HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured planning approval for Colloco, a 200,000 sq ft office development, in the St John’s District of Manchester city centre. The developer is seeking a joint venture partner now to deliver the highly sustainable Grade A office scheme. Situated on the corner of New
Bhangals Construction Consultants, an award-winning construction consultancy, has relocated to a newly refurbished two-storey office space in Northampton. The company spent months meticulously planning and designing the new office, in Grange Park, which offers open plan working, as well as dedicated meeting rooms, a kitchen and staff breakout areas. All
Bradford’s One City Park office scheme, delivered by Muse in partnership with Bradford Council, is now complete and contracts have been exchanged with a corporate anchor tenant, to be announced in the coming weeks. The landmark city centre building was delivered on schedule, a major feat for a scheme of
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction
CEG’s 200,000 sq ft EQ development in the heart of Bristol City Centre broke ground on the main construction phase this week, becoming the largest speculative office development currently underway in the south of England. BAM Construction has been appointed to deliver the striking glass building at 111 Victoria Street,
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks
Godwin Group, the UK property development investment firm, has expanded its network with a new office in London. The company, which has recently announced a number of new high profile appointments, already has existing bases in Nottingham and Birmingham. “As a leading international financial centre, London is a key location
London’s St James’s district benefits from new office, retail and restaurant space with the completion of a multi-use development. 35,000 sq ft of office space was delivered over the first to sixth floors, with 11,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space at ground and basement levels. The Marq project
A new office development in Leicester city centre, located next to two newly constructed hotels and public realm areas, is set for early completion in July 2019. “No.1 Great Central Square is such a key development for Leicester; the site exceeds occupiers demands in terms of office accommodation in a modern
The word ‘office’ has long been heavily associated with skyscrapers and modern complexes. These days, however, many businesses have expanded their geographical reach – with many opting to work outside of the city. Firms located in rural areas can avoid high rent costs, busy commutes and –unsurprisingly – can enjoy
HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured planning approval for Colloco, a 200,000 sq ft office development, in the St John’s District of Manchester city centre. The developer is seeking a joint venture partner now to deliver the highly sustainable Grade A office scheme. Situated on the corner of New Quay Street and Gartside Street and formerly the LTE Group’s Manchester College, Colloco will comprise 16 storeys of high-quality flexible accommodation. It will include communal spaces at ground floor level with a concierge reception, a roof pavilion with breakout and events space, and access to a landscaped garden terrace with views across the city. Each suite will also have a private external terrace. Designed by EPR Architects, with Asteer Planning acting as planning consultants, Colloco has been designed with sustainability at its core; the scheme will be built to Net Zero Carbon in construction and operation and is targeting EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings. It will also comply with British Council for Offices standards and include a host of amenities aligned with the WELL building standards. Sitting between St John’s and Spinningfields the area around Colloco is a vibrant hub for businesses in the media, technology, and creative sectors. In 2023, the district saw the opening of the new Aviva Studios, establishing its status as the epicentre of cultural and creative activity in the region. Securing planning and seeking a joint venture partner for Colloco comes a week after HBD and Greater Manchester Pension Fund topped out at Island, a 100,000 sq ft net zero carbon, smart-enabled Grade A office scheme on John Dalton Street in Manchester. Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD commented: “Colloco represents a new era in workspace design. The building looks to attract dynamic, forward-thinking organisations, which see collaboration and the health and wellbeing of their employees as fundamental to the success of their business.” “We are pleased with the planning approval which recognises the value that a scheme such as Colloco will bring to the city. It will be one of the most sustainable new office buildings in the regional market at a time when high-profile businesses are looking to occupy space which will support their Net Zero Carbon commitments.” The project team includes Arcadis EPR Architects; Asteer Planning, Curtins, Hoare Lea and Ramboll. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bhangals Construction Consultants, an award-winning construction consultancy, has relocated to a newly refurbished two-storey office space in Northampton. The company spent months meticulously planning and designing the new office, in Grange Park, which offers open plan working, as well as dedicated meeting rooms, a kitchen and staff breakout areas. All the desks have been purpose built to fit the ample space, and the renovations have been completed to the highest standard to enable the best possible working environment for staff. A yet to be opened upstairs space will soon also provide a versatile events area for both Bhangals staff and the wider business community. The entire space totals 7,500 square feet. The move, which has rehoused the company’s 30-strong workforce, will allow for further growth as managing director Parm Bhangal adds to the team. It comes just five years after the company doubled the size of its previous office space by taking over the office next door. Parm said: “I am very proud and excited to finally share our new office space with everyone. This has been in the works for over a year, and after months of meticulous planning and renovations, it’s great to see the team settled into their new home. I had a very specific vision in mind – an office space that not only fosters collaborative working but also stands out in a way people haven’t seen before. “It’s been a massive project, and I won’t deny there were moments of stress, however, the outcome is truly worth it, and I take pride in the modern and inviting atmosphere we’ve created. We really thought about our team and our clients throughout the entire process. Their needs and expectations were at the forefront of our decisions so, it’s really satisfying to see them settle into their new office space and bring their enthusiasm into the workspace. We thank our team for their continued support and hard work and look forward to continuing our growth. “I can’t wait to see what our incredible team achieves in this space. Welcoming our clients here adds another dimension to our ability to serve and collaborate effectively. The new office is not just a physical space; it’s a vibrant home for our collective success and growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford’s One City Park office scheme, delivered by Muse in partnership with Bradford Council, is now complete and contracts have been exchanged with a corporate anchor tenant, to be announced in the coming weeks. The landmark city centre building was delivered on schedule, a major feat for a scheme of this scale in a prominent and extremely tight city centre location. Brought forward by national place makers Muse and in partnership with Bradford Council, the scheme offers 56,403 sq. ft of sustainable and flexible office space in the heart of the city and was delivered by main contractor Caddick Construction. Additional funding came from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said: “One City Park will be a catalyst for further investment in the city and signifies a newfound confidence in its commercial centre that will attract future big-name businesses. The project also demonstrates a very successful public/private partnership that will reap long-term benefits by providing incredible job opportunities for the younger, growing, population in the city.” The project is the first large capital development to complete in the city, ahead of the £23m Darley Street market scheme set to open next year, as well as Bradford Live which is currently undergoing its own multi-million-pound transformation. The city has also committed to a Walking and Cycling Improvements Scheme that is set to transform the way people get around the city centre. The £43m scheme includes the pedestrianisation and landscaping of a number of city centre streets and re-routing some buses – all aimed at creating a healthier, safer and more attractive place in which to live, work and visit. One City Park only launched to market last year and is represented by commercial agents Knight Frank and Colliers. It features five floors of workspace and a roof terrace, flexible floor plans that can adapted to accommodate more agile working practices as well as promote wellbeing. It is designed to suit a range of businesses from home grown starts-up and SMEs, through to larger organisations and multi-national occupiers. The building, which has now been formally handed over to Bradford Council as the owners, is framed by new public spaces including stepped access and attractive seating areas. Cultural assets such as the Grade I Listed City Hall, St George’s Hall and new music venue, Bradford Live, all surround One City Park and are expected to play a major role in the city’s UK City of Culture celebrations in 2025. Sustainable design elements are at the core of One City Park including high-performance glazing, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to make sure the building operates on renewable energy. Every car park space has an electric car charging point, coupled with secure cycle storage and changing facilities to encourage workers to take more sustainable and healthier modes of transport. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction Director for BAM, said: “BAM’s buildings are winning sustainability awards across the UK. Our knowledge and understanding, which spans both buildings and the design and construction process, is being transferred to Globe Point. This flagship city centre building is a BREEAM Excellent development and it is really taking shape.” Providing next generation workspace for over 400 people, the 37,800 sq ft seven-storey building on Globe Road is striking, with its flat iron design providing spectacular views across the city from the roof terrace gardens. Responding to occupiers’ expectations and the new ways of working, Globe Point will deliver some of the highest quality workspace in Leeds, along with ground floor break-out space and café kitchen. Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a really exciting milestone, not only for the Globe Point development, but also for the regeneration of Leeds’s Temple district and the wider South Bank area. “High-quality projects like Globe Point are a sign of the strength of the Leeds economy as we continue our recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and redouble our efforts to deliver jobs and opportunities for all. It promises to be a worthy and very impressive addition to our city’s skyline.” Globe Point will be the first new build office to complete in Leeds City Centre this year and is the first of CEG’s developments to complete within the Temple district of the city. CEG is currently managing the transformation of Drapers Yard, on Marshall Street, for Labcorp’s life science centre of excellence. The new headquarter facility will boast a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting. CEG, alongside Leeds City Council and other stakeholders, is bringing forward further development across the Temple district, with the potential to provide some 4 million sq ft of high quality accommodation with Temple Works at its heart as a cultural centrepiece. Nick Lee, director at CEG, said: “Globe Point will deliver much needed new workspace within Leeds City Centre. The quality of the building and the approach to people and sustainability led design will set the tone for future developments within Temple. We are really excited about the buzz in Temple and the number of people living and working in the area continues to grow, supporting the fantastic bars, restaurants and other amenities, including our events space partnership with Chow Down.” Fox Lloyd Jones and Knight Frank are marketing the building on behalf of CEG. Nick Salkeld from Fox Lloyd Jones said: “We are beyond excited to have this ground-breaking scheme ready to show occupiers and the delivery work to date has already surpassed our expectations as to what a new generation workspace looks and feels like. Throughout the design process we really majored on the detail around the flexibility and quality of the space, making the most of its unique dual aspect with amazing natural light around the entire floorplate. The finished product will raise the bar as to what constitutes the best new office space in the city in a highly sustainable building and at the heart of an area steeped in history and character.” Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “We are on course to deliver next generation workspace, combining great design, strong ESG credentials and new technology. With great interest from existing Leeds businesses, as well as inward investing firms, its clear Globe Point will provide space that will appeal to staff and help to attract skills and talent in today’s competitive environment, as well as meeting a businesses’ sustainability targets.” Award-winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is the architect for Globe Point. Amanda Whittington, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “Alongside the wider masterplan, FCBStudios has designed two office buildings at the Temple site to provide 22,727m² of new Grade A office space. “On the historical east of the site, Globe Point office is an expressive flat iron building that marks the approach from key routes to the city centre. Brickwork panels form a dynamic façade with a contrasting aluminium profiled crown. “Designed to BREEAM excellent, the internal workspaces allow plenty of natural daylight to provide healthy flexible workspaces and cater for an ever changing office environment. Rooftop terraces on the top floors offer amenity space with commanding views. A co-working/café space on the ground floor has been developed with interior designers Ekho Studio to provide an exciting new destination for the area.”
CEG’s 200,000 sq ft EQ development in the heart of Bristol City Centre broke ground on the main construction phase this week, becoming the largest speculative office development currently underway in the south of England. BAM Construction has been appointed to deliver the striking glass building at 111 Victoria Street, close to Bristol Temple Meads Station. Raising the bar in terms of quality, occupant wellbeing and sustainability, EQ will provide 20,000 sq ft of occupier amenities such as a rooftop bar, restaurant and business lounge with communal terrace, ground floor café kitchen, 50 seat auditorium, as well as a fitness suite and break out space. The building will provide some of the largest open plan office floor plates in Bristol of up to 27,377 sq ft. CEG will also offer its ‘Let Ready Go’ studio concept, offering fully-equipped internet ready workstations enabling businesses immediate set up, easy expansion and contraction and access to high quality meeting and amenity space as part of a thriving and collaborative community. Over 500 construction jobs will be created per annum during the two-year build programme, as well as six local apprenticeship opportunities. Once complete, the building will accommodate over 2,000 people and will deliver £466 million GVA per annum from direct and indirect operational jobs*. Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, said: “We are making an immediate start on site in order to be in a position to offer 200,000 sq ft of the highest quality office space ready for occupation by the first quarter of 2023. “There is an acute shortage in supply of Grade A offices in Bristol and we’ve already seen a record number of pre let office deals in the city this year. We adopt an innovative approach to leasing, to deliver flexibility, as well as offering tenant fit outs, which reduces an occupier’s capital spend traditionally associated with a relocation.” Neil Dorrington, construction director for Bristol-based BAM Construction, said: “This must be one of the most ambitious schemes ever constructed in Bristol, which is a tremendous testament to CEG. “BAM’s early and close association with the development of it over a prolonged period means we can bring our expertise in digital construction and our sustainability credentials to bear even more so than on many other schemes. Our time on site means we can also achieve great social value for the city.” Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “As we face severe recession, contraction to Bristol’s economy and employment losses, news of such a major sustainable investment to bring job opportunities and social value to our city is hugely positive and welcome. “Working with city partners to achieve Bristol’s potential, our economic renewal should be focused on tackling inequality and building a fair, healthy and sustainable city. This type of sustainable development will help us build back better together.’’ Architect Aukett Swanke has designed the building with sustainability, amenity, health and well-being at its core. Targeting BREEAM Outstanding, the building provides photovoltaic units on the roof, rainwater harvesting, efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems, extensive cycling parking, showers, electric vehicle and e-bike charging points and will be connected to Bristol City Council’s District Heating Network. This will help occupiers trying to meet their carbon reduction targets. In a first for Bristol, a dedicated bicycle entrance and ramp from Temple Street to the basement provides easy access to more than 260 cycle spaces, which is in excess of industry standard. Health club quality changing and shower facilities are also provided. This gives cyclists priority on accessing the building, something which will prove even more important post Covid. Luke Schuberth, UK managing director of Aukett Swanke, said: “EQ will be a first class piece of architecture that we have enjoyed being involved in creating. It is testament to a client that has clear ambition and vision and a design team that has a strength in depth and a culture of pushing innovation. It has been a joy to design EQ, to stretch the boundaries of office design with health and well-being and a sustainable ethos that is at the core. The building will increase the energy of the people within it, whilst reducing the energy required to run it. We are delighted that it will now be realised and look forward to its completion.” Designed as a Smart Tech enabled building, there will also be fewer touch points, increased air changes and air quality sensors, benefitting occupiers in a post-Covid world. The scale, quality and flexibility offered by the building, as well as its strategic location close to Temple Meads, opens up significant opportunities for new inward investing companies keen to access the south west market. Jones Lang LaSalle and Cushman and Wakefield have been appointed by CEG to launch the building to market. Ian Wills of JLL explains: “Living costs have rocketed in London and skilled staff are finding it too expensive and over-crowded. Employers are looking elsewhere and Bristol has always appealed; just 80 minutes from the heart of London, it offers a large skilled workforce and great quality of life which help to attract and retain employees. “CEG with a long term investment and management approach is also able to offer a unique Core and Flex model which allows a business to expand and contract within the space. This will help to manage company growth and additional projects, as well as seasonal demand and the effects that social distancing will have on their office requirements.” Andy Heath of Cushman and Wakefield states: “We are confident we will secure a pre-let, not just due to the high market demand in Bristol, but because this offers a workspace that is sustainable, efficient, flexible, healthy, digitally resilient and future-proofed – it will set a new benchmark for regional offices.” CEG has one of the largest office development pipelines in Bristol, offering some 400,000 sq ft in its local portfolio at The Quorum, The Crescent Centre, 1000 Aztec West and EQ. The Quorum has been recently refurbished, and a planning consent has
Leading UK construction company Willmott Dixon has strengthened its presence in Sussex with a new office. The firm held an event to celebrate the opening of the Gatwick office, welcoming leaders and representatives from both Crawley and Surrey County Council. The new base expands the company’s presence as it looks to deliver more projects that play a key role in the county’s future. The opening comes shortly after the successful completion of L3 Technologies’ new flight simulator production and training facility on Gatwick Road in Crawley. It was designed to promote an agile, collaborative, project-led working approach, and will accommodate both pre-construction and operations staff, with partners and customers also encouraged to utilise the space. “Willmott Dixon has been well established in the county since 1930 when we built Bailiffscourt at Climping near Littlehampton for Lord Moyne. Since then we’ve grown across Sussex and opening our new Gatwick hub, close to where many of our people live, is a natural evolution,” explained Russell Miller, Willmott Dixon Director for Delivery in Sussex. “Gatwick is a thriving area and has, along with Sussex, a really bright future with many bold and imaginative initiatives to encourage growth and investment. We want to be part of shaping that by basing ourselves in an area close to our partners and customers,” Russell added. The event also saw Chestnut Tree House – the children’s hospice for Sussex –presented with a cheque for £7,104.12 which was raised by the team at Willmott Dixon following a sponsored skydive.
Godwin Group, the UK property development investment firm, has expanded its network with a new office in London. The company, which has recently announced a number of new high profile appointments, already has existing bases in Nottingham and Birmingham. “As a leading international financial centre, London is a key location for Godwin Capital to enhance its corporate profile, provide expansion opportunities and access to one of the world’s deepest pools of capital,” said Andrew Mitchell, group investment director of Godwin Group. “The build-to-rent (BTR) sector continues to grow apace; operators are looking to take advantage of improved yields and a wider selection of sites across the UK as infrastructures improve and lower land prices make development lucrative. Many of the key players in this market are based out of head offices in London. Godwin Group’s new London office is strategically located to provide this vital link, local contact and expertise for its regional businesses,” Andrew added. The new London office provides a new base of operations for both arms of the business, Godwin Developments and Godwin Capital. “Godwin Group has seen huge growth over the past months. Our new London office will allow us to accommodate further expansion plans and look to reach new markets in our key sectors. These are exciting times for Godwin Group and we are looking forward to expanding our network even further with the opening of our London office,” commented Stephen Pratt, group land director of Godwin Group. Godwin’s recent successes include a proposed new BTR scheme of 201 apartments at The Landmark development in Derby, Godwin Capital’s launch of innovative new investment products and the launch of the group’s BTR brand called Core Living – which plans to build up to 2,500 new homes over the next four years.
London’s St James’s district benefits from new office, retail and restaurant space with the completion of a multi-use development. 35,000 sq ft of office space was delivered over the first to sixth floors, with 11,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space at ground and basement levels. The Marq project has been completed by Skanska for its client The Crown Estate. “Handing this project over on time, within budget and to such a high standard is a fantastic achievement. Working together with all of our stakeholders has created a strong working ethic that has delivered our customer’s requirements and it’s a building that they can be proud of,” said Richard Kirkpatrick, Project Director. The development features three pieces of bespoke artwork by Jacqueline Poncelet, with two external elements – splay corner and gates – being complemented by an interior wall-based artwork. Moreover, the building is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating for the office space and a WELL Building Core and Shell Gold certification. On this project Skanska was also supported by Rolfe Judd (architects), Waterman Group (structural engineers) and Watkins Payne Partnership (services engineers). “This has been a complex project at a busy location with several constraints on the site. It has been an exciting project for us, involving creative engineering in close proximity to nearby buildings and busy streets. The structural works have gone very smoothly thanks to close collaboration between all parties. The project is a great credit to all involved,” commented Richard Whitehead, Board Director of Structures at Waterman.
A new office development in Leicester city centre, located next to two newly constructed hotels and public realm areas, is set for early completion in July 2019. “No.1 Great Central Square is such a key development for Leicester; the site exceeds occupiers demands in terms of office accommodation in a modern thriving city centre. Construction is ahead of schedule and the completion date has moved forward. This is great news given the overwhelmingly positive response and strong interest from potential occupiers received to date. Interested parties are reacting to the clear advantages this location offers, not to mention the fantastic facilities and working environment offered,” said Reg Pollock from property consultants APB Leicester LLP. “Great Central Square is a significant regeneration scheme so it’s no surprise that people are keen to be a part of it. Its completion will create a gateway between the city and the waterside, tenants will benefit from the nearby Highcross shopping centre and fantastic transport links to the rail station, motorway network, and nearby airports,” Reg Pollock added. As well as offering up to 33,000 sq ft of Grade A offices, the Great Central Square mixed-use development will also see the listed Great Central Railway Station brought back to its former glory and converted into retail/leisure space. “It’s great to see speculative development within Leicester City Centre reflecting the confidence our clients Charles Street Buildings have in the market. No.1 Great Central raises the bar in terms of specification and design of offices delivered in Leicester to date and, when combined with the high-profile city centre location, really does offer office occupiers looking for space within the Leicester market something quite special,” commented James Keeton of joint agents JLL.
The word ‘office’ has long been heavily associated with skyscrapers and modern complexes. These days, however, many businesses have expanded their geographical reach – with many opting to work outside of the city. Firms located in rural areas can avoid high rent costs, busy commutes and –unsurprisingly – can enjoy major health benefits. Those based in the countryside typically work from converted buildings, like barns and lofts. As with any indoor area, safety compliance is key. If you want to transform an old building into an office, look no further: our guide can help you to achieve this. Determine Property Age Do you seek to convert an old building – like a barn – into a working space? If so, it may be worth determining its age before you decide to buy. Often, it can be slight harder to obtain planning permission for properties that were built before a certain period than more modern constructions. Farm buildings pre-dating July 1948 may be determined by the same rules that are applied to the updating of listed buildings. To avoid any legal disputes, it could be worth identifying its approximate age. Census returns, local history societies, and online sources can help with this. In doing this, you can make sure that any space older than 71 years old will apply to all safety compliancy laws once it has been modified. Consider Company Type What kind of business do you own? Do you provide face-to-face customer service? Or does client work happen outside of the office? In the UK, Health and Safety regulations are universal. But particular ones can apply to certain workplace environments. On-Site construction may entail additional regulations that are specific to that industry, for example. If craftwork – like carpentry – will take place within your desired barn or coach house, you must consider how its layout can protect workers from harm. Single story buildings with a wide surface area often present a less hazardous environment. To maximise the safety of your converted space, identify any industry requirements regarding safety laws. Guarantee Consistent Safety Safety compliance is an ongoing task. But with the right equipment, you can easily maintain a comfortable, healthy space. Devices like automatic smoke ventilation systems can detect any issue before it arises. As a result, you can confront it quickly and effectively. Additionally, health and safety compliance involves comfort. If it is not dealt with, discomfort can seriously affect our emotional and physical wellbeing. Exposure to intense cold may lead to hyperthermia and confusion. Equally, without proper ventilation, heat exhaustion can occur in offices. A manual window opener can enable you to eliminate either of these risks. With this tool, everyone in your converted business space can manage heat levels directly. Therefore, you can all work together to make it as comfortable and safe as possible. A business relocation to the country could heighten the overall performance of your team and firm. Better still, it will deliver fantastic views. It may even improve staff members’ health. Now that you know how to optimise safety within your new office, you can create the ideal home for your company.
