, especially in a building that keeps the character of its heritage while working for the way people want to work today.” Matthew Reid, Head of Development and Asset Management at Castleforge, said: “Delivering a building of this quality within a Grade II listed structure has been a considerable undertaking. “The team has created a genuinely modern workplace without losing the character of the 1896 building, from the restored façade through to the terraces and roof gardens.” With City development starts falling sharply and only a handful of large Grade A options available in core locations, the supply of best-in-class space is set to tighten further. Just 21 Grade A options are available now or within the next six months for occupiers seeking 100,000 sq ft or more, against 41 active requirements of that size, and only five sit in core submarkets.[2] One Golden Lane forms part of Castleforge’s wider London pipeline, which alongside 75 London Wall, Mark Lane and Vintners Place represent more than 1m sq ft of prime office space within the City, one of the largest single-developer contributions to the City’s prime office supply. The development has been delivered by Castleforge’s in-house investment, development management team, with construction by Midgard and financing from Cheyne Capital and Apollo. [1] Savills, 6 August 2026: Central London Office Market Watch [2] Savills, 6 August 2026: Central London Office Market Q2 2026 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis completes major life sciences development at Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Prologis has completed 2000 Discovery Drive, a major new speculative life sciences development at Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the latest stage of long-term investment in the campus. Delivered as part of Phase 2 of Prologis’ expansion at Cambridge Biomedical Campus, 2000 Discovery Drive provides 112,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space across six floors of specialist life sciences facilities. This first completed building will form GSK’s new 300,00 sq ft R&D centre at Cambridge Biomedical Campus, focused on the company’s research in Oncology, Respiratory, Hepatology, Vaccines and HIV. Phase 2 represents an investment of $635m (£500m) by Prologis. The completion of 2000 Discovery Drive delivers of Prologis’ commitment to bring forward new infrastructure to support the continued growth of the campus. A semi-sunken CycleParc with a landscaped courtyard provides secure parking for 450 bicycles beneath biodiverse meadow space, forming part of the wider delivery of Phase 2 expansion. 2000 Discovery Drive was delivered with Prologis’ project and delivery partners. SDC acted as main contractor, with Scott Brownrigg as architect, Buro Four as project manager, AECOM as cost consultant, Bidwells as planning consultant, Hoare Lea as MEP and sustainability consultant, and Ramboll as structural engineer. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “When we committed to the next phase of Discovery Drive, we said we would invest in and deliver the specialist infrastructure needed to support the continued growth of Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The completion of 2000 Discovery Drive is that commitment becoming reality. “We took the decision to develop ahead of demand, and the fact that 2000 Discovery Drive will now form part of GSK’s new R&D centre shows why taking that long-term view mattered. This has been a significant project to deliver, and I want to recognise the partners and teams who have helped make it happen.” Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said: “The progress made at 2000 Discovery Drive over the last 18 months is exceptional. And now it’s expanding with both 3000 and 4000 Discovery Drive. “Prologis continue to bring together research, patient care, academia and industry to support the discovery and development of new medicines. And as they welcome GSK to this nearly completed building, they will be further supporting our Local Growth Plan.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£120bn Government FM Framework Sets Stage for Major Public Estate Contracts
Some of the UK’s biggest facilities management and building services contractors have secured positions on a new government framework valued at up to £120 billion, opening the door to a major pipeline of public estate work over the next eight years. The Government Commercial Agency framework, RM6378, is set to become a recommended procurement route for facilities management services across central government. It will also be available to local authorities, NHS organisations, police forces, fire and rescue services, education bodies and devolved administrations. Competition for the largest Total Facilities Management contracts has attracted many of the sector’s leading names. Eighteen businesses have been appointed to the highest-value lot, covering individual contracts worth more than £15 million annually. The successful firms include Amey, CBRE, Compass, Dalkia, Equans, G4S Facilities Management, ISS, JLL, Kier, Mitie, OCS, Robertson Facilities Management, Serco, Skanska, Sodexo, Vinci Facilities, Vivo Defence Services and Wates. For the construction and built environment industry, the framework also represents a substantial opportunity for contractors delivering hard FM, engineering, maintenance and asset management services across the public estate. Forty businesses have secured positions on the major Hard FM lot for contracts valued above £2 million per year. Among those appointed are Amey, BAM FM, CBRE, Dalkia, Equans, Galliford Try, Graham Asset Management, Kier, Mears, Mitie, NG Bailey, OCS, Robertson, Serco, Skanska, Vinci Facilities, Vivo and Wates. The framework has been structured to accommodate public sector estates and contracts of significantly different scales. Total FM is divided into three bands covering contracts worth up to £2 million annually, between £2 million and £15 million, and more than £15 million. Hard FM is split between contracts below and above £2 million a year. A core group of contractors has achieved particularly strong coverage across the framework. Fifteen firms secured places across all five Total FM and Hard FM lots: Amey, CBRE, Equans, ISS, JLL, Kier, Mitie, OCS, Robertson, Serco, Skanska, Sodexo, Vinci Facilities, Vivo Defence Services and Wates Property Services. A further group, including BAM FM, Dalkia Facilities, Galliford Try Facilities Management, Graham Asset Management and Mears FM, secured positions across four lots. The scale and duration of the framework make it an important development for the management and maintenance of the UK’s public buildings and infrastructure. Alongside day-to-day FM provision, major hard services contracts can encompass the engineering, maintenance and long-term performance of complex property portfolios. With public bodies continuing to face pressure to improve building efficiency, modernise ageing estates and manage assets more effectively, the framework provides a long-term procurement platform through which significant programmes of FM and building services work can be commissioned. The agreement is scheduled to operate for eight years, running through to August 2034, giving successful contractors access to what could become one of the most significant public sector facilities management pipelines in the UK. Main Total FM and Hard FM winners Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals