New hands on the Thames: Stanhope and Cheyne step in for £450m South Bank scheme
Stanhope and Cheyne Capital have taken the reins of Row One, a landmark consented development on London’s South Bank previously owned by Landsec. The partners have acquired the 1.24-acre site between London Bridge and Southwark Bridge, close to Borough Market and Tate Modern, and will now steer delivery of a best-in-class office building with a gross development value of around £450m. With demolition already complete, enabling works will pave the way for the main contract to begin in early 2026, followed by an anticipated two-year build. The consented scheme comprises two basement levels and 11 storeys above ground, providing 235,000 sq ft of flexible Grade-A workspace supported by 15,000 sq ft of retail at ground level. Generous terraces and outdoor areas are planned to maximise the site’s riverside setting and create the kind of amenities increasingly sought by occupiers. Stanhope will act as development and asset manager, drawing on a London pipeline that currently includes 70 Gracechurch Street, One Undershaft, The British Library and 1 Victoria Street. The company’s investment head, Joe Binns, called Row One “a rare opportunity to acquire a significantly de-risked, best-in-class office development in one of London’s most vibrant sub-markets”. He highlighted the South Bank’s continuing evolution as a complementary business district to the City, and pointed to a tightening supply of Grade-A space towards the end of the decade as a key context for the acquisition. “There is an opportunity for high-conviction investors to play a crucial role in ensuring the capital retains its position as a pre-eminent global business hub,” he said, adding that the deal brings another blue-chip capital partner into Stanhope’s orbit. Cheyne Capital, an alternative investment fund manager with a growing presence in real estate, will provide funding alongside Stanhope and help to shape the project’s sustainability ambitions. Nick Grosse, director in Cheyne’s Real Estate Group, said the partnership would deliver “a best-in-class office building distinguished by exceptional ESG credentials, design quality and occupier amenities”. He noted that the scheme already benefits from planning consent and significant site preparation undertaken under Landsec’s stewardship. Occupier expectations are central to the brief. The design is set to prioritise daylight, access to outdoor space, and high-performance building systems that reduce operational carbon and enhance resilience. Excellent connectivity—by rail, Tube, riverboat and active travel—adds further weight to the location’s appeal, while the retail accommodation aims to knit the ground plane into the neighbourhood’s established food, culture and leisure offer. For London’s office market, Row One is another signal that capital is flowing into highly specified, well-located, consented schemes with clear delivery pathways. While secondary stock faces tougher headwinds, prime developments that can demonstrate environmental leadership, strong amenities and transport links are continuing to move forward. If Row One advances on its current timeline, the project will complete into a market that many expect to be short of new Grade-A floorspace—particularly in amenity-rich, mixed-use districts such as the South Bank. As the team progresses design, procurement and enabling works, attention will focus on locking in the building’s sustainability credentials and tenant experience, alongside the rhythm of a construction programme set to begin in 2026. For now, the change of ownership marks a fresh chapter for a prominent riverside site—and another statement of confidence in central London’s long-term office fundamentals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi’s £1.6bn push: 80 new stores to bring discount closer to millions
Aldi has set out an ambitious plan to open 80 new UK stores over the next two years as part of a £1.6bn investment in its estate, sharpening competition on the high street and widening access to low-cost groceries. The supermarket says 21 branches will open in the next 13 weeks alone, including Shoreditch in London, Durham in the North East and Kirkintilloch in Scotland. The expansion builds on momentum from the past year and supports Aldi’s long-term ambition to operate 1,500 stores nationwide. It currently runs 1,060 supermarkets across the UK, meaning the programme would take the discounter a significant step closer to its target while improving geographic coverage in areas where consumer demand remains strong. Earlier this year Aldi named 20 priority locations where it is actively seeking sites, among them Bromley and Ealing in Greater London, South Shields in Tyne and Wear, and Witney in Oxfordshire. The retailer’s approach typically focuses on convenient, accessible plots that can serve dense residential catchments, pairing everyday value with straightforward store layouts and ample parking. Financial results for the 12 months to December 2024 underline the scale of the operation. Sales rose to £18.1bn, up from £17.9bn in 2023, reflecting sustained shopper appetite for keen pricing and own-label innovation. The latest investment aims to lock in that loyalty by making stores easier to reach and by refreshing parts of the existing estate alongside new openings. Giles Hurley, chief executive officer for Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Since we opened our first UK store over 35 years ago, we’ve brought high-quality, affordable groceries to almost 800 towns and cities, but there are hundreds more communities that don’t have an Aldi nearby. We’re more determined than ever to meet that demand, and that’s why we’re investing a record £1.6bn over the next two years, to bring Aldi prices closer to millions more customers.” The near-term pipeline of 21 stores suggests a balanced mix of city, town and suburban locations, a pattern that has helped the brand broaden its appeal from weekly family shops to top-up missions and convenience-led baskets. A steady drumbeat of openings over two years should also allow supply chains, recruitment and training to ramp in step with customer demand. For landlords and local authorities, Aldi’s plans signal continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail, especially in neighbourhoods that value everyday essentials at competitive prices. For shoppers, the outcome is straightforward: more choice on where to buy the weekly shop, and greater pressure on rivals to keep prices sharp. As the cost of living remains a live concern for many households, the discounter’s expansion will be closely watched across the sector. With a clear store-opening timetable and significant capital committed, Aldi is positioning itself to capture more market share while staying true to the formula that has underpinned its rise: simplicity, efficiency and value. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction Midlands and North completes major Nottingham student accommodation scheme
McLaren Construction Midlands and North has reached practical completion on a landmark 323-bedroom student accommodation scheme in the heart of Nottingham. Delivered on behalf of McLaren Property, the £26 million scheme now known as Fabric, which is located at 77 Talbot Street, has transformed the site of a former office block into high-specification student living, ready for occupation ahead of the 2025/26 academic year. Designed by Leonard Design Architects, the nine-storey building offers a mix of en-suite cluster bedrooms and premium studios, alongside amenities including a gym, yoga studio, cinema room and social study spaces. The top floor features large-format studios with panoramic views across the city. Internally, the accommodation includes high-quality finishes, upgraded soft furnishings, and enhanced design details – reflecting evolving expectations for modern student living. With sustainability embedded throughout, the development has achieved BREEAM Excellent and incorporates traditional foundations into the city’s sandstone bedrock, alongside specialist works which have included cave probing to meet complex planning conditions. Around 40% of the workforce has been sourced locally, supporting regional employment and skills. McLaren has worked closely with both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, offering student site visits and work experience placements to provide practical learning opportunities in areas such as live construction, health and safety, and technical design. Extensive community engagement has also played a central role in the delivery of the project, with the site team maintaining regular contact with neighbouring businesses and supporting nearby Huntingdon Academy with improvements to outdoor facilities. Charitable initiatives have included fundraising for the Lighthouse Club and Save the Children, as well as a mental health awareness session led by the Strong Men charity. Luke Arnold, regional director at McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “Talbot Street now known as Fabric, has been a flagship project for our Midlands and North business – combining sustainable construction methods, collaborative delivery, and a strong commitment to community engagement. We are proud to bring the scheme to fruition, handing over in time for students in the September intake.” Ed Court, development director at McLaren Property, said: “Fabric is a great example of our purpose-built student accommodation and we’re delighted to see Talbot Street completed to such a high standard. Working closely with McLaren Construction, we’ve delivered a scheme that reflects the evolving expectations of students – offering high-quality amenities, great design, and a strong focus on sustainability.” Fabric adds to McLaren Property’s growing portfolio of residential and student accommodation schemes and represents a major investment in Nottingham’s built environment and student infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Belstaff arrives at Victoria Leeds
On September 6th, Belstaff opened its first ever full price store in Leeds. Located on Vicar Lane in Victoria Leeds in the historic Victoria Quarter, the store will house all of the brand’s latest collections, including motorcycle clothing and the new Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. The design of the store is a continuation of the ‘Future Garage’ concept unveiled at the London flagship in 2024 – a contemporary nod to the brand’s motorcycle heritage. This is an exciting new opening for Belstaff, which has a historic connection to the North of England – its founders Eli Belovich and Harry Grosberg first conceived the idea for the brand in nearby Manchester. As Belstaff’s third full-price store in England, it’s perfectly placed to better service its loyal customers in the region, while welcoming new ones. Full address: Unit 37, Victoria Quarter, 67 Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 6BH Rachel Bradburn, Head of Leasing at Redical, commented “As Victoria Leeds’ line-up continues to grow, so does our status as the region’s go-to location for retailers. Belstaff is a premium addition to our flourishing destination, extending our menswear offer and delivering a distinct point of difference we know our loyal consumer base will benefit from. This city debut is one of many at Victoria Leeds, and we look forward to not only what Belstaff’s opening will bring, but also what lies ahead as we gear up for even more landmark Leeds debuts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NHBC supports ARL to deliver webinar focusing on unlocking brownfield sites
NHBC is supporting the Association for Rental Living (ARL) to deliver a webinar examining the processes and challenges associated with unlocking brownfield sites for mixed tenure development. Those attending the webinar will join experts from NHBC and the rental living sector to explore how complex sites are being transformed into viable, successful Build to Rent (BTR) developments. Aimed at developers, investors, operators and consultants in BTR, this webinar, running on 23rd September 2025, will guide attendees through the journey from pre-acquisition assessment to post-acquisition viability, highlighting critical considerations and pitfalls to avoid. Insights will include: Experts from Placefirst and Urban&Civic will join speakers from NHBC’s Land Quality Service and BTR teams as part of a varied agenda which will cover the political landscape, sector collaboration and the hurdles the industry faces. Real life case studies will be used to illustrate the ways land can be unlocked and attendees will have the chance to pitch questions to the webinar’s presenters. This webinar will also explain NHBC’s role in the sector beyond warranty, demonstrating its expertise in technical services, site viability and risk mitigation. Suitable for anyone in the sector navigating constrained sites, repurposing opportunities or seeking practical guidance on land viability and delivery, this webinar has limited places available and those interested in joining should register now. Niki Kyriacou, Sector Lead for BTR at NHBC commented, “We’re pleased to support ARL in delivering this specialist webinar for those working in BTR looking to develop constrained or challenging sites. BTR is an increasingly important part of the residential mix – as the sector grows many of us recognise we need to unlock more brownfield sites to help meet demand. These sites offer a wealth of opportunity for developers and investors, and NHBC is committed to helping deliver quality homes at pace across BTR and all tenures.” NHBC works in partnership with developers and investors to bring forward challenging or complex sites that otherwise might have been considered unviable. Working hard to provide a pathway to warranty, saving time and money, NHBC provides confidence throughout the build journey. To register your place on the Unlocking brownfield sites for mixed tenure development webinar visit: https://thearl.org.uk/events/unlocking-brownfield-sites-for-mixed-tenure-development/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CR Smith adds new expertise to leadership team
CR Smith, the window and door specialist, has recruited two highly experienced figures from Scotland’s construction and manufacturing industries to its leadership team, reflecting the firm’s commitment to expanding its public sector operations alongside its long-established domestic customer base. Danny McArthur, formerly managing partner at Hardies Property & Construction Consultants, joins CR Smith as Director of Commercial to lead the firm’s social housing and commercial activities. A qualified quantity surveyor, CDM principal designer, and project manager, Danny brings a wealth of expertise, having delivered major social housing development projects across Scotland. Alistair Mercer has been appointed Director of Manufacturing, bringing over a decade of leadership experience in manufacturing operations management. Skilled in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and project management, Alistair will oversee the CR Smith state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Fife. He will drive process innovation and workforce development, ensuring the facility continues to meet the complex demands of made-to-order and made-to-measure production. CR Smith, which designs, manufactures, and installs high-quality windows, doors, and home extensions, reported a 30% increase in revenues during Q1 2025, following several major contracts to upgrade social housing stock. As local authorities and housing associations implement ambitious plans to meet new sustainability standards, the firm is increasingly being chosen as a trusted partner, building on more than 50 years of success in the private housing, commercial house builder and public sector markets. The addition of Danny and Alistair to the CR Smith management team follows the recent appointments of Sharon Glass as Director of Finance and Michael Leggiero as Director of IT. Gerard Eadie, Chairman of CR Smith, commented: “The appointments of Danny and Alistair mark a significant step in our growth strategy. Both bring exceptional expertise and proven track records in their respective fields, which will be instrumental as we scale our operations to meet growing demand from both the public and private sectors. Their leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient solutions for our customers across Scotland.” CR Smith, which has offices in Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen, as well as its head office and manufacturing plant in Fife, has been a cornerstone of Scottish business since Gerard Eadie CBE took over in 1974, consistently investing in its people and innovation. The firm became one of Scotland’s most recognised brands in 1984 when it simultaneously sponsored both Rangers and Celtic. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals