Sale of Asda distribution centre in Wigan completes for £14.235 million
Colliers represented Asda in the transaction The 322,198 sq ft warehouse, located on the Wheatlea Industrial Estate, is sold with full vacant possession. Prime Box will act as development manager and, together with JD.com, is looking to bring forward a full refurbishment of the asset. The deal forms part of Prime Box’s strategy to acquire and reposition assets across the UK. John Sullivan, director in the Industrial & Logistics team at Colliers, comments: “We are pleased to have disposed of the distribution centre for Asda as part of its rationalisation strategy. The North West continues to offer some of the best located warehouses for distribution across the UK and there’s a real depth of demand for value-add opportunities.” Rob Butterworth, Head of Estates at Asda, added: “Wigan has not been a part of our supply chain for a number of years and following the end of a tenancy last year, it made sense to release the property back to the market. We’re pleased to have worked with Colliers in the disposal of the site.” Rock Real Estate and ACRE Capital Real Estate advised Prime Box. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
British Antarctic Survey’s Discovery Building first in Antarctica to achieve Outstanding sustainability rating
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station has become the first building in Antarctica to achieve an Outstanding BREEAM accreditation, the UK’s highest standard in sustainable construction awarded to just 1% of accredited projects worldwide. The accolade has been awarded to the £100 million facility, designed and constructed as part of BAS‘ Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme and delivered in collaboration with BAS partners BAM UK & Ireland, Sweco, Ramboll, Hugh Broughton Architects, NORR and Turner & Townsend. Reaching a standard attained by fewer than one in a hundred buildings globally is a landmark moment for sustainable building, achieved in the Antarctic Peninsula where construction and operational challenges are unlike anywhere else on Earth. “This is a historic achievement,” said Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, who formally opened the building in January. “The Discovery Building is not just the largest UK construction project ever undertaken in Antarctica, it now has the highest level of UK sustainability accreditation. The rating reflects the dedication of everyone involved and our absolute commitment to polar science and operations which support our journey to net-zero.” The building is on track to reduce Rothera’s carbon emissions by 25%, cutting the station’s reliance on marine gas oil and consolidates many older buildings into one modern hub. The Discovery Building uses combined heat and power generators that recover waste heat from the gas exhaust and hot water jackets to warm the building. The building management system automates heating and ventilation to adjust to the number of rooms being used. External insulated wall panels retain heat and over 80 solar panels are installed on the north elevation of the building. The structure of the building itself ensures energy efficiency with its 90m spinal corridor, so teams can carry out their work and operations all in one place without opening external doors. A curved wind-deflector prevents snow accumulation around the building, reducing the fuel and time needed to clear it at the start of each summer season. Thoughtful design features, including the use of colour and multi-purpose spaces, also support the wellbeing of the researchers and support staff who live and work there in isolation for months at a time. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Discovery Building and the new site-wide services across Rothera is a centrepiece of the UK government’s £670 million Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, the largest government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s. The programme has already delivered the polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough, upgraded wharfs at Rothera and King Edward Point research stations, and an upgraded runway at Rothera. This investment reflects the UK’s long-term commitment to world-leading polar science and Britain’s enduring presence in Antarctica. The long-term monitoring conducted at Rothera, from ice sheet stability to marine ecosystems provides critical insights into global climate systems and ocean changes that affect people and communities far beyond the polar regions. Construction began in 2019 and is due for full completion this year.Take a video tour of the Discovery Building with Eliot Perez, Assistant Project Manager, Rothera Modernisation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Young people learn about careers in construction on visit to Bellway development near Newcastle
Bellway hosted a visit by a group of young people at its Newcastle headquarters to help promote awareness of career opportunities in the construction industry. The 19 students were given a tour of the Western Grange development in Killingworth and met Bellway staff at the company’s head office in Woolsington as part of a weeklong bootcamp organised by the non-profit academy Regeneration Brainery. The organisation aims to boost diversity in the property and regeneration sector by increasing job awareness and providing hands-on work experience opportunities for 14 to 21-year-olds thinking about a career in the industry. The group were hosted by Bellway on the third day of their five-day bootcamp on Wednesday 18 March. The day began with a visit to Bellway’s head office, where the students were given introductions to core parts of the business, such as commercial, architecture, construction, sales and marketing, and customer care. The group then took part in a construction team challenge featuring dominoes to bring it to life, which was followed by an interactive session where they were tasked with planning, analysing and pitching a potential land acquisition. In the afternoon, the students were taken to the nearby Western Grange development where they got to see homes at various stages of construction and take part in a bricklaying challenge. Laura Cooper, Head of Learning & Organisational Development at Bellway, said: “Faced with an increasing skills shortage, it’s absolutely vital for the construction industry to attract people from a diverse range of backgrounds, enabling it to draw on the widest pool of talent available. In order to do this, it must not only raise awareness about the variety of opportunities that exist but also to give young people first-hand experience of what these roles entail. “Regeneration Brainery aims to do exactly that, by connecting young people thinking about a career in construction to experienced professionals who can give them a valuable insight into what working in the industry is really like. We were really pleased to partner with this forward-thinking project and it was a pleasure to host the group of young people on the day. We hope they found the experience useful and that they now feel better informed about the range of exciting career opportunities that are open to them. “Partnering with organisations such as Regeneration Brainery complements the work we already doing to raise awareness of careers in construction through our ongoing outreach with schools and colleges in the areas around our developments. And, as a company, we are committed to increasing the ethnic and gender diversity of our workforce while continuing to provide opportunities for young people to enter the industry through our graduate and apprenticeship programmes.” More information about career opportunities with Bellway can be found at https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Great Places delivers new affordable homes at Park Hill – backed by Homes England
A major new phase of the regeneration of Park Hill in Sheffield will see 24% of homes delivered as affordable housing, following a new agreement between joint venture (JV) partners Urban Splash and Places for People and leading housing association Great Places Housing Group. The deal means that 30 of the 125 homes planned for Phase 4 at the iconic Grade II*-listed estate will be affordable. It builds on a longstanding partnership, with Great Places having previously delivered 96 homes in the first phase and working alongside Urban Splash for more than 20 years. Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, said: “This is a significant step forward for Park Hill and for Sheffield. We’re proud to be strengthening our long-standing partnership to deliver more high-quality, affordable homes in one of the UK’s most important regeneration projects. This investment will ensure more people can be part of Park Hill’s next chapter, in a community that continues to grow in strength and diversity.” The agreement is supported by funding from Homes England, which has backed Great Places’ acquisition of the homes, alongside its wider £6.4m investment into the development’s fourth phase that was announced by the JV in January. Work is set to begin this month, with the new phase also delivering enhanced public realm, EV charging points, car club facilities, and secure cycle storage. The new homes build on more than a decade of progress at Park Hill, where Urban Splash and Places for People have already delivered 455 homes, accommodation for 356 students, over 50,000 sq ft of commercial space, and extensive public realm improvements. Nilam Buchanan, Regional Managing Director for Central and North Developments at Places for People, added: “Park Hill is one of the UK’s most exciting regeneration stories, and throughout its redevelopment we have prioritised creating homes of mixed tenure – and are proud to bring in more affordable homes here. By working in partnership, we’re delivering a mix of homes and spaces that support a genuinely inclusive and sustainable community – one that reflects the character of Sheffield while looking firmly to the future.” Guy Ackernley is Managing Director of Development and Residential at Urban Splash and added: “Bringing forward more affordable homes at Park Hill is hugely important to us. This partnership ensures that the next phase continues to open up this iconic building to a wider range of residents, while maintaining the quality, design and sense of place that defines Park Hill today.” Urban Splash and Places for People will also deliver a fifth phase. Already consented, it will bring a further 105 homes, including apartments, duplexes, and townhouses, alongside new commercial space for independent businesses, adding to a growing community that includes South Street Kitchen, The Pearl, and Grace Owen Nursery. For further information and to register for details of the new homes visit: https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/regeneration/projects/park-hill Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills strengthens retail property management team with four senior hires
Savills has expanded its UK retail property management division with four new appointments, reinforcing its national capability as demand for specialist management expertise continues to grow. The firm has made strategic additions across key regional and central teams, bringing in experienced professionals to support its expanding portfolio of shopping centres and retail destinations. Katie Kelly has joined the Manchester office as an associate director, enhancing Savills’ presence across northern England. With more than 15 years’ experience in shopping centre management, she has previously held roles at major retail destinations including Liverpool ONE and Derbion in Derby. In London, Lana Hill has been appointed as an associate director at Savills’ Margaret Street headquarters. She joins from Lambert Smith Hampton, where she spent over nine years, and will focus on the operational and strategic management of the firm’s growing shopping centre portfolio. Philippa Spyvee has also joined as an associate director, bringing experience from Workman LLP, where she worked for more than six years. Her role will centre on supporting Savills’ retail portfolio, including both traditional shopping centres and outlet destinations. Completing the quartet of appointments is Hannah McInnes, who joins as an associate within the Glasgow property management team. She brings a blend of client-side and consultancy experience across the retail and leisure sectors, further strengthening Savills’ capabilities in Scotland. The appointments reflect continued momentum within Savills’ retail and leisure property management business, as the firm responds to an increase in new instructions and the evolving needs of clients. Richard Hulme, head of UK retail and leisure property management at Savills, said the expansion ensures the firm can continue to deliver a high level of service across its portfolio. He noted that the new hires bring valuable regional expertise and will support clients in driving long-term asset performance, underpinned by hands-on management and strong data-led insights. The latest hires highlight Savills’ ongoing investment in its retail platform, as the sector continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviour and operational demands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tishman Speyer targets Pall Mall revamp after landmark acquisition
Tishman Speyer is preparing a major refurbishment of 50 Pall Mall following its acquisition of the prime office building in the heart of St James’s, underlining its continued investment in central London. The nine-storey property, which offers 33,888 sq ft of Grade A office space, was acquired off-market from Lazari Investments, which had owned the asset since 2019. Currently around 87 per cent let, the building occupies a highly sought-after location close to Mayfair, Green Park and Piccadilly, with strong connectivity across multiple Underground lines. Originally constructed in 1913, the building has undergone several transformations, including a redevelopment in 1997 that retained its distinctive carved Portland stone façade, and a further upgrade in 2006 to bring it in line with Grade A office standards. Tishman Speyer now plans a comprehensive refurbishment to modernise the building and enhance its long-term appeal to occupiers. The proposals include a significant uplift in environmental performance, alongside improvements to internal amenities. Planned upgrades range from a redesigned entrance lobby to the introduction of a new roof terrace, reflecting growing demand for high-quality, experience-led workplaces in central London. The scheme will focus on repositioning the asset to meet modern ESG expectations, while maintaining the character of the historic structure. Efficient floorplates of around 4,000 sq ft are expected to be retained, offering flexible workspace suited to a range of occupiers. Martin Simonneau, managing director and regional director for Tishman Speyer UK, said the acquisition presents a rare opportunity to enhance a prime office building in one of the capital’s most prestigious locations. He added that the company intends to draw on its placemaking and development expertise to deliver best-in-class workspace, aligning with evolving occupier requirements around sustainability, amenity and design quality. The purchase of 50 Pall Mall further strengthens Tishman Speyer’s London portfolio and follows the completion of Angel Square in Islington in 2025. The developer is also progressing the large-scale redevelopment of Belvedere SW1, a 550,000 sq ft mixed-use campus in Victoria. The latest acquisition highlights ongoing confidence in prime London offices, particularly assets that can be repositioned through retrofit-led strategies to meet the next generation of workplace standards. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals