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BREEAM

Kawneer glazing systems help with a Welsh town’s regeneration

Kenneth Booth August 9, 2021

High performance curtain wall and door products by Kawneer feature on the Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd.  Aluminium glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified by key supply chain partner DarntonB3 Architecture for the redevelopment at the heart of the regeneration of a South Wales town.  Multiple curtain wall and entrance door products from Kawneer were specified on

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BARINGS SIGNS HSBC UK AT LANDMARK, MANCHESTER

Kenneth Booth June 18, 2021

Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, and Hana, a brand by leading workplace provider Industrious, have secured HSBC UK who will occupy part of the Flex centre of the Landmark office development in Manchester. HSBC UK has leased 10,300 sq ft of flexible

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The Cargo building becomes the the world’s first residential asset to achieve the BREEAM In-Use (BIU) Residential certification.

Kenneth Booth October 2, 2020

The Cargo Building in Liverpool, part of the residential portfolio managed by Federated Hermes, has become the world’s first residential asset to achieve the new BREEAM In-Use (BIU) Residential certification. Located just a few minutes’ walk from Albert Dock and Liverpool ONE, The Cargo Building comprises 324 apartments, making it

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

BREEAM

Kawneer glazing systems help with a Welsh town’s regeneration

Kenneth Booth August 9, 2021

High performance curtain wall and door products by Kawneer feature on the Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd.  Aluminium glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified by key supply chain partner DarntonB3 Architecture for the redevelopment at the heart of the regeneration of a South Wales town.  Multiple curtain wall and entrance door products from Kawneer were specified on the three buildings that comprise the £40 million Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd.  Kawneer’s AA®110 capped and SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain wall and thermally-superior AA®720 doors feature on several storeys of two office blocks whilst the AA®110 capped curtain wall product has been used on the ground floor of the statement community building.  In addition, Kawneer’s AA®190 TB entrance doors were installed on all three buildings over nine months by a team of up to 20 operatives from specialist sub-contractor Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor Willmott Dixon. Dudley’s won Willmott Dixon’s “Overall Partner Award” for this project at their Supply Chain Awards.  Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council commissioned Willmott Dixon to develop the ambitious project to kickstart Pontypridd’s resurgence, providing much-needed space for employment and for the community.  All three buildings at Taff Vale share the same reinforced concrete basement and podium design. The two office buildings are similarly designed five-storey, steel-framed blocks. The office-led scheme will boost local employment and increase footfall to Pontypridd town centre, with the ambition of making the town centre more appealing to new businesses.  The main community building containing public facilities, a library, council offices, leisure and fitness centre, retail unit and café, is an architectural feature and is consistently more complex, featuring a curved on plan facade.   Constructed using steel, in-situ cast reinforced concrete, brick, glass, prefab timber units and individually sized and shaped zinc shingle panels, its roof structure is unique and visually impressive.   Its semi-monocoque design curves in two directions via a steel frame which connects to the reinforced concrete core. The frame supports prefabricated timber cassettes that are bolted back to the steel. Thin timber planks are used to form the curves of the façade and individual zinc shingle panels (6,345 in total) are fixed using a clamp to form the outer face.  Creating a project with unique design features comes with its own set of challenges, and unsurprisingly the construction of the façade was one of the project’s most difficult elements. Due to its curvature, the façade angles out in places, creating a two-metre overhang from the base of the building.   The design means there are areas where the windows are almost tilting back on themselves so the importance of efficient drainage was a particular consideration. The mullion-drained Kawneer glazed curtain wall which completes the exterior of the main community building at ground-floor level was also installed at a 16° angle that falls back on itself.   The DarntonB3 project architect said: “Kawneer is known to us. We have used their systems before and would specify them again.  “Transparency in the buildings was important, particularly at ground levels, and the Kawneer curtain walling provided clean, slim lines. Sustainability was also a factor in the selection of building products.”  A sustainable construction practice was designed into the project as an important part of achieving a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. Elements included photovoltaic panels on the roof of the two office buildings, rainwater harvesting tanks in the plant rooms, and the use of several prefabricated, modular elements, such as the timber cassettes forming the community building façade. The project team also made use of BIM to track and measure its progress towards achieving the BREEAM target. 

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BARINGS SIGNS HSBC UK AT LANDMARK, MANCHESTER

Kenneth Booth June 18, 2021

Barings Real Estate, one of the world’s largest diversified real estate investment managers, and Hana, a brand by leading workplace provider Industrious, have secured HSBC UK who will occupy part of the Flex centre of the Landmark office development in Manchester. HSBC UK has leased 10,300 sq ft of flexible space in the Hana by Industrious at St Peter’s Square centre located on the lower floors of Landmark. Barings entered into a management agreement in January this year with Hana, now part of Industrious, to design, build and operate a 32,000 sq ft premium flexible workspace within Landmark. HSBC UK’s lease comprises the majority of the second floor in Landmark and means that approximately 40% of the lettable space within Hana by Industrious at St Peter’s Square is now pre-let prior to its launch in September this year. HSBC UK is the fifth global occupier that Barings has secured at Landmark in recent months. In addition to the agreement with Hana, Barings secured Allianz Insurance, one of the largest general insurers in the UK who is relocating over 100 Commercial and Engineering Insurance colleagues from Piccadilly Gardens into the 10,883 sq ft first floor at Landmark later this year. Additionally, global professional services firm Grant Thornton agreed a 15 year lease to relocate its Manchester team into the 13,219 sq ft eleventh floor of Landmark and will take occupation of the space later this year upon completion of its fit-out. Change Please, the award-winning premium coffee company and social enterprise supporting people out of homelessness which has several worldwide outlets, will also operate the coffee and pastry bar within Landmark. HSBC UK, Allianz, Hana, Grant Thornton and Change Please will join global property company JLL who moved its Manchester team into the 14,004 sq ft 10th floor last year, representing JLL’s largest commercial office outside of London. Completed in 2020, the 180,000 sq ft award-winning Landmark development offers 14 floors of BREEAM Excellent and Wired Score Platinum certified, office space in Manchester City Centre. Barings’ focus on well-being, customer experience, sustainability and technological infrastructure at Landmark provides all-important facilities for existing and future tenants, including contactless technologies enabling touch-free movement within the building, a dedicated cycle storage and maintenance hub, high-quality showers and changing facilities, electric car charging spaces and Amazon lockers for package delivery and returns. Hana by Industrious at St Peter’s Square, the second Hana location in Manchester, will feature a number of private offices (Hana Team) that can accommodate between one and 300+ people. Each office comes with an array of branding options for occupiers, enterprise-grade technology and configurable layouts. Hana by Industrious at St Peter’s Square will also offer coworking space for solo professionals (Hana Share) and on-demand meeting space (Hana Meet) that can be let by the hour, day, or week. Ian Mayhew, Managing Director at Barings, said: “To have pre-let, in partnership with Hana by Industrious, nearly 40% of the flexible space within Landmark and secured another global occupier is a fantastic result. We have attracted six high-profile occupiers since the building completed, five of which having signed up during the pandemic demonstrating the demand for both traditional and flexible high quality office space. The flexible offering within Landmark means that we can be truly inclusive and offer solutions to a wide range of office requirements all within a sustainable, first class building in the city’s best location.” Jamie Hodari, CEO and Co-Founder of Industrious, said; “To see this level of demand in St. Peter’s Square at Hana by Industrious is extremely exciting, particularly pre-opening, and is further proof that flexible workplace solutions are at the center of the future of the office. We’re thrilled to provide an engaging workplace to HSBC UK and its team, which fits squarely within the growing demand we see from global occupiers looking to incorporate greater flexibility in their workplace strategy. We feel especially proud to do so in a best-in-class building like Landmark. We look forward to our continued partnership with Barings, serving customers like HSBC UK and others over the coming years.” Leasing agents on Landmark are CBRE, Colliers International and JLL. HSBC UK was advised by CBRE.

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GLP secures planning permission to develop up to 736,000 SQ FT of warehouse space in Ashby

Kenneth Booth June 12, 2021

GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics buildings and warehouses, has announced that it has secured planning permission for the development of up to 736,000 SQ FT of warehouse space at G-Park Ashby. The planning consent allows for the development of either one or two units depending on customer requirements. The 66-acre development site at G-Park Ashby is centrally located in North West Leicestershire at the heart of the Golden Triangle for logistics. The site was formerly occupied by ‘The Lounge Coal Preparation and Disposal Point’ and will now be re-developed to provide Grade A modern logistics space in a prime location. The park benefits from excellent access being directly adjacent to the A42 and A511 with links to the M42 to the South, and M1 and East Midlands Airport 10 miles to the North East. The new unit(s) will be built to GLP’s enhanced specification including an 18 M clear internal height. In line with GLP’s sustainability commitment, the development will be built to BREEAM UK Excellent level standards and will include a range of innovative environmental features, such as rainwater harvesting and an online energy dashboard to help customers proactively manage their energy consumption. Gwyn Stubbings, Planning Director, GLP, said: “The proposals to redevelop a brownfield site will deliver significant economic benefits to the area including improved local infrastructure and creating almost 1,000 new jobs, at a time when the need for logistics has never been greater. The logistics industry will continue to play a vital and important role in supporting the economic recovery in the UK and this development will respond to the significant outstanding demand for modern and sustainable warehouse space.” Planning and development consultancy Turley provided planning, strategic communications, EIA, and sustainability services for the scheme.

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L&G gets green light for £50m repurposing of Edinburgh’s former Debenhams store

Kenneth Booth June 9, 2021

Proposals for the £50m regeneration of the former Debenhams store on Princes Street, Edinburgh have received unanimous approval at a City of Edinburgh Council planning committee meeting. The proposals, which repurpose 108,000 sq ft of vacant, obsolete retail space, were described as ‘setting the tone’ for the future regeneration of Edinburgh city centre. The redevelopment, spanning three separate listed properties at 109 to 112 Princes Street, creates a new hospitality hub and boutique hotel on the famous street. Plans include a 207-room upscale boutique hotel and publicly accessible restaurant, lounge, spa and rooftop bar. The proposals will create a new pedestrian link between Princes Street and Rose Street and new shopping, dining, hospitality, leisure and public event space. The rooftop bar will look directly on to Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle. Legal & General is delivering some of the UK’s most strategically important regeneration schemes that are fast transforming and reshaping Britain’s landscape, bringing jobs and services back into the centre of cities and better utilising existing infrastructure. The company’s responsible investment strategy, long-term view and ability to own and operate trading assets, make it uniquely positioned to maximise the Princes Street development’s social, environmental and economic contribution. Bill Hughes, Head of Real Assets for Legal & General Investment Management, said: “The UK needs urban centres that are fit for purpose and support growth. We continue to work hard investing in centres and creatively repurposing real estate to ensure the vitality of urban areas that need to evolve. Our long- term view and operational strategy mean we can adapt and innovate the Princes Street site to harness the full potential of these historic buildings, ensure they support economic growth and bring the widest possible benefit to the city.” Nida Rehman, Senior Development Manager for Legal & General Investment Management, said: “We have worked collaboratively with the City of Edinburgh Council to understand their aspirations for the future of Princes Street and create a financially, environmentally and socially sustainable development. The scheme will provide an exceptional anchor for the community and deliver best-in-class local services to support the post Covid recovery.” The project has ambitions to be one of the most sustainable developments in the city by targeting BREEAM Excellent and a carbon reduction Gold standard. The proposals also ensure the careful preservation of historically significant parts of the buildings, which have been past homes to both the city’s Conservative and Liberal Party Clubs, securing them for the future. The original properties were built in 1869 and the department store was developed in 1978. The scheme’s planning consultant is Montagu Evans, the architect is ICA, project manager is Gardiner & Theobald and townscape and heritage advisor is Turley. Construction work is expected to begin in 2022 with the new boutique hotel scheduled to open in 2024.

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Reds10 and Jestico + Whiles complete new Imperial War Museums’ London staff hub setting new standards for modular off-site construction

Kenneth Booth May 25, 2021

A new building to house teams of staff from across Imperial War Museums in a collaborative and creative space has been completed on Austral Street in Southwark, London; The scheme was constructed by Reds10 off-site using modular construction and was designed by Jestico + Whiles; The three-storey building consists of flexible workspace for 180 of the museum’s staff. Off-site construction specialists Reds10, working with architect Jestico + Whiles, have completed new staff offices for Imperial War Museums (IWM) in Southwark, London. The new building, called Parkside, will provide the principal workspace for Imperial War Museums’ staff in London, acting as a central hub for over 180 of its employees from a number of different directorates. Parkside is nestled behind the All Saints Building, which historically provided office and archive space for IWM. The purpose-built Parkside offers a creative hub for innovative thinking and collaboration between the museums’ teams, supporting IWM to fulfil its vital mission to improve public understanding of war and conflict through its exhibitions, events and programming. The new space will also support IWM’s commitment to develop smarter working practices across the whole organization. Jestico + Whiles was appointed to translate and develop IWM’s vision into a striking, flexible building of modest scale. The building was delivered using the latest off-site construction techniques, enabling the highest architectural standards and integrity to be achieved, even given the constraints of a Central London location. The building’s exterior consists of a light grey tone brickwork arranged to form a regular grid of recessed bays, within which vertical paired windows echo the local Georgian townhouse vernacular.  The outermost masonry planes are vertically coursed to reinforce the openings, and the deep recesses are accentuated with angled brick cills and vertical corduroy panels. Dark, bronze-framed windows and cladding contrast with the masonry and reference the tone of the existing All Saints Building beyond. The historic boundary wall to Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park was reconstructed with deep notches forming windows to the ground floor welfare spaces behind, and the main entrance gate from the park. The unrivalled design of the building, with its brick slip façade, multi-angle splays and double-height windows, relied heavily on striking the fine balance between work on-site and in the Reds10 factory. Techniques including 3D laser scanning of the building’s units, production of multiple building prototypes and meticulous attention to detail in selecting materials in the factory, meant the required tight tolerances, while minimising risk and reaching the highest levels of quality were achieved. The successful coordination of detail on and off-site and project team collaboration, has not only meant complete architectural integrity, but also a truly beautiful building; its flawless finish marrying the best of modern methods of construction, with the latest techniques in architectural design in a way that has not been seen before. On the inside, Parkside is arranged simply, with the ground floor providing shared facilities such as a café and breakout spaces. The two upper floors provide a combination of open workspace and formal and informal meeting areas. Raised access floors with the ability to fully reconfigure both the first and second floor shared spaces in layout, offer complete flexibility to suit a multitude of long-term of needs for the space. The floor plates are column-free, providing 14 m clean spans, despite having to support 100 tn of material to carry an extensive brown roof and photovoltaic panel array. Coupled with unique double-height windows spanning multiple modules, the internal spaces benefit from breathtaking natural light and unobstructed views of the neighbouring park. The project team was digitally connected through the use of Reds10’s common data environment ‘Autodesk Construction Cloud’, which allowed a singular place of input for all parties, from client to architect, factory to site staff. The single system, with its ability to generate Virtual Reality walkthroughs in real time, allowed the collaboration between numerous specialist parties to run flawlessly throughout the project lifecycle. The project team also carried out extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the design and development stages, working with IWM’s teams to understand how the workspace would be used whilst developing the scheme to address feedback from IWM’s neighbours. Working collaboratively, the project team have delivered an impressive building that marries the best of modern methods of construction, with the latest techniques in architectural design. Reds10 achieved a Considerate Constructors score of ‘exceptional’ in relation to community engagement. The team went above the minimum standards demonstrating industry best practice at the very highest level, including hosting several apprentices from the local area and investing in projects to benefit the local community. Sustainability was another key driver for IWM and the building is set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The triple aspect workspace uses natural ventilation and daylight strategies to lessen the energy demand on the active systems, the roof has been fitted with solar energy panels and the site includes a large cycle store for 70 bicycles and an electric car charging port, to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation. As part of Reds10’s commitment to deliver better than carbon neutral, whole life carbon and embodied construction impact assessments were also carried out, and SMART building technology installed to help reduce overall energy use and drive 100 per cent space productivity. Paul Ruddick, CEO, Reds10, said: “This project sets a new standard for off-site construction. It pushes the design to a higher level and truly shows the quality that can be achieved when architecture is embedded in the modular construction process from the start. We hope it leads to many more enlightened occupiers and developers selecting off-site construction, not just for its flexibility, efficiency and sustainability benefits, but to deliver truly amazing spaces where people thrive.”  Howard Pye, Associate Director, Jestico + Whiles added: “Parkside champions the very best off-site construction methods have to offer – bringing forward the highest quality in build and design with an impressive and finely detailed, demure façade. Working alongside Reds10, we have relished the challenge that off-site manufacture has brought to this project. Parkside demonstrates the benefits to speed, quality of

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Hollis achieves the most sustainable industrial refurbishments for SEGRO in London

Kenneth Booth April 21, 2021

Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating obtained Hollis has worked with SEGRO to deliver the industrial and warehouse developers’ most sustainable refurbishment projects at Park Royal, London, with both achieving Net Zero Carbon and Excellent BREEAM ratings. Introducing best in class sustainable measures into the Park Royal site, we project managed the comprehensive refurbishment of Unit 731 Tudor Industrial Estate and Unit E, Premier Park. SEGRO is committed to reducing the carbon intensity of properties by 40% by 2025 in line with the Paris agreement; to reducing the average embodied carbon intensity of all new developments by 20% by 2025; and to reducing the waste generated through its operations and sending zero waste to landfill by 2025. 731 Tudor Industrial Estate We were asked to make Unit 731 Tudor Industrial Estate Net Zero Carbon from an operational perspective and did so through the implementation of various measures to maximise energy efficiency, such as: installing PV solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, LED light fittings on sensors, and energy efficient air source for heating and cooling. The unit achieved an EPC A+ rating and is considered Net Zero Carbon from an operational perspective. Within one month of the PV solar panels being installed, they produced 3.38MW of power, saving 862 KG of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to 40 trees being planted. Unit E, Premier Park The refurbishment of the 43,036 sq ft warehouse space at Unit E, Premier Park achieved Net Zero Carbon and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, adding value to the property. We completely remodelled the layout of the unit and extended the square footage by adding a first floor to the ancillary accommodation, achieving SEGRO’s aims for the building. Key measures that were implemented to achieve Net Zero Carbon and the BREEAM certification, include: EV charging points which can be used by the occupier and the general public to encourage a switch to electric vehicles. Solar powered picnic benches to enable employees to work and relax outside, along with a woodland walk and nature boxes to attract wildlife. Secure bicycle parking to encourage employees to cycle to work instead of drive, with rich biodiverse growing roofs and wildlife habitat panels. Low maintenance, drought-tolerant planting is nectar-rich for butterflies, bees, moths and other invertebrate wildlife. Photovoltaic panels installed to the roof, provide electricity to the premises and any excess back into the network grid, saving approximately £24,000 per annum. All SunPower panels are backed by the industry-leading 25-year coverage of the SunPower Complete Confidence panel warranty. Comprehensive data about the energy produced is fed into an App for review. The data is also live streamed in real time on a big screen in the reception area for visitors and employees to see. CO2 sensors implemented to the office MHVR units increase / decrease the fresh air supply based on the level of CO2 within the office space. When the office is unoccupied, the unit does not run at full speed. This technology is fairly rare in terms of its use in office space. Heat recovery up to 85% for additional energy and cost savings. Water reducing producing products, such as non-concussive taps and rainwater harvesting feeds to the WCs, are anticipated to save over 400,000 litres of water per annum. Reclaimed and reused building materials installed including bio-based carpet tiles – 395 square metres of carbon neutral flooring (Interface Heuga 727) was installed, resulting in the retirement of 4 metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of the emissions from a car traveling 15,974 kilometres. Rather than install new, we decided to install a recycled raised access floor to the additional office space to the first floor office. Re-using the existing raised access floor to the ground floor. Airlite decoration was used on all wall surfaces. It is the first technology designed and developed exclusively to improve the air quality inside and outside living spaces. It prevents dirt in the air from settling and, at the same time, eliminates bacteria and prevents the formation of moulds. It drastically reduces the amount of solar heat absorbed by buildings, thereby reducing air-conditioning energy costs up to 30% and lowering the associated CO2 emissions that cause climate change. New energy efficient LED light fittings producing 161 luminaire lumens per circuit Watt. Carl Sablon, Senior Associate, Hollis said: “It is great to be part of such landmark projects and to deliver SEGRO’s most sustainable refurbishments. We are very pleased with the results of the refurbishment work at both of the units, helping SEGRO to achieve their aim of being Net Zero Carbon. This is hopefully just the start of many more projects like this. “The property industry has woken up to the need to act quicker to decarbonise new and existing property stock, to reduce waste, and to ensure schemes are as sustainable as possible to reverse the negative impacts of climate change. More needs to be done, but refurbishment projects with these aims are a great step to achieving this across the UK and world.”

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Panattoni on-site with 1 million sq ft development at Panattoni Park Northampton

Kenneth Booth March 16, 2021

Panattoni, the largest industrial developer in Europe, is set to start work on the second phase of its 1.6 million sq ft industrial park in Northampton. Panattoni Park Northampton is already the home to three former Panattoni buildings and will see further units delivered at 250,000 sq ft, 380,000 sq ft and 430,000 sq ft, totalling over another 1 million sq ft at the park. The second phase of development at the Park comes after Panattoni successfully speculatively developed and let 625,000 sq ft of space to Eddie Stobart Logistics. Winvic Construction Ltd have begun construction on the three new spec units will be developed over two phases, the first being units 250,000 sq ft and 430,000 sq ft with steels emerging in the coming weeks. Finally, the 380,000 sq ft which will commence later in 2021. Each will benefit from the same prominent location based on junction 16 of the M1 motorway, which will see tens of thousands of cars pass the occupiers’ logos each day. All three units will be built to 15m clear internal height and benefit from 50m yards. Northampton sits in the so-called ‘logistics golden triangle’, considered to be the UK’s most strategically important location for distribution. Panattoni Park Northampton is only 20 miles from the M6 and A14. The completed buildings will be built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and have an ‘A+’ EPC rating. Local services have been improved on site as part of the development, with the Red Lion Truck Stop parking area being expanded to accommodate more vehicles, as well as an HGV filling station being added to the existing set of pumps. The section 278 road that leads to the truck stop and main development has also been improved to give better access to the motorway. Once fully occupied, the development could support over 1000 jobs. Oliver Bertram, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing the development of 1 million sq ft in Northampton, after only recently completing the three units for Eddie Stobart. This shows that Panattoni has the confidence to deliver speculatively, knowing that the market needs more space. “This park gives businesses an ideal base to serve key markets across the UK, with direct access to the country’s major motorways. Market interest remains high in this area and we are committed to providing the right spaces for businesses to expand their operations. The new units at Panattoni Park Northampton will do just that.” Matthew Byrom, Managing Director at Panattoni, added: “This next phase of development in Northampton demonstrates the success of our high-level business strategy in the UK and the speed and scale at which we work. There are limited opportunities in the UK that will deliver a 1 million sq ft spec option and it’s an important build for industry as a whole and one that we anticipate will soon be let quickly.” Danny Nelson, Director of Winvic Construction Ltd said: “Panattoni Park in Northampton is a scheme that is dear to us. Not only is it close to our head office, we’ve also been on site since 2018, shaping the space with civils and infrastructure works and we then successfully constructed three units simultaneously for Phase 1. “We’re pleased that Panattoni has selected us to deliver more industrial warehouses and that they know Phase 2 is in a safe pair of hands. The challenge is now ours to surpass their expectations once again.” For more details on Panattoni Park Northampton please click this link.

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The Cargo building becomes the the world’s first residential asset to achieve the BREEAM In-Use (BIU) Residential certification.

Kenneth Booth October 2, 2020

The Cargo Building in Liverpool, part of the residential portfolio managed by Federated Hermes, has become the world’s first residential asset to achieve the new BREEAM In-Use (BIU) Residential certification. Located just a few minutes’ walk from Albert Dock and Liverpool ONE, The Cargo Building comprises 324 apartments, making it Liverpool’s first Build to Rent (BtR) scheme and largest Private Rented Sector (PRS) development. The Cargo Building was awarded the accolade after undergoing a rigorous evaluation process to benchmark and assess its sustainability performance across a selection of key areas, including energy efficiency, health and wellbeing, and resilience. The project recorded an impressive overall Part 1 rating of 70.8%, scoring particularly well in the categories of resilience, transport and energy. Working with environmental consultants GWP Project Services, who were appointed BRE assessors and auditors for the project, enabled Federated Hermes to identify improvement opportunities in line with assessment criteria. Securing BREEAM In-Use Residential certification demonstrates the commitment Federated Hermes has already shown across its non-domestic portfolio, with BIU assessments already undertaken across more than 30 assets, including Centre:MK and One City Place, a mixed-use development in Chester that achieved a rating of ‘excellent’. BIU Version 6, released in May 2020, is the latest version of the world-leading environmental methodology for assets in-use, which is used to assess buildings of all types in over 30 countries. As the go-to non-domestic standard for real estate owners, managers and investors, Version 6 brings the release of a brand-new version specifically created to recognise and drive high standards of sustainability and operational performance in residential buildings. “As the Cargo Building becomes the first residential asset to receive BIU certification, our next step will be to achieve BIU-certified status across our entire residential portfolio. As responsible investors, we adopt a long-term approach to investment and believe that assets which can demonstrate active responsible management, supported by the credentials of a world recognised benchmark perform more strongly over time than others in the same asset class. Rather than looking at investment decisions in purely financial terms, we take a holistic view of how our portfolio impacts on our wider ecosystem, always looking at ways to deliver strong returns while making a positive contribution to society as a whole.” -Sharon Brown, Director – Real Estate Risk & RPM Implementation at Federated Hermes, International  “Right from our first discussion around BREEAM In-Use Residential, Federated Hermes has been determined to move forward and showcase the very high performance of the Cargo asset. The ‘Excellent’ outcome is testament to the dedication and commitment of the whole team involved. The high score in the Resilience category shows that the asset is well-prepared and future-ready, giving assurance to the tenants regarding the asset’s sustainability credentials.”– James Fisher, Strategic Real Estate Lead at BRE Global Limited, the awarding body and organisation that established and oversees the scheme “Federated Hermes is a leader in sustainability and has continually demonstrated its commitment to achieving exceptional performance across its portfolio through its involvement with BREEAM’s sustainability assessment framework. The certification process has allowed Federated Hermes to deliver tangible improvements, in turn helping to support its wider sustainability objectives and commitment to net-zero targets.” -Barry Rankin, Director of GWP Project Services For more information on The Cargo Building, please visit: http://www.cargobuilding.co.uk

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Vodafone Hungary will create the workplace of the future in the Budapest ONE office park

Kenneth Booth September 16, 2020

As the next step in the integration of Vodafone Hungary and UPC, in the autumn of 2022, colleagues working in the company’s Budapest offices will move to the Budapest ONE office park. The complex, developed by Futureal, will house Vodafone’s new headquarters, which will offer innovative technological solutions with the highest standards, focusing not only on sustainability but also on the health and well-being of employees. Vodafone announced the acquisition of UPC Hungary last August, followed by the legal merger of the two companies on April 1, 2020. The next stop of the merger will directly affect the company’s employees, as, from October 2022, colleagues working in the Budapest headquarters will move to a common building in the Budapest ONE office park. “Vodafone Hungary has always stood for flexible working, however, with our recent experience in mind, we are trying to redefine and further advance this flexibility in terms of both office work and remote working. Of course, we will continue to provide our colleagues the possibility to work from home, as this is justified not only by the needs of our employees but also by considerations of environmental awareness. At the same time, we consider it important to create a green, digital office environment for our employees that inspires them and also supports their mental and physical well-being. In addition to the innovation aspects, we were looking for a modern building where we will be able to showcase our latest, most innovative technologies. In the coming months, we will be working with our colleagues and partners to create an office space that’s most suited to the needs of future employment.” – said Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Hungary. Vodafone aims to use technology to build a better, more sustainable future and protect the planet through environmentally conscious operation. Accordingly, the company considers it important to be able to showcase to visitors the various technological innovations offered by Vodafone and the tools used for implementing green guidelines, in a showroom to be set up in the new building. The Budapest ONE office park, designed in compliance with the standards of the environmentally conscious WELL Building and BREEAM building certification systems, is fully in line with Vodafone’s efforts to this end. The office building will be equipped with an energy-saving, intelligent central building management system, and electric car chargers will also be available in the parking garage. In the building, the mental and physical wellbeing of employees will be supported, among others, by a multifunctional community room, a bicycle storage area with a shower, a panoramic running track at the top of the building and a half-hectare open space inside the office park, which will be a popular meeting place with its uniquely designed green areas. “Vodafone’s choice is further proof that there is still strong market demand for a modern, healthy and innovative office environment. The design of Budapest ONE and its forward-looking solutions allow employees to work flexibly in creatively designed spaces, in line with the expectations of a new era in the wake of the pandemic. The success of the first phase of development and the increased interest in the next two buildings show that well-located office buildings with people-centered solutions and services will continue to be sought after.” – emphasised Tibor Tatár, CEO of Futureal. In the selection of the new headquarters, location was also a key consideration, as Budapest ONE is located in Hungary’s largest multimodal transportation hub, connecting multiple modes of transport. The large-scale development, which will take place in Őrmező, one of the dynamically developing areas of Budapest, located at the junction of Kelenföld railway station, metro line 4, tram line 1 and several bus routes, as well as the Budapest stretch of the M1 – M7 motorways, can be reached on direct transport services from Budapest’s downtown in up to 10 minutes.

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Goodman given green light for M25 340,000 sq ft prime e-commerce and deliveries site

Kenneth Booth August 28, 2020

Purfleet 338 Will Include 29,000 Sq Ft of Offices Green light granted for one of the largest warehouses available within the M25, meeting demand for quality logistics space close to the Capital Customers to benefit from access to a skilled workforce, including 1.6 million qualified locals1 Planning has been granted for a high specification 338,267 sq ft single unit warehouse at Purfleet Commercial Park, Essex.  Available to pre-let with the ability for an immediate start on site, Purfleet 338 is just 16 miles from Central London and at the heart of the M25 and A13 corridors, providing excellent connectivity across Greater London and the South East.  This location has prime access to the national motorway network, only half a mile from junctions 30 and 31 of the M25. This sees it able to efficiently service potential e-commerce, retail and third-party logistics customers, with capability of reaching 21 million consumers, with a combined purchasing power of £453 billion per annum2, within two hours.  Purfleet 338 also benefits from a sizeable base of potential employees – with 9,300 job seekers within a 30-minute radius and access to 1.6 million locals with qualifications relevant to logistics and distribution.     The warehouse will be developed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and will include more than 29,000 sq ft of high quality office space. Sustainably designed and energy efficient, the property will feature electric car charging points and infrastructure for future electric vehicle fleets, solar thermal heating and hot water, and carbon neutral cladding. The wider park has been designed to meet the business, health and wellbeing needs of Goodman’s customers with outdoor seating alongside a pond, mature landscaping, and a delineated running track. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said:  “Purfleet 338 sees Goodman continuing our commitment to provide critical infrastructure for delivery of essential goods and services.  “With this new development, we will further connect our customers with their consumers both in the Capital and wider South East region, helping them meet growing expectations for faster deliveries.” Purfleet 338’s plans also include an 18 metre clear internal height, 55 metre yard depth, 4MVA of power and a cladding system designed to meet chill-store requirements – offering customers flexibility in usage while maximising operational efficiency.   Glennie continued: “Goodman focuses on securing key sites for properties that stand the test of time. We know that well located, designed and managed properties are better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Our Purfleet investment allows for rising demand in flexible, high-specification spaces that support supply chain efficiencies.”    To find out more about Purfleet Commercial Park, please visit the website for further details. Joint agents marketing the scheme are Cushman & Wakefield and JLL.

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