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Developer CLS to advance major new Vauxhall scheme

London developer CLS has confirmed it will proceed with a major new residential and student rooms scheme at its Spring Gardens site in Vauxhall, London.

 

The Citadel Place scheme will replace existing low-rise office buildings built in the 1990s that are due to be vacated in 2026. A major part of the site is presently home to the National Crime Agency.

CLS has partnered with architectural firm Allies and Morrison to design Citadel Place.

The plans include building 180-200 new homes and a purpose-built student accommodation block for around 450 bedrooms.

Fredrik Widlund, CEO of CLS Holdings, said: “Citadel Place represents our commitment to sustainable urban development.

“CLS has operated and invested in the Vauxhall area for over 35 years and continues to work closely with the London Borough of Lambeth, residents and the local business community and we are excited to now start on the next phase of development.”

First public consultation sessions will be held on 18 July ahead of submitting a planning application for Citadel Place early next year.

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Hill submits £800m East London estate rebuild plan

Plans to redevelop one of the largest estates in East London with over 1,900 new homes are advancing with the submission of plans.

 

 

A development partnership between house builder Hill and housing association Poplar HARCA is bringing forward the £800m Treviot Estate redevelopment scheme in the Borough of Tower Hamlets.

As one of the largest estate regenerations in London, the redevelopment of Teviot in Poplar will transform the area as it is built out over five phases.

The partnership has submitted an outline planning application for all phases of the masterplan, including detailed proposals for phase 1 that is set to deliver 475 homes, 45% of which will be affordable.

Subject to approvals, the project is scheduled to start on site in April 2025, with the first homes expected to be completed by 2028. The entire project is forecast to be completed by 2042.

Designed by architect BPTW, the scheme covers eight hectares and offers a wide range of homes from studios and apartments to family houses.

The regeneration will feature new shops and commercial spaces, as well as a new multi-use community centre.

New infrastructure and public realm design focuses on creating safer streets with better pedestrian routes to Langdon Park station and a new foot-tunnel under the A12, with enhanced lighting and CCTV to help reduce anti-social behaviour.

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Plan in for £500m London beds and sheds docks scheme

Developer Regal London has submitted plans for a £500m mixed-use development at Orchard Wharf in London Docklands.

 

Orchard Wharf is designed by architect Howells
Orchard Wharf is designed by architect Howells

 

The scheme next to the mouth of the River Lea on the northbank of the Thames will comprise a safeguarded wharf and logistic centre, over 200 affordable flats and accommodation for around 1,400 students.

These will be contained in seven mid-rise buildings, the tallest rising to 30 storeys.

Works will also include raising the Thames river wall and construction of a new pontoon structure for vessel docking and unloading.

Regal also proposes a ground floor cafe and community hub and 80,000 sq ft of landscaped public space.

Regal has now teamed up with Thames Clippers Logistics to use the proposed warehouse and reactivated wharf to develop a high speed light river freight logistics service transporting parcels and goods to central London.

Steve Harrington, planning director at Regal said: “Orchard Wharf has been a real labour of love, and we are delighted to present our wider vision to deliver a new riverside neighbourhood with significant student and affordable housing, relieving the pressures on the housing stock in Tower Hamlets – all alongside a reactivated working wharf.

Orchard Wharf site next to East India Dock Basin

“Regal, with Thames Clipper Logistics, will play a key part in further bringing the River Thames into use to support a more sustainable London for the future.”

Regal has nearly 2,000 consented beds over two locations – Brent and Southwark, with over 2,000 more in the pipeline in Tower Hamlets and Camden.

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Lendlease puts construction arm up for sale

Lendlease is pulling out of the UK and selling its construction business in a radical strategic overhaul to focus on its home Australian market.

 

Plan to unravel global construction and development business to focus on Australia
Plan to unravel global construction and development business to focus on Australia

 

The firm expects to offload its UK construction arm within the next 18 months and said it was already well advanced on plans to sell the US construction operation.

Lendlease will also offload its portfolio of nearly a dozen development projects in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The dramatic plan to simplify and restructure the global development and construction business comes after a disappointing four years, which has seen Lendlease’s stock fall by around half.

Group chief executive Tony Lombardo said that Lendlease would realise A$4.5bn (£2.3bn) from the sale of international construction and early release of global property assets.

The sale of international construction will impact 1,400 staff, while the exit from property assets should raise A$2.8bn (£1.5bn).

Lombardo said: “During the next 18 months our focus will be on divesting the international construction operation to focus on our most profitable home market, Australia.

“We have largely exited our Asian construction business through the establishment of the life science JV.  And we are already well progressed on the divestment of our US construction business.

“In the UK, we are in the early stages of preparing the business for sale in an improving market with a strong backlog and preferred work book of more than A$5bn (£2.6bn).

“Finally we have commenced to release A$2.4bn (£1.25bn) of capital from our international development projects, partially offset by forecast expenditure of A$700m (£365m) for engineering and UK building remediation work, resulting in a net A$1.7bn (£900m) in capital release.

“This acceleration will focus on three key areas. First, we will look to sell land and inventory held on the balance sheet.

“Second for our land management agreements, we are the master developer and will work with our partners to realise value and accelerate the release of capital through either bringing in new partners or land sales.

“Thirdly on eight projects we have commenced as a capital partner, we will take projects through to completion and then divest.”

UK development portfolio

Land for sale

  • Deptford Landings (London)
  • Elephant Park (London)
  • Potato Wharf (Manchester)

JV to complete

  • Stratford Cross (office), London
  • Elephant Park (Daiwa House, London)

Land management revised

  • Thamesmead (London)
  • Euston Station (London)
  • Silvertown (London)
  • Smithfield  (Birmingham)
  • Stratford Cross (London land),
  • London High Road West (London)

Lendlease has set up a new Capital Release Unit to strategically maximise embedded value through accelerated recycling of capital and divestment of international construction.

This will be under the direct control of Lombardo and will also see out under-construction development projects like Stratford in East London.

Lendlease said the sell-off plan would see non-cash writedowns of around £260m relating to goodwill attached to the US and UK construction businesses from the Bovis acquisition in 1999.

Latest accounts for Lendlease Europe, which largely represents the UK, revealed construction revenue fell 17% to £380m with EBITDA up from £2m to £5.6m in the year to June 2023.

The pre-tax figure stood at a loss of £124m, due to additional building safety writedowns. Overall the headcount stands at just over 1,200 staff with around two-thirds involved with construction.

One city analyst said: “To a degree Lendlease Construction in the UK looks like an in-house contractor for the development business. So it begs the questions who would buy the business at present.

“Lendlease say they are confident they can find a buyer but at what price without the development pipeline.”

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Tide gets go-ahead for London 412 student flats scheme

Volumetric developer Tide has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for a 412 student rooms scheme in West Ealing, London.

 

The project will be located at a major junction adjacent to West Ealing underground station
The project will be located at a major junction adjacent to West Ealing underground station

 

The Hastings Road scheme will transform the underutilised retail site into a mixed-use development with student rooms, communal and commercial spaces.

The project will be delivered using Tide’s precision-manufacturing volumetric units, which help to reduce construction programmes by up to 50% while also cutting embodied carbon.

The volumetric units are built in controlled factory settings by Tide’s sister company, Vision Volumetric.

The development has been designed around an external courtyard space at the heart of the site to complement students’ lifestyles.

Additionally, residents will benefit from the scheme’s extensive and thoughtful amenity spaces, designed to ensure a welcoming and nurturing living environment for students. The plans also feature a biodiverse roof and photovoltaic panels, which add to the project’s environmental benefits.

Helen McManus, Head of Planning at Tide, said: “We look forward to breaking ground on Hastings Road and contributing to West Ealing’s vibrant urban fabric.

“This exciting project marks a significant new addition to Tide’s portfolio of student accommodation projects, and seeks to be an exemplar of student development, with high-quality living conditions and generous internal and external amenity space.”

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£220m London wharf homes scheme approved

Planners have given the thumbs up to a scheme to build 285 flats in blocks next to protected wharves near Wandsworth Bridge in London.

 

Albert & Swedish Wharf visualisation. Picture: Epr Architects
Albert & Swedish Wharf visualisation. Picture: Epr Architects

 

As a former industrial shipping site, Albert and Swedish Wharves, will be improved and retained with new logistics warehouses below high-rise house blocks overlooking the Thames.

Developer Henley Investment Management can now demolish warehouse buildings on the site to make way for the mixed-used scheme of seven buildings rising from 6-20 storeys.

As part of the wider works to the site, the developer plans to introduce a new jetty for waterborne cargo, and construct a new section of Thames Path from Wandsworth Bridge to Fulham Wharf for the first time.

The site is located between Wandsworth Bridge and a Cemex batching plant

The project including £6m of enabling and jetty works is expected to cost around £150m to build.

Hattie Charlier-Poole, Development Manager at Henley Investment Management, said: “We have worked collaboratively with Hammersmith and Fulham on this mixed-use riverfront scheme, which will deliver much-needed housing, including 35% affordable.

“In conjunction with the Port of London Authority, this scheme will reactivate the site for its safeguarded use as a wharf, offering sustainable river transport of goods as one of its many sustainability benefits.”

Scheme development value is estimated at £220m

The client team consists of: Buro Four (project manager), EPR Architects, Hilson Moran (MEP), WSP (structural and civil), Alinea Consulting (cost consultant).

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Regal London buys site to revive £100m stalled tower job

Developer Regal London has bought the site of a stalled build to rent tower project in the Capital with plans to restart work.

 

 

The 100 Avenue Road site above Swiss Cottage tube station was being developed by Essential Living to deliver 184 homes, including a landmark 24-storey tower.

But work stalled at the foundations level due to soaring costs and a dispute with the council over affordable housing provisions.

Regal London said today that it was committed to delivering this long-standing project efficiently and at pace, along the lines of the existing planning consent.

Before work can restart the Camden-based developer will seek amendments to the existing permission, in line with the latest fire safety requirements, the amendments include a second staircase.

A revised construction management plan drawing on Regal London’s extensive experience in delivering complex developments will support the amendments.

Regal London has strong relationships with Camden and has worked on multiple schemes across the borough including the recent submitted proposals for 100 Chalk Farm Road and the recent announcement of their continued partnership with 4C Group on Jamestown Road.

Marc Eden, investment director, said: “As a business with its roots and heritage in Camden, Regal London is committed to bringing to bear our local knowledge and passion to delivering 100 Avenue Road.

“Our reputation is built on delivery, which is particularly important for projects such as this one that have been stalled for a significant period.”

Robbie Myerson, Co-CEO of Essential Living said: “We are pleased to conclude the sale to Regal London and finally see this site delivered. This will allow Essential Living to recycle capital and focus on the growth of its inner London PRS investment strategy.”

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2026 start for £6bn London Earls Court scheme

The developer behind the ambitious £6bn redevelopment of Earl’s Court in London has confirmed it will start construction in 2026.

 

 

Launching detailed plans for phase one, the Earls Court Development Company confirmed plans would be lodged this summer for phase one.

This will consist of major infrastructure works for the site and over 1,000 homes, the first cultural and commercial buildings, and the park.

Planned Table Park at Earls Court

Rob Heasman, CEO of ECDC, said: “Forging a new piece of city that is inclusive, climate resilient and brimming with opportunity is a great privilege.

In 2021, we shared a new vision to bring the wonder back to Earls Court, to ensure our plans for the future create unforgettable experiences, as in the past.

“Our plans have progressed and benefitted from continued open dialogue with a broad spectrum of community groups and stakeholders, as we bring forward a new piece of city that will have wide-reaching benefits for London.

There is no other central London site like this; this is our chance to build sustainably and innovatively for the future, ensuring that Earls Court is a place to discover wonder for generations to come.”

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Multiplex starts on 50-storey Thames tower

Multiplex has started work on a £190m contract to build the tallest new residential tower currently under development in prime central London.

 

 

An international real estate consortium led by Native Land is behind the £3bn Bankside Yards scheme where the latest high-rise, currently known as Building 2, will be 50-storeys containing 250 apartments.

Mutliplex has already worked on other parts of the scheme including completing the ground works and delivering the development’s flagship office building.

Construction work on Building 2 is due for completion in late 2026. Keltbray is is the specialist sub-contractor for the building frame with Scheldebouw as façade contractor. Further subcontract packages have yet to be awarded.

Building 2 is the tallest in the planned Bankside Yards scheme

Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land, said: “We are committing to the development of Building 2, to be named and launched to market in spring this year, when it is evident there will be little or no competing new-build product available in Central London, given the capital’s planning and funding challenges.

“Bankside Yards is a unique proposition for city centre living of unparalleled quality in London’s historic commercial and cultural core. The future residents of Building 2 will own and live in a world-class apartment building that embraces technology to provide a convenient, amenity-rich and environmentally conscious lifestyle, on a par with the very best residential developments in any global gateway city.”

Nicholls added: “Our confidence in commencing construction is founded on the demonstrable domestic and global appeal of Bankside Yards’ buildings and spaces. This is evidenced by the occupiers and operators who have already committed to the development, recognising our track record of delivering exciting, high-quality mixed-use destinations for London.”

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will open its third London hotel at Bankside Yards in 2028 – a 38-storey, 171-bed, 5-star hotel with 70 branded residences.

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Green light for new Thames logistics wharf

Developer Henley Investment Management has secured planning consent to revamp the Albert and Swedish Wharf in Fulham.

 

The scheme will transform the two-acre site by Wandsworth Bridge on the north bank of the Thames to provide a 55,000 sq ft logistics facility.

Cargo boats will bring goods up the River Thames to dock in the scheme’s newly operational ground-floor wharf, enabling them to be sustainably distributed across London. The planning application includes a new jetty to improve capacity for handling waterborne cargo.

Alongside an operational wharf, the site will be transformed into a cluster of six to 17-storey residential buildings with 276 apartments.

Ian Rickwood, Chief Executive, Henley Investment Management, said: “The redevelopment of Albert and Swedish Wharf is a truly unique opportunity to bring this site back into positive use.

“Not only does it provide much needed housing for London but also an operational wharf for last mile logistics, where demand remains high and having a site like this is incredibly rare.

“The River Thames has huge untapped potential for handling light freight and utilising the river more will help ease congestion and reduce pollution across London.

“This scheme is a prime example of how underused brownfield land can be repurposed to help meet housing need in London. The development will completely transform this part of the riverfront and the continuation of the Thames Path will create riverside access for new residents and the existing community.”

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