Facebook snub stalls Oxford Street office refurb

Great Portland Estate is still hoping to start construction work on a major Oxford Street refurbishment job this Autumn despite Facebook deciding not to take up the office element.

The internet giant has already agreed to take 242,800 sq ft of space at the developer’s nearby Rathbone Square scheme which is due for completion in late March.

Facebook was also given first option on taking space at Oxford House where main refurbishment work is yet to get under way.

In a trading statement to the City today Great Portland Estates said: “At Oxford House, 76 Oxford Street, W1, our 88,200 sq ft major mixed-use refurbishment scheme, Facebook have chosen not to exercise their right of first offer to occupy the 55,700 sq ft of office space.

“Dependent on market conditions, we expect to be able to commence construction during autumn this year although the development team continue to look for opportunities to improve the design of the currently consented scheme.”

The developer’s other scheme in the near-term pipeline is at Hanover Square in west London where demolition is now complete.

The company said: “Negotiations with Crossrail are ongoing to allow further access to the site, such that should market conditions be supportive, we can commence elements of the construction ahead of completion of the station structure by Crossrail in 2018.”

The longer term pipeline includes 14 as yet uncommitted schemes covering 2.4m sq ft.

The developer said: “These schemes provide an extensive pool of development opportunities, stretching into the early 2020’s, giving GPE a significant platform for organic growth into the next property cycle.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/01/26/facebook-snub-stalls-oxford-street-office-refurb/

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Controlling adhesive material remotely with light

Adhesive mechanisms in the natural world have many advantages: they are always strongly adhesive – and without any glues or residues. Scientists are researching how these mechanisms can be artificially created. An interdisciplinary research team has now succeeded in developing a bioinspired adhesive material that can be controlled remotely by using UV light. This way it is possible to precisely transport objects in a micro-range.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170125145812.htm

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Nanocavity and atomically thin materials advance tech for chip-scale light sources

Engineers have discovered an important first step towards building electrically pumped nanolasers that are critical to the development of integrated photonic based short-distance optical interconnects and sensors.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170124111434.htm

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New insights into the forms of metal-organic frameworks

A new study has introduced a new novel design strategy for synthesizing various forms of metal-organic materials (MOMs).

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170124111341.htm

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Enabling work starts at £6bn Meridian Water scheme

Enabling works are officially launched today to prepare the way for the first 725 homes at the vast Meridian Water regeneration scheme in North London.

Ultimately the £6bn Lee Valley scheme, led by Enfield Council teamed up with Barratt as its main development partner, will deliver 10,000 new homes. 

Land remediation specialist Cognition Land and Marine are on site pioneering a new US method for removing oil and non-aqueous chemicals with limited groundwater extraction.

The NET method uses oil attracting fabrics run continuously in a loop on conveyors into ground wells to recover pollutants, reducing the need for expensive water treatment.

A soils remediation contractor will be named by Enfield Council for Meridian Water’s phase one by the end of February 17 to start on site in April.

Once Barratt has achieved detailed planning for the first 725 homes later this year principal contractors will be appointed.

The vast site covers a 210 acres located  between Edmonton, Tottenham and Walthamstow.

The first homes are due to be completed in 2019 alongside a new station.

Phase One will also include shops and public spaces around a new railway station.

Cllr Doug Taylor, Leader of Enfield Council, said:  “Today is the day that Meridian Water moves firmly from vision to reality.  Many people said ‘it couldn’t be done’ but today we have started works to prepare the site for the first 725 new homes, we have the new railway station funded and being delivered and we have the UK’s largest homes builder as our selected Development Partner.

Meridian Water Phase One time table

• January 2017 – Construction enabling works start on Meridian Water’s Phase One, delivering 725 new homes, shops and public spaces around the new railway station.
• Spring 2017 – Development Agreement signed between Enfield Council and Barratt London, the selected Development Partner.
• September 2017 – Enfield Council begin construction of the first phase of Meridian Works, a new premises for Building Bloqs and ACAVA (the Association for Cultural Advancement through Visual Art) creating the largest open workshop in Europe, supporting 300 jobs.
• Early 2018 – Barratt London on-site constructing Phase One.
• Early 2018 – Building Bloqs @ Meridian Works and ACAVA @ Meridian Works opens.
• 2019 – The new Station at Meridian Water is planned to open, triggering the delivery of the first new homes.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/01/26/enabling-work-starts-at-6bn-meridian-water-scheme/

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Mears wins £86m Manchester repairs contract

Mears has been picked by Manchester city council ALMO Northwards Housing for a 10-year repairs and maintenance contract worth £86m.

The firm will carry out the repairs, empty property and servicing work to 13,500 homes in the north of the city.

The contract, which will also include Mears carrying out new adaptation work to all Manchester City Council homes, follows a four-stage tendering process and strong competition between four firms.

The new contract starts in April and will run to 2021 with the aim to continue to the full 10 years through two three-year extensions.

Mears is the majority owner of Northwards’ existing contractor, Manchester Working.

Sue Abbott, chair of the Northwards board, said: “Mears offers good value for money, with the pre-set price of each repair job decreasing by 3.01%. They’ve also agreed to fix this cost for four years, which is great at a time where funding for services can be uncertain.

“We look forward to building on the great relationship we already have and further improve our repairs service.”

As part of the new contract, Mears will offer weekday hours of 8am to 8pm and a Saturday morning service. Servicing costs will become fixed and there are new incentives and disincentives for the contractor to control spending.

Des Morris, Managing Director of Mears, North West, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the new contract. We can now build on the solid foundations already established over the last 10 years through the Manchester Working joint venture to deliver excellent services, value for money and tenant satisfaction.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/01/25/mears-wins-86m-manchester-repairs-contract/

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Briggs & Forrester rejigs senior team for expansion

Building services contractor Briggs & Forrester has reshuffled its senior management team as it plans further expansion after last year’s management buy-out.

Paul Burton is promoted to group chief executive from his previous job as managing director of the engineering services business.

Ian Lawrence will take over as new managing director of engineering services with Chris Church now appointed as director for the South East region, replacing Lawrence.

The changes take place from February and come as Briggs & Forrester revealed trading profits had jumped 26% to £4.4m in 2016 from sales up 8% to £177m.

Cash improved to £28.7m (£20.3m: 2015) continuing the strong trend of cash management across the business.

Briggs & Forrester’s forward order book has increased by £50m to £265m compared to a year ago and is well supported by a strong pipeline of opportunities to enable further growth from the existing geographical areas.

Mike Stanton, who remains executive chairman, said that the internal promotions should ensure the continued successful performance of the Engineering Services business as the company looks to expand the group’s activities.

Stanton said: “Having completed the Management Buyout in June 2016, it is extremely important to now address the Group Management structure.

“We don’t want to become just a bigger business, but a better business, generating improved margins and cash for the future benefit of everyone in the company.”   

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/01/25/briggs-forrester-rejigs-senior-team-for-expansion/

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