News

Go-ahead for Berkeley 3,750-home London gasworks scheme

Berkeley has gained outline planning to build 3,750 homes at the former Southall Gasworks site in West London.

Southall Waterside
Masterplan for former National Grid Property site with first phase highlighted

The London Borough of Ealing nodded through the 88-acre scheme, known as Southall Waterside, which weighs in as West London’s most ambitious regeneration scheme.

Berkeley said it plans to start significant enabling works early this year with the full mixed-use scheme delivered in several phases over 25 years.

Southall Waterside

The project will be delivered by Berkeley’s St James business, which has been advised by Mace on the site-wide construction management plan.

A sales launch for the first 600-home phase of development is scheduled for autumn 2016. Berkeley also plans up to 500,000 sq ft of commercial space, a two-form entry primary school and a health centre. 

The revised masterplan submitted after buying the site from National Grid Property will see over half the site dedicated to open space, which includes a substantial amount of landscaped public parkland, leisure and play spaces, and piazzas.

Sean Ellis, Executive Director, Berkeley Group said: “These gasworks closed almost 50 years ago, so approval of the Southall Waterside masterplan marks the start of an exciting new future for this 88 acre site.

“When 80% of new homes currently planned for the capital are in just three East London boroughs, this provides some welcome balance.”  

Southall Waterside first phase

Southall Waterside

Berkeley Group is now preparing a detailed planning application for Phase A of the development, which is expected to be submitted shortly. 

Plans for the first phase include 618 new homes, of which 186 are designated affordable. It also features roads, parking, landscaping and access to public realm.

The homes will be positioned to the scheme’s north-east corner and benefit from a southern aspect that overlooks the landscaped open space and water features of the Central Park.

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Pipeline of luxury London flats hits record high

More than 35,000 homes costing £1million+ are due to be constructed over the next ten years in London.

battersea_power_station_phase_3
Schemes like Battersea are flooding the market with luxury flats

Consultant Arcadis estimates a total sales value of £77bn for these homes which are mainly flats and apartments.

The huge pipeline will intensify fears of an oversupply of “prime” properties in the capital.

The total floor space of planned prime homes in the capital is more than 40 million square feet – far greater than the area of the whole of the City of London (30.7 million sq.ft).

Arcadis identified 196 across the capital with the number of homes planned at 35,055.

And the consultant warned some of the luxury resi schemes will have to be “repositioned” into commercial jobs or even cheaper homes as demand at the top end softens.

Mark Cleverly, Arcadis head of commercial development, said: “Since around 2009, the value of prime residential property in central London has seen dramatic rises, making it one of the hottest markets in recent memory.

“That said, things are changing.

“Land, materials and labour are growing in price, meaning the costs involved in actually building these homes is growing significantly.

“This, coupled with a recent gradual easing off of buyer demand could affect margins and mean investors opt to convert their developments to target the more buoyant office and commercial markets.

“With no obvious end in sight to the unpredictability of the global economy this approach could soon become the norm.”

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Barratt to build 1000 homes at West London Nestle site

Industrial estate developer SEGRO has selected Barratt London to deliver over 1,000 homes on the former Nestle plant in Hayes, West London.

Nestle hays
Former coffee and chocolate factory site in West London

The site will also be developed with around 230,000 sq. ft. of modern industrial and urban logistics warehouses

Both partners will work with Hillingdon Council now to obtain planning consent for the major scheme at the former coffee and chocolate factory site.

SEGRO bought the 30-acre site in January in 2015 as part of its strategy to provide high quality urban warehousing to meet the growing demand from occupiers.

Alastair Baird, Barratt London’s Regional Managing Director said: “This year we are set to complete around 2,000 new homes across London and this agreement with SEGRO will boost our pipeline of future projects.

“It demonstrates that our technical capability in delivering complex schemes continues to provide us with a competitive advantage in London.

“Working with SEGRO, we will draw on our experience to design and build a great place to live and work on this important regeneration site in Hayes.”

The site is in a prime location for business and residents located next to the Hayes and Harlington railway station which will become a Crossrail station in 2019. 

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2017 start date for London £400m Vauxhall Square scheme

Developer CLS has confirmed it hopes to start enabling works next year on the first phase of its £400m London twin-tower Vauxhall Square scheme.

Vauxhall Square
Vauxhall Square includes 454 apartments in two 50-storey towers

The firm said the residential-led scheme, which obtained revised planning consent last month to replace a four-star hotel for more office space, would be delivered in two phases with a residential specialist brought in to deliver the luxury flats element.

Sten Mortstedt, Executive Chairman of CLS, said: “Our current intention is for the main site to be developed in two phases, the first of which could start in 2017 with the demolition of some existing buildings and the construction of a three storey basement, including 188,370 sq ft of Grade A offices and a residential tower.

“We are working towards focusing on the commercial part of the scheme in which we have an established track record, and are considering finding a specialist partner for the development of the residential element.”

The amended 1.6m sq ft scheme will now comprise 454 apartments in two 50-storey towers and 124 affordable apartments, 353,300 sq ft of offices, a 186-suite hotel, shops, a multi-screen cinema and a hostel.

The flagship site within the Nine Elms development area also contains a car park site that was sold to specialist developer and operator of student accommodation, Urbanest last year.

This has planning consent for a 454-bed, 30 storey student tower where work is expected to begin on the site later this year.

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RIVERGATE HOUSE, WILBURN WHARF FROM £158,000

 

 

  • An exciting waterfront projects in the heart of the city of Manchester
  • The first phase of a new-build riverside development around the historic Wilburn Basin
  • One, two and three bed apartments
  • Developed by one of Manchester’s leading residential developers, Renaker
  • A range of high end luxury apartments with views overlooking the river and Manchester skyline
  • Capital growth in the City is predicted at 20% over the next 3 years
  • Prices will start from £158,000 for a 1 bedroom and from £210,000 for the 2 beds
  • Just a short walk from Deansgate and the thriving Spinningfields business and employment hub
  • Estimated completion: September 2016

 

Fact sheet:Fast Facts

 

Floorplans: Rivergate house_Wilburn_floorplans

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Chinese get greenlight for 67-floor Canary Wharf resi tower

Chinese developer Greenland Group has got the planning thumbs up from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to build a 67-floor residential skyscraper at the western end of the north dock in Canary Wharf.

hertsmere house Canary Wharf
If built the West India Quay tower will hold the record as the tallest block of flats in Europe

The redevelopment of Hertsmere House at West India Quay will deliver 869 flats within a 240.5m tall building, designed by architect HOK around a clover shaped footprint to maximise views for each flat.

The basement runs to a depth of just 11.7m as the site sits above Crossrail running tunnels, although all piling will be outside the Crossrail exclusion zone. Affordable housing will be included in the western wing of the building.

Around half the building facade is to be fitted with vision glass and the remainder will be fitted with highly-insulated metal panel backed glass curtain wall known as “shadow boxes” to give the building the appearance of being fully glazed from the exterior while reducing solar gain.

Hertsmere House Canary Wharf

The demolition and construction phase will employ over 900 construction workers during a 55-month programme.

Planning permission was previously granted for a 242m 63-storey commercial tower on the site but these plans were superseded by the new residential scheme.

Setareh Neshati, senior planning manager at Greenland Group, said: “This is Greenland Group’s most important project in Europe. As well as delivering 921 new homes for Londoners, including 156 affordable homes, our scheme will revitalise this part of Canary Wharf and create a new prosperous environment that the whole community can enjoy.”

The Shanghai-based developer is also developing the high-rise Ram Brewery scheme in Wandsworth, London where Ardmore has replaced Kier to carry out the first phase of main building works.

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£100m North London build-to-rent tower approved

The Department for Communities and Local Government has granted Essential Living permission to build a 24-storey block of flats in Swiss Cottage, overruling a previous decision to block the project by Camden Council.

100 avenue road
Demolition of existing 100 Avenue Road building can now start to make way for new high-rise rental block

After a two-year planning battle, the £100m build-to-rent scheme at 100 Avenue Road can now go-ahead.

The current 1980s building on the site, which was one of the first to be diagnosed with sick building syndrome, will be demolished to make way for the Theatre Square development.

The scheme, designed by Drid Architects, also includes a low-rise building above Swiss Cottage tube, as well as ground-level retail and leisure space.

100 avenue road

Essential Living is backed by M3 Capital Partners, who manage US pension fund money.

Scott Hammond, managing director at Essential Living, said: “The extensive scrutiny of the scheme during the public inquiry has revealed the significant benefits of the scheme in terms of new homes for rent and community space.

“This is the right decision for the revitalisation of Swiss Cottage and we will now commence the work to deliver our proposals which we are calling Theatre Square.”

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Galliard to oversee work at £400m Islington Square

Developer Sager has confirmed Galliard Construction as principal contractor for its £400m Islington Square development.

islington square
Demolition work underway on the site

The construction contract is worth in excess of £100m at the north London scheme where demolition and site clearance work is underway.

Galliard Construction will now be supervising demolition the 1960’s block at the northern end of the job and starting pilling and groundworks across the site.

The fit out of new tenant facilities will begin in early 2017 with the project scheduled for completion in late 2017.

The 4.5-acre site behind Islington’s Upper Street will provide 263 residential apartments, 108 serviced apartments and 170,000 square feet of luxury lifestyle brands and restaurants alongside a Third Space Health Club and Odeon Lounge cinema.

The development contains a mix of Edwardian and new build elements, designed and master planned by CZWG Architects.

Giris Rabinovitch, CEO of Sager Group said: “There is a lot of activity on site, day to day you can see real progression within the scheme – it is all very exciting and we are on schedule for completion for October/November 2017.”

“We launched the residential apartments in February 2016, there has been a lot of interest and reservations.

“Commercially speaking, we have two key anchor tenants including The Third Space and Odeon Lounge, and a further 30 percent of retail space is under offer. We look forward to progressing the scheme and seeing our vision turn into reality.”

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Ardmore lands £80m Canada Water deal

Ardmore has been confirmed winner of an £80m contract to build the first residential and retail phase of Project Light at Canada Water in Southwark.

canada water
Ardmore has won the first phase on the seven acre site

The scheme by Notting Hill Housing and Sellar Developments will deliver a new town centre with 1,030 new homes and a range of commercial and community uses across a seven acre site.

The development will include:

  • 453 private sale homes
  • 346 private rent homes
  • 162 affordable rent homes
  • 69 Shared Ownership homes

The site is adjacent to Canada Water underground station and the dock, between London Bridge and Canary Wharf.

It will also include 150,000sqft of retail and commercial space, including a cinema, bars, restaurants, office space and a 100,000sqft Decathlon store.

Rising up to 18 storeys, phase one of the development includes 234 apartments for private rent and the Decathlon store with basement car park.

Utilising a post-tensioned structural solution to provide the expansive spans required by the ground floor store, the contract will see Ardmore construct the store to shell and core, ready for fit out by Decathlon, before mounting tower cranes on the roof to enable the store to trade whilst Ardmore completes the building above it.

Chris Langdon, Ardmore Development Director, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected for the first phase of Project Light, which promises to be a landmark development for Canada Water.

“I am delighted to build on our excellent relationship with Notting Hill Housing, and I am looking forward to working with Sellar Developments to help transform another part of London.”

John Hughes, Group Development Director at Notting Hill Housing said: “The award of this build contract to Ardmore represents a significant milestone in the development of this major town centre site at Canada Water.

“We look forward to delivering a high quality development which will positively contribute to the regeneration of the area.”

James Sellar, Chief Executive Officer at Sellar Developments added: “Our vision is to create a vibrant new urban neighbourhood through thoughtful design, the introduction of green spaces, enhancement of the waters-edge, independent retail and events benefitting both residents and the wider community.”

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Redrow shifts focus to outer London as slowdown hits

House builder Redrow is now targeting outer London sites as the slowdown in prime central London bites.

Steve Morgan Redrow
Chairman Steve Morgan retreats from central London development

Reporting 18% growth in completions to 2,178 in the first half of the year, Redrow chairman Steve Morgan said central London was the only place in the country where the house builder had seen a slowdown.

The overall rise in output helped Redrow to deliver record first-half profits of £104m, up 14%, on turnover ahead 8% at £603m.

Morgan said: “We are only at the beginning of the spring selling season, however demand for new homes remains robust.

“We ended the first half with a record order book up 51% on this time last year, and in the first six weeks of the second half have secured 455 private reservations, 10% ahead of last year.

“In the period, the average selling price of our private homes increased 2% due to the shift of our London business away from high priced Central London apartments to concentrate more on the outer London commuter market where demand remains strong. “

He added: “The only area where we have seen a slow-down is in Central London.  However, this is only having a limited effect on the group as we made the decision some time ago to re-focus our London business on outer London where the demand is from the local market and remains robust.”

Outside London Redrow’s private average selling price increased by 11% to £300,000 due to a combination of geographical mix change, reduction of impaired sites and price inflation.

Since the end of December Redrow obtained planning consent on tits Colindale site in North London converting a further 2,900 plots from forward to current land.

Morgan said the firm continued to invest heavily in land with total plots 18% ahead at 21,435 plotscompared to the summer.

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