Planning milestone for Camden Film Quarter
Places for People (PfP), the UK’s leading social enterprise, has worked alongside partner Yoo Capital to submit a planning application to Camden Council to deliver hundreds of high-quality affordable homes as part of the transformative Camden Film Quarter development in Kentish Town. The submission marks a major milestone in the creation of a new neighbourhood where creativity, community and opportunity come together. Working in partnership with Yoo Capital, PfP will lead the delivery of 485 homes, with 50% designated as affordable. The proposals respond directly to feedback from local residents and community groups, with a focus on sustainability, inclusion, and long-term stewardship. The new homes will be energy-efficient, set within generous green spaces, and designed to foster a strong sense of community. Andrew Usher, Group Managing Director of Developments at Places for People comments: “Camden Film Quarter is set to become a landmark development for London and the next chapter in PfP’s placemaking journey. This flagship scheme builds on the success of our transformational projects across the UK such as Park Hill in Sheffield, Poundbury and EastWick & Sweetwater at the Olympic Park. This project is a bold vision for inclusive regeneration and long-term social value in the heart of London and something we are proud to be shaping.” Camden Film Quarter is a film-led, mixed-use regeneration project that will transform underused industrial land into a vibrant new district. Alongside new homes, the masterplan includes: The development is designed with a focus on circular economy principles, green mobility, and biodiversity. It will reconnect Kentish Town and Gospel Oak through new walkable routes and public spaces, stitching a previously inaccessible site back into Camden’s urban fabric. As with all developments, PfP is committed to delivering meaningful social value as part of the Camden Film Quarter and is actively engaging with local schools, charities, and residents to create opportunities that empower communities. Working alongside our partners, initiatives will include career inspiration events, targeted support for homelessness, scholarships, and educational outreach. During construction, a dedicated social value programme will offer volunteering, inclusive employment, student placements, and charity partnerships. Lloyd Lee, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Yoo Capital, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Places for People to deliver homes that are truly embedded within Camden Film Quarter’s creative vision of a genuine place to work, learn, live and play. Together, we’re creating a neighbourhood that brings together world-class studios, 50% affordable homes, and public spaces – a place that will inspire the next generation and ensure London remains a global leader in film, television, and design.” PfP has entered a partnership with architects, Broadway Malyan, to lead on the design of the site. The two sites — Inkerman Gardens and Heathgate — form key residential anchors within the emerging Camden Film Quarter masterplan. Their vision is to establish a distinctive new neighbourhood in a complex urban setting, combining ambitious architecture, generous public realm, and inclusive community design. Sally Lewis, Principal at Broadway Malyan commented: “This project has been an opportunity to demonstrate how innovative housing design can respond to a complex urban context while celebrating local character and providing genuine social value.” Pending planning approval, PfP will continue to work closely with Yoo Capital, Camden Council, local residents, and partners to ensure the delivery of homes and community benefits is shaped by the people who live and work in the borough. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colliers launches One London, a new dedicated service across the capital’s office and retail sectors
Colliers yesterday announced the launch of One London, a new integrated service uniting the firm’s retail and office expertise across the capital under a single, collaborative team. The 60-person dedicated team, led by Paul Souber, reflects the dynamism of one of the most unique real estate markets in the world. Across much of the capital, retail and offices are deeply interlinked, not only through real estate, but in how each drives the other’s success, with One London reflecting this at its core. One London brings together Colliers’ market-leading experts across; Retail, F&B, Capital Markets, Office Leasing, Tenant Representation and Strategy & Analytics. The leadership team comprises of: By combining specialist disciplines under one banner, clients benefit deep collaboration, unrivalled market intelligence, and a bespoke client centric approach driven by the wealth of knowledge on London’s unique submarkets. “London is a city of extraordinary complexity and opportunity. With One London, we are offering clients an agile, seamless service that matches the pace of the capital,” said Paul Souber, Head of One London. “Our team is embedded in London’s neighbourhoods, understanding what makes them tick, whilst benefitting hugely from the reach of a Colliers’ global network. It is this combination that enables us to deliver market leading advice and create long term value for our clients whilst helping to shape London’s future.” With its boutique advisory feel and place within a global brand, One London is designed to give clients sharper insights, empower decision making and creating a lasting presence in the capital. This is done by providing a dedicated, single point of contact that can advise on the full asset life cycle, be that for underwriting purchase, advising on strategic asset management plays, asset sales and a complete leasing service. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Klober marks 25 years of pioneering vapour permeable membrane
Leading manufacturer of roofing accessories, Klober, is celebrating 25 years of its Permo Forte 145 underlay, one of the first vapour permeable membranes to transform the UK roofing market. When launched back in the late 1990s, this type of vapour permeable membrane represented a turning point in roofing design. Permo Forte offered a breathable alternative to traditional bitumen felts, helping contractors tackle widespread condensation issues that had long affected roof performance and building longevity. Permo Forte 145 was BBA certified as a vapour permeable (Low Resistance) membrane as early as 2000. At a time when the market for this new technology was still in its infancy, this was a huge milestone, offering a certified solution designed to help let harmful water vapour escape from the roof. The pioneering technology includes a grid-reinforced, four-layer vapour permeable membrane, which gives it increased tensile strength to reduce the risk of accidental damage and nail tears. The membrane’s Low Resistance (LR) design also aids the ventilation process by allowing moisture to escape from roofspaces while preventing external water ingress. Its technical strength has underpinned its long-standing success, especially trusted for high-stakes restorations. The Church of All Saints in Winterton was a project of significant importance, with the Grade-1 listed building undergoing extensive, lottery-funded repairs. With a strong industry reputation, Permo Forte was specified for the project to provide a reliable and durable solution. Nick King, Portfolio Manager at Klober, said: “A heritage of invention, quality, and reliability has been the foundation of Permo Forte 145’s reputation and longevity. Originally designed to help tackle condensation, its strength and breathability also provide increased energy efficiency and strong wind protection, making it an ideal choice for roofing in the UK.” Suitable for cold and warm roofs, the Permo Forte 145 underlay is BBA approved. Additionally, all products supplied by Klober are covered by a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects. To find out more about Permo Forte 145 and its 25-year legacy, visit https://klober.co.uk/membranes/roof-membranes/p/forte-145 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tessera at 1 Fleet Place Secures Planning Permission Ahead of 2029 Completion
One Fleet Realty Ltd, a subsidiary of the Takenaka Corporation, together with Savills Development Management, has secured planning permission for Tessera, a landmark office development at 1 Fleet Place. Designed by renowned architects Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), the building is set to deliver 155,000 sq ft of premium office space in the heart of the City of London. The scheme represents a comprehensive redesign of the existing structure, with a focus on high-quality specification, sustainability, and tenant experience. Tessera will feature: Located at the convergence of Farringdon, Midtown, Blackfriars and St Paul’s, Tessera offers exceptional connectivity—within walking distance of multiple Underground lines, the Elizabeth Line, and Thameslink services. Sustainability is central to the design, with the development targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, NABERS 5* and EPC ‘A’ ratings. Takenaka is one of Japan’s leading engineering, construction and investment companies, with an extensive real estate portfolio spanning commercial, residential, and hotel assets across Asia, Europe, and the USA. Kat Norton, Director at Savills Development Management, commented: “Bringing Tessera to market marks a major milestone for both the building and the City. With limited new supply in the pipeline, demand for high-quality office space remains strong. Tessera’s location, scale and amenity offering make it an ideal choice for occupiers seeking a future-facing headquarters.” Savills and Cushman & Wakefield have been jointly appointed to lease the building, which is scheduled for completion in 2029. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester’s £100m science hub breaks ground in Knowledge Quarter
Morgan Sindall has started work on a flagship 217,000 sq ft science and innovation building at the heart of Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter. The £100m Plus Ultra Manchester scheme, led by Kadans Science Partner, sits within the Oxford Road Corridor and will act as the focal point of the wider £450m Upper Brook Street masterplan. That masterplan will deliver around 490,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, including laboratories, student accommodation and community facilities. Sustainability is a key feature of the project. The building will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Gold ratings. Plans include extensive rooftop solar panels, advanced building management systems and high-performance façades to minimise energy use. Morgan Sindall’s North West area director, Steven Gregory, said the scheme represents a major step forward in Manchester’s development as a leading centre for life sciences and innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Topping Out at 2000 Discovery Drive Marks Milestone for Life Sciences in Cambridge
Prologis UK and main contractor, SDC have marked a key construction milestone at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus today, with a Topping Out ceremony at 2000 Discovery Drive – the latest addition to Prologis’ growing life sciences presence on the campus. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Prologis UK, SDC and the wider project team and marked the placement of the final steel beam, which will be signed and commemorated with a memorial plaque. 2000 Discovery Drive follows the successful completion of 1000 Discovery Drive in 2024 – a project that has already attracted leading life sciences organisations to the campus. Most recently, the Cambridge University Hospital Trust’s relocated its Histopathology service to a newly commissioned lab, enhancing its diagnostic capability. Together, the two buildings form a vital part of Prologis UK’s long-term commitment to delivering modern, flexible space for the nation’s science and innovation sectors. The ceremony also reflects Prologis’ landmark £3 billion investment intentions at Cambridge Biomedical Campus which was announced in September. Andrew Blevins, Head of Life Sciences, Prologis UK: “Reaching this milestone at 2000 Discovery Drive is a testament to the exceptional quality of work delivered by SDC and our wider project team. With Discovery Drive now home to leading life sciences organisations, including the NHS, BioNTech and Abcam, our latest development builds on that momentum. With lab-enabled space completing in late 2026, it presents a rare opportunity for businesses looking to grow within the UK’s most dynamic life sciences research ecosystem.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals