The Crown Estate unveils next major West End projects as part of its largest ever development programme
Pair of landmark schemes to deliver more than 169,000 sq ft of commercial space in London’s West End The Crown Estate has unveiled the next phase of its West End development pipeline – the largest ever in its history – with two major developments at 10 Piccadilly and 21-29 Glasshouse Street. Together, the schemes push the boundaries of sustainable development, delivering 169,300 sq ft of new office, retail and hospitality space in the heart of this iconic and historic part of London. The projects mark the latest step in The Crown Estate’s long-term vision for its 10 million sq ft London portfolio. Sustainably regenerating heritage-led assets for the future, the developments support the continued evolution of the West End as one of the most globally competitive urban destinations. It also acts as a celebration of the area’s rich history, while providing an opportunity to make it greener, accessible and more inclusive. This latest phase of development reflects The Crown Estate’s long-term, estate-wide approach to investing in places that respond to the needs of businesses, workers, visitors and communities. By bringing together high-quality workplaces with new retail and hospitality uses, the reimagined buildings will support a diverse, resilient mix across the West End, strengthening its appeal as a place to work, visit and spend time. Kristy Lansdown, Managing Director of Development at The Crown Estate, said: “These developments mark the next step in our long-term vision for the West End, redeveloping historic buildings to reinvigorate an equally historic place. By taking an estate-wide view, we can invest in the places and experiences that help the West End succeed on the global stage – places such as 10 Piccadilly and 21-29 Glasshouse Street, where we are sensitively bringing heritage assets into their next chapter, creating outstanding new office, retail and hospitality spaces for London. “Our ambition is to shape a destination that continues to attract world-class businesses and visitors, while strengthening the city’s future resilience. Through long-term planning and investment, we are working to deliver a West End that will thrive for generations to come.” The schemes also complement plans to upgrade the West End’s public realm through the proposed transformation of the public spaces across Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus in partnership with Westminster City Council. By reimagining John Nash’s historic route from St James’s Park to Regent’s Park, the plans would help connect investment in buildings with the spaces between them, creating a more accessible and future-ready West End. At 10 Piccadilly, The Crown Estate will deliver a 90,800 sq ft mixed-use development of the Grade II listed building which completes the iconic Regent Street curve. Facing on to Piccadilly Circus, 10 Piccadilly was the original Swan & Edgar department store, and then home to Tower Records in the 1980s. The refurbishment of the building will deliver a mix of uses, providing 62,700 sq ft of prime office space, alongside a 26,400 sq ft hospitality destination across the ground, basement and first floors, and a further 1,700 sq ft of retail space on Regent Street. At 21-29 Glasshouse Street, The Crown Estate will combine two existing office buildings into one best-in-class commercial scheme. The retrofit project will provide 63,000 sq ft of high-quality workplace, with upgraded interiors, larger and more efficient floorplates, a new rooftop space, and an enhanced reception area. The scheme will also deliver 15,500 sq ft of retail space at basement and ground-floor levels, improving the retail offer on Regent Street and Glasshouse Street and supporting a more vibrant mixed-use environment. The announcement of this latest phase in The Crown Estate’s development pipeline comes after the 124,000 sq ft office redevelopment of nearby One Hanover Street, announced earlier this year and fully pre-let to Ares Management. It also follows three projects announced in 2024 – New Zealand House, 10 Spring Gardens and 33-35 Piccadilly – which together will deliver 250,000 sq ft of commercial space across Regent Street and St James’s. As a long-term custodian of the West End, The Crown Estate is combining future-facing development with the sensitive retrofit of nationally significant heritage assets. 10 Piccadilly will target exceptional sustainability credentials, including NABERS 5 Star, WELL Platinum, BREEAM Outstanding, WiredScore Platinum and EPC A. Across the development pipeline, delivery is designed to support an embodied carbon target of 400kg per sq m, supporting the transition to a more climate-resilient estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis progresses with final Phase 2 building at Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Prologis UK has received planning committee approval to develop a further life science facility in Phase 2 of its investment programme at the globally renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). Subject to receiving the formal planning permission in coming weeks, 4000 Discovery Drive will provide 112,604 sq ft of modern, sustainable laboratory and office space over six storeys. The building will support the creation of hundreds of new jobs and meet the growing need for life science facilities in the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor. The most recent approval follows the full occupation of 1000 Discovery Drive by Cambridge University Hospitals Trust and a leading European biotech company. 2000 Discovery Drive is currently under construction and scheduled to complete in September, whilst 3000 Discovery Drive has full planning permission in place. The successful entitlement and construction of Phase 2 underpin a new public-private partnership between Prologis and Cambridgeshire County Council. In February, the Assets and Procurement Committee of the council agreed a partnership with Prologis to deliver Phases 3 & 4 of expansion at CBC, creating an additional 2.4 million sq ft of life science research, development and innovation space. The partnership represents an additional investment ambition of $4 billion (£3 billion) by Prologis over the next two decades and builds on the $635 million (£500 million) Phase 2 investment. The company’s proposals were welcomed by the UK government as a vote of confidence in the UK economy and its Modern Industrial Strategy. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK, said: “Prologis has been investing in the UK life sciences sector for over 20 years, providing the critical infrastructure necessary to ensure that businesses have the modern, sustainable facilities they need. Cambridge Biomedical Campus is globally renowned for innovation in life science and our significant investment over the next two decades will help to cement the campus’ position, whilst delivering lasting economic and health benefits for the people of Cambridge and UK more widely.” Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “The approval of 4000 Discovery Drive is a clear vote of confidence in Cambridge and the UK’s life sciences economy. By investing ahead of demand, Prologis continues to ensure that world-leading organisations can access the sustainable, specialist space they need to choose Cambridge, grow here and remain in the UK. Bringing forward the final consent on the commercial building in Phase 2, while advancing the investment partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council on Phases 3 and 4, demonstrates the power of long-term public-private collaboration to unlock nationally important infrastructure, attract global investment and create high-value jobs. This is the ambition and delivery our region and the country needs, I welcome and support the commitment Prologis continues to deliver.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aviva Investors completes work at flagship One Liverpool Street scheme
Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, announces it has reached completion of construction works at its One Liverpool Street development scheme in the City of London. One Liverpool Street has been designed and developed to create best-in-class office headquarters fit for the future. Energy-efficiency is a prominent consideration in its design, which features triple glazing, high-efficiency chillers, energy-efficient lighting, all-electric energy solutions, green roof, and HEPA filters for clean air. It is targeting a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification for sustainability performance and an EPC ‘A’ rating. Providing 176,000 sq ft of office and retail space across the ground and ten upper floors, the scheme is already 90 per cent pre-let. Knight Frank, the global real estate adviser, will make One Liverpool Street its London and global headquarters while Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, will also be based in the building after leasing almost 68,000 sq ft of space. Both firms will occupy four floors each. Completion at One Liverpool Street also caps a substantial piece of engineering. Built directly above Liverpool Street station, the new structure straddles three live London Underground lines, while bridging across existing infrastructure and wrapping around a six-storey ventilation shaft from the Underground system. This has required the construction of a highly-complex structure, including nearly 200 piles that extend up to 43 metres deep, whilst sophisticated bearings have been installed under every column and truss to offset vibrations from the railway lines below. One Liverpool Street is one of several high-profile developments being delivered by Aviva Investors in the City of London. 101 Moorgate, the sister schemes to One Liverpool Street, sits at the western entrance to the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street station and provides over 70,000 sq ft of office and retail space over its ground and eight upper floors and roof terrace. In September last year, Aviva Investors received approval from the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee for its proposed redevelopment of 130 Fenchurch Street, which will see the creation of a showpiece 34-storey tower. In August, Aviva Investors purchased the remaining stake at New Broad Street House, with an initial assessment into the building’s development potential suggesting it could provide up to an additional 100,000 sq ft of additional prime office space, subject to planning permission. Ben Littman, Head of Development, Real Estate, at Aviva Investors, said: “One Liverpool Street is a transformational scheme and, given its location above the London Underground network, one of the most complex developments to be brought forward in the City of London. Its completion is a significant achievement, testament to our development capabilities and the expertise of our construction partners on the project over the last five years of construction. “Supporting the City of London’s strategic ‘City Plan 2040’ to deliver 1.2 million sq m of additional office floorspace, this is an example of a flagship scheme that combines best-in-class facilities with pioneering engineering and modern technology making it ready for the future. We believe it will contribute significantly to investment outcomes for our clients and investors.” Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “One Liverpool Street is a remarkable achievement. Built above live railway infrastructure and delivered to the highest sustainability standards, it showcases the ambition, ingenuity and confidence that continue to define the City of London. As businesses from around the world choose to invest here, developments like this are helping us create the modern, sustainable workspace needed to support economic growth, attract talent and keep the Square Mile at the forefront of global business.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar Secures New Industrial Development at Valor Park Enfield
Glencar has been appointed by Valor Real Estate to deliver Valor Park Enfield, a 109,031 sq ft Grade A industrial and logistics development in North London, further strengthening the successful partnership between the two organisations. Located at Millmarsh Lane, Enfield, the design and build project will deliver a high-specification industrial warehouse with ancillary office accommodation, service yard, car parking and associated infrastructure works, including S278 highway improvements. Construction follows the successful completion of Valor Park Tottenham, where Glencar recently delivered c.72,000 sq ft of sustainable last-mile logistics space in a constrained urban location. The latest appointment reflects Valor’s continued confidence in Glencar’s ability to deliver complex industrial and logistics developments to the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability. Sustainability is central to the development, which is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification and a predicted EPC A+ rating. The scheme will also incorporate photovoltaic panels, alongside a programme of social value initiatives that will support the local community throughout construction. Enabling works commenced in June 2026, with the main construction contract beginning on 3rd August 2026. Completion is anticipated in April 2027. Roy Jones, Managing Director – South at Glencar, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with Valor following the successful delivery of Valor Park Tottenham. This latest appointment reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable industrial developments. We look forward to working closely with Valor and the wider project team to deliver another successful scheme.” Conor Phillips, Senior Associate at Valor Real Estate Partners LLP, said: “Following the successful delivery of Valor Park Tottenham, we’re pleased to be working with Glencar once again on Valor Park Enfield. Their collaborative approach, technical expertise and focus on quality have made them a valued delivery partner, and we’re looking forward to bringing another high-quality, sustainable development to market together.” Valor Park Enfield will provide modern, flexible industrial accommodation in one of London’s key logistics locations, supporting occupier demand with high-quality, sustainable space that meets the needs of today’s supply chain and distribution businesses. The professional team includes Christopher Smith Associates as Project Manager, Employer’s Agent and Quantity Surveyor, Chetwoods as Architect and Burrows Graham as Structural Engineer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£100m Dorset emergency care development reaches major construction milestone
Tilbury Douglas has reached a significant construction milestone at Dorset County Hospital following the installation of a new rooftop helipad on the hospital’s £100m Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit development. The installation, completed by specialist contractor Bayards, marks the topping out of the new structure and represents an important step towards transforming emergency and critical care services across Dorset. Funded through the New Hospital Programme, the development will deliver two floors of modern clinical accommodation designed to increase capacity, improve patient flows and provide a more appropriate environment for people requiring urgent treatment. The expanded Emergency Department will enable Dorset County Hospital to care for a greater number of patients while introducing dedicated facilities for children and young people. It will also include specially designed accommodation for people experiencing mental health difficulties, helping the Trust provide more suitable and supportive emergency care. The hospital’s Critical Care Unit will increase from 11 to 16 beds, with the flexibility to expand further as future demand requires. A dedicated paediatric space will also be incorporated into the unit. A new link corridor will connect the development directly to the existing hospital. Once services have transferred into the new building, the vacated space within the main hospital will be repurposed to support same-day emergency care. Representatives from the national New Hospital Programme, local partners and supporters of the scheme joined Dorset County Hospital teams to celebrate the topping-out milestone and the unveiling of the new £2m rooftop helipad. The helipad has been funded by the HELP Appeal, the only UK charity dedicated exclusively to financing NHS hospital helipads. Manufactured from aluminium and transported from the Netherlands, the structure can support a weight of up to 8,600kg. As the only rooftop hospital helipad in Dorset, the facility will allow air ambulances to land directly above the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit. This will significantly reduce the time needed to transfer critically ill or injured patients from an aircraft into the hospital. Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said the completion of the helipad represented a significant moment for Dorset and the wider region. He added: “By enabling air ambulances to land directly at the hospital, precious minutes can be saved when every second counts, giving patients the very best chance of survival and recovery. “We are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported the HELP Appeal. This milestone belongs to every donor and fundraiser who has helped make this life-saving project possible.” The wider development is also being supported by Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. The campaign aims to raise £2.5m for enhanced facilities within the building, including overnight accommodation for patients’ relatives and hospital staff. Once complete, the project will provide Dorset County Hospital with a modern, flexible and better-connected clinical environment capable of supporting rising demand while improving the experience of patients, families and healthcare teams. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bosch Commercial & Industrial launch new output for 7000 FP range
New 620kW output brings more flexibility to installers Bosch Commercial & Industrial has today launched a new 620kW output for its Condens 7000 FP series of commercial boilers, providing more flexibility for installers and specifiers alike. The Condens 7000 FP originally launched in October 2022, with outputs initially ranging from 350kW up to 500kW. The 620kW option now offers a solution to handle higher commercial heating demands. Other benefits of the Condens 7000 F & FP range include: Paul Monaghan, Technical Assistant at Bosch Commercial & Industrial, said, “The GC7000 FP boiler range is a versatile unit, able to integrate into almost any existing install. This accompanied by the Control 8000 makes it a perfect solution for heating, hot water and heat networks.” For more information on the Condens 7000 F & FP series visit: https://www.bosch-industrial.com/gb/en/ocs/commercial-industrial/condens-7000-fp-19388395-p/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals