Sheffield’s £46m Nursery Street BTR Scheme Takes Shape as Structural Works Advance
Construction is gathering pace at the £46 million Nursery Street Build to Rent (BTR) development in Sheffield, as structural works progress on a scheme set to bring new purpose-built rental homes to a prominent brownfield site in the city. The development is transforming the former Coroner’s Court site on Nursery Street, replacing previously developed land with a new residential scheme designed specifically for the rental market. Plans for the site include 101 BTR homes, comprising 31 studios, 35 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The development also incorporates a range of resident amenities, including a gym, co-working facilities, a recording studio, communal kitchen space and cycle parking. With structural construction now advancing, the project is moving into an increasingly visible phase, adding to the pipeline of new residential development reshaping Sheffield and supporting the continued growth of BTR beyond the UK’s largest cities. Sustainability has also been incorporated into the development strategy. Earlier project information outlined proposals for air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and low-energy lighting as part of a drive to deliver homes to high energy performance standards. The scheme has also attracted public investment, with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority documentation previously approving £1.7 million of grant support towards the development. The authority highlighted the regeneration benefits of bringing a derelict brownfield site back into productive use while delivering new rental accommodation and improving the surrounding area. Nursery Street comes at a time when Build to Rent is playing an increasingly important role within the UK residential development market, particularly in regional cities where demand continues for professionally managed, amenity-led rental accommodation. For Sheffield, the development represents more than the delivery of new apartments. By regenerating an underused urban site and combining new homes with shared facilities and energy-efficient building technologies, the project contributes to the wider evolution of the city centre residential market. As the structure continues to rise, Nursery Street is set to become another significant addition to Sheffield’s expanding BTR landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£120bn Government FM Framework Sets Stage for Major Public Estate Contracts
Some of the UK’s biggest facilities management and building services contractors have secured positions on a new government framework valued at up to £120 billion, opening the door to a major pipeline of public estate work over the next eight years. The Government Commercial Agency framework, RM6378, is set to become a recommended procurement route for facilities management services across central government. It will also be available to local authorities, NHS organisations, police forces, fire and rescue services, education bodies and devolved administrations. Competition for the largest Total Facilities Management contracts has attracted many of the sector’s leading names. Eighteen businesses have been appointed to the highest-value lot, covering individual contracts worth more than £15 million annually. The successful firms include Amey, CBRE, Compass, Dalkia, Equans, G4S Facilities Management, ISS, JLL, Kier, Mitie, OCS, Robertson Facilities Management, Serco, Skanska, Sodexo, Vinci Facilities, Vivo Defence Services and Wates. For the construction and built environment industry, the framework also represents a substantial opportunity for contractors delivering hard FM, engineering, maintenance and asset management services across the public estate. Forty businesses have secured positions on the major Hard FM lot for contracts valued above £2 million per year. Among those appointed are Amey, BAM FM, CBRE, Dalkia, Equans, Galliford Try, Graham Asset Management, Kier, Mears, Mitie, NG Bailey, OCS, Robertson, Serco, Skanska, Vinci Facilities, Vivo and Wates. The framework has been structured to accommodate public sector estates and contracts of significantly different scales. Total FM is divided into three bands covering contracts worth up to £2 million annually, between £2 million and £15 million, and more than £15 million. Hard FM is split between contracts below and above £2 million a year. A core group of contractors has achieved particularly strong coverage across the framework. Fifteen firms secured places across all five Total FM and Hard FM lots: Amey, CBRE, Equans, ISS, JLL, Kier, Mitie, OCS, Robertson, Serco, Skanska, Sodexo, Vinci Facilities, Vivo Defence Services and Wates Property Services. A further group, including BAM FM, Dalkia Facilities, Galliford Try Facilities Management, Graham Asset Management and Mears FM, secured positions across four lots. The scale and duration of the framework make it an important development for the management and maintenance of the UK’s public buildings and infrastructure. Alongside day-to-day FM provision, major hard services contracts can encompass the engineering, maintenance and long-term performance of complex property portfolios. With public bodies continuing to face pressure to improve building efficiency, modernise ageing estates and manage assets more effectively, the framework provides a long-term procurement platform through which significant programmes of FM and building services work can be commissioned. The agreement is scheduled to operate for eight years, running through to August 2034, giving successful contractors access to what could become one of the most significant public sector facilities management pipelines in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dandara Breaks Ground at Strategic Houghton Regis Development
Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially begun construction at its Linmere development in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. The Anglo Gate development will deliver 165 new homes to the area. Dandara is building a mix of private and affordable two-, three-, four-and five- bedroom properties across the 11-acre site, forming part of the wider Linmere consortium scheme delivered by Master Developer Land Improvement Holdings. The wider scheme is set to provide up to 5,000 homes and a range of community amenities across Linmere over the coming years. Construction work has commenced on Parcel 1, which will comprise 58 private sale units within Bidwell Green, while Parcel 6 will deliver 107 units within the Barns and Baileys Character Area. Across the developments, a range of architectural styles, brick tones and materials are being used to create a distinct neighbourhood identity while reflecting the local character of the area. As part of the Section 106 agreement, Anglo Gate will contribute to three new primary schools and a new secondary school next door as well as public open space and green infrastructure. Sustainability commitments also include the use of responsibly sourced materials, including timber, from sustainably managed forests where possible. The first homes are expected to launch for sale in October 2026, and the show homes are expected to launch in Spring 2027. Simon Pendlebury, Managing Director at Dandara Northern Home Counties, said: “Breaking ground at Linmere is an exciting step forward as we begin delivering much-needed private and affordable homes in Houghton Regis. As part of Dandara’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable, high-quality developments across the region, Linmere represents an important investment in the area’s future. “It is rewarding to be able to form part of the wider consortium to bring community amenities and green infrastructure improvements to the area, which will serve new and existing residents. We look forward to progressing with construction at Anglo Gate and seeing the first residents put down offers on their future homes.” Houghton Regis has a variety of amenities, including supermarkets, independent shops, cafes, restaurants, health facilities and parks including Houghton Hall Park, perfect for a family day out at the weekend. Dandara continues to expand its presence across the Northern Home Counties, with new homes currently being delivered across Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including The Acres, Meadow View and Manor Park developments. To find out more about the new homes coming to Linmere visit www.dandara.com/linmere. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Steelwork Underway at 284,575 sq. ft Hillwood Park Luton as Development Takes Shape
Glencar and Hillwood have marked a major construction milestone at Hillwood Park Luton, with structural steelwork now underway across the 284,575 sq. ft industrial and logistics development. Structural steelwork is now progressing across the 16-acre development, marking the latest major phase of construction at Hillwood Park Luton. The milestone was marked with a steel signing on site, bringing together representatives from Hillwood, Glencar and the wider project team, including KAM Project Consultants, UMC Architects and Burrows Graham. Following the completion of enabling works, earthworks, groundworks and essential site infrastructure, structural steelwork is now well underway, with the frames beginning to define the scale and form of the development. Located within the established Sundon Park Industrial Estate, Hillwood Park Luton will deliver eight Grade A industrial and logistics units totalling 284,575 sq ft, with individual units ranging from 14,000 to 80,000 sq ft. The development is being delivered speculatively to provide flexible accommodation for manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce occupiers and forms an important part of Hillwood’s expanding UK development pipeline. The scheme is targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings, with sustainability and wellbeing measures incorporated throughout the development to support operational efficiency and long-term occupier requirements. Hillwood Park Luton represents the third consecutive project between Hillwood and Glencar, following the successful delivery of the 335,000 sq ft Crewe 335 development and the 101,860 sq ft Martland Park scheme in Wigan. Peter Goodman, Managing Director at Glencar, said: “The start of structural steelwork marks a significant stage in the delivery of Hillwood Park Luton, with the scale and form of the development now becoming increasingly visible across the site. “A significant amount of work has gone into reaching this stage, from our early involvement during pre-construction through to the groundworks and infrastructure delivered over recent months. The focus for our project team is now on maintaining that momentum as we progress the superstructure and subsequent phases of construction. “As our third scheme with Hillwood, the project also demonstrates the strength of the working relationship between our teams and the benefits that continuity and early collaboration can bring to delivery.” Greg Dalton, Development Director at Hillwood, said: “With steelwork now beginning to rise across Hillwood Park Luton, the scale of the development is becoming increasingly apparent. This milestone reflects the progress being made by Glencar and the wider project team. The development will bring forward eight high-quality, sustainable industrial and logistics units in an established and well-connected location, adding further Grade A accommodation to our growing UK portfolio. We look forward to seeing the scheme continue to take shape as we move towards completion.” Hillwood Park Luton is situated northwest of Luton, with access to Junction 11A of the M1 and connections to the A5 and A6. London Luton Airport is less than seven miles from the development, with Leagrave railway station approximately 1.2 miles away. Practical completion remains targeted for Q1 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cybersecurity firm Cytix takes 5th floor at Manchester’s 101 Princess Street
Cytix has signed for the entire 4,506 sq ft fifth floor at 101 Princess Street, taking the top floor of the Grade II listed building on a fitted and furnished basis. The Manchester cybersecurity company moves into the space this autumn, occupying the whole of the top floor including two private external terraces overlooking the city centre. The letting was agreed in line with quoting terms. The floor was fitted, furnished and brought to market by owner Yakel, which acquired the Princess Street building in 2024 from ABRDN and has been repositioning it floor by floor since. It was delivered with 48 desks, meeting rooms and breakout space, allowing Cytix to commit and move in without a fit-out programme. The deal leaves the 5,381 sq ft fourth floor as the only remaining conventional office floor at the building, quoting at £24 per sq ft. Samual Farage, principal at Yakel, said: “When we purchased 101, it was a building with extraordinary bones and a lot of work ahead of it. Working with our design team, Incognito, we’ve redesigned this floor by floor, curating it for an occupier who would value the history. Cytix is exactly the kind of enrepreneurial buisness we set out to attract to the 101 community. Delivering the fifth floor fully fitted and furnished meant they could commit and move in quickly, which is increasingly what occupiers of this size are looking for.” “The building has come a long way in two years. With Noon, our flex offering trading well on the second floor and plans taking shape for the rest, this letting takes us another step toward a full building.” Matt Shufflebottom, Director, CBRE, the letting agent for the building said: “Demand for well-priced, fitted and furnished workspace remains strong and we are pleased to see the 5th floor leased to Cytix. Focus now switches to the 4th floor where we can deliver a bespoke fit-out to suit the occupier’s requirements.” The Victorian warehouse on Princess Street has been the subject of a phased refurbishment programme by Yakel, which owns and manages the building directly. Alongside the conventional office floors, the second floor houses Noon, Yakel’s own serviced workspace brand. CBRE acted for Yakel. Level Workspace advised Cytix. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John F Hunt Moves into Basement Construction at Major City of London Scheme
John F Hunt has begun piling and basement construction at 45 Moorfields in the City of London, marking the next stage in the redevelopment of the site formerly known as Tenter House. The start of Phase 1 follows around nine months of pre-construction activity undertaken in close collaboration with developer Freshwater, preparing the prominent City site for its major transformation. The initial programme included the demolition of the existing 11-storey building together with extensive enabling works required ahead of the main construction phases. John F Hunt has now moved into its latest package, with piling operations under way and work progressing towards the construction of a new single-level basement. The package will also include significant public realm improvements around the development. Plans include the creation of a new plaza together with associated hard and soft landscaping, helping to establish a more attractive and accessible setting around the new building. John F Hunt’s current programme is expected to continue through to January 2027. Paul Bland, Chief Executive Officer of John F Hunt Limited, said: “The start of piling marks the next stage in the delivery of the Tenter House development. “Having completed the pre-construction programme, our focus is now on progressing the works while continuing to coordinate closely with developers Freshwater, project managers Buro Four, cost consultants Exigere and the wider project team.” The wider 45 Moorfields redevelopment will ultimately deliver a new 21-storey building, representing another substantial commercial development within the City of London. McLaren signed a Pre-Construction Services Agreement for the main construction contract last year, providing early contractor involvement as the project progresses towards its principal construction programme. John F Hunt’s role in the early stages provides an important foundation for that subsequent development, with demolition, enabling, piling and basement works preparing the constrained central London site for the new structure above. The project also highlights the extensive preparatory work required before vertical construction can begin on major developments within the capital, particularly on complex City sites where demolition, structural works, logistics and interaction with the surrounding public realm must be carefully coordinated. With the former building now demolished and piling under way, 45 Moorfields is moving from enabling works into physical construction, setting the stage for the delivery of the new 21-storey development and its accompanying public realm improvements. ‘Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals