£230m Farringdon Aparthotel Development Set to Transform Central London Site
Construction is set to begin on a major £230 million aparthotel development in Farringdon, central London, following the formation of a joint venture between European property developer Penta Real Estate and hospitality operator Staycity Group. The ambitious project will see the redevelopment of the existing Morley House site, close to Holborn Viaduct, into a new 11-storey aparthotel comprising 350 guest rooms. The development represents a substantial investment in London’s hospitality property sector, responding to continued demand for high-quality, flexible accommodation in well-connected central locations. Altius Real Estate has been appointed development manager and will oversee the project throughout its delivery. Major Hotel Development in Farringdon The scheme will involve the demolition of the existing office building at Morley House, clearing the way for the construction of a modern hospitality development. Once completed, the 11-storey building will provide 350 rooms operated by Staycity Group, expanding the company’s accommodation offering in the capital. The development will occupy a prominent location close to Holborn Viaduct, within easy reach of Farringdon’s commercial districts and transport connections. The project is expected to appeal to business travellers, tourists and visitors seeking flexible accommodation within central London. Construction is scheduled to commence following the demolition programme, with completion of the new building targeted for 2029. Penta Real Estate and Staycity Form New Partnership The development marks the first joint venture between Penta Real Estate and Staycity Group, bringing together the developer’s investment and property expertise with Staycity’s experience in operating aparthotel accommodation. Penta Real Estate has identified London as an important market for future investment, with the Farringdon project forming part of its ambitions to deliver high-quality developments in established urban locations. Pavel Streblov, Country Managing Director at Penta Real Estate, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the appeal of the location. “This is a really exciting project in a lively and dynamic part of London,” he said. “Staycity Group has a great track record of delivering and operating attractive aparthotel accommodation to meet strong and growing demand in central London and we are looking forward to embarking on this first JV with the brand.” Streblov also emphasised Penta’s appetite for further investment in the capital. “At Penta, we have significant investment appetite for London and delivering high-quality, sustainable and thoughtful development projects in vibrant locations such as Farringdon truly plays to our strengths.” New Opportunities for London’s Construction Sector The £230 million redevelopment represents a significant opportunity for the construction and specialist building services industries. Transforming the existing commercial site into an 11-storey hospitality building will require extensive demolition, structural construction, mechanical and electrical installations and specialist interior fit-out works. The scheme also highlights the continued redevelopment of ageing commercial properties in central London, where established office sites are being reconsidered for alternative uses, including hotels and serviced accommodation. For developers and investors, aparthotels provide an alternative hospitality format, combining elements of traditional hotel accommodation with the flexibility associated with serviced apartments. The Farringdon project will add further accommodation capacity to London’s hospitality market while contributing to the ongoing transformation of the surrounding commercial district. With demolition and main construction activity set to progress, the development represents another substantial addition to the capital’s hotel construction pipeline. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the new 350-room aparthotel will establish a significant new hospitality destination near Holborn Viaduct, while marking the beginning of a new development partnership between Penta Real Estate and Staycity Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New procurement framework worth £1 billion to support construction and management of Scotland’s public buildings
SCOTLAND’S public bodies can access a major new procurement framework designed to help public bodies deliver construction, refurbishment, infrastructure and facilities management services more efficiently and with greater confidence. The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) has launched PB4 which provides a compliant procurement route designed to simplify the delivery of £1 billion worth of building and infrastructure projects while maintaining quality, value and governance. It will support organisations in maximising public investment, improving estate performance and delivering projects that contribute to long-term community, sustainability and service objectives. The framework is structured across five workstreams covering new build construction, refurbishment, civil infrastructure and facilities management. It offers a flexible solution capable of supporting everything from major regeneration and estate modernisation programmes to ongoing maintenance, compliance requirements and wider operational asset management. For the first time, construction, refurbishment, civil infrastructure and facilities management services have been brought together within a single framework, enabling public bodies to access a broader range of specialist expertise through one procurement solution and manage projects more effectively throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets. This includes supporting the transition of buildings and infrastructure from expiring finance arrangements into long-term operational management. The launch comes at a time when public sector organisations across Scotland are seeking to balance investment in new and existing assets with the need to improve energy performance, meet net zero ambitions and maintain operational resilience. With significant investment requirements across the public estate, access to efficient, compliant and high-quality procurement routes remains critical to successful project delivery. Lesley Peaty, Regional Director of the Scottish Procurement Alliance, said: “Public sector organisations need procurement routes that can support the full life of an estate, from creating new buildings to maintaining the fabric and technical systems that keep essential services running. “PB4 gives our partners access to a flexible solution covering new construction, major refurbishment, infrastructure and hard facilities management within one compliant framework. “By bringing these services together, organisations can procure work more efficiently, respond to changing needs and focus public investment on creating and maintaining safe, sustainable buildings for the people who rely on them every day.” PB4 has been designed for organisations across local government, education, healthcare, defence and the emergency services, enabling them to procure and deliver projects more efficiently while minimising disruption to service users and maintaining operational continuity. The new framework responds to growing demand for procurement solutions that enable projects to be delivered quicker to maximise available government funding, helping organisations avoid delays that could jeopardise investment. Appointed companies will be expected to work with SPA and public bodies to identify, deliver and capture social value outcomes associated with each project. Community benefits will be expected to align with the relevant social value strategy, be proportionate to the contract value and provide meaningful benefits for residents and the wider community. The framework’s priorities include connected and inclusive communities, enhanced community spaces, increased use of community facilities and upskilling and training, supporting its strategic focus on individual wellbeing, planet and environment and social mobility. Where social value requirements have not already been set, appointed companies will be expected to raise this with the client and jointly identify opportunities to deliver additional value. The SPA is one of Scotland’s largest free to join procurement organisation serving Scotland’s public sector, supporting more than 145 organisations with compliant and localised procurement solutions for construction, refurbishment, compliance, consultancy and maintenance projects. Further information about the PB4 framework is available at www.scottishprocurement.scot Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills Earth Capital Advisors advises Anglo Renewables on sale of 18MW consented solar scheme in Cheshire
Savills Earth Capital Advisors (“SECA”) has advised Anglo Renewables on the sale of Hebden Green, a fully consented 18MW solar project in Winsford, Cheshire, to Enviromena for an undisclosed sum. The project is expected to connect to the grid in December 2027. Once operational, it has the potential to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 5,500 homes each year, while offsetting around 9,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. In addition to the installation of solar panels, the scheme includes a range of biodiversity and landscape enhancement measures, designed to support local habitats and deliver environmental benefits alongside the generation of renewable energy. Henry Grant, Director, Savills Earth Capital Advisors, comments, “We are pleased to have supported Anglo Renewables on another successful transaction, following our sale of Rock Farm to Enviromena last summer. Hebden Green is an example of a renewable energy project supporting the UK’s transition to a low carbon energy system, and we look forward to seeing it move into construction shortly. Investor appetite for consented solar assets remains strong, as projects of this nature continue to play a critical role in delivering clean energy infrastructure across the UK.” James Stone, Managing Director at Anglo Renewables, said: “We’re pleased to have completed the sale of Hebden Green to Enviromena, building on our successful partnership on Rock Farm. We look forward to seeing Hebden Green progress into construction and make a positive contribution to the UK’s renewable energy capacity.” Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, said: “Hebden Green is a high-quality, well-developed project that further strengthens our construction pipeline for 2027 and supports our continued growth as an owner and operator of solar assets across the UK. “We highly value the relationship we’ve built with Anglo Renewables through the acquisition and delivery of Rock Farm, and we’re delighted to be continuing that partnership through Hebden Green. We look forward to bringing the project into construction and delivering both clean energy and lasting benefits for the local community. Thank you to Savills and all the teams which supported on this transaction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Teesworks land deal paves the way for UK’s largest substation
Deal completed with National Grid Electricity Transmission secures 73.3 acres at Dorman Point Teesworks has completed a deal with National Grid Electricity Transmission for the purchase of 73.3 acres of land at Dorman Point, paving the way for the development of what is expected to be the UK’s largest substation. The agreement was reached 28th October 2026, marking a significant milestone in plans to deliver major new electricity infrastructure at Teesworks and support the Tees Valley’s growing industrial and clean energy ambitions. Chris Musgrave OBE, chairman of Teesworks Ltd, said: “Agreeing this deal with National Grid is a significant milestone for Teesworks and reflects the scale of the opportunity here at the Teesworks site. Making this land available for what is expected to be the UK’s largest substation is an important step in putting the infrastructure in place to support the next phase of industrial development across the site. “Our focus now is on delivering the remediation works and preparing the land for handover, helping to ensure Teesworks is ready to support the energy needs of major businesses and industries for years to come.” Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Everyone who’s tried to build a data centre or large-scale advanced manufacturing, technological or energy-intensive industrial developments in this country knows the biggest problem is getting enough power to the site quickly. “Having a contracted 1.44GW capacity, with further expansion up to 3.2GW in the near future, means we can finally compete for those projects. “If Britain is serious about having its own AI capability and other advanced manufacturing technologies, with sensitive data stored safely on British soil, it needs somewhere to physically put it, and I’d much rather that was Teesside than Texas or Abu Dhabi. “Full credit to Steel River Power, Iberdrola, Teesworks and National Grid for getting it over the line, and I’ve no doubt it’ll mean thousands of good jobs for local people over the next few years.” Teesworks is now progressing remediation works across the 73.3-acre site over the next six months, preparing the land for National Grid Electricity Transmission ahead of the next stage of development. Matt Pearce, National Grid Head of Land, said “Securing this land agreement is an important step forward in the development of the new substation. “It reflects the constructive work between all those involved to enable this vital infrastructure which is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest upgrade of the electricity grid in generations, and will support the growth of AI and digital technologies and enable the region’s next phase of industrial and economic development. “We are committed to working closely with our partners to progress the development as quickly as possible.” The site will accommodate Teesside Node A, the major new substation that will be delivered by National Grid’s contractor, Balfour Beatty and from which National Grid will provide Steel River Power an additional 1.44GW (equivalent to the same amount of power as Greater Manchester and Glasgow combined). The land sits directly beneath both 275kV and 400kV overhead electricity transmission lines, providing a strategically positioned location for the new infrastructure. The substation’s initial 1,440 MVA capacity is scheduled to come online by the end of 2029, providing a major boost to electricity infrastructure at Teesworks. The capacity is contracted to Steel River Power (SRP), which owns and operates the private electricity network across the estate. SRP’s existing network has a capacity of 360 MVA, with 200 MVA currently available to support businesses and projects at Teesworks. The company has been contracted with National Grid since 2024 for an additional 1,440 MVA to meet the estate’s known future energy demand requirements as industrial development continues. SRP is a joint venture between Steel River Energy Limited and North West Electricity Networks, part of the ScottishPower/Iberdrola group. David Smith, chair of the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC), said: “This agreement is an important step forward for the site. “Having spent almost two decades working in the sector, I know how important access to power is in turning development ambitions into reality. “For potential investors, having confidence that the energy infrastructure will be there to support their plans is crucial. “This agreement is a real boost to our ability to attract future investment and move towards the development corporation’s long-term aims: bringing land back into productive use, creating opportunities for local people and ensuring the whole area benefits from regeneration for decades to come.” This land deal marks the start of a new chapter for Teesside. By paving the way for the power needed to attract major investment in AI, data centres, advanced technologies and wider energy-intensive industries, it helps kick-start the region’s next phase of industrial growth. Teesside’s steelmaking and heavy industry helped build the country. Now the region has the opportunity to power the next industrial revolution. The prize is a new generation of skilled jobs, opportunities for local businesses and lasting economic benefits for communities across Teesside. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Infrastructure Leads Launch of New BEAMA Infrastructure Services Group
United Infrastructure is the founding company supporting the launch of the new Electricity Network Infrastructure (ENI) Services Group within BEAMA. The new industry initiative has been established by BEAMA to represent those working in civil engineering, construction, design, specification and wider services. Formally launched on October 29 2026, the new group creates the first dedicated industry forum supported by BEAMA that will focus on the needs of the companies responsible for delivering the UK’s critical national electricity infrastructure. The launch follows the publication of the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan on 20 October 2026, developed by BEAMA and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) over more than a year of collaboration. The Plan sets out how network operators are investing £181bn in Great Britain’s electricity networks by 2035, and identifies key actions the industry will take to support more than 210,000 jobs and unlock £58bn for the UK economy. To implement the Plan, BEAMA and the ENA have set up the Electricity Networks Growth Partnership. Overseen by an independent Chair, the Partnership will include dedicated sub-groups driving cross-sector action on supply chains and skills. Through the new Group, services companies delivering grid infrastructure can take part directly in the Partnership, so that those at the front line of delivery help shape the actions the Plan requires. Griff Thomas, Executive Director of Energy Transition and External Affairs at United Infrastructure and Chair of the ENI Services Group, said: “Bringing a contractors perspective to the wider sector is critical to ensure that we make it as efficient as possible to deliver the infrastructure revolution that the UK is going through, by bringing together leading infrastructure delivery partners across the UK we will form a single united voice ensuring we shape policy and regulation rather than just be on the receiving end of it. The Sector growth plan for Electricity Networks gives us a springboard to demonstrate how we can bring delivery parters together to deliver on its recommendations, but the group will also cover wider infrastructure delivery across multiple disciplines” Yselkla Farmer, CEO of BEAMA, said: “This is the largest electricity network upgrade in a generation, and the scale is unprecedented. With the launch of the Electricity Networks Sector Growth Plan, we now embark on an ambitious programme of work that requires decisive action and collaboration. Bringing together the full supply chain, from manufacturing and systems design to services and delivery, is essential.” “There are huge benefits for the power grid infrastructure services industry in having a dedicated representative trade body at a time of such significant market change. BEAMA already has strong representation across other key markets including construction and transport. I am excited about the work we can now take forward with the new members joining us, as part of this historic move to expand our scope. We’re delighted to welcome United Infrastructure, Balfour Beatty and MGroup, and we’d encourage other firms to join them.” As one of the UK’s leading infrastructure solutions providers, United Infrastructure has played an instrumental role in supporting the establishment of the new group and broadening BEAMA’s representation across the sector. BEAMA, the UK’s leading trade association for manufacturers and suppliers of energy infrastructure technologies, has identified a growing need for stronger engagement with infrastructure service providers as investment accelerates. The Group will enable members to work with key partners in the energy policy space: The launch comes as Government and industry stakeholders place increasing emphasis on addressing skills shortages and expanding workforce capacity to support accelerated electricity network deployment. Through the Group, members will work collectively on workforce challenges, training initiatives, apprenticeships and industry engagement programmes designed to help meet the demands of the UK’s clean energy transition. As the UK accelerates the expansion of its electricity networks to support economic growth, strengthen energy security and deliver its net zero ambitions, the launch of the Infrastructure Services Group marks a significant milestone for the sector. For more information on joining the Electricity Networks Infrastructure Services Group, please visit the United Infrastructure website, or visit the BEAMA website for further information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canary Wharf Group Secures Approval for Major Office Transformation at 10 Cabot Square
Canary Wharf Group has secured planning permission for a major refurbishment and redevelopment of 10 Cabot Square in London’s Docklands, paving the way for an extensive office retrofit that will introduce additional workspace, a new façade and rooftop terraces. Tower Hamlets Council formally approved the proposals on 30 October, allowing the developer to progress plans to modernise the existing commercial building while retaining much of its original structural framework. Designed by architectural practice Howells, the project represents a significant investment in the future of Canary Wharf’s office estate, responding to growing demand for high-quality, modern and more sustainable workplaces. Major Retrofit and Office Expansion The redevelopment will involve a comprehensive transformation of the existing office building, including partial demolition, extensive internal alterations and the complete replacement of its façade. One of the most significant elements of the scheme will be the removal of existing rooftop plant equipment to accommodate two additional floors of office accommodation, increasing the building’s usable commercial space. The project will also see existing floorplates cut back to improve natural daylight throughout the building, creating brighter and more attractive working environments. A redesigned building profile will incorporate new south-facing terraces, introducing external amenity spaces for occupiers and improving the overall workplace offering. These changes are intended to reposition 10 Cabot Square as a modern commercial property capable of meeting evolving occupier expectations. Retaining Existing Structures to Reduce Construction Impact A central feature of the redevelopment is its extensive reuse of the existing building structure. Rather than undertaking a complete demolition and rebuild, the scheme will retain the building’s foundations, structural frame, basement, service yard and existing lift and stair cores. This approach will significantly reduce the amount of new structural construction required, while helping to limit demolition waste and the demand for additional building materials. The decision to retain substantial elements of the original structure reflects the increasing importance of refurbishment and adaptive reuse within the UK commercial property sector. For developers and property owners, deep retrofit projects can provide opportunities to modernise ageing office buildings while reducing the embodied carbon associated with replacing major structural components. The 10 Cabot Square scheme demonstrates how existing commercial properties can be substantially transformed through architectural redesign, improved building services and the introduction of additional floorspace. Supporting Canary Wharf’s Office Modernisation Strategy The redevelopment forms part of Canary Wharf Group’s wider programme to upgrade and reposition its commercial property portfolio. As businesses increasingly prioritise modern workplaces, environmental performance and employee wellbeing, landlords are investing in improvements that enhance the quality and flexibility of existing office accommodation. The transformation of 10 Cabot Square will combine new architectural features with upgraded internal environments, helping the building compete within London’s evolving office market. The introduction of outdoor terraces and improved natural daylight will also respond to occupier demand for workplaces offering greater comfort, flexibility and access to external spaces. Construction Could Begin in 2027 Canary Wharf Group has previously indicated that construction works could commence in 2027, although a confirmed start date has not yet been announced. Canary Wharf Contractors prepared construction and logistics documentation as part of the planning process, but the appointment of a main contractor has not been publicly confirmed. The project is expected to require significant expertise across structural alterations, façade engineering, mechanical and electrical services, commercial fit-out and complex construction logistics. For the wider construction industry, the redevelopment represents another substantial opportunity within London’s office refurbishment market, where major property owners are increasingly choosing to upgrade existing buildings rather than replace them entirely. With planning approval now secured, the transformation of 10 Cabot Square marks an important step in Canary Wharf Group’s continued investment in its commercial estate. The completed development will deliver an extensively modernised office building with additional accommodation, improved daylight and new outdoor spaces, reinforcing Canary Wharf’s position as a major business destination while demonstrating the potential of large-scale office retrofitting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals