External photograph of The Tea Factory, the new fit for purpose home of the BBC in Birmingham.
Property developer Stoford has completed the first stage of the Typhoo Wharf development with the transformation of The Tea Factory into the new sustainable, fit for purpose home of the BBC in Birmingham. The BBC and its contractors will now complete an internal fit out of the building, which is due to open in 2027. The broadcast centre is the culmination of several years’ work to revitalise the historic former Typhoo Tea factory on Bordesley Street in Digbeth. Funded by Aviva Investors on behalf of its Lime Property Fund, The Tea Factory was developed by Stoford in partnership with The Gooch Estate, alongside support from Birmingham City Council. Built by main contractor, BAM, the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ development preserves the heritage of the original 1930s structure while using low carbon principles to deliver the BBC’s most environmentally sustainable and flexible broadcast centre to date. The building will house several BBC editorial teams, including The Archers, BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today, when it officially opens. Typhoo Wharf occupies a strategic gateway site linking Digbeth to HS2 and Birmingham city centre, and unlocks major construction and development opportunities as set out by Birmingham City Council’s Digbeth Prospectus. As part of the wider masterplan, several plots are now ready for future development, alongside a new area of public realm which reconnects the site with the canal network. Up to 800,000 sq ft of residential, office and hospitality space will be delivered on more than 10 acres of land around the new BBC building. Creating a clear pipeline for further investment, this new capacity will play a major role in the long-term regeneration of Digbeth. The relocation of the BBC to a new Midlands HQ in Digbeth is part of a wider investment in new productions like MasterChef, Silent Witness and Peaky Blinders as part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy. Located close to Digbeth Loc Studios, The Tea Factory is set to strengthen the Midlands’ creative sector, supporting new jobs and attracting further investment to the region. BBC commissioned analysis forecasts that its recent investment in Digbeth and the West Midlands will add £282 million of economic benefit by 2032. Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “Working with The Gooch Estate, Aviva Investors and Birmingham City Council, we’ve taken a building with real history and given it a new purpose, one that we hope will have a lasting impact on Digbeth and the wider Birmingham creative scene. “There have been challenges along the way, particularly in adapting a building like this to meet the BBC’s needs, but that makes the end result all the more significant. To have the BBC as an occupier says a lot about the quality of what’s been delivered, and we are thankful to our professional team and BAM for helping us get here. “The Tea Factory is an important first step for the wider Typhoo Wharf plans, and we’re looking forward to continuing that journey over the coming years.” Jason Horton, Chief Operating Officer for BBC Nations, said: “This marks a major milestone on the journey towards our new home in Digbeth, a 100-year-old industrial building being brought back to life as a sustainable broadcasting and digital production centre. “It underlines our commitment to the West Midlands, one of the BBC’s priority creative clusters, and to supporting investment and skills development across the region. “I’m looking forward to the Tea Factory opening its doors and helping to scale up the ambition of turning Digbeth into a world-class creative quarter.” Neil Dobson, Director, Transactions, at Aviva Investors, said: “We are really pleased this development has reached completion and to have seen all parties working tirelessly to deliver it. This is an investment we expect to provide long-term, inflation-linked cashflows, secured against a world class facility. “Designed and built with top sustainability credentials whilst maintaining the heritage of the original 1930s building, it is a great example of Aviva Investors using its investment activity to create world-class facilities and a flagship production centre for the national broadcaster in one of the UK’s key regions for the creative industries, whilst also delivering great investment outcomes.” Joanne Roney CBE, Managing Director Birmingham City Council, said: “The Tea Factory is a powerful symbol of Birmingham’s ambition — a heritage landmark reimagined as a world-class home for the BBC and a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Digbeth. This project shows what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared vision, and it strengthens the city’s position as a thriving hub for the UK’s creative industries. The completion of this first phase at Typhoo Wharf unlocks new opportunities for jobs, investment and innovation, and marks an exciting step forward in Birmingham’s long-term growth.” Mike Lyons, the Chair of the Enterprise Zone Partnership Board, said: “The Enterprise Zone Partnership Board is extremely pleased to see the transformation of the former and derelict Typhoo building, supported by £16.6 million of Enterprise Zone funding, to bring this iconic building back into use, offering a high quality bespoke home to one of the cities important employers, the BBC, and supporting the creation of a cluster of digital business and job creation. “Digbeth is a key growth area in the Enterprise Zone, and with the arrival of HS2 which will transform the economic growth potential for Digbeth, the area needs to deliver high quality growth at city scale to allow the market to attract high value employers and help Digbeth to become a desirable investment location. The redevelopment of the former Typhoo tea factory is a key catalyst to achieve this.” For more information, visit: https://www.typhoowharf.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chartway hands over the last of 400 new homes at Whitstable Heights in Whitstable
Chartway Partnerships Group has completed the handover of 400 new homes at Whitstable Heights to the Hyde Group, creating a new community for Whitstable. Located off the Thanet Way, the scheme has been delivered through the long-standing partnership between Chartway and Hyde. It provides a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes for outright sale, shared ownership, affordable rent and social rent. The development also delivers affordable and social rented homes beyond Section 106 requirements, made possible through Hyde’s strategic relationship with Homes England and Canterbury City Council. Alongside the new homes, the development includes around 20 hectares of public open space, featuring meadow planting, walking routes, play areas, a multi-use games area, a miniature football pitch and community allotments. Environmental improvements have been a key part of the project, with more than 5,800 trees planted across the site, alongside an extension to Duncan Down. This has created a lasting village green, which has been handed over to Canterbury City Council for long-term stewardship as community open space, in partnership with the Friends of Duncan Down. Social value has been embedded throughout the construction of Whitstable Heights. Chartway supported improvements to Whitstable’s Umbrella Centre community facility, carrying out electrical upgrades and internal refurbishment works. By prioritising local supply chains for goods, trades and services, as well as providing training opportunities for subcontractors on site and employing five apprentices, the project has generated more than £2.3 million in value for the local economy. Construction began in 2021 and the development has gradually taken shape over the past five years as residents have moved in and the neighbourhood has grown. Hannah, a new resident who moved to Whitstable Heights through the shared ownership programme, said: “Moving here was a big decision, especially with three children, but it’s honestly the best thing we’ve ever done. Shared ownership has given us real security and a proper foundation as a family. The children have so much more freedom, and we’re just happier, we love it here and can really see this as our forever home.” She added: “There’s such a strong sense of community here, everyone is so friendly and looks out for each other. The children have made friends so quickly and are always out playing together, and things like the allotments have really brought people together. It doesn’t feel like a big development at all, it feels like a proper neighbourhood, and that’s really special.” Graham Chivers, Group Chief Executive Officer at Chartway Partnerships Group, said: “Whitstable Heights has grown into a fantastic new neighbourhood and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the development now complete with residents settled into their homes.” As well as providing a wide range of homes, the scheme has created generous green spaces and facilities that will support the community for years to come. I’m hugely proud of the team who have worked so hard to bring this project to life.” Jaime Buckley, Group Development Director at Hyde, said: “Whitstable Heights has delivered much-needed homes for local people in an area where housing demand continues to grow. Developments like this play an important role in helping more people access high-quality, well-designed homes. Working alongside Chartway, we’ve been able to bring forward a scheme that provides a range of housing opportunities while contributing to the long-term growth of the local area.” With the final homes now complete, Whitstable Heights stands as an outstanding example of how partnership working can deliver well-designed homes alongside green space and community infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landmark laboratory building at the University of Southampton Science Park tops out
The University of Southampton Science Park marked a major construction milestone on 14 April with the topping out of Infinity Labs, a landmark development set to redefine innovation space in the Central South economy. Designed by Scott Brownrigg, the new multi‑tenancy building will deliver 3,400 sqm of much‑needed laboratory accommodation at the Science Park’s entrance. The traditional topping‑out ceremony celebrated the completion of Infinity Labs’ distinctive curved steel frame, designed to symbolise the flow of ideas and collaboration. The building will also serve as a gateway for future development across the Science Park. The event brought together over fifty key stakeholders from across the region including representatives from local council, businesses, academia, project team and supply chain partners. A keynote speech was delivered by Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council. A highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic tightening of a bolt on the roof of the building with a golden spanner undertaken by Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council. The moment represented the completion of the building’s highest structural point and served as a powerful acknowledgement of the collaboration and dedication demonstrated by all involved. Guests were also invited to sign the structure’s uppermost steel beam. CEO of Southampton Science Park, Dr Robin Chave, said, “Southampton Science Park is the only commercial space in the Central South region that is dedicated to the needs of science and technology businesses. Our multi-million-pound investment in Infinity Labs boosts our offering further by providing the vital laboratory space needed to equip the South-Central economy for growth and enterprise through scientific discovery. Today, we reached a major milestone in our work to achieve this goal. On behalf of the Science Park team, I thank everyone involved in the project so far and those who are yet to work on it this year. This building design is ingenious, offering technically optimised space for a healthy, productive and sustainably focused working environment, strategically located in an entrepreneurial setting geared up for breakthrough performance. We cannot wait to welcome our first residents to Infinity Labs!” Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, was keynote speaker at the event. He said, “This is a major milestone in the development of the Infinity Labs at Southampton Science Park. Once finished, they will enhance the Science Park’s already significant innovation offer by providing purpose-built places especially designed to support the complex, evolving needs of science, technology and research and design organisations. This is a brilliant addition to the local economic eco-system, helping to retain Hampshire and the Solent’s place as a leading player in the Country’s economy.” Managing Director of main contractor, Amiri Construction, Jon Daines, commented, “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone on the project. Reaching this stage safely and successfully reflects the strength of our partnership and the shared ambition to deliver a high-quality development. Today’s ceremony also provided an opportunity to thank the workforce and reflect on the journey so far, while looking ahead to the next phase of the build, including the cladding and internal works. With the structure now complete, Infinity Labs continues to progress on programme, maintaining strong momentum towards its anticipated completion in later in the year.’’ Amy Bourne, Associate at Scott Brownrigg said: “What was once a vision on paper is now a tangible gateway presence. As the building emerges from the landscape and curves around the approach road, it truly invites you into the Park. A strong connection to nature was a key part of the design and, as the façade progresses, this is now evident in the views of the beautiful surroundings captured within the offices and laboratories. We are excited to see the rest of the building take shape over this year.” Infinity Labs is designed to meet the evolving needs of science, technology and R&D‑led businesses, combining high‑specification laboratory, office and collaborative space within a single, visually striking facility. Named to reflect the limitless potential of successful technology businesses, the flagship building will further enhance the offer of one of the UK’s top three science parks. Construction of Infinity Labs is on target to complete at the end of 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Linear Living completes £34M Trafford Gardens scheme
Linear Living has completed work on its £34M Trafford Gardens development, with the final 116 homes delivered, bringing the total to 149 in Old Trafford. The developer finished the second phase of work on the Talbot Road scheme last month after a two-year construction process. The phase two 116 apartments are spread across 13 storeys. These include 65 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom, and 3 three-bedroom properties. The development features several communal areas. These include a rooftop garden and a private courtyard. The homes have all been sold off-plan to a mixture of investors and owner-occupiers. Linear Design & Construct, an associated company of Linear Living, began the scheme in January 2024. The project was completed in two phases. Phase one was delivered in September 2025. The initial phase delivered 33 homes for affordable housing, which were all purchased by not-for-profit Salford-based housing association, Irwell Valley Homes. The organisation currently lets them on a rent-to-buy basis. Trafford Gardens falls within the Trafford Civic Quarter masterplan, which aims to revitalise the area surrounding Old Trafford Cricket Ground and create a thriving residential community. The development is situated just 300m from both Old Trafford and Trafford Bar Metrolink stops. Old Trafford Football Stadium and Old Trafford Cricket Ground are walkable in ten minutes. The project team for Trafford Gardens included contractor Linear Design & Construct and Peak Properties, which acted as the advisor and agent for the sale. Other stakeholders included the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Maslow Capital, with the scheme initially designed by Tim Groom Architects before being taken over by JDA Architects. Stephen Holmes, CEO of Linear Living, said: “The Trafford Gardens development is a culmination of hard work, resilience and determination by the entire project team. It’s fantastic to unveil these homes, which set the standard for new residential communities across Old Trafford. “Selling the entire development off-plan demonstrates the desirability of the area and the exceptional quality of the properties. The scheme boasts a prime location for owner-occupiers and renters, largely thanks to its seamless connectivity to Manchester city centre. “We’re confident the Trafford Gardens residents will breathe new life into the area, helping to boost wider regeneration efforts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Innovative 3D printed concrete to be used for Teesside carbon capture project
Costain and A E Yates bring on board Hyperion Robotics to deliver 90 3D printed concrete sleepers, providing efficiency, sustainability and safety benefits Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, and A E Yates, the civil and structural engineering delivery specialist, have brought on board Hyperion Robotics to deliver low-carbon concrete sleepers for a landmark East Coast Cluster project on Teesside. Northern Endurance Partnership’s (NEP) onshore CO2 gathering system will provide the CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure for Teesside-based carbon capture projects. Costain is the delivery partner to NEP with A E Yates providing civil engineering services. Costain and A E Yates will work with Hyperion to produce approximately 90 high-strength concrete pipe support bases, or sleepers, along 1.3km of onshore CO2 pipelines across Teesside using its advanced robotic manufacturing and digital technology. Through innovative robotic 3D printing, Hyperion’s technology eliminates formwork and enables precise, repeatable production of the sleepers. This approach, when compared to traditional precast solutions, will require less soil excavation, reduce concrete and steel use by 40% and carbon emissions by up to 50%. The engineering-led solution is up to ten times stronger than traditional structures despite being up to 60% lighter thanks to a thin, reinforced base design. This will enable faster and safer installation of the sleepers, which will also be manufactured offsite to reduce on-site labour and plant. Hyperion will oversee its role in the project from Forge I, its new UK manufacturing facility near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Mark Howard, Programme Director at Costain, said: “Our supply chain serves as a key enabler for innovation, ensuring that we continue to deliver predictable, best-in-class solutions across our projects. Hyperion’s 3D printing solution will provide a myriad of efficiency, sustainability and safety benefits for this important project, while at the same time support economic growth and prosperity across Teesside. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with its team and working together with our other local supply chain partners as we continue to make strong progress in delivering a decarbonisation system that will be critical for creating a sustainable future for the UK.” Sven Till, Chief Executive Officer at A E Yates, said: “As a business, innovation and sustainability are fundamental to how we deliver for our customers, and having the opportunity to bring this innovative solution to Teesside for NEP, in collaboration with Costain and Hyperion, demonstrates this. “We hope that this is the first of many innovative solutions we are able to provide to Northern Endurance Partnership as we deliver the wider OSBL civil engineering works.” Fernando De los Rios, CEO at Hyperion Robotics, said: “Working alongside Costain, A E Yates and the Northern Endurance Partnership on this project shows what is possible when forward-thinking organisations come together to deliver infrastructure in a different way. By combining engineering expertise, digital design and automated manufacturing, we can reduce material use and carbon emissions while meeting the highest standards of quality, performance and code compliance. “This is more than a single project milestone. It is a practical example of how the UK can build critical infrastructure faster, more efficiently and with a lower carbon footprint by bringing together strong delivery partners, advanced technology and local manufacturing capability.” Rich Denny, Managing Director at Northern Endurance Partnership, said: “By working with Costain and Hyperion Robotics to harness advanced manufacturing techniques, we are not only reducing the carbon footprint of construction itself but also supporting the development of a resilient UK supply chain. This kind of collaboration is critical to delivering a world‑class CCS network that will help decarbonise industry, protect jobs and drive long‑term economic growth in the region.” Costain is also the delivery partner for Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power), which aims to be the world’s first gas-fired power station with carbon capture and storage. To date, approximately 200 people from Costain are delivering and managing the engineering, procurement and construction (EPCm) elements of the NZT NEP OSBL project, in addition to approximately 100 designers and engineers based in Manchester. Of the subcontractor contracts awarded to date, 90% are with UK-based suppliers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mountpark – What Occupiers Wanting 2026: Insights Shaping the Next Era of Logistics Real Estate
As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. As Europe settles into 2026, the logistics and industrial real estate landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. Occupiers facing supply‑chain recalibration, cost inflation and labour market constraints, are sharpening their logistics requirements. Insights from the December 2025 Affinius Capital Sponsor Report illustrate how occupier preferences are evolving and what this means for big box developers. Its findings reveal much about occupier sentiment and have enabled Mountpark to pinpoint the Top Five Occupier Trends defining logistics in 2026: 1. Next generation design Affinius’ findings reveal occupiers continue to prioritise modern, high‑specification logistics facilities, widening the gap between demand for grade A space and the obsolescence of older stock. The report highlights that tenant preferences strongly favour modern, quality space, especially as older, functionally outdated buildings no longer support operational needs. This trend reflects: For Mountpark, which is already delivering next‑generation design, this reinforces the importance of continuing to lead on high-quality, future-proofed assets. One strong example is Mountpark Ferrybridge in Yorkshire, a former power-generation site now transforming into a next-generation logistics campus, and one that puts sustainable innovation at its core, targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ ratings. The first unit was pre-let to Warburtons, demonstrating just how strong the demand is for Grade A properties. 2. Fight to quality While demand remains resilient, new supply is tightening sharply. European logistics completions are projected to decline by a staggering 40% from 2022 to 2026, driven by elevated borrowing costs and construction inflation that is reducing the feasibility of projects. This creates conditions where occupiers will increasingly compete for the best‑located, best‑specified space and where developers bold enough to continue delivering logistics assets will gain market advantage. Build-to-suit may also become more attractive to occupiers struggling to speculatively completed properties. At Mountpark, we want every business to have the choice to occupy or build a facility that genuinely fits its future. In an environment defined by scarcity, our goal is to deliver certainty, quality and room to grow. View our portfolio of live projects across Europe here. 3. ESG and Power Requirements Across Europe, occupiers are raising expectations around sustainability, energy performance, and regulatory compliance. The Affinius report notes that Europe’s regulatory environment places a strong focus on sustainability, data security and privacy, particularly in sectors such as data centres. Key ESG requirements include: Occupiers do not simply favour ESG‑aligned buildings they increasingly avoid non-compliant stock, accelerating the obsolescence of older facilities. Build‑to‑suit delivery is an increasingly powerful tool in this environment, enabling occupiers to align property specifications precisely with their operational priorities, ensuring they fully reflect and support ESG commitments. And it’s not just data centres where power requirements are rising. Occupiers across logistics, manufacturing and 3PL operations are requiring greater grid capacity to support their increased use of automation, robotics and AI‑enabled systems. Occupiers in 2026 will be seeking locations with the ability to scale energy use over time. Developers who can deliver these power‑robust sites will win disproportionate market share. Our focus at Mountpark for 2026 is therefore on identifying and accelerating sites with excellent power requirements while prioritising locations with undersupply, ensuring occupiers can secure future‑ready facilities even as market competition intensifies. 4. Location Strategy Affinius’ report emphasises the regionalisation of higher‑value manufacturing, growth in ecommerce and on/near‑shoring initiatives as key forces shaping logistics demand. Occupiers are reassessing their network footprints to prioritise proximity to labour pools, access to multimodal transport infrastructure and locations supporting resilient, diversified supply chains. With market conditions fluid and supply chains still adapting, occupiers also want flexible buildings that allow them to upscale or relocate quickly. The report shows latent demand delayed by macro uncertainty, with leasing momentum expected to rebound once conditions stabilise. Mountpark’s strategic landbank and presence across major European hubs positions it strongly to support occupiers recalibrating their networks. In the UK, Mountpark Hinckley is an excellent example, situated in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the UK’s premier logistics location, with unrivalled connectivity to national transport routes and major parcel hubs. The scheme has the ability to deliver up to 1.46 million sq ft of space, with Unit 1 (492,000 sq ft) already pre-let and Units 2 and 3 capable of delivery in Q2 2027, providing the certainty and speed to market that today’s occupiers increasingly demand. 5. Cost Predictability and Operational Efficiency Rising costs including energy, labour and transport are pushing occupiers to focus on buildings that make operations cheaper and more efficient. Key requirements include: Given stabilising valuations and easing borrowing costs highlighted in the Affinius report, occupiers may increasingly adopt long-term strategic leases to lock in the operational efficiencies. The leasing of all seven units at Mountpark Baldonnell in Ireland, prior to practical completion, reflects our ability to deliver complex, high-value developments that align with occupiers’ long term strategies. These five trends underline the decisive shifts defining logistics in 2026. Today’s savvy occupiers understand precisely what is required to support performance, resilience and long‑term growth and they are increasingly unwilling to compromise. Mountpark’s dedication to best‑in‑class design, forward‑thinking innovation and strategic development across Europe ensures we remain ideally positioned to meet and exceed the expectations of the modern occupier. Take an even deeper dive by viewing our live portfolio of projects across Europe offering a range of both speculative and build-to-suit opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals