London Still Riding High on Large-Scale Projects
Posted by Steve Thomas on Wednesday, July 22, 2015
There seems to be no let up in UK construction, especially in London. We know it’s the capital and as such attracts business and commercial ventures, but the new government’s housing policies seems to be keeping that part of the market buoyant too.
We’ve taken a look around at what’s on the horizon to keep you informed of likely opportunities in high profile roles in the UK construction market.
White City Media Campus
The development of this area comes as a result of the BBC trying to cut down their overheads. They have sold off 4 acres of freehold land and the lease of their six buildings for £87m. They will vacate three of the buildings: White City One, Media Centre and Garden House which will be refurbished for leasing out. The BBC will remain in the three other buildings they occupy.
The area has been bought by Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan and will become known as White City Place. This area looks like becoming the commercial heart of White City according to Chief Exec David Camp of Stanhope Plc. The area will deliver 2,000 sq ft of office space and almost 1,000 new homes.
Hideto Yamada, Managing Director of Mitsui Fudosan UK Ltd is equally as confident that the development will attract young and growing businesses.
St James White City Development
Close by, plans to build around 1,500 new houses on the 10 acre site of a Marks & Spencer warehouse in the St James area will add the redevelopment of the area.
A 4 acre public park will also be a part of this development. The area will not be vacated until 2016 and development will be rolled out over 15 years. This alone is expected to secure 650 jobs in UK construction.
Wiggins Velodrome
The architects practice responsible for the Olympic Velodrome at Stratford has won the planning for a pavilion at the open air Herne Hill Velodrome.
This is the Velodrome where Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins learnt to race as a child. Its other claim to fame is that it is where the 1948 Olympic cycling events took place. Originally built in 1891, it has fallen into some disrepair in recent years.
Money for the pavilion has been raised by the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust since 2011 with grants coming from Sport England, the Marathon Trust and Southwick Council. They are hoping that the Mayor’s Fund will put up some money too.
The new pavilion will include facilities for changing, bike storage, offices and a café. Work is expected to start later this year so that completion by summer 2016 would be in time for the Velodrome’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Mini Manhattan in Canning Town
The development of the London City Island in the area looped by the River Lea where it joins the Thames sits opposite the O2 and right next to Canning Town. It is a two minute commute to Canary Wharf and will offer a colourful ‘mini-Manhattan’ for residents according to all the brochures.
In this once less than desirable area, the development will offer top of the range apartments with many perks for residents including a concierge service, gym, spa and much more. The City Island will also house trendy bars and restaurants plus an arts club and waterside parks. Already the English National Ballet has decided to make its new home here.
As well as good news for UK construction with the development of some 1,700 apartments and commercial outlets, UK infrastructure gets a look in with the City Island red iron bridge which links to Canning Town Station.
The second phase which has just got the go ahead is estimated to see constructions costs of £15m (Barbour ABI).
London: Going Up in the World
£50m is about to be spent on construction of the Burlington Gate scheme in London’s Mayfair. The development will comprise of 42 luxury apartments, a resident’s gym and spa plus 25,000 sq ft of retail space. The latter has been designed primarily as art gallery space.
Completion is this project is due at the end of 2016 but already 80% of the apartments have been sold.
More luxury apartments are being built at One Blackfriars next to the River Thames. This tower of 52 stories will hold 274 apartments. There will also be a hotel and a mixed use facility for retail, spa and gym facilities.
Heading East
More development is going on in the east of the city too. Barking and Dagenham Councils along with the East Thames Housing Association are developing the Gascoigne Estate as part of the area’s general upgrading.
The first phase will see just over 400 homes developed plus a medical centre, an energy centre and commercial space as well as open public spaces. Like we said, this is Phase one; the whole project is due for completion in 2024 by which time more than 1,500 dwellings will have been built.
In Stratford a further project is already under construction, the £250m Manhattan Loft Gardens. This development will include a hotel with approximately 250 apartments above.
This is just a brief overview of some of the latest projects reported.
Keeping Our Ear to the Ground
So as you can see, the UK construction industry is alive and well and thriving in London.
This is a good time to register your interest with us if you are seeking top level jobs in quantity surveying or project management or engineering if you are currently resident in the UK or wish to return or move here. Please forward an updated CV via the Maxim Recruitment website.
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Steve Thomas
Maxim Recruitment