JLL Strengthens UK Retail Property Market Position with Acquisition of KLM
Global real estate consultancy JLL has strengthened its position in the UK retail property market following the acquisition of London-based specialist advisory firm KLM, expanding its capabilities across retail leasing, property investment and strategic consultancy. The acquisition will see 17 members of KLM’s team join JLL, bringing together specialist retail property expertise and established client relationships to create an enhanced advisory platform serving landlords, investors, developers and occupiers across London and the wider UK. The move reflects JLL’s continued investment in the retail sector at a time when demand for physical retail space remains resilient, despite ongoing economic pressures and changing consumer spending patterns. KLM is an established retail property agency and lease advisory specialist, with a strong presence across London’s commercial property market and regional retail destinations. Its client portfolio includes prominent organisations such as The Crown Estate, the South Kensington Estate and Pret a Manger, demonstrating its experience in advising major property owners and retail occupiers. By integrating KLM’s specialist knowledge with its international real estate platform, JLL aims to strengthen its ability to support clients across retail leasing, investment transactions, asset strategy and wider property advisory services. Renewed Confidence in the UK Retail Property Market The acquisition comes as the UK retail property sector continues to evolve, with landlords, developers and occupiers increasingly focused on securing high-quality commercial space in established shopping destinations. JLL believes consumer spending has remained stronger than anticipated, despite wider economic challenges, supporting continued demand for physical retail accommodation. The consultancy attributes part of this resilience to households reducing their savings rates to maintain spending levels despite relatively weak income growth. Although economic headwinds remain, JLL anticipates that UK consumers could demonstrate continued resilience through the final quarter of 2026 and beyond. This outlook reinforces the importance of physical stores within retailers’ wider commercial strategies, particularly in prime high street locations, shopping centres and established retail destinations. For the commercial property and construction sectors, sustained demand for retail space can support investment in store refurbishments, commercial fit-outs, property repositioning and the redevelopment of existing retail assets. Expanding JLL’s Retail Advisory Expertise Matthew Richards, UK Chief Executive Officer at JLL, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition and its contribution to the company’s retail property capabilities. “This acquisition reflects the strategic fit between KLM and JLL and our continued focus on London as a world-leading retail destination and global financial centre,” he said. “Bringing KLM’s specialist expertise together with our platform strengthens our ability to serve global occupiers who demand consistency and deep market knowledge across London and the wider UK.” The addition of KLM will provide JLL with further specialist knowledge of retail leasing markets, landlord and tenant relationships, and commercial property investment opportunities. The acquisition also strengthens JLL’s ability to advise international retailers seeking to establish or expand their physical store networks within the UK. As retailers continue reviewing their property requirements, access to detailed market knowledge and strategic advice is becoming increasingly important in identifying suitable locations and negotiating commercial leasing arrangements. KLM Team Joins Global Real Estate Platform For KLM, joining JLL represents an opportunity to combine its established retail property expertise with the resources and international reach of a global real estate consultancy. James Andrews, Partner at KLM, welcomed the acquisition and highlighted the opportunities it would create for the firm’s clients and employees. “Joining JLL represents an exciting opportunity for our team and clients,” he said. “JLL’s global platform, resources, and commitment to the retail sector will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients.” Andrews added that the team looked forward to contributing to JLL’s retail platform while maintaining the specialist expertise and client relationships that have supported KLM’s development. The acquisition is expected to create opportunities for closer collaboration between retail agency, investment advisory and other property consultancy disciplines. Supporting Retail Investment and Property Development Paul Marshall, Head of Retail Agency at JLL, said the acquisition demonstrated the company’s commitment to investing in areas where it holds a competitive advantage. “KLM brings specialist retail capability and long-standing client relationships that complement our existing platform with minimal overlap,” he said. “Together, we can compete at scale and deliver a holistic view of the retail sector across the built environment.” Marshall also highlighted the growing demand among clients for consistent advisory services and specialist retail expertise across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For property owners and developers, the integration of the two businesses will provide access to a broader range of services supporting retail asset management, leasing strategies, investment transactions and commercial property performance. The acquisition also reflects the increasing importance of combining local market expertise with international investment knowledge, particularly as major retail destinations compete to attract occupiers and maintain long-term commercial value. With 17 KLM specialists joining its UK operations, JLL is positioning itself to capture further opportunities within the retail property market, strengthening its ability to advise on everything from individual retail units and high street portfolios to major shopping destinations and mixed-use commercial developments. The transaction represents another significant development within the UK property consultancy sector, underlining continued confidence in the long-term importance of physical retail environments and the specialist expertise required to manage, invest in and develop them. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£148m Royal Armouries Transformation in Leeds Moves Closer to Main Contractor Appointment
A major £148 million redevelopment of the Royal Armouries waterfront estate in Leeds has taken another significant step forward, with architecture and design practice BDP appointed to progress the ambitious scheme through its detailed design stage. The project is expected to generate substantial opportunities for the construction industry as plans advance towards a main contractor procurement process, paving the way for one of the city’s most significant cultural and conference developments. The waterfront regeneration programme includes approximately £114 million for the redevelopment of the existing Tiltyard, alongside a further £34 million investment in a new adjacent hotel. At the centre of the proposals is a new 38,000 sq ft exhibition and events hall, forming part of a much larger development that will deliver more than 86,000 sq ft of conference and events accommodation. Transforming Leeds’ Cultural and Conference Facilities The redevelopment will see the existing Tiltyard transformed into a modern, multi-level cultural, conference and events destination, capable of accommodating approximately 1,800 delegates. The new facilities will include flexible meeting and exhibition areas, hospitality accommodation and immersive visitor experiences, significantly expanding the Royal Armouries’ ability to host major conferences, exhibitions and cultural events. The adjacent hotel development will further strengthen the site’s hospitality offering, supporting visiting delegates, tourists and event organisers while contributing to the wider regeneration of Leeds Dock. Beyond the buildings themselves, the project will introduce new riverside public spaces, landscaping and improved pedestrian connections, creating a more accessible and attractive waterfront environment. These improvements are intended to strengthen the relationship between the Royal Armouries estate, Leeds Dock and the surrounding urban neighbourhoods. Complex Construction Programme Ahead A planning application is expected to be submitted in 2027, with the project moving towards the selection of a main contractor as the design progresses. One of the key construction challenges will be delivering the redevelopment while maintaining operations across the existing estate. The main Royal Armouries Museum, conference facilities and New Dock Hall are expected to remain open throughout the construction programme. This will require careful consideration of site logistics, construction sequencing, visitor access and operational safety, particularly given the waterfront location and the continued use of surrounding facilities. For the eventual main contractor and specialist supply chain, the project will present opportunities across structural engineering, mechanical and electrical services, hospitality construction, specialist fit-out, landscaping and public realm improvements. Part of a Wider £188m Investment Programme The £148 million waterfront scheme forms a central part of a wider £188 million investment programme planned for the Royal Armouries’ Leeds estate. The investment represents a substantial commitment to the city’s cultural, leisure and business tourism infrastructure, combining new commercial facilities with improvements to the surrounding built environment. For Leeds, the redevelopment has the potential to further strengthen its position as a major destination for conferences, exhibitions and cultural events, while supporting investment and regeneration around the waterfront. With BDP now progressing the detailed design, attention will turn towards the planning process and the forthcoming main contractor competition. The transformation of the Royal Armouries Tiltyard and its surrounding estate promises to deliver a major new cultural and events destination, creating a significant construction opportunity while contributing to the long-term regeneration of Leeds Dock. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Croydon’s Whitgift Centre Set for Major Residential Transformation with Plans for 4,000 New Homes
One of South London’s most ambitious residential regeneration projects is taking shape, with developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) revealing fresh proposals to transform Croydon’s Whitgift Centre and surrounding town centre into a new mixed-use neighbourhood delivering up to 4,000 homes. The emerging masterplan, known as The Croydon Project, represents a major shift away from the site’s traditional retail focus, placing residential development, green spaces and community facilities at the heart of the regeneration. The latest proposals were presented to Croydon Council’s Planning Committee and Design Review Panel on 24 September as part of ongoing pre-application discussions. Up to 4,000 Homes Planned for Croydon Town Centre The residential-led redevelopment could deliver between 3,000 and 4,000 new homes, alongside a smaller but higher-quality commercial offering, new public spaces and improved pedestrian connections. The proposed housing development would incorporate buildings of varying heights, including four residential towers ranging from 30 to 45 storeys along Wellesley Road. Building heights would gradually reduce towards the historic North End corridor, helping to manage the development’s relationship with neighbouring conservation areas and established town centre architecture. The proposals aim to replace the existing shopping centre environment with a network of streets, squares and residential buildings, creating a more traditional urban neighbourhood where people can live, work, shop and socialise. URW Programme Director Paul Eaton explained to councillors that the transformation would create an environment significantly different from the existing Whitgift Centre, with interconnected public spaces designed to encourage movement throughout the development. New Public Square and Green Spaces A central feature of the regeneration proposals is The Forum, a new public square designed to accommodate community gatherings, cultural activities and events for up to 2,000 people. The masterplan also includes a proposed landscaped green space, provisionally named Whitgift Park, providing residents and visitors with an accessible area for recreation and relaxation. Together, these new public spaces would form an important part of the development’s residential environment, supporting the creation of a neighbourhood rather than simply replacing the existing retail accommodation. Improved pedestrian routes and connections between the new buildings and surrounding streets are also being explored as part of the emerging design. For the construction and architectural sectors, the scale of the proposed development would create substantial opportunities across high-rise residential construction, structural engineering, building services, landscaping and public realm improvements. £31.5m Property Acquisition Unlocks Regeneration Plans The latest proposals follow URW’s £31.5 million acquisition of the Whitgift Centre, Green Park House and parts of the former Allders building from the John Whitgift Foundation in July. The transaction represented an important milestone in progressing the regeneration, bringing key property interests together and removing a significant obstacle to advancing the redevelopment plans. URW has indicated that a residential-led approach is necessary to establish the financial viability of the project, with the proposed housing provision expected to underpin the wider transformation of the town centre. However, several important aspects of the scheme remain under consideration. These include the proportion of affordable housing, the provision of family-sized homes, potential leisure facilities and the overall balance between residential and commercial accommodation. The impact of demolition on local heritage assets, pedestrian connectivity and the programme for delivering individual phases will also require further assessment. Outline Planning Application Targeted for 2027 URW is continuing its engagement with Croydon Council through the pre-application planning process, with a formal outline planning application currently targeted for 2027. The emerging proposals have not yet secured planning permission, and further details of the residential accommodation, building designs and delivery programme are expected as the scheme progresses. If brought forward, The Croydon Project would represent a significant transformation of one of South London’s best-known shopping destinations, replacing much of the existing retail-led environment with a substantial new residential neighbourhood. With up to 4,000 homes, new public spaces, commercial accommodation and landmark residential towers, the proposals could reshape Croydon’s town centre and establish a major long-term pipeline of housing development and construction activity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Begins Work on Landmark 140-Room Dakota Hotel in Historic York
GMI Construction Group has commenced main construction works on a new 140-room Dakota hotel in the heart of York, following its appointment as principal contractor by Evans Property Group. The development represents another significant investment in York’s hospitality sector, bringing the distinctive Dakota hotel brand to a prominent city centre location within the historic medieval city walls. Situated on a 0.7-acre site close to York railway station and Lendal Bridge, the new hotel will provide high-quality accommodation while contributing to the continued development of the city’s leisure and tourism infrastructure. The project marks the sixth Dakota hotel to be delivered by GMI Construction Group, building on a successful relationship that has already seen the contractor complete developments in Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle Quayside. Contemporary Hotel Design Meets York’s Historic Architecture Designed by KPP Architects, the new Dakota York will combine the hotel group’s established industrial-inspired design approach with architectural features that complement the surrounding historic streetscape. The building will incorporate red-brick façades, bronze-effect detailing and a central courtyard, creating a contemporary hospitality destination that responds to York’s distinctive architectural character. The hotel will feature entrances from both Rougier Street and Tanners Moat, improving accessibility and connections with the surrounding city centre. A series of terraces will also provide panoramic views across York, offering guests an elevated perspective of the city’s historic skyline. The development’s location within York’s medieval walls presents particular design and construction considerations, requiring the project team to carefully manage the relationship between the new building and its established urban surroundings. Sustainability at the Heart of the Development The new hotel is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, reflecting the project’s commitment to improved environmental performance and sustainable building design. Air source heat pumps will be incorporated into the building’s heating infrastructure to support lower-carbon operations, while electric vehicle charging points and facilities encouraging sustainable travel will also form part of the development. These measures demonstrate the increasing importance of energy efficiency and environmental performance within the UK’s hospitality property sector, as hotel operators and developers seek to reduce the operational impact of new buildings. For the construction and building services sectors, the project will involve the integration of modern mechanical and electrical systems within a constrained city centre development. Main Construction Works Underway With demolition now complete, GMI Construction Group has moved into the main construction phase, marking an important milestone in the delivery of the hotel. The site’s central location, neighbouring buildings and historic setting will require careful construction planning, site logistics and coordination throughout the development programme. GMI will draw upon its previous experience delivering Dakota hotels, applying established knowledge of the brand’s design requirements, construction standards and hospitality specifications. The wider professional team includes KPP Architects, structural engineering consultancy JPG Group, planning consultant O’Neill Associates, heritage specialist Montagu Evans, employer’s agent Rex Proctor & Partners and commercial property adviser CBRE. Sixth Dakota Development Strengthens Contractor Relationship Ed Weston, Regional Director for Yorkshire at GMI Construction Group, welcomed the opportunity to deliver another major hotel development for Evans Property Group. “We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with Evans Property Group and the Dakota brand on a sixth hotel development,” he said. “This is a highly prominent and constrained city-centre site, surrounded by neighbouring buildings and shaped by York’s historic character. With the demolition phase now complete, our focus is on progressing the new hotel.” Weston added that the contractor would use its experience across the previous five Dakota developments to deliver a distinctive new destination for York. The scheme represents a further addition to the city’s hospitality development pipeline, supporting investment in high-quality visitor accommodation within one of the UK’s most established tourism destinations. For York, the new Dakota hotel will introduce a contemporary hospitality offering while demonstrating how modern hotel development can be integrated into a historically sensitive urban environment. With construction now progressing, the 140-room development is set to become another notable addition to York’s hotel and leisure property landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cadent expands its presence in Birmingham with a move into Prologis Park Bromford Gate
Prologis has signed its first deal with Cadent, a 10-year lease for DC4 at Bromford Gate, one of Birmingham’s premier industrial and logistics parks. Located adjacent to its existing National Distribution Centre, the 80,000 sq ft DC4 enables Cadent to consolidate its Birmingham-based operations at Bromford Gate. The agreement marks the start of a new relationship between the two companies, with Prologis working closely with Cadent to take a proactive and creative approach to the deal and building specification. With a lease agreement between parties reached in short timescales, Cadent is now undertaking fit-out works, with the ambition of becoming operational in DC4 in early in 2027. Robert Martin, Real Estate Strategy Manager at Cadent, said: “Bromford Gate is in a prime position for national distribution and with Birmingham being an important location for Cadent, the availability of the site was both well-timed and well-placed. We progressed quickly to secure the unit and look forward to being operational on completion of the fit out works.” Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network, managing 82,000 miles of pipes throughout the Northwest, East and West Midlands, East of England and London. The move will create approximately 100 new jobs in Birmingham, expanding Cadent’s local employment base and economic contribution to the West Midlands. Tom Price, Leasing Director at Prologis, said: “It’s been great to work with Cadent on this deal, which represents a new relationship for both companies. We look forward to doing more together in the future.” The agreement adds to the established customer base at Prologis Park Bromford Gate, with GXO, Stellantis and Fischer Farms also operating from the park. It reinforces Bromford Gate’s position as a prime urban logistics location and demonstrates the value of a flexible approach that supports customer requirements. With Bromford Gate now fully leased, Prologis’ available space in the West Midlands is currently concentrated at Prologis Park Coventry. Newly refurbished DC13 offers 228,000 sq ft of space, while DC8 offers 184,000 and is undergoing refurbishment scheduled for completion in December 2026. Prologis was represented by Darby Keye, Harris Lamb and Colliers, Cadent was represented by Avison Young. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stepnell secures place on Pagabo developer-led framework, unlocking new opportunities for Stepnell Developments
Stepnell has secured a place on Pagabo’s new £26bn Developer-Led Framework, creating new opportunities for its dedicated property arm, Stepnell Developments Ltd, to partner with public-sector organisations to deliver vital estate rationalisation projects involving the repurposing and redevelopment of operational and surplus property assets. The appointment to Lot 5, covering commercial projects worth up to £50m across the Midlands, South West and South East, will allow Stepnell Developments to lead the delivery of complex, developer-led schemes under Stepnell Group. The appointment sees Stepnell as one of nine suppliers in Lot 5, bringing the total number of appointed suppliers to 52 across all lots. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of centralised procurement authority YPO, the appointment will build on Stepnell Group’s extensive experience collaborating with public sector clients and stakeholders. The framework will run over a four-year term, used by councils, NHS trusts, housing associations and education clients procuring complex regeneration and development projects through compliant routes. David Whitlock, development director at Stepnell Developments, said: “Securing a place on the Pagabo Developer-Led Framework is an important but natural step for the wider group, supporting our ambition at Stepnell Developments to work more closely with public-sector landowners and explore development opportunities where our capabilities across development, investment, construction, and energy can add real value. “It’s a brilliant opportunity to build on this experience and further develop our two-way collaboration with Pagabo and its partners to drive the best possible outcomes through the framework. This includes aligning closely with Pagabo’s digital agenda, and we intend to leverage the combined platforms and established systems to drive innovation and enable data-rich decision-making. “We are actively looking for opportunities where our commercial property development experience can help bring forward financially viable projects with the right environmental credentials, and social value. We welcome discussions with local authorities and other eligible public-sector organisations that have land or buildings with development or asset-enhancement potential.” This, the second iteration of the Developer-Led Framework provides an established procurement route for eligible public-sector organisations seeking to progress suitable development projects, subject to the framework’s scope, terms and applicable procurement requirements. Jonathan Parker, development director at Pagabo, said: “Our developer-led procurement solution is a unique market leading delivery vehicle capable of bringing client ambitions to fruition and changing the landscape of our built environment, which has also successfully driven forward the regeneration sector in recent years. “Delivering projects worth £10.7bn in gross development value and more than 36,000 new homes, while overcoming prominent challenges such as viability and risk, we’ve built on the first version of the framework and remain confident that those appointed to this next generation version will be well positioned to ensure continuous quality, value for money, collaboration and impactful social value. We’re now offering a full turnkey solution that the public sector has been crying out for.” The appointment to the Developer-Led Framework builds on the wider Stepnell Group’s recent framework success – including the appointment of Stepnell to two lots of Pagabo’s National Framework for Major Works, spanning the North West, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, Midlands and Wales. To find out more about Stepnell Developments, visit https://StepnellDevelopments.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals