Prologis Expands London Portfolio with Strategic Acquisition in Waltham Abbey

Prologis Expands London Portfolio with Strategic Acquisition in Waltham Abbey

Prologis UK has today announced the acquisition of a 24-acre development site in North London, strengthening its presence in the capital. Located just off Junction 26 of the M25 to the south of Waltham Abbey, the site offers excellent connectivity to Central London and the wider UK motorway network, making it ideally positioned for last-mile fulfilment and urban supply chains. The acquisition forms part of Prologis’s ongoing strategy to invest in prime locations where the supply demand fundamentals are strongest. The site provides an opportunity to deliver high-quality, sustainable, advanced manufacturing and logistics units that meets the evolving needs of modern supply chains. The site sits in an area occupied by numerous national and international distribution operators. Directly adjacent to the subject site sits Sainsbury’s Waltham Point Distribution Centre, with GXO, Ocado, Iceland, Tesco and John Lewis in close proximity. Paul Weston, Regional Head, Prologis UK, said: “This acquisition underscores our conviction in the Greater London market. Waltham Abbey is already a well-established logistics location, and this site gives us the ability to bring forward sustainable, best-in-class space that supports our customers’ growth while creating employment opportunities and attracting investment for the local community.” The site is allocated for employment use in Epping Forest District Council’s adopted Local Plan, supporting economic growth and the district’s future employment needs.  Master planning is underway, with a focus on sustainability, design and community integration. As with all Prologis developments, the company will engage closely with local stakeholders throughout the planning process to ensure the development brings long-term benefits to the local community. JLL acted for Prologis. ACRE Capital Real Estate acted for the vendor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Green Light for £145 Million Twin Towers as Birmingham Scheme Passes Key Safety Gate

Green Light for £145 Million Twin Towers as Birmingham Scheme Passes Key Safety Gate

Contractor Midgard has been given approval to begin work on a £145 million twin tower residential development in Birmingham after the project successfully passed the Gateway 2 safety stage. Developer Sphere Group, working with strategic partner Select Property, is delivering the Edition Birmingham scheme, which has become the first residential skyscraper project in the city to secure sign off from the Building Safety Regulator. The development will deliver 581 new homes beside Centenary Square, split between the 46 storey Centenary Tower and the 15 storey Park Residence. Midgard, part of the JRL Group, plans to use modular construction methods to accelerate progress, with phase one expected to complete in 2027. Thomas Taylor, managing director of Sphere Group, said:“The new Building Safety Act Gateway 2 introduces some of the most stringent safety requirements in the world, making the UK a market leader and one of the safest places to invest.“Securing Gateway 2 approval is a major milestone and underlines our commitment to ensuring Edition Birmingham is built to the very highest standards of safety and quality.” Residents will benefit from an extensive range of amenities, including a swimming pool suspended 20 metres above ground, a hydro pool, plunge pool, sauna and steam room. Further features include a sky lounge with private dining on the 44th and 45th floors, a co working space known as The Study, and a 9,000 square foot outdoor terrace with cinema screen and BBQ area. Engineering consultancy is being led by SOM, with Futureserv acting as MEP consultant. Interiors are being designed by Weedon Architects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Green Light for Major Retrofit of Pinners Hall in the Square Mile

Green Light for Major Retrofit of Pinners Hall in the Square Mile

A major deep retrofit of the former Pinners Hall at 108 Old Broad Street has been approved, paving the way for a significant transformation of the 1990s office block in the heart of the City of London. Development manager Patrizia has secured planning consent for the project, working alongside long-standing partner Far East Organization, which owns the building. The site sits between Liverpool Street and Bank, in one of the busiest pockets of new development in the City core. Designed by architect Stiff and Trevillion, the scheme will add new upper levels and a pavilion on the seventh floor, enhancing the building’s profile and contributing to a total of around 200,000 square feet. Patrizia says the plans will increase net lettable space by roughly 15 per cent. The building has already been stripped out and main construction work is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, with completion targeted for summer 2027. A contractor has yet to be appointed. The project team includes Quartz as project manager and Gardiner and Theobald as quantity surveyor. The redevelopment builds on Patrizia’s value add portfolio across Europe, including recent projects at 40 Grosvenor Place in Belgravia, 24 Endell Street in Covent Garden and The Louise in Brussels. The company continues to advance its brown to green strategy, focusing on delivering future fit offices in major markets. Dan Williams, head of investment management development at Patrizia, said the planning approval represents an important step towards realising the vision for 108 Old Broad Street. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Winvic and partners celebrate major construction milestone at 360 Bristol

Winvic and partners celebrate major construction milestone at 360 Bristol

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, alongside client AG South Plaza B.V and developer Melburg, has celebrated a key construction milestone at 360 Bristol, a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development located on Marlborough Street in the heart of the city. The project team and partners – including IESIS, structural engineer HEXA, and architect ECE Westworks – came together on the 30th October for a topping out ceremony to celebrate a major milestone – completion of the building’s structure, a significant step in transforming the former 1960s office block into a 10-storey, 399-bedroom sustainable student living community. Works officially began in August 2024, with enabling works taking place ahead of the main construction phase, which commenced in May 2025.  Scheduled for completion in summer 2026, the development will provide a mix of studio and cluster bedrooms, featuring shared kitchens, a gym, cinema, karaoke, content rooms, games lounge, study spaces, yoga and Zumba rooms, and extensive outdoor areas for socialising. Outdoor amenity space includes an accessible terrace on the 10th floor and ground floor external areas on the podium over the existing basement. Basement parking and cycle storage have also been retained throughout the works. Remedial repairs to the existing structural frame have been undertaken including fire protection enhancements, and three additional upper floors have been constructed to provide additional living spaces. The project also delivers significant fire safety improvements in line with the requirements of the Building Safety Act. This sustainable design and delivery approach reflects the shared values of Winvic, AG South Plaza B.V, and Melburg, championing responsible regeneration within the PBSA sector whilst delivering significant sustainable improvements such as 3,500 tonnes of lifetime carbon savings, 1,500% biodiversity net gains, EPC A and BREEAM “Excellent” ratings. Delivered by Winvic under the Gateway 2 process, 360 Bristol is the contractor’s first project to progress through the new regime, underscoring its commitment to quality, collaboration, and building safety. The scheme is delivering meaningful social value through employment, education and community engagement. Two site visits have been held so far, one in partnership with The Restore Trust and O’Neill and Brennan hosting 15 unemployed learners, and another for T Level students from IBK Academy, where one student will be completing their industry placement on site. Creating inclusive employment opportunities, Winvic is piloting the Standing Tall programme, supporting an individual who was homeless into employment. Over 50 local employees (within 30 miles) are working on the project, which is also set to deliver over 200 training weeks for both new and existing staff, including members of the supply chain. Working alongside Winvic Construction for the scheme are Employer’s Agent and project manager – IESIS, Architect – ECE Westworks, Structural and Civil Engineer – HEXA and M&E consultant – BOX 20. Mark Jones, Managing Director of Multi-Room at Winvic Construction Ltd, said: “Reaching the topping out milestone at 360 Bristol is an exciting step forward for the project team. This scheme perfectly demonstrates how intelligent design and collaborative delivery can bring new life to existing structures – reducing embodied carbon and contributing to a more sustainable built environment. “It also marks our first project delivered through the Gateway 2 process, highlighting our commitment to building safety, quality, and partnership. I’d like to thank our client and project partners for their continued collaboration. Together, we are delivering a landmark building that will enhance Bristol’s student experience and stand as a benchmark for sustainable urban redevelopment.” Andrew Burns, Head of Asset and development at Melberg, said: “We are incredibly proud to see 360 Bristol reach this significant milestone. From the outset, our vision was to create a vibrant, inclusive community that not only meets the evolving needs of students but also sets new standards for sustainability and wellbeing. By retaining and enhancing the existing structure, we have dramatically reduced embodied carbon, while our commitment to EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ ratings ensures the building’s long-term environmental performance. The extensive amenity offer—from social spaces and wellness rooms to accessible outdoor terraces – reflects our belief that great places to live should also support personal growth and community connection. We look forward to welcoming students in September 2026 to a development that truly raises the bar for sustainable urban living in Bristol.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start of work on a new Community Diagnostic Centre in Coventry

Groundbreaking ceremony celebrates start of work on a new Community Diagnostic Centre in Coventry

NHS Property Services welcomed the start of construction on a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Coventry at a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday. The new centre will offer earlier diagnosis of conditions, such as cancer and heart disease, with tests brought closer to home. It will open Monday to Friday, reducing the need for patients to travel to hospital, whilst ensuring that they receive excellent care. Owned by NHS Property Services, the location was chosen precisely because of its proximity to community services such as the Coventry Urgent Treatment Centre, local GP practices, and mental health services. It is set to open in late 2026, and see about 90,000 patients annually, providing up to 75,000 additional patient tests a year. Melvin Henry, Regional Capital Programme Manager (Midlands) at NHS Property Services, said: “This ground-breaking ceremony signifies the start of works on a multi-million-pound development which will transform the Paybody building into a dedicated Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). “NHS Property Services is focused on delivering a better NHS estate that is fit for the future by investing in and refurbishing buildings where our NHS colleagues can deliver excellent patient care.” Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, said:  “The start of the development of the CDC is a major milestone for healthcare in Coventry, completely transforming the way local communities access tests and scans and receive diagnosis for a range of conditions. It will support communities across the city to live longer, happier lives. “This activity forms part of our wider commitment to improving health inequalities and ensuring that everyone has easy access to the care they need. “We’re pleased to be working alongside Tilbury Douglas to deliver the CDC project, and excited to see the positive difference this facility will make.” David Tighe, Regional Director West Midlands at Tilbury Douglas, said:  “We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with UHCW NHS Trust and NHS Property Services to deliver this key healthcare facility for Coventry.  “Our experienced team is focused on ensuring the successful transformation of the existing building into a modern, efficient diagnostic centre. “Using our extensive expertise in healthcare construction, we’ll deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility that provides long-term benefits for the NHS and the community it serves.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bellrock acquires MW Lift Services to expand in-house engineering capabilities

Bellrock acquires MW Lift Services to expand in-house engineering capabilities

Bellrock acquires MW Lift Services to expand in-house engineering capabilities  Addition of trusted specialist further enhances industry disruptor’s self-delivery model, serving up smarter, more connected property solutions Facilities management and property services industry disruptor Bellrock has strengthened its presence in the built environment with the acquisition of MW Lift Services, a specialist lift engineering company based in north-east England. The move is the latest step in Bellrock’s ongoing mergers and acquisitions strategy and reinforces its commitment to high-quality, tech-led, insight-driven property solutions. Bellrock and MW Lift Services share a vision and a set of values, both driven to succeed for customers by delivering exceptional service. MW Lift Services provides lift installation, refurbishment, maintenance and 24/7 call-out services to a wide range of public and private sector clients. MWLS is >80% self-delivered and has built an impressive reputation for safety, quality, and excellent customer service across the UK. The acquisition strengthens Bellrock’s self-delivery model and adds in-house lift expertise to its Critical Engineering division, led by Colette Fellows, Managing Director. Bellrock already provides a full range of planned and reactive technical services including electrical and mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration maintenance. By integrating MW Lift Services into the group, Bellrock can offer a complete, in-house service that keeps buildings safe, compliant and efficient. Integrating lift services also means improved quality, better control of service delivery, and greater efficiency through intelligent data insights. “Joining Bellrock gives us the platform to grow faster and deliver even more value to our customers,” said Michael Winter, Managing Director, MW Lift Services. “We’ve always been proud of the strong relationships we’ve built and the quality of our engineering, and now we have the scale, systems and support to take that to the next level.” Bellrock CEO Carlo Alloni said: “We’re delighted to welcome MW Lift Services to Bellrock. Their lift engineering capability is a perfect fit for our Critical Engineering division and strengthens our position as a leading, high-quality hard services provider. This partnership will help us deliver a broader, more integrated and high-quality service for our clients across the UK.” MW Lift Services will continue to operate as before, with the same management team and service commitments in place. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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