Reapit celebrates nine years of ESTAS success
Customers have once again put Reapit at the top of the industry at the ESTAS, the UK’s largest residential property awards, with its automated client accounting solution, PayProp, among the night’s big winners. PayProp was named Best in Sector – Payment Services again in 2026, extending its extraordinary run to nine consecutive ESTAS titles. Unlike many industry awards, ESTAS winners are determined by verified customer reviews collected throughout the year. For Reapit, the awards represent recognition from the people who use its technology every day. Nine years at the top Nine consecutive ESTAS victories is a milestone few PropTechs can claim. For Reapit’s PayProp client accounting platform, it reflects a continued focus on helping letting agents reduce manual payment admin, protect client money and operate more efficiently. In a sector facing growing operational and regulatory pressures, agents continue to rely on the PayProp platform to automate one of the most important functions within their business. The industry’s biggest celebration As the headline partner of the ESTAS Awards, Reapit also welcomed customers and industry leaders to the event, hosting three VIP tables during one of the property sector’s biggest annual gatherings. The evening brought together agents, suppliers and industry experts from across the sector and highlighted the important role customer feedback continues to play in shaping products, services and standards across the industry. “First and foremost, thank you to our customers. Awards decided by industry panels are always welcome, but recognition from the people who use your technology every day carries a different weight,” said Steve Richmond, Reapit’s General Manager. “For our PayProp platform to secure a ninth consecutive ESTAS title is an incredible achievement and a reflection of the consistency, expertise and commitment of our team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Avove begins work on Northumbrian Water’s £13 million pipeline scheme
Avove has commenced work on a £13 million scheme for Northumbrian Water that will support environmental improvements across the North East. The project comprises a new 3.5km pipeline linking Northumbrian Water’s Sedgeletch Sewage Treatment Works, between Bournmoor and New Herrington, to the River Wear. The scheme includes a new pumping station within the treatment works, underground pipework and a new treated water discharge point at the river. Once complete, the new pipeline will transfer treated water that is currently discharged into the Herrington Burn to the River Wear. Moving the discharge point will help protect the burn, while the larger river will provide greater dilution and dispersion as the treated water returns to the environment. The scheme will integrate new civil, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, including pumping, transfer and outfall assets, creating a modern and resilient effluent transfer route designed to support long-term environmental compliance and reliable operation of the treatment works. Construction is expected to be completed in March 2027. The project represents the first of three planned environmental improvement projects in the area as part of Northumbrian Water’s wider investment programme. Colin Butler, Framework Director at Avove, said: “As Northumbrian Water’s delivery partner, we are proud to be delivering a project that will provide long-term environmental benefits for local communities and watercourses. “Drawing on our expertise in water infrastructure, the scheme will deliver a new pumping station, pipeline and discharge point that supports Northumbrian Water’s wider programme of environmental investment. We look forward to working closely with the local community and stakeholders as construction progresses.” Christopher Bond, Project Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: “This work in the Sedgeletch area is part of a £1.7bn investment in work that will benefit the environment, being carried out across a five-year period to 2030. Local projects like this all come together to make a big difference for our region and we know they are important to communities across the North East.” The project forms part of Avove’s ongoing partnership with Northumbrian Water to deliver infrastructure improvements that protect the environment and enhance water quality for local communities and waterways. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Reynaers shortlisted in two categories at the G-Awards
Reynaers Aluminium UK has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s prestigious G-Awards, recognising both the innovative projects its systems help deliver and the support it provides to customers. Reynaers has been recognised in the G Awards shortlist in the Commercial Project of the Year category for its involvement in the landmark Greenheys life science building, and for Sales & Marketing Initiative of the Year, for its Building Safety Act Campaign. Working closely with long-standing partner RED Systems, Reynaers provided approximately 5,000m2 of its ConceptWall 50 (CW 50) curtain walling for the £60m Greenheys development at Manchester Science Park. The six-storey, 131,000 sq ft building is the new headquarters for UK Biobank and the most scientifically capable building in Bruntwood SciTech’s portfolio. Designed by BDP and delivered by contractor Willmott Dixon, the building features a full wrap-around curtain wall with curved-on-plan glazing, an anodised finishes and bespoke vertical and horizontal feature fins. Reynaers’ Building Safety Act campaign – Compliance from the Ground Up – was launched to support architects, specifiers and fabricators in navigating regulatory change from concept through to completion. At the centre of the campaign is Reynaers’ RIBA-accredited CPD: Mastering the Building Safety Act that has reached more than 1,000 architects to date. Reynaers also became a GQA-accredited training centre and introduced DigiTrace product passports to provide transparent and traceable information. Samantha Hill, Head of Marketing at Reynaers Aluminium UK, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted in two categories at this year’s G-Awards, recognising both the projects our systems helped to deliver and the support we provide to customers. “Greenheys shows what is possible when a system supplier, fabricator and project team work together from the earliest stages and Compliance from the Ground Up reflects our decision to invest in expertise, education and practical support at a time when the industry has faced real pressure and change. I’d like to thank the G-Awards team and wish everyone shortlisted the very best of luck.” Now in its 22nd year, the G-Awards are a leading accolade in the glass and glazing industry, recognising innovation and excellence across 14 categories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday 27 November 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glenbrook Secures Gateway 2 Approval for Landmark 44-Storey Manchester Tower as Domis Prepares for Construction
Developer Glenbrook has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for its landmark 44-storey residential tower in Manchester, clearing a major regulatory hurdle and paving the way for Domis to commence construction in 2027. The 364-home development on Whitworth Street West, close to Deansgate station, has now secured planning permission, funding and the necessary building safety approval, providing a clear route towards delivering one of the latest additions to Manchester’s rapidly evolving skyline. Designed by architectural practice Sheppard Robson, the scheme will become Glenbrook’s tallest development to date and represents a significant addition to the company’s expanding residential portfolio across Greater Manchester. The project has also received an important financial boost, with Glenbrook securing £17 million from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to address a development viability gap and help bring the scheme forward. The funding support highlights the challenges facing major residential developments, particularly high-rise projects where construction costs, regulatory requirements and financial viability continue to influence delivery programmes. With Gateway 2 approval now secured, the project can progress towards its construction phase, with Domis lined up to deliver the development. The 44-storey tower will provide 364 new homes alongside residential amenity facilities and improvements to the surrounding public realm, contributing to the continued regeneration of Manchester’s southern city centre. Its location close to Deansgate railway station and the Metrolink network places the development within one of Manchester’s best-connected residential and commercial districts, providing convenient access to employment, retail, leisure and hospitality destinations. The scheme will also contribute to the ongoing transformation of the area surrounding Whitworth Street West, where residential development continues to reshape former commercial and underutilised urban sites. Securing Gateway 2 approval represents a particularly important milestone under the Building Safety Act framework, which requires higher-risk residential buildings to receive regulatory approval before relevant construction work can begin. The process involves detailed scrutiny of building designs and safety arrangements, placing greater responsibility on developers, contractors and design teams to demonstrate compliance before progressing to the construction stage. Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, welcomed the approval and emphasised the importance of building safety throughout the project. “Health and safety is of paramount importance to Glenbrook and securing Gateway 2 approval represents a crucial milestone for Whitworth Street West, our tallest building to date,” he said. “The approval reflects the significant work undertaken by our team and project partners to progress the scheme through the BSR’s rigorous approvals process.” Roberts added that the milestone provides the confidence needed to advance the development towards construction. “We can now move into the next phase of delivery as we work towards bringing this landmark development forward and making a start on site in 2027.” The Whitworth Street West project will further strengthen Glenbrook’s presence in Greater Manchester, where its residential portfolio already includes Vox, Trilogy, High Definition, Duet and Lumina Village. The developer has established a growing track record of delivering residential schemes across the region, contributing to the expansion of Manchester’s urban housing market and the creation of new city centre neighbourhoods. For Domis, the anticipated construction appointment would represent another substantial high-rise residential project in Manchester, with the 44-storey building adding to the pipeline of major developments planned across the city. The project also reflects the continued importance of public and private sector collaboration in unlocking residential investment, with the £17 million Good Growth Fund contribution helping overcome financial barriers that might otherwise delay delivery. With the key regulatory and financial requirements now in place, attention will turn towards construction mobilisation and the planned 2027 start on site. Once delivered, the development will provide 364 additional homes within central Manchester, reinforcing the city’s ongoing residential growth and adding a prominent new landmark to its skyline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Group Steps In to Complete £50m Landmark London Office Retrofit Following Ardmore Collapse
RED Group has been appointed to complete the £50 million transformation of 5 Chancery Lane in central London, providing a major boost to the landmark office refurbishment following the collapse of original main contractor Ardmore Construction Group. The appointment by developer LS Estates will see RED Group’s London division take responsibility for delivering the remaining construction works, with completion now targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The project, located in one of the capital’s established commercial districts, represents a significant investment in the refurbishment and repositioning of existing office accommodation, responding to continued demand for high-quality, sustainable workplaces in central London. Ardmore Construction Group originally commenced work on the development in early 2024, but construction was brought to a halt when the contractor entered administration in June. The interruption created uncertainty around the delivery programme, making the appointment of a replacement contractor an important milestone in bringing the redevelopment back on track. RED Group will now oversee the remaining construction activities, working alongside LS Estates and the existing project supply chain to progress the scheme towards completion. The contractor’s appointment reflects the growing importance of experience, financial stability and effective project management when taking over complex refurbishment schemes, particularly where construction has already commenced under a previous contractor. Ian Hopkinson, Group Director at RED Group, highlighted the challenges involved in restarting a major commercial redevelopment and the importance of maintaining continuity for the wider project team. “A refurbishment of this size and importance requires vast experience and the ability to quickly onboard for the benefit of the project’s supply chain and eventual occupier,” he said. “This appointment showcases our capabilities, as a stable, collaborative contractor well-positioned to take on complex schemes and provide important solutions for clients.” For LS Estates, the redevelopment remains an important part of its strategy to deliver modern, sustainable commercial accommodation while retaining the architectural character and heritage of existing London buildings. The transformation of 5 Chancery Lane also reflects the wider shift within the capital’s office development market towards upgrading and repositioning existing assets rather than relying exclusively on new-build construction. Across central London, major refurbishment and retrofit programmes are increasingly being driven by occupier expectations surrounding environmental performance, workplace quality, energy efficiency and long-term building flexibility. These considerations are particularly relevant for older commercial properties, where investment in modernisation can help extend building lifecycles and strengthen their appeal within an increasingly competitive office market. Rowan Jenkins, Managing Director at LS Estates, reaffirmed the developer’s commitment to completing the project and delivering a sustainable workplace. “LS Estates remain firmly committed to delivering 5 Chancery Lane as a sustainable office building that meets the strong demand in London’s office market,” he said. “As demand for market-leading workspaces in the capital continues to grow, it remains crucial to prioritise upgrades which maintain cultural heritage and lead on sustainability.” Jenkins added that RED Group’s appointment provided renewed confidence in the project’s delivery, with the developer looking forward to working closely with the contractor to bring the building back into use during 2027. The scheme also demonstrates the importance of maintaining investment in London’s existing commercial building stock, particularly as developers and property owners seek to improve asset performance and respond to evolving sustainability requirements. For RED Group, the contract represents a significant addition to its London construction portfolio and an opportunity to demonstrate its expertise in delivering complex refurbishment projects under challenging circumstances. With a new main contractor appointed and the development programme refocused, the £50 million transformation of 5 Chancery Lane is now moving towards its anticipated completion in early 2027, delivering another upgraded commercial property within London’s prime office market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AAG takes out entire 710,000 sq ft Panattoni Park Rotherham
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has completed the letting of Panattoni Park Rotherham after Alliance Automotive Group (“AAG”) agreed a long term lease on the final 80,870 sq ft unit at the development. AAG, which already occupies the neighbouring 630,000 sq ft facility, will now occupy the entirety of the 710,870 sq ft park. The additional space supports the continued expansion of its regional and national distribution operations and the consolidation of other facilities to drive greater operational efficiency. AAG is a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to the independent automotive aftermarket across the UK and Europe. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, the largest worldwide automotive parts distributor with Activities in North America, Europe and Australasia. Located immediately adjacent to Junction 1 of the M18 and within easy reach of the M1/M18 interchange, Panattoni Park Rotherham provides direct access to the wider South Yorkshire and national motorway networks. Rotherham 80 comprises 75,394 sq ft of warehouse accommodation and 5,476 sq ft of offices. The building has a 12.5 metre clear internal height, a 48 metre yard, four dock doors, four level access doors, and 750 KVA of power. It has achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating. Scott Meakin, Development Surveyor at Panattoni, said: “AAG taking the final unit is a strong conclusion to the development at Panattoni Park Rotherham. Having initially committed to the adjacent 630,000 sq ft building, their decision to expand into Rotherham 80 means AAG will now occupy the entire park. This reflects the continued growth of its UK operations, giving the business the scale and flexibility to support rising order volumnes and deliver faster service to its customers across the UK. “One of the strengths of our development platform is our ability to deliver across both the mid-box and big-box sectors. This gives our customers the opportunity to grow within the Panattoni portfolio as their requirements evolve, whether through larger facilities, additional neighbouring space, or a combination of the two. “We remain committed to developing a range of unit sizes in the UK’s strongest logistics locations, giving occupiers the flexibility to expand, consolidate, and adapt their property requirements as their businesses grow.” Steve Richardson, Managing Director AAG Group UK & Ireland, said: “AAG are pleased to have worked with Panattoni to expand our presence at the Rotherham location, securing additional capacity for the continued growth of our distribution operations. Taking the full campus helps us further strengthen our network efficiency and expands our future growth capabilities. “Most importantly, this investment reinforces our commitment to customers. By increasing capacity and streamlining our distribution network, we will be better positioned to offer market leading product availability, support dependable deliveries and provide the high level of service our customers rely on.” The letting comes as Panattoni continues to expand its speculative development programme across the UK, targeting both large-scale logistics facilities and mid-box units in locations where it sees sustained occupier demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals