Mixed-Use Developments Are Becoming the Future of UK Cities
Urban development priorities across the UK have moved toward mixed-use projects. Developers and local authorities are increasingly backing schemes that combine housing, retail, offices, hospitality, and entertainment in one location. Projects such as Smithfield Birmingham and St James Quarter reflect how city-centre development is changing in 2026. This change is being supported by policy. The Homes England 2023–2028 strategy, alongside wider planning reforms, increasingly favours brownfield regeneration projects that deliver homes, jobs, and commercial activity within the same development. Why Mixed-Use Schemes Are Accelerating Market data reflects the momentum behind this model. At least 25% of UK residential developments are expected to form part of mixed-use schemes. Urban regeneration projects of this kind are expected to play a growing role in the UK property sector through 2030. Analysts project that they could add roughly 0.6 percentage points to the cumulative CAGR of the UK real estate market. That reflects how deeply mixed-use regeneration schemes are now embedded in long-term development forecasts. Office and retail repurposing is also feeding the pipeline. Between 2022 and 2024, around 3.3 million sq ft of UK office stock was sold with the intention of conversion to alternative uses. Much of it is directed towards mixed-use and residential schemes. In regional cities, combining homes with retail, hospitality, and workspace in the same building or block has become a standard response to vacancy and shifting demand patterns. Construction Challenges Unique to Layered Developments Building a mixed-use scheme is structurally and logistically far more complex than delivering a single-use project. Different use classes, residential, commercial, and leisure, each carry distinct structural requirements, fire separation standards, acoustic specifications, and service zoning needs. Reconciling these within a single building envelope creates design and engineering challenges that contractors must address from the earliest stages of procurement. The entertainment and leisure sector adds another layer of complexity. Operators in this space, including high-footfall venues, gyms, and digital entertainment venues, require specific floor-loading tolerances. This includes ventilation systems and power infrastructure that sit well outside typical residential specifications. Online platforms operate very differently. Digital-first brands do not require the same type of mixed-use infrastructure to reach users. GamblingInsider’s UK online casino list, for example, highlights platforms that can deliver gaming, live dealer experiences, and entertainment services entirely online without relying on large physical destinations or resort-style developments. That difference shows how physical mixed-use projects must solve far more complicated construction and operational demands than purely digital entertainment models. Mixed-Use Projects Are Changing Build Requirements Mixed-use developments across the UK are no longer just changing city skylines. They are also changing how buildings are regulated, designed, and managed from the ground up. Under the Building Safety Regulator framework introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022, any building over 18 metres with at least two residential units can now be classified as a Higher-Risk Building. That means even largely commercial projects can fall under strict residential safety rules if apartments are included within the scheme. This has created new challenges for developers and contractors. Mixed-use sites must now balance the very different risks attached to residential living, retail activity, offices, hospitality, and entertainment spaces inside the same structure. Fire compartmentation standards have become stricter, especially between residential units and commercial areas such as restaurants or leisure venues. Acoustic separation requirements are also becoming more demanding in projects where people live directly above busy public spaces. Design requirements are evolving as well. From September 2026, new residential applications for buildings above 18 metres will require dual staircases. In mixed-use towers, that often means additional building cores, reduced sellable floor area, and more complicated structural layouts. Environmental standards are also influencing design decisions, with policies around biodiversity net gain, energy efficiency, and low-carbon systems now shaping everything from rooftop layouts to HVAC planning. Operational management has become more complex. Many mixed-use developments now involve multiple accountable parties, including residential operators, commercial landlords, and hospitality management teams. At the same time, projects must maintain a continuous “golden thread” of digital safety information throughout the building’s lifecycle. Together, these changes are turning mixed-use development into one of the most technically demanding areas of modern UK construction. How Contractors Are Adapting Procurement Strategies Procurement approaches are changing to match the complexity of mixed-use delivery. Early contractor involvement (ECI) is becoming more common, with main contractors brought in during RIBA Stage 2 or 3 to advise on phasing strategies, interface management, and trade contractor sequencing. This is particularly important where residential units must be handed over while commercial or leisure shells remain under construction on lower floors. Supply chain coordination is equally critical. Contractors managing mixed-use schemes are increasingly segmenting their procurement into use-class-specific packages, allowing specialist subcontractors to operate within defined zones without creating programme conflicts. The conversion of existing stock into mixed-use destinations adds further complications, since retrofit work requires detailed surveys and adaptive design responses that new-build schemes can avoid. The contractors best placed to win and deliver these projects will be those who invest in the coordination systems and specialist knowledge this new generation of development demands.
Legendre secures flagship City refurbishment with low carbon focus at Oriel St Bride’s
Legendre UK has been appointed as main contractor for a major office refurbishment scheme at 10 Salisbury Square in the City of London, marking another high profile project within the capital’s commercial retrofit market. The scheme will transform the existing six storey building into a high quality workspace totalling approximately 54,000 sq ft, alongside the addition of two new floors. Upon completion, the development will be known as Oriel St Bride’s. Working on behalf of Original Works, the project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and low carbon construction. Around 90 per cent of the existing structure will be retained, significantly reducing embodied carbon while aligning with the growing demand for more environmentally responsible office space. The development has already been recognised for its sustainability credentials, having been selected as part of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot Testing Programme. This reflects the scheme’s ambition to meet evolving environmental benchmarks and support the transition to lower carbon commercial property. Legendre UK’s appointment highlights its expertise in delivering complex cut and carve refurbishments, particularly within constrained urban environments such as the City of London. These projects require careful coordination, technical precision and a detailed understanding of working within existing structures. Thomas Vandecasteele, managing director at Legendre UK, said the project brings together the company’s experience in technically challenging refurbishments with its focus on sustainable delivery. He also highlighted the role of its self delivery MEP approach in supporting programme certainty and quality outcomes. Construction is scheduled to complete in autumn 2027, with the finished scheme expected to set a benchmark for sustainable office refurbishment in the City, while contributing positively to the surrounding urban environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UPP selected to deliver major 890 bed student scheme at Bristol’s Temple Quarter
University of Bristol has named UPP as preferred bidder to deliver a significant new purpose built student accommodation scheme at Temple Island, forming a key part of its expanding Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. The development will comprise three buildings providing 890 student bedrooms, creating one of the principal accommodation hubs for the University within the Temple Quarter area. The scheme is expected to primarily serve postgraduate students, supporting the University’s growing academic and research community in central Bristol. UPP will work in partnership with Watkin Jones as delivery partner, with Cushman & Wakefield advising the University on the procurement process. Located within the wider Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which is set to open in 2026, the accommodation forms part of a broader vision to create a leading innovation district. The campus will deliver advanced teaching facilities, research laboratories and collaborative workspace for students, staff and enterprise partners, reinforcing Bristol’s position as a key knowledge and innovation hub. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the PBSA scheme will incorporate over 1,100 sq m of amenity space, including flexible study areas and social environments aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. The focus on high quality shared spaces reflects the evolving expectations of modern student living, particularly within postgraduate markets. Sustainability is a core element of the development, with the scheme targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC A rating. These ambitions align with both the University’s and UPP’s commitment to delivering energy efficient, future ready buildings that support long term operational performance and reduced environmental impact. The appointment marks a further milestone in the delivery of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, with the PBSA scheme set to play a central role in supporting the University’s continued growth and strengthening the integration of education, research and urban development in the city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stagnant UK property market is bad news for the Government’s target of 1.5 million new homes
No motivation for builders to build if they can’t find buyers The Government will miss their target of 1.5m new homes due to a stagnant property market, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Heather Powell, a Partner at the firm, said: “The latest property statistics published by HMRC are bad news for the Government’s target of 1.5m new homes. They show a stagnant market with low appetite for buying, which means there is no motivation for builders to build.” She added: “Property sales continue to be steady. There has been no major increase in the number of residential or commercial properties sold per year in comparison to the last three years. A huge injection of confidence is required to end the market’s stagnation, but the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, seems to be bereft of ideas on how to generate this.” Heather said: “The Chancellor is going to have to reflect on the impact this will have on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) receipts, as well as all of the taxes that are collected as a result of property moves – VAT on move costs and refurbishment and taxes payable by the businesses selling to the new property owner.” She added: “This continued stagnation is not surprising. People are worried about the cost of living, job security and the cost of a mortgage and so are not rushing into home ownership – or stepping up the housing ladder. Commercial investors, the buyers of offices, factories and similar buildings have similar concerns – will tenants be found, will they be able to pay the rent, and will the rent received cover interest charged by lenders?” Heather said: “HMRC’s statistics highlighted an increase in the number of sales in March compared to February, which reflects the annual trend as the UK moves into the summer months. But property prices are unlikely to increase significantly over the next twelve months, so buyers will not rush to purchase a property.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siemens’ Gridscale X redefines system operations and agentic transmission planning
Siemens continues to be at the forefront of technological innovation, today announcing the next evolution of its Gridscale X platform at the Grid Software Summit in Amsterdam. Gridscale X provides the digital foundation for utilities to manage their grids at greater speed, and complexity at scale. Siemens also unveiled the next generation of PSS E on Gridscale X, introducing advanced AI‑powered, agentic capabilities to the transmission planning software. As utilities face rising demand and growing system complexity, both transmission planning and grid operations are being pushed beyond the limits of traditional approaches. Electrification, data centers, and AI‑driven industries are scaling faster than anticipated, while renewables are injecting volatility that traditional grids cannot absorb. Meeting these challenges requires true system operations. A unified grid model and digital twin enables system‑wide visibility to actively manage flexibility, reduce operational risks and operate grids closer to their technical limits with confidence – laying the foundation for autonomous, resilient grids. “Gridscale X is the integral digital backbone that bridges long‑term planning and real‑time operations to enable true system operations,” said Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software. “The platform can support self-developed applications, enabling utilities to migrate their own applications onto Gridscale X to run and scale them on a shared grid model, integrating their innovations directly into system operations workflows. We are delighted that this has already been deployed by Alliander in The Netherlands.” Dutch network operator Alliander, a strategic partner of Siemens, is the first utility to integrate its custom-built applications directly into the platform. Since announcing the partnership in 2024, Alliander has expanded medium‑voltage grid coverage from 65 percent to 100 percent, migrated 85 applications onto Gridscale X, and achieved a 30 percent leaner IT landscape. This demonstrates how a shared digital backbone can unlock grid capacity, reduce complexity, and scale at speed. Gridscale X PSS E: Unlocking the future of agentic transmission planning Extending the same platform and shared grid model principles into transmission planning, Siemens has taken a major step toward unlocking the future of agentic transmission planning, unveiling the next generation of PSS E on Gridscale X. The software introduces new AI-powered capabilities that deliver the speed, transparency, and scalability required for resilient, sustainable, and autonomous grids. By combining proven simulation with domain-specific AI-automation and a new user experience, the software accelerates planning studies and workflows, expands team capacity, and improves decision-making end to end. Supported by over 2000 open APIs with automation capabilities, Gridscale X PSS E enables seamless integration, powerful automation, and the foundation for digital twin-based planning. The latest release directly supports data center and large load integration scenarios, enabling planners to assess, prioritize, and respond to connection requests with significantly greater speed and transparency. A redesigned, cloud-native user experience streamlines workflows and automation for connection studies, cutting response times by up to 50 percent and helping transmission operators manage surging demand while maintaining system reliability. “For more than 50 years, PSS E has been widely regarded as the benchmark for transmission planning, trusted by planners around the world,” added Erlinghagen. “We are incredibly proud to build on that foundation with the next generation of PSS E. By introducing AI‑powered, agentic capabilities and a modern user experience, we are giving planners the tools they need to tackle growing complexity, work faster under increasing time pressure, and lead the next era of transmission planning with confidence.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glamox’s office light wins prestigious Red Dot Award for outstanding design
Glamox, a global leader in lighting, has received a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for its newly launched Luxo Align office light. In recognition of its high design quality, the stylish free-standing office light received the Red Dot Award 2026 in the Product Design category. This latest award is the second major design award for Luxo Align, following its Best Industrial Design award at the IDC.25 Awards last year in Norway. Luxo Align is a family of free-standing and pendant luminaires designed to integrate into any modern office space. With a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic and flexible configurations, the Align range allows you to personalise your lighting to suit any office layout. “Winning the Red Dot Award for Luxo Align is a strong validation of our focus on high-quality design and continuous innovation,” said Astrid Simonsen Joos, Group CEO of Glamox. “We supply lighting solutions to commercial office buildings all over the world and we are seeing demand for products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and durable.” “At Glamox, the research and development of our lighting products are led by the needs of our customers. Through our range of quality lighting brands, we create comfortable, flexible and stimulating working environments. Our office lighting is also built with sustainability in mind, helping our customers to reduce their energy footprint, as well as costs.” The collection features a slim, free-standing single-arm model suitable for 1-2 desks and a double-arm model for 2-4 desks. The Pendant variations use clean line design principles and seamlessly blend into any office environment. Built to be highly energy-efficient and sustainable, the Align family is created using circular-economy design principles. All models are constructed using 75% recycled aluminium and are equipped with presence sensors and support daylight harvesting to reduce energy consumption when natural light is available. The environmentally friendly LED luminaires provide an energy-efficient 144 lm/w, while an innovative reflector design provides comfortable light with good distribution, upwards (Ca. 70% or 80%) and downwards (Ca. 20% or 30%), eliminating the need for ceiling lights. Smart technology is incorporated into both the free-standing and pendant designs. In the free-standing models, light output is easily adjustable via built-in controls on the pole or remotely through Bluetooth via an app. The pendant version uses an IR switch for individual light control. The luminaires are matte powder-coated and available in white, grey, or black. Users can personalise their light by dimming it and selecting the light temperature that’s best for them. “When designing the Luxo Align, we wanted to create a lighting solution for the modern office environment that combines style with long-term usability,” said Hans Bleken Rud, Industrial Designer at Glamox. “The project builds on Luxo’s heritage in task lighting, where ergonomics and visual comfort are fundamental. By rethinking how one luminaire can serve multiple workstations while maintaining performance and simplicity, Luxo Align represents a more resource-efficient and human-friendly approach to office lighting. This is especially important given that the luminaire could last 40 years, while offices are normally refurbished every 10-15 years.” The Red Dot Design Awards is one of the world’s largest design competitions. Glamox has received numerous Red Dot Design Awards in previous years, including a Best of the Best 2023 award for Luxo Adapt in the Lamps and Luminaires category and a Best of the Best 2022 award for Glamox in the Corporate Design and Identity category. This year’s Red Dot award ceremony will take place on 7 July at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen, Germany. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals