Oktra’s Post

We recently welcomed Tim Clark from Property Week to Greenford Quay, our community in West London, and one of the largest build-to-rent developments in the UK. "Using modular construction and volumetric technology, Greenford Quay is an example of how to build much-needed new homes, at scale and at speed... If the newly elected Labour government is to build its promised 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliament, schemes such as Greenford Quay could provide a vital template." Our Senior Director, Construction, Kevin McHugh said: "This is a good indication of how modern methods of construction can significantly aid in accelerating the speed at which homes are built in the UK. We support construction methodologies that deliver sustainable solutions and better design and reduce delivery times by 50%." Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eZX9k63E Greenford Quay was recently awarded the Urban Habitat Award of Excellence, and is shortlisted for this year's Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) awards. #GreystarEurope #housing #realestate #buildtorent

Birmingham City Council rejected plans for a 42-story residential tower above a Grade II-listed building. While some councillors called the proposal "bonkers" the developers see it as a potential way to revitalise an unused site. This situation raises interesting questions about balancing modern development with preserving historic character in our cities. Can modern high-rise development coexist with historic buildings? Are there successful examples of such projects? https://lnkd.in/eCk-cRCp

Parts of well-known Newcastle city centre building to be re-opened for first time in decades

The Royal Docks in East London are set for a transformative overhaul, aimed at creating a vibrant new business and cultural district. Key projects like Silvertown Quays and Albert Island will deliver new commercial spaces, residential units, and public amenities, breathing new life into this historic area. This redevelopment is a critical component of London's broader strategy to enhance its infrastructure and housing, supporting its position as a global business hub. As one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK, the Royal Docks initiative is expected to create thousands of new homes and jobs, while also promoting sustainable urban living. The area's rich heritage will be celebrated through the creation of cultural hubs and public spaces, making it a dynamic destination for both residents and visitors. This ambitious project highlights London's commitment to urban renewal and economic growth, ensuring the city remains a leading global metropolis. #london #realestate #development #propertydevelopment #ukrealestate #londonproperty #ukproperty #urbanregeneration #propertynews

Dublin prices are being driven by several factors. Scarcity of land for development in the city. Brown Field sites change of use delays (glass bottle site eg.). Dublin Development plan densities should be higher in the inner city and medium rise (40 storeys) should be permitted in select locations (Docklands etc.). Planning legislation should be configured to over-ride NIMBYism and to outlaw serial planning objectors who are solely geared to make money (eg. Athenry Apple Datacentre and recent publicised residential projects held hostage for payment). Priority should be given to particular fast track project planning applications to speed up what is an extremely long and arduous planning process. Higher densities, a more efficient planning process leading to larger house building programs and ultimately lower build costs and more economical housing prices. At least in theory. But then again, Ireland’s super successful economy may be an over-riding factor in build cost and property prices driven by supply-demand forces and a high earning tech sector.

Tilbury Douglas wins first contract for Barbican Centre infrastructure renewal programme Tilbury Douglas has been awarded the first contract for the Barbican Centre’s £185M renewal programme to upgrade the building and its infrastructure. The #Barbican Centre’s #renewal programme is being brought forward to update facilities of the iconic central #London #theatre, #music venue and #art space so it meets the needs of 21st century #artists, #audiences and #communities. Aiming to display sensitive and #sustainableconservation and retrofit for one of the UK’s most “significant post war buildings”, an aim of the renewal programme is to repair the Barbican building to ensure it can continue to function long into the future, through an urgent programme of replacement and upgrade of key building systems. Further objectives include improving #wayfinding and #accessibility, delivering new and improved public spaces, bringing underused spaces into new creative use without adding any extra development. This includes investing in existing venues and bringing spaces that have laid dormant for years back to life. City of London also wants to make sure it is responding to the climate emergency and putting #sustainability at the heart of plans, contributing to the organisation's #netzero ambitions and investing in #environmental improvements that reduce water usage and increase #biodiversity across the site. The first Phase of works for this contract are worth £22.5M of a total £185M that the whole renewal programme has been estimated to cost. The City of London Corporation stated the award of subsequent phases of works will be subject to funding and contractor performance and that there is no guarantee that subsequent phases will be awarded under this contract. The first phase of the masterplan will address the most urgent works and is expected to include works being conducted to the concert hall auditorium, the theatre and art gallery. Duration of the contract is expected to last 10 years, although the City of London Corporation reserves a right to extend the contract by up to a further 10 years meaning the maximum length of the contract is 20 years. Tilbury Douglas managing director of engineering Ross Mather, Managing Director said: “Our engineering business has been awarded the Barbican Renewal Infrastructure Project, which continues our long-standing relationship with City of London.” In December, Buro Happold was awarded the contract to deliver the sustainability strategy for the Barbican renewal. https://lnkd.in/egXEss_7

📢 Save #SmithfieldMarket – Sign the Petition!! https://lnkd.in/eRqrjdmV? 🖋️   The City of London Corporation announced to close #SmithfieldMarket permanently. This 800+ yr old iconic site is not only the largest wholesale meat market in the UK but also one of the largest in Europe. Improvements of the site to engage more visitors and local communities is welcomed (such being the new location of the Museum of London), but to completely close down the site obliterates its rich heritage.   🏙️ Smithfield is one of the last major heritage sites in the Square Mile, as the City increasingly gives way to modern skyscrapers and office spaces. This decision reflects a worrying trend: while the City of London Corporation claims to prioritize #refurbishmentoverdemolition to support #NetZero Goals and vows to cherish the City's millennium-long history, projects are approved with little public consultation, often contradicting the city’s own sustainability and heritage protection commitments.   🔎 A notable example is the recent #LondonWallWest project. Despite independent studies showing that refurbishment would produce significantly lower carbon emissions, the City approved plans to demolish existing structures for new ones. The proposed taller buildings will overshadow and adversely affect nearby Grade I, II, and II* listed landmarks, including the #BarbicanEstate, Ironmonger's Hall, and the historic Church of St. Giles.   This decision poses critical questions about how we balance progress with preserving our rich cultural and architectural heritage -- I hope #realestateprofit is NOT the only consideration going forward.    More details and reporting in the comments. Let’s act now before it’s too late!

The City of Surrey is developing a new Neighbourhood Concept Plan in East Cloverdale along the Surrey-Langley boundary, with a draft plan expected in 18 months. This plan will focus on supporting the Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project by supporting transit-oriented development and related infrastructure and amenities. For more information, see full corporate report: https://lnkd.in/gPuhTZHB

Irvine Company has filed plans with its headquarters city of Newport Beach to convert 107,000 square feet of low-rise office space at 4665 and 4685 MacArthur Court into two five-story residential buildings with a combined total of 677,900 square feet of residential space. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eWRQzEBe Pictured: Irvine Company Chairman Donald Bren

🙅♀️ Do not pass go: Don’t let Network Rail and the City play Monopoly with Liverpool Street Station ⏳ Time to pause - and question Network Rail’s plans! SAVE and the Liverpool Street Station Campaign (LISSCA) have raised serious concerns about the emerging new plans for Liverpool Street station. The emerging proposals, designed by Acme architects, show Liverpool Street Station and its majestic neighbour, the grade II* listed Victorian hotel, drastically overshadowed by a tower block built over the station. The carefully designed existing concourse would be demolished and the daylight which currently floods the station’s cathedral-like interiors would be drastically reduced. ☀️ Network Rail claim this level of development on top of and through the listed station is required to fund station upgrade works including additional lifts and escalators. Yet so far they have declined to provide any figures or costings for the upgrades or the office development – all required to justify such a high level of demolition and impact for irreplaceable buildings and the surrounding conservation area. 🗣️ Griff Rhys Jones, President of LISSCA and the Victorian Society, said: "Over two thousand people objected to the previous scheme. This new scheme does not answer their justified concern." 🗣️ Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE said: “Despite the widespread controversy generated by the previous plans, we see the latest scheme appearing to repeat several of these major errors. Network Rail are still proposing an overwhelmingly tall building in a conservation area and to demolish large parts of the much loved and carefully detailed listed building.” A planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of the year. Watch this space and LISSCA updates for further details. See it, save it! How you can help: ✒️ Sign the petition now: https://lnkd.in/e48rTeHb 🪙 Pledge to the Crowdfunder, so we can take the legal fight all the way to the Secretary of State and halt these destructive plans: https://lnkd.in/esx59nS6 👀 Read our press release: https://lnkd.in/eGqNJP67 #LiverpoolStreetStation #SAVEBritainsHeritage #ConservationArea #HistoricBuildings #ArchitectureConservation #LISSCA #UrbanDevelopment