GPE to start trio of projects despite London caution

London developer Great Portland Estate is pressing ahead with three projects this year, each next to Crossrail stations.

But the London developer struck a cautious note about further development prospects amid uncertainty about Brexit and an ongoing stand off between vendour pricing for lower grade buildings and buyers.

GPE said with lower quality, short-let buildings, often in need of redevelopment, not being adequately discounted by prospective vendors for the additional level of associated risk the remained weak for new London redevelopment schemes

That said GPE is pressing ahead with a trio of projects at a cost of £240m including Hanover Square above Bond Street Crossrail station, Oxford House at 76 Oxford street and now Cityside House located between Aldgate and Whitechapel Crossrail station.

At Cityside, J F Hunt has commenced demolition and GPE has committed to transform the existing building into 74,700 sq ft of Grade A office and retail space by the end of 2019.

At Oxford House, GPE has just committed to a 116,000 sq ft new build office and retail space, a 30% increase (27,000 sq ft) on the refurbished building.

Demolition of the existing building is expected to commence imminently with construction of the new building expected to start in March 2019 and completion is targeted for Q3 2021.

At Hanover Square, GPE has planning permission for a 221,300 sq ft mixed-use development comprising 167,200 sq ft of offices, 41,900 sq ft of retail and restaurant space and 12,200 sq ft of residential apartments.

It has started some works on parts of the site but is aiming to repurchase the land from Crossrail over the summer under the terms of existing agreements.

Beyond these three schemes, the developer said it had a medium-term pipeline of 13 uncommitted schemes totalling 1.3 million sq ft.

 These include New City Court, SE1 in the London Bridge Quarter, where it hopes to enlarge the existing 98,000 sq ft building, and Mount Royal at the western end of Oxford Street, where Make Architects is drawing up early plans to redevelop this two-acre site into a retail-led development scheme.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/23/gpe-to-start-trio-of-projects-despite-london-caution/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174174516844

Morrison agrees £59m price for East Ayrshire school complex

East Ayrshire Council has signed up Morrison Construction to construct a new learning and enterprise campus after agreeing a £59.4m bid for the project.

The 250,000 sq ft Barony Campus will house 2,500 students and 300 staff in the Broomfield area of Cumnock.

Designed by Sheppard Robson, the student facilities include a secondary school (for 1,633 pupils), a primary school (517 pupils), a nursery (240 children), an 80-place supported learning centre and 30 additional places for students with special educational requirements.

Situated on a 19.8 hectare, urban fringe site – the school consolidates five disparate schools into one campus, creating a centre for education for the towns of Cumnock and neighbouring Auchinleck.

The complex consists of four linked structures, with three school pavilions and sports centre.

The design approach helps to break down the overall mass of the building – which is formed of 2 two-storey and 2 three-storey structures each with a pitched roof profile to blend with the urban surrounds.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/23/morrison-wins-59m-east-ayrshire-school-complex/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174172467024

Welsh towers get cash to replace Grenfell style cladding

The Welsh Government has agreed £3m in funding to enable Newport City Homes to replace cladding on three tower blocks in the city.

The three residential high-rise buildings are the only ones in the Welsh social housing sector confirmed as having Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) systems which failed combustibility tests in the wake of Grenfell.

Housing and Regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans said: “Since the terrible events at Grenfell Tower last year, we have worked closely with local authorities, building owners, managers, both the private and third sectors and others to gather a full and accurate picture of high-rise residential buildings in Wales, and to ensure that owners and agents are aware of Government safety guidance and taking necessary action.

“Newport City Homes acted quickly to safeguard residents, putting in place a number of fire safety measures, including fitting sprinklers.

“Now it’s our turn to support them with this investment, which will enable Newport City Homes to continue their commitment to resident safety, without compromising their vital plans to build more social housing in the city.”

Newport City Homes board chair Nicola Somerville said: “The Minister has listened to our concerns and those of Newport.

“This is an excellent example of partnership working and agile public services in action.

“This funding from Welsh Government means we can continue to focus our resources on delivering communities in which people want to live, keeping the residents at the heart of everything that we do.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/23/welsh-towers-get-cash-to-replace-grenfell-style-cladding/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174172231049

Bouygues tipped for £135m Cardiff innovation campus

Cardiff University is understood to be in final negotiations with contractor Bouygues to deliver the next phase of its ambitious campus development.

The third phase of the Cardiff University post-graduate project includes a new translation facility, and innovation centre with a new pedestrian bridge connecting the centre to the existing business school.

Kier has carried out pre-construction work on the project but decided not to proceed with the main design and build contract.

Several contractors including Sir Robert McAlpine and BAM were also in the bid race but it is now understood Bouygues is favourite to sign a deal.

Architects HawkinsBrown and HOK have worked up project designs alongside site masterplanners BDP.

Arup delivered M&E and Jacobs structural designed for the development which been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating. The associated works include sewer systems, landscaping, infrastructure and enabling works.

The bridge proposal comprises a 30m long single span virendeel truss system, with stairs and dual access lift at each end.

It will terminate in Exchange Square, a large public open space, at the heart of the Innovation System Campus, east of the Innovation Centre Building. To the west it will terminates the existing Business School car park.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/23/bouygues-tipped-for-135m-cardiff-innovation-campus/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174171978604

WSP raids CH2M and Atkins for infrastructure hires

WSP has strengthened its transport and infrastructure team with two new senior appointments.

David Stephens, who was previously the development director for the local government business at CH2M, has joined WSP as head of local government.

This forms part of WSP’s transport & infrastructure business unit and already carries out £100m worth of local government work in the UK.

David Stephens, WSP Head of Local Government said: “After 14 great years with Halcrow and CH2M the next move was always going to be a big decision.  Combined with the opportunity to develop a business focused on supporting our local government clients; it was WSP’s forward-looking culture that got me really excited.”

Also joining WSP’s transport and infrastructure team is Adrian Malone, who previously a decade with Atkins where he took on numerous roles including group head of knowledge management and collaboration.

He is now head of digital project delivery and BIM helping clients grasp the opportunities digital technology offers in both creating and maintaining infrastructure.

Steve Smith, WSP UK Managing Director for Transport and Infrastructure said: “These two quality appointments are a testament to our commitment to supporting our local government clients and driving digital technology in our 2,500 person Transport and Infrastructure business.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/22/wsp-raids-ch2m-and-atkins-for-infrastructure-hires/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174149780739

Galliford Try starts £47m Solihull retirement village

Galliford Try Partnerships has started work on its latest development for ExtraCare Charitable Trust in Solihull.

Solihull Retirement Village will offer 261 apartments in a scheme stepping up to twelve floors, with ECCT working in partnership with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

The £47m contract represents the eleventh retirement village constructed by Galliford Try Partnerships on behalf of ECCT.

Work has just started on the 30-month build programme.

Situated in nearly four acres on the former Powergen site, the village is on the corner of Stratford Road and Haslucks Green Road

The flast will be available for open-market purchase, shared ownership and affordable rent to people aged 55-plus.  It will include a village hall, library and IT suite, bar and bistro, fitness gym, hairdressing and beauty salon and shop.

James Warrington, Divisional Director at Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “Having worked with the Trust many times before, we have recently established a strategic alliance which allows us to focus on delivering an outstanding development for them.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/22/galliford-try-starts-47m-solihull-retirement-village/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174149780559

Dandara plans 340-flat Bristol build to rent project

Developer Dandara is planning to develop 340 new homes in the town of Bedminster that lies one mile south of Bristol city centre.

Designed by Manchester architectural practice Hodder + Partners, the proposed scheme includes a combination of one and two-bed flats for rent – including an affordable housing provision – within a podium and tower.

A new street will be introduced through the site making a pedestrianised connection between St. Catherine’s Place with St. John’s to the east.

Stephen Hodder, chairman of Hodder + Partners, said the scheme formed an important part of the wider masterplan for Bedminster.

“It will also act as a catalyst to the regeneration of Bedminster’s main shopping street, East Street, and how East Street connects via a regenerated Bedminster Green to the train station which is just one stop from Bristol Temple Meads.”

A spokesperson for Dandara said: “The Bedminster Green regeneration would bring more people into East Street, helping revitalise this important South Bristol retail centre.

“Bedminster is one of Bristol’s most sustainable locations for new homes. It is just one mile from the city centre and Temple Meads station, has its own train station, good existing bus services and the new Metrobus.”

A final planning proposal will be lodged with Bristol City Council shortly.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/22/dandara-plans-340-flat-bristol-build-to-rent-project/

via Tumblr http://ndbasilica.tumblr.com/post/174144873499