London Build Expo’s Post

Get ready for the incredible transformation of these THREE iconic London buildings. 👀 Three famous London buildings are set to be repurposed. LEFT: The world’s largest ever conversion of an office skyscraper in London. Plans have been unveiled to transform 8 Canada Square. When HSBC bank vacates the tower in 2027, it is set to be redeveloped, including the removal of large chunks from its facade. Cuts to the tower will carve out new terraces and divide the building into 8 sections. The higher floors would become an entertainment complex with museum, restaurant and garden. The lower floors would be new frontage for shops and restaurants. TOP RIGHT: Plans to transform and re-purpose London’s former City Hall (the former HQ of the Mayor of London) into shops, restaurants and offices have been approved. Its new face-lift will involve its exterior glass shell removed and new balconies fitted. BOTTOM RIGHT: The BT Tower is to be turned into a luxury hotel after its £275m sale to MCR Hotels. The 177 metre tower which opened in 1965 was originally called The Post Office Tower and was London's tallest building for 16 years. Credits to London Build Expo

Luxury and Controversy: Brisbane's Casino Precinct Unveiled After nearly a decade in the making, Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf precinct, valued at $3.6 billion, has officially opened its doors. Designed by Cottee Parker Architects, this mixed-use development features four distinct towers connected by a sky deck 30 storeys above ground level, offering panoramic views of the Brisbane River, CBD, and Mt Coot-tha. The precinct includes the Brisbane Star casino, multiple hotels, retail spaces, an event centre, public art gallery, and a range of dining options. A standout feature is the new Neville Bonner Bridge, designed by Grimshaw Architects, which connects Southbank to Queen’s Wharf, enhancing access to the riverfront and surrounding areas. The bridge, named after the first Indigenous Australian in Parliament, adds both historical significance and practicality to the precinct. The development has faced its share of controversy, particularly regarding the demolition of the Neville Bonner Building, a significant architectural site. Despite the backlash, Economic Development Queensland approved the project in 2018, and it’s now expected to attract an additional 1.4 million visitors to Queensland annually, according to The StarBrisbane CEO, Daniel Finch. While key components like The Star Grand hotel and the casino are already operational, more exciting additions, including the Dorsett and Rosewood hotels, are set to open by 2026. #BuildingTalks #BrisbaneDevelopments #BrisbaneRealEstate

First thought … wow! Second thought … would you really start a project with a range of potential cost of £400m - £800m? I think you can, however the positioning of this and what you need to get stakeholders focused on is: a) the big number and not the ‘rose tinted’ number b) the assumptions that are being made and what the consequences of them being flawed are c) what are the next steps to having greater certainty and confidence? What’s the duration of that? And of course what’s the cost of that? And getting those stakeholders to sign off on this no regrets spend because, after all, these next steps and gaining that greater confidence may also result in another type of “Wow!” … the really how long, the really how difficult, and the reallly how much!!

Whenever I see articles like this I'm reminded of the fact that in an 11 page research paper in July 2019 we called the 'end of commercial real estate' as well as calculating the timing of the technological development of AR headsets and the emergence of verical mixed use buildings. Some extracts from that piece are below. "In the next 10-15 years, commercial real estate may well be a shadow of its former self - especially with the demise of demand for office spaces..... It is foreseeable that by the mid 2020s near-life resolution will be achieved. The technology could then subsequently be scaled down to fit into a wearable device such as an AR headset.... [The Apple - Vision Pro was released early 2024, and the Sightful - Spacetop is coming out late 2024] Given the rate of progress it would seem feasible that this [transition of technology and commercial real estate] could be achieved in the early-mid 2020s.... In this future world, companies would save enormous amounts of money on office rent, insurance, and onboarding.... Meanwhile property development outside of cities would increase in number and prominence as more and more people move to suburbs and rural locations where they can still work just as easily, but can have more space, cost effective housing, better quality of life and, provided they have transportation, access to whatever centralised urban amenities still exist at that time.... ...[People will] drive past the facades of banks, insurers, estate agents and supermarkets, and past the towers built just decades earlier that were once the offices of global corporations but have been repurposed as live-work apartments. Apartments with really great views." Shout out to my former colleague Daniele Francesconi who kicked off that thought experiment years ago. 👏 And a couple of relevant links: https://lnkd.in/eAtPmdhU https://lnkd.in/eaES5Z3j  

🌟 London’s Super-Prime Market: A Key Player in the UK Economy 🌟 The super-prime property market continues to be a cornerstone of the UK’s economy, generating substantial revenue through taxes and supporting a wide range of industries, including construction, architecture, and legal services. Despite evolving market dynamics, London remains a beacon for high-net-worth individuals seeking exceptional residences. As we look ahead, the focus is on resilience and opportunity. London’s global appeal, combined with innovative design and craftsmanship, ensures its place as a world leader in luxury living. For those who value unparalleled quality and bespoke solutions, the city offers limitless potential. Here’s to a thriving year ahead, where vision and excellence come together to shape iconic properties and set new benchmarks in the super-prime sector. HG

In London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, like Kensington and Mayfair, where space is at a premium, adding square footage can be a challenge. Basement construction has become a go-to solution. Homeowners and developers are increasingly opting to dig deeper—literally—by expanding downward to accommodate growing needs while preserving the existing structure’s historical significance. Expanding downward allows property owners to add valuable amenities, such as gyms, wine cellars, pools, and cinema rooms, without disrupting the aesthetic or structural integrity of the main building. In listed properties, where above-ground alterations may be restricted, basement construction allows for modern luxury while respecting the property’s historical importance. Building basements, especially in heritage areas, requires expertise. Working with the constraints of London’s tightly packed neighbourhoods, managing ground conditions, and adhering to stringent planning regulations are all essential aspects of this process. Our experienced team ensures minimal disruption while achieving the desired results. Adding a basement not only increases living space but also significantly boosts property value, especially in prime London locations. These underground spaces provide homeowners with high-end features that enhance their lifestyle and provide a long-term return on investment. Take our recent Hyde Park project as an example. We transformed the property by adding a luxurious basement that houses a cinema room, spa, and gym—creating a seamless blend of modern luxury and historical preservation. With an increasing demand for luxurious, hidden amenities and space optimisation, basement construction continues to evolve. As London’s prime real estate market becomes denser, we expect to see even more creative solutions for underground space. #Higginsongrey #HGProjects #basementConstruction #IndoorPool #LuxuryLiving #ListedBuilding #PrimeRefurbishment

If they manage to pull this off this will be the worlds largest office repurposing. It’s an impressive sounding development. Clearly there is still some work to do if they are quoting a range of £400M - £800M for project costs. A development such as this will bring more awareness to conversion and help drive this as an alternative to demolition for redundant offices. #conversion #officetoresidential #construction

Why Living by the Thames is More Than Just a View. London’s River Thames is not just a beautiful landmark—it’s at the heart of some of the city’s most desirable residential areas. Here’s why properties along the Thames are in such high demand this September: Unbeatable Views: Imagine waking up to a panoramic view of the river, from Canary Wharf’s skyline to Westminster’s historical architecture. Riverfront properties offer a unique blend of modern and iconic London. Prime Investment Opportunity: Riverside developments are seeing strong growth in areas like Greenwich Peninsula, London City Island, and Royal Wharf. These locations offer a balance of urban living with peaceful water views—a winning combination for both buyers and investors. Lifestyle Appeal: Living by the Thames means access to scenic walks, riverside dining, and cultural landmarks like the Tower of London, O2 Arena, and the Tate Modern—all within reach of your doorstep. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil riverside retreat or a dynamic investment in the heart of London, our team at Johns&Co can guide you to the perfect property. #LondonPropertyMarket #ThamesProperties #JohnsandCo

Repositioning. I believe that we’ll continue to see more of this over the coming years in all asset classes. Below is a summary of the ‘value’ proposition when choosing to pursue a repositioning opportunity: 1. Depending on the scope some buildings can continue to operate while carrying out the repositioning programme, which helps financially as the asset continues to produce cash flow. Plus lenders really like this! 2. The price of acquiring these assets are often far below replacement costs. You simply cannot build the newer version of that asset in todays dollars. 3. Timing. It’s much quicker to reposition existing buildings versus building from the ground up. This is huge as it saves time (much shorter construction schedule), often less interest costs, and reduced exposure time (from approvals to lease up). 4. Location. Usually these opportunities are situated in well established locations. Roadway, transit and other forms of infrastructure are already in place along with other amenities, complimentary uses. Location, location, location! 5. From a sustainability perspective there’s a lot of embodied carbon in existing buildings. Being able to utilize the majority of the existing materials (structure, steel, concrete, etc.) is a big win. So yeah, I’m long on repositioning. But it’s not easy. In order to successfully execute this type of approach you need to pay attention to scope (scope creep is a major risk) and budget accordingly (carry a healthy contingency as there is always unforeseen conditions that pop up).

Incredible transformation of London’s former City Hall gets planning approval to go ahead. ✔️ Plans to transform and re-purpose London’s former City Hall into shops, restaurants and offices have been approved this week. The former HQ of the Mayor of London and London Assembly, was designed by Lord Norman Foster. The building has been empty for the last three years, after mayor Sadiq Khan relocated offices. Plans for the repurposing of the building were submitted by its landlord St Martins Property Investments. Its new face-lift will involve its exterior glass shell removed and new balconies fitted. The ground floor will feature new cafes, shops and restaurants, with office space on the upper floors.