The Business Magazine - South West & West Midlands’ Post

The City of London Corporation Planning Applications Sub-Committee has approved its proposals to redevelop 140 London Wall and 150 London Wall (also known as London Wall West). The scheme is set to deliver the scheme will deliver circa 56,000 sqm new office space across three new buildings along with a 43% increase in public realm, space for cultural use and an elevated public space. Receiving over 870 objections, the scheme has attracted considerable attention, particularly over its decision to pursue a full redevelopment. Objectors, led by the Barbican Quarter Action, commissioned two reports by Simon Sturgis and Bob Stagg to challenge the submitted carbon assessment. Supporters of the scheme however noted that the redevelopment represents the progress and modernisation needed to meet the growing commercial needs of the City of London, particularly the demand for Grade A office space. Paul Wilkinson (City Surveyor) stated the proposals would create a ‘softer and greener environment’ better connected to its surroundings. The committee meeting lasted 3 ½ hours with extensive questions put to the applicant, objectors and officers. Noting the extensive committee run time a committee member raised a point of order at the beginning of the committee debate to move straight to a vote which was supported. The application was subsequently approved 16 in favour, eight against with one abstention. Following the approval Shravan Joshi MBE (Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee) stated ‘Today’s resolution to grant permission for the London Wall West proposals brings us closer to our goal of meeting demand for 1.2 million square meters of new office space by 2040, a figure backed by industry experts taking into account projected jobs growth and new working from home patterns. The City of London is a global economic powerhouse, and it is vital we continue to signal to investors that we are keeping it that way, by delivering a centre of collaboration and innovation for the hundreds of thousands of people who work here.’

Developers willing to tackle Edinburgh’s dearth of prime office space in 2025 will be best placed to capitalise on an impending surge in demand, according to property services firm JLL.

We are excited to announce that we have submitted a planning application to the City of London for a new best in class office development on High Holborn. The new development occupies a prominent 1.4-acre island site located directly adjacent to Chancery Lane underground station and within a five-minute walk of Farringdon Station. We have assembled the site over the last five years. In collaboration with Make Architects, Savills as development advisor and leasing agent, Gleeds as project managers and Gerald Eve as planning consultants, we have submitted a planning application proposing the demolition of the existing properties and construction of a landmark office-led development. The new development will provide about 370,000 sq. ft. (NIA) of best in class office accommodation with extensive terraces overlooking Central London and new retail offering, providing a vibrant setting and transforming this part of High Holborn. The scheme will replace the existing Grade B accommodation, with the new development targeting exceptional ESG credentials including BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’. The development will offer improved public realm with a new public park at Southampton Building. It will also greatly improve ground level activation with the creation of a new street accessed multi-use auditorium and cultural spaces. #highholborn #hoihup #hoihuprealty

Optimism is high in the construction industry, according to the latest survey by Deloitte. 92% of developers said their London development pipeline will increase or stay the same in the next six months. Only 8% are expecting a reduction in their pipeline – this was 55% two years’ ago. With a reduction in traditional office space, Life Science schemes, which need laboratory and office workspaces, have been responsible for 35% of new construction starts, especially in King’s Cross and Docklands. The findings, which were collected between April and September this year, noted the recent cut in interest rates and the easing of construction cost inflation could be crucial in boosting new scheme numbers. Although refurbishment levels are lower than the past three surveys, this is expected to increase as offices need to meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. All in all, a cautious optimism in the London office market is most certainly welcome news.

The City of London Corporation has approved a 36-storey commercial development at 60 Gracechurch Street, touted as one of the most sustainable and first of a new generation of office buildings. https://lnkd.in/e8SwkmTJ

Morgan Sindall takes over Canary Wharf lab job. Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the new lead contractor for a life science transformation within London’s Canary Wharf. Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, supported by LS Estates, have appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to be the lead contractor for the new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC) at Canary Wharf. Morgan Sindall begins work this month to oversee the speculative transformation of an existing office building into a new labs and offices targeted at companies in the life sciences and technology sector. Contract value has been reported as £65m. ISG had originally been attached to the project before it fell into administration last September, although a spokesperson for LS Estates said that no construction contract had ever been signed with ISG. Completion of the building is planned for summer 2026. Full Story: https://buff.ly/4fUD3rQ #ConstructionNews #Construction #QuantitySurveyors #Estimators #QSRecruitment #ConstructionJobs #ConstructionUk

Morgan Sindall takes over Canary Wharf lab job. Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the new lead contractor for a life science transformation within London’s Canary Wharf. Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, supported by LS Estates, have appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to be the lead contractor for the new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC) at Canary Wharf. Morgan Sindall begins work this month to oversee the speculative transformation of an existing office building into a new labs and offices targeted at companies in the life sciences and technology sector. Contract value has been reported as £65m. ISG had originally been attached to the project before it fell into administration last September, although a spokesperson for LS Estates said that no construction contract had ever been signed with ISG. Completion of the building is planned for summer 2026. Full Story: https://buff.ly/4fUD3rQ #ConstructionNews #Construction #QuantitySurveyors #Estimators #QSRecruitment #ConstructionJobs #ConstructionUk

Laura Jenkinson’s article for Building Design examines the pressing questions around retrofitting London’s commercial building stock in light of the climate crisis and shifting planning priorities. Laura - principal planner at Avison Young – explores the delicate balance between retention and redevelopment, highlighting both the environmental and commercial stakes involved. At the core of the piece is a call for a nuanced, policy-driven approach that addresses the financial viability of retrofits without compromising sustainability goals. The article underscores how planners, architects, and asset managers must navigate complex priorities: from achieving EPC ratings and safeguarding against stranded assets to considering building functionality, accessibility, and potential changes of use. Laura argues that while heritage and carbon costs matter, the need for flexibility and pragmatism is equally crucial to avoid development delays and inefficiencies. With recent data showing that 85% of central London office stock risks obsolescence, the article underscores the urgency of policy interventions, suggesting that outdated buildings could cost over £5 billion to upgrade. Laura points to the City of London’s “heritage buildings retrofit toolkit” as a model for pragmatic solutions, but she highlights that more guidance is needed at the national level. Her recommendations – including tax incentives for retrofits, a national retrofit policy, and fewer committee-based planning decisions – offer a roadmap for tackling the retrofit challenge with speed and effectiveness. As London’s carbon emissions remain heavily influenced by commercial building stock, the article’s insights are timely and essential for anyone invested in sustainable urban development. By advocating for policy clarity and streamlined decision-making, Laura Jenkinson encourages the industry to look forward to a balanced and adaptable future for London’s built environment. https://lnkd.in/eraDEYhP #architecture #planning #retrofit #cityoflondon

Morgan Sindall takes over Canary Wharf lab job. Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the new lead contractor for a life science transformation within London’s Canary Wharf. Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, supported by LS Estates, have appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to be the lead contractor for the new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC) at Canary Wharf. Morgan Sindall begins work this month to oversee the speculative transformation of an existing office building into a new labs and offices targeted at companies in the life sciences and technology sector. Contract value has been reported as £65m. ISG had originally been attached to the project before it fell into administration last September, although a spokesperson for LS Estates said that no construction contract had ever been signed with ISG. Completion of the building is planned for summer 2026. Full Story: https://buff.ly/4fUD3rQ #ConstructionNews #Construction #QuantitySurveyors #Estimators #QSRecruitment #ConstructionJobs #ConstructionUk

Optimism is high in the construction industry, according to the latest survey by Deloitte. 92% of developers said their London development pipeline will increase or stay the same in the next six months. Only 8% are expecting a reduction in their pipeline – this was 55% two years’ ago. With a reduction in traditional office space, Life Science schemes, which need laboratory and office workspaces, have been responsible for 35% of new construction starts, especially in King’s Cross and Docklands. The findings, which were collected between April and September this year, noted the recent cut in interest rates and the easing of construction cost inflation could be crucial in boosting new scheme numbers. Although refurbishment levels are lower than the past three surveys, this is expected to increase as offices need to meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. All in all, a cautious optimism in the London office market is most certainly welcome news.