Commercial Property

£152m funding deal paves way for more than 600 riverside apartments to be created in Leeds

More than 600 riverside apartments are set to be built in Leeds following a £152m deal to forward fund the development. Real estate investment manager Barings has struck a deal with Glenbrook to fund the huge project, which will include build-to-rent and build-to-sell homes near Leeds city centre. Residential developer Glenbrook will retain a stake in the scheme in the joint venture, and will act as the development manager. The scheme on Kirkstall Road has been acquired on behalf of a US insurance company, and will deliver 618 one, two and three bedroom apartments set across five buildings within landscaped grounds next to the River Aire. The five-acre site will include over 10,000 sqft of amenity space including a residents’ lounge, co-working and gym, two private roof terraces and 3,800 sqft of commercial space. Construction has started and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. All apartments will have air source heat pumps, with PV panels supplying a portion of electrical needs. The project marks the fourth build-to-rent led development that Barings and Glenbrook have collaborated on, following the forward funding of the Vox, the acquisition of The Trilogy in Manchester and The Keel in Liverpool. Ben Pile, head of European residential investment and asset management at Barings Real Estate, said: “Leeds represents a significant opportunity for growth for institutionally developed and operated residential property as the UK’s fourth biggest city, featuring a lively population of young professionals thanks to a strong employment market and significant graduate retention rate. "Given the stabilising economic and political environments in the UK and as we enter a new real estate cycle in Europe, we expect the picture for residential property – and indeed our other preferred sector of logistics – to become even more positive and are, therefore, actively seeking further opportunities to deploy capital on behalf of our partners.” Gunther Deutsch, managing director and head of European transactions and country head Germany at Barings Real Estate, said: “Barings has significantly grown its living sector exposure over the last three years so that it is now our second biggest European real estate sector aside from logistics. "This is because we see it as boasting favourable tailwinds in the UK and across Europe, and therefore remains a focus of our capital sources and our teams on-the-ground in all of our core European markets. "For 2025 we are currently already working on a secured investment pipeline worth €745m with six transactions in four countries. We continue to seek investment opportunities with partners across our preferred jurisdictions of the UK, the Nordics, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.”

Commercial Property

Hull firm builds unique glasshouse on eighth floor of new ‘urban living’ development

A Humber engineering specialist has carried out the most challenging and unique project in its 70-year history – building a glasshouse on the eighth floor of a 12-storey apartment scheme. Hull based CambridgeHOK has built the new glasshouse on the roof of the new ‘urban living’ development in Swansea, to help residents connect with nature. The project has been created for Hacer Developments on its first-of-a-kind ‘Biophilic Living’ development, where the East Yorkshire firm had to install the glasshouse on floors eight to 11 of the new 12-storey complex. Three floors of the new 3,200 sqft glasshouse will be used for residents to explore hydroponic growing methods, producing their own crops and vegetables at growing stations. The top floor of the glasshouse, which offers stunning views across the city, will also provide a unique meeting room space for the building's users, surrounded by light and greenery. The glasshouse installation was completed in just eight weeks by the CambridgeHOK team, and is now ready for internal works to begin. The firm said it took a great deal of detailed pre-planning, as most glasshouses are usually single storey and built on the ground. Glazing panels, each three metres in size, had to be individually crane lifted to the eighth floor, with wind conditions taken into account. Rob Williams, structural and design team leader at CambridgeHOK, said: “There were many unique challenges in this project, from the glasshouse itself being a four-storey building, to it of course being installed at height. Due to it being multi-storey glasshouse we had to adapt our existing glazing system to ensure we balanced transparency requirements with essential structural elements. “The main challenge was to maintain the light, open feel of the space while also ensuring the framework provided adequate support, without compromising aesthetics. The elevated nature of the structure also introduced higher wind loads, requiring enhanced sealing measures beyond our standard glasshouse specifications. This ensures improved weather resistance and long-term durability, particularly at greater heights. “To further support both installation and future maintenance, the glazing system was also designed on a floor by floor basis. This modular approach allowed for flexible erection sequencing, enabling installation from either the top or bottom floor.” The Swansea complex will be home to around 120 residents, with each apartment having a balcony with pre-installed grow-boxes. Horticulture and allotment specialists will also be onsite to educate and inspire residents on how to grow their own produce. As well as having access to their own private space to grow, there will also be a rooftop community garden, giving residents the opportunity to socialise and collaborate. The building will also be home to around 350 people working in the commercial office spaces, shops, and offices. The project aims to provide a ‘radical new approach to living and working in the urban environment’ – creating ‘a building that lives and breathes’, providing its own energy through sustainable methods. Patrick Harte, joint managing director of CambridgeHOK, said: “We were thrilled to firstly be considered for this project, and then of course to be selected. As a business which is a known leader in the glasshouse field, but also as an innovator and a forward-thinking engineering specialist, this project was perfectly suited to us, as we always like to take on a new challenge. It is why we have a reputation for achieving industry firsts. “That is certainly the case with this project, and we are really proud to have been a part of.”

Commercial Property

Plans unveiled for new £100m Digbeth scheme

A former ironworks site in Birmingham city centre could be transformed into a new £100 million mixed-use development. Hartwell, the automotive and property development company, has unveiled its proposals for the old Phoenix ironworks off Digbeth High Street which will be led by 240 new residential units. Called Phoenix Yard, the designs also include 260,000 sq ft of media and educational space, commercial floorspace, retail units, public realm and landscaping. The brownfield plot, which covers 2.8 acres and sits next to the new Eastside tram extension connected to the HS2 station, is bordered by Coventry Street, Oxford Street and Meriden Street. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Hartwell said Phoenix Yard could create around 200 construction jobs and has the potential to deliver more than 500 full-time equivalent jobs. Architecture practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris has designed the scheme which Hartwell said paid homage to the land’s industrial history as Phoenix ironworks. The application site is now occupied by a children’s nursery and was home to South & City College and more recently Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse innovation facility before it moved to a new development in Belmont Row. Hartwell, which owns the land, was founded in 1919 and also previously ran a garage there. A public consultation has now been opened into the proposals which runs until the end of March ahead of a planning application being submitted to Birmingham City Council. The project would join a long list of new developments currently in the pipeline for the Digbeth area including the Beorma Quarter opposite Selfridges and the neighbouring Stone Yard and Tower Leaf schemes, also off High Street. Elsewhere in the district, the BBC is revamping the former Typhoo factory to create a new home for its West Midlands teams currently based in the Mailbox and the Smithfield project will revamp the old Wholesale Markets site near the Bullring. Joanne Churchill, group property manager of Hartwell, said: "We are delighted to unveil our vision to transform an under-utilised brownfield site to deliver Phoenix Yard. "Through unlocking the potential of this site, our plans promise to positively contribute to the area’s ongoing transformation into a thriving and vibrant part of Birmingham, delivering an exciting range of new opportunities and living space for the future. "In recent years, Digbeth has benefitted from significant investment and is recognised by Birmingham City Council as a key growth area. This scheme has been designed with this investment and the wider ambitions for Birmingham in mind. "The potential delivery of media and educational space will support the continuing growth of BBC Midlands HQ and its ecosystem following its multimillion-pound investment into the area. "Similarly, new homes will complement the site’s location in Digbeth’s creative centre. "This will be supported by excellent connectivity, which is enhanced by nearby major transport investments including HS2’s Curzon Street Station and the Metro Eastside Extension. "We look forward to receiving comments on the proposals from local residents and businesses, with feedback set to help inform our final planning application."

Commercial Property

Work to start on Newcastle city centre housing scheme in key regeneration area

Work to create a new multimillion-pound housing scheme in a key Newcastle city centre regeneration site has taken a major leap forward. The Stephenson Quarter scheme, close to Newcastle central station, has been under development for more than 10 years, starting with the creation of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rocket office scheme and an adjoining car park. Recent years, however, have seen work to unlock housing and office projects stall, as the economic impacts of the pandemic were compounded by developers changing and main contractors falling into administration. Now, however, developers have secured planning permission which will pave the way for enabling works to start at the site – also called Founders Place – which will lead to the creation of a 70-home housing scheme called Orchard Yard. The move comes five months after the 10-acre scheme became one of two in Newcastle to receive a share of £2.4m from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund, securing £1.65m to bring forward housing on Founders Place. Developers igloo Regeneration and Thriving Investments were given the green light for the clearance and remediation work at a planning meeting today, March 7. The South Street site was home to the birth of the world’s first steam train 200 years ago, with by world-famous locomotive designer Robert Stephenson’s Engineering Manufactory, but over the decades it has fallen into disrepair after the last tenant, Doves Building Merchant, left in 2004. The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop derelict shells are now deemed dangerous and inaccessible. Work on the site will involve clearing out asbestos, removal of unsafe structures – largely added in the 20th Century and said to have little or no historical value – and put in new retaining structures. The Machine Shop will be regenerated with proposals looking to retain and restore the fabric of the earliest industrial structures and bring the South Street area back to life by building family homes and apartments, business space, a public park and a courtyard. Insiyah Khushnood from igloo Regeneration, said: “The enabling works are the first essential step to breathe new life into the derelict site of the former Stephenson Works which will ultimately become the Orchard Yard residential scheme. Without these works the site would remain abandoned and inaccessible. “We have been working since 2020, in collaboration with Newcastle City Council and other partners, to bring forward the former Stephenson Works sites, and have successfully restored The Pattern Shop building, which was completed last year. The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop continue to be challenging due to a number of constraints. Despite this, funding was secured to open up and make the site safe, that will then lead on to the full regeneration of an unused and forgotten part of the city.” Sarah Dyer, heritage consultant to igloo Regeneration said: “During my research, it was evident that George and Robert Stephenson were at the forefront of technological innovation in the 19th century; comparable to the pioneers of mobile phone or electric vehicle design today. “The Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop reflect the evolving demands of locomotive and marine engine production that took place there, expanding and adapting over time to meet the needs of new technology and innovation. “Now, with the next phase, the current Machine Shop and Smith’s Shop will have the opportunity to be revitalised as spaces for living, making and innovation. With the new access we will be able to gather more information about the building, peeling back the layers to reveal more of the original building.”

Commercial Property

New £6.5m North Tyneside industrial scheme set for market

Industrial space at a new £6.35m development in North Tyneside is now on the market after being completed by UK Land Estates. Regional property developer and landlord UK Land Estates broke ground on the huge L7 scheme last summer, amid moves to tap into demand for industrial space. The speculative development has created 73,000sqft of hi-spec industrial and distribution space at the North Tyneside site, and forms part of a £35m investment programme across the firm’s regional business space portfolio. Brandon Bailey, projects director at UK Land Estates, said: “With a shortage of vacant, high-quality industrial space across the UK, we do not see L7 as a risk. In fact, we are really looking forward to bringing it to market as we expect a great deal of interest. “It’s one of a number of projects under way that is strengthening our portfolio, but particularly at the Tyne Tunnel Estate, where we are investing £11m in L7, the recent completion of the refurbishment of the former JTF Discount Warehouse building, several smaller C-units and we recently started refurb of another large industrial unit on the site.” Construction of L7 has been led by STP Construction Limited, with the local supply chain including Thompsons of Prudhoe, Philadelphia Structures, CCS Cladding, Mathew Charlton, ME Electrics and Voltz power services, and design partners including Faulkner Browns, Portland Consulting Engineers and Kinetic Engineers. The development has delivered 72,898sq ft of flexible industrial and/or warehousing, including 5,955sq ft of office space, and will be marketed by Knight Frank and Savills. David Gibbs, property director at UK Land Estates, said: “This estate is in a fantastic location, close to the main arterial road network and port services. Proximity to workforce and high density housing makes the building an attractive proposition for both manufacturing or distribution. Delivering quality buildings for business on core estates remains our main focus and we have every confidence the building will be well received. “We’re confident L7 will generate plenty of interest, but it won’t be the only large-scale project on the site and we’re progressing several options to deliver further projects of this size and larger, attracting businesses and creating employment opportunities in North Tyneside.

Commercial Property

Wheelchair manufacturer opens new HQ in Cornwall

A Cornwall-based wheelchair and walker manufacturer has opened a new head office in Hayle. Rehasense UK has moved into a 2,500 sq metre space after outgrowing its previous, smaller premises. The business, which employs 15 staff, had originally planned to move offices in 2026, but said it changed its plans after experiencing "rapid growth". According to the firm, the relocation will allow it to increase its stock levels and fulfil orders more quickly. Rehasense was founded in Hong Kong in 2010 and the UK business was established in 2018. The company sells through a network of UK dealers. “One of the issues we faced in 2024 was the longer than expected shipping times which meant it has not always been easy to get the right balance," said Lee French, regional director of Europe for Rehasense. "Some days the warehouse could be 100% full and then the next day it could be empty, which would have an adverse effect on our delivery timescales to our dealers, which we have always prided ourselves on since our first day in business back in 2018. That is why we have made this significant investment earlier than planned." The new HQ includes warehouse space and a training and development centre for staff, dealers and healthcare professionals working with the company's products. To support the opening of the site, the company has hired seven new members of staff in a range of roles covering the office, warehouse and sales departments. The appointments include three new members of the customer services team: Zoe Phillips, Claire Baker and Stacey Eaton.

Commercial Property

Growing affordable housebuilder Adderstone Living launches new Leeds office

North East affordable house builder Adderstone living has opened a new Yorkshire office in moves to meet demand for regionally based social housing design and construction. The business, which was founded by Stephen McCoy and Peter Galbraith, works with key social housing providers including Karbon Homes, Gentoo and Places for People to deliver hundreds of homes across the North. Now house builder has opened an office in Carrwood Park on the outskirts of Leeds, as part of its plans to drive growth across Yorkshire and become the developer of choice for social housing providers and the supply chain. Directors say Adderstone Living is seeing strong demand from social housing providers looking to tap into its land-led solutions, which include sourcing land, designing schemes, and gaining planning permission to allow homes to be built in cities including Leeds and the wider area. Led by recently appointed regional director Rick Long, who has experience in the residential house building sector, the new office will ramp up operations in Yorkshire. The office opening comes as the Government continues to push for the delivery of new homes to meet the chronic housing shortage and bring a halt to the decline in affordability of home ownership. Mr Long said: “Adderstone has seen strong growth as demand for our services has soared. So it’s part of our business strategy to develop a permanent presence in Leeds and we saw that the time was now right for new investment to support the next phase. “We are experiencing strong growth across core markets with a healthy order book and our new office strengthens our delivery capability. It’s a really exciting time for us and our team as we will be working closely with all our stakeholders to ensure we continue to deliver for our customers.” At the end of last year the firm announced plans to establish a presence in the North West. The division’s first Yorkshire project, a 70-unit scheme in East Cowton with a gross development value (GDV) of £16m, launched last year. Within accounts for parent company Adderstone Group, financial director Michael Shipley said: “To support rapid growth and regional diversification, Adderstone Living is actively pursuing key framework agreements. It has secured a place on the Homes England Delivery Partner Panel (DPP) and is targeting inclusion in other frameworks such as Prosper.

Commercial Property

Humber property firm Clark Weightman snapped up by national group Sanderson Weatherall

A Hull property consultancy has been snapped up by national business Sanderson Weatherall to expand its regional presence. Clark Weightman, Hessle-based chartered surveyors and commercial property consultants, has become the 11th UK office for its new owners and it will maintain its name to trade as Clark Weightman, part of Sanderson Weatherall. The acquisition has been made to bolsters Sanderson Weatherall's presence in the Humber, East Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire regions, including the key port locations of Hull and Grimsby. The move also expands the firm's service offering to clients across various sectors. The Clark Weightman founders all previously worked for a regional firm before establishing the business, which has over 25 years of experience in the regional property market, with expertise in agency, business rates, property management, lease consultancy, valuation, healthcare, dispute resolution and public sector consultancy. David Rastrick, COO at Sanderson Weatherall said: “We are delighted to welcome Clark Weightman to the Sanderson Weatherall family. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision to further solidify our position as a leading SME in the property industry, with a strong local and regional presence. “Sanderson Weatherall, a certified B Corp, has established high standards for environmental and social impact, and a robust approach to governance. This has made the firm an attractive partnership option when you also consider the benefits that come from economies of scale for smaller companies concerned about the increasing financial burden and mandatory requirements, which continue to be introduced and implemented by Government and regulatory bodies.” Andrew Clark, director at Clark Weightman, added: “We recognise the growth opportunities in our region and are excited to join forces with Sanderson Weatherall, a highly regarded and well-established firm with national reach. This partnership will allow us to leverage their B Corp status and other accreditations, enabling us to offer our clients a broader range of services and expertise. It will also create exciting new professional development opportunities for our employees. “There will be no change in our personnel with myself, Simon Weightman and Carl Bradley joining as partners and other staff members continuing in their existing roles.” Mr Bradley added: “This is an exciting time for me and the Clark Weightman team. We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Sanderson Weatherall over recent years on a number of successful joint agency instructions and look forward to building that relationship in the future now that we have joined forces and become part of their business. I am sure our clients will share that excitement and will benefit from our expert local market knowledge whilst being part of a larger national consultancy.” Mr Weightman added: “This is the result of 12 months of active positive discussions which has resulted in the merger of our two firms. I’ve known some of the Partners of Sanderson Weatherall for many years, having graduated with Dan Hardy and Andrew Ellis back in 1989. I can’t wait to introduce my current and future clients to our wider range of services that this national consultancy can provide.”

Commercial Property

Warrington building to be transformed into digital hub

Good progress is being made on the transformation of a building on one of Warrington's busiest roads into a digital enterprise hub. A report being presented to the council's cabinet for its Monday meeting includes an update on the project at St James Business Centre, located on Wilderspool Causeway. The quarter three review of non-treasury investments says the business centre will house Warrington's first digital enterprise hub, with work well underway to renovate and upgrade the building to suit this new economy sector. It stated: "The new roof is already in place along with restrooms and remodelled interiors. The entrance to the building will be changed to have more presence on Wilderspool Causeway, which will also benefit from a new café." The report added: "This new workspace will provide an excellent environment for digital businesses to collaborate and grow, and has already been the subject of interest from several established businesses in this sector."

Commercial Property

Festival Park in Ebbw Vale transformed into new business development

The former Festival Park retail scheme in Ebbw Vale has been transformed into a new business location. Owners in Birmingham-based Mercia Real Estate have created 24 industrial units totalling 84,202 sq ft for businesses and logistic operators on the 70 acre site. The 24 units range in size from 958 sq ft to almost 12,000 sq ft and offer a range of business uses including light industrial, trade counter and storage units. The redevelopment work has transformed the site from a retail park to a multi-use business facility. The investment has seen modifying existing units, removing their canopies, and recladding and reroofing the refurbished units. The site has an improved access and flow to accommodate industrial operators including the central walkway being resurfaced to create a spine access road. In addition, the landlord has undertaken a comprehensive remodelling of the site which included dismantling specific units to create more yard space, parking, roads, and paths. Mercia Real Estate acquired the unoccupied site in 2021 and was granted planning permission last year to go ahead with the changes. Its chief executive, Samuel Clark, said: “The much-needed redevelopment of Festival Park provides an attractive proposition to new and existing businesses, and provides a range of unit sizes to enable successful small businesses to expand over time without ever needing to leave the site to find larger premises.” The company has appointed the Cardiff office of global property consultancy Knight Frank to attract tenants to the completed centre. Rhys Price, associate in Knight Frank’s industrial and logistics division in Wales, said: “This is a great opportunity that is addressing the lack of refurbished, quality business units in the region within close proximity to the Heads of the Valley. The development provides a broad range of occupational space that is attracting strong interest from a range of potential occupiers already. “The Festival Park site has a long history and the landlord’s imaginative redevelopment of Festival Park, coupled with a willingness to agree leases quickly, will help bring the site back to life and this will no doubt be an attractive proposition to local and national businesses.” The existing site was chosen as the last British Garden Festival site in 1992 because of the waste land which had been the British Steel steel and tin works, which had been partly demolished in the early 1980s. The National Garden Festival ran from May until October 1992 and attracted over two million people.

Commercial Property

Salford's long term vision for the future revealed – more homes, jobs, offices and transport options

Salford's future is taking shape, with a vision for the city by 2042 outlined in the second part of Salford council's local plan including ambitious goals for jobs, housing, transport and property development. The document, known as the borough's 'core strategy and allocations.', includes plans for housing, employment, and transportation. The council has plans to construct at least 33,000 homes by 2042, but this figure could rise to around 40,000 as Salford has also adopted the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone scheme. The future blueprint for Salford also involves creating over 250,000 sq m of new office space and 550,000 sq m of industrial and warehousing facilities, providing a significant boost to the local economy and job creation. The plan indicates that a 'large proportion of new housing and office development' will be concentrated in the city centre and Salford Quays – identified as key growth areas – with industry and warehousing centred around Port Salford in the south-west part of the city. Approximately 85% of new development is planned to be built on previously developed land and existing buildings which are currently vacant, according to the plan. In the city centre and Salford Quays areas, new housing is set to focus on apartments and duplexes, with more houses within the inner-city areas such as Eccles and Ordsall, and further out towards the edges of the borough. Significant development projects are ahead for the Salford Community Stadium, which the council acquired with aims to bolster tourism, business, as well as industrial and warehousing sectors. In terms of transportation, Salford Council is devising strategies to 'minimise the need to travel', pushing for sustainable transport options to reduce car usage by expanding development work's scale and density. These initiatives align with imminent improvements to the city’s walking and cycling infrastructure, including upgrades along Chapel Street. The city's blueprint for growth also proposes allocating additional land at Duchy Road to supply new accommodation for the gypsy and traveller community, addressing an acute shortfall in plots for travelling showpeople, adjoining the north of the current site in that locale. Distinct masterplans for Salford’s neighbourhoods are being drafted to detail their prospective evolution. With an expected formal adoption by autumn 2026, the local plan has recently undergone a ten-week public scrutiny period spanning December to February 2025. Coun Mike McCusker, in charge of planning, transport, and sustainable development for Salford Council, said: "Core strategy and allocations is an important final element for Salford's local plan. "It builds on Places for Everyone and the Salford local plan: development management policies and designations, to support the continuing sustainable growth of a fairer Salford, fostering neighbourhoods where all communities can thrive. "This part of the local plan sets out how and where Salford's growth will happen, and how we'll ensure that this growth happens alongside a high-quality and resilient natural and built environment. "There's still a lot of work to do on the local plan as we progress, and we hope that the local community engages with this process as much as possible."

Commercial Property

Stena Line submit plans for tech park on Anglesey that could create 1,200 jobs

Plans for a £1bn tech park at a former aluminium works on Anglesey have been submitted. The Anglesey Aluminium site ceased smelting operations in 2009 and was later taken over by Orthios, which developed a materials recycling facility. However, the business collapsed in 2022, resulting in job losses for up to 100 staff. Later that year, Stena Line, the ferry operator that has owned and operated Holyhead port for nearly three decades, purchased the 213-acre site. They subsequently unveiled a 200,000 square metre industrial and office development as part of a low carbon campus. The plans include space for technology and data centre buildings, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) scheme, and over 15,000 sq ft of office space, which could create up to 1,200 new jobs on the Island and support UK investment in data and renewable energy. An outline planning application has now been submitted for 'Prosperity Parc'. This site forms a crucial part of the vision for Anglesey Freeport, located within the Anglesey Prosperity Zone, a tax site designated following approval from UK and Welsh governments. Economic forecasts from Stena Line suggest that when fully operational, Prosperity Parc could generate up to £578m GVA, potentially increasing the future size of the Anglesey economy by a third, reports North Wales Live. Ian Davies, head of UK Port Authorities at Stena Line, said: "We are pleased to announce the submission of our planning application for Prosperity Parc and would like to thank all those who took part in our public consultation. It is clear there is great anticipation locally around bringing new investment and jobs to the Island and it is exciting to have taken this step forward to deliver for the people of Ynys Môn."

Commercial Property

Deal signed to progress new health tech campus

Plans to deliver a health technology campus have taken a step forward after the project's partners entered a heads of terms agreement. University of Warwick and developers Arden Cross and Muse have signed the deal to create the new facility in Solihull which will bring together the university, NHS, private providers and industry to support start-ups to enter the health service and other markets. It will also deliver a range of community benefits closer to home, including supporting local health and wellbeing through access to medical research and technology. The campus will form part of the wider Arden Cross regeneration scheme which is aiming to develop new commercial and residential property to tap into the benefits of the HS2 Interchange station near Birmingham Airport. The £3.2 billion scheme could deliver tens of thousands of jobs alongside public spaces and an innovation district where the health tech campus will sit. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "Arden Cross is a priority growth project for me and the region. It's pivotal to delivering the business investment and the jobs that we need. "But we must move faster because complex projects can often take a long time to commence and there is now an urgency for delivery. "That's why I will be working closely with our local councils, investment partners and Government to unlock delivery and attract thousands of new jobs and homes for our local communities. "Accelerating the development of the healthtech campus will create more high-quality employment, build on our competitive advantage and help improve the lives and health of people across the region and beyond." University of Warwick vice-chancellor Stuart Croft added: "The campus will leverage the competitive advantage of the West Midlands to accelerate innovation in healthtech, transform healthcare services and improve patient outcomes locally, nationally and globally. "The ambition of the campus is closely aligned with both the UK's Industrial Strategy and NHS transformation plans. It has the potential to drive significant value for the UK economy and health system.

Commercial Property

Property agency opens new Birmingham office

A commercial building, project and sustainability consultancy has opened a Birmingham office in response to demand for its services in the region. This is the first Midlands office for Jones Hargreaves and is led by associate partners Jack Birchall and Harry McDermott who have relocated to the city from the firm's London operation. They will work with a range of investors, owners and occupiers across industrial, retail and office portfolios from their new home in Somerset House, Temple Street. Mr Birchall has extensive experience in the commercial sector including dilapidations, tenant alterations and technical due diligence, having worked at Jones Hargreaves for three years. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Mr McDermott is an experienced building surveyor across all commercial property sectors, primarily focusing on technical due diligence, dilapidations, planned preventative maintenance and contract administration instructions. The new Birmingham office is opening in direct response to client demand, with ongoing instructions in the region from Indurent and Adapt Real Estate. It is also working with Gilbanks on the £2 million fitout of a new 20,000 sq ft serviced office space at Five St Phillips in the Colmore Business District. The new Birmingham base joins its portfolio of offices in Manchester, Leeds, London, Bristol, Glasgow and Cardiff and the firm now employs 40 staff. Mr Birchall said: "It's a privilege to have the opportunity to open our new Birmingham office and dive into the Midlands' thriving commercial property sector. "The city itself has seen a lot of growth in recent years and it's exciting to be part of that. "I was keen to relocate to Birmingham as it's a great city with so much to offer and this was the perfect time for me both professionally and personally. "This opportunity highlights the culture of the business and the trust in the team." Mr McDermott added: "Jack and I are very excited to be leading Jones Hargreaves' new office in the UK's second city. "We have a strong existing client base in and around Birmingham and across the Midlands and we're looking forward to building on that." Partner Matt Williams said: "This is our seventh office opening and aligns with our business expansion strategy to meet ever-increasing client demand for our commercial building consultancy and ESG services across the UK, particularly in the Midlands. "I'd like to extend my congratulations to Jack and Harry who I have no doubt will make a fantastic impression within the Midlands' burgeoning commercial property sector.

Commercial Property

City centre retail block sold

A prime retail and leisure building in Birmingham city centre has been sold in a £4 million deal. Temple Buildings, a part grade II-listed property on the corner of New Street and Temple Street, has been acquired from Hortons by a private investor. The complex comprises two adjoining properties, 49-50A New Street and 19-20 Temple Street, which together total 10,055 sq ft. The ground floor units are let to clothing retailer Moss Bros, Ryman stationers, bubble tea café T4 and Everyman Barbers. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The upper floors of 19-20 Temple Street are let to Vogues Holdings for residential use. Birmingham-based agency MK2 Real Estate sold the building on behalf of Hortons. Director Mark Johnson said: "Despite the economic challenges over the last few years, Birmingham's retail and leisure market has remained resilient, with positive levels of take up and tenant demand. "Temple Buildings sits on the main thoroughfare from Grand Central to the Colmore Business District and the popular bars and restaurants in the area, with high footfall and passing trade as a result." Steve Tommy, head of asset management with Hortons, added: "The disposal of Temple Buildings is part of our ongoing strategy to reinvest in both existing and new projects within the industrial sector."

Commercial Property

Historic Birmingham building on the market

An historic Birmingham building at the centre of plans to create a new hotel and leisure complex has been placed on the market. Methodist Central Hall, in Corporation Street, is being marketed by property agencies Savills and Sanderson Weatherall but a guide price has not been disclosed. Built in 1904 by local architects Ewan Harper and James A Harper, the grade II*-listed, terracotta building totals 90,400 sq ft of space. It is a well-known landmark in the city centre, once home to the famous Que Club until 2017 which hosted a wide range of bands such as Daft Punk, David Bowie and Blur. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. But it has been mostly empty for many years, has fallen into a state of disrepair and has previously been named on Heritage England's At Risk Register. In 2022, Irish outfit Press Up Hospitality and sister company Oakmount won planning consent from the city council to regenerate the building to create a new 155-bedroom hotel called 'The Dean'. Other plans include a rooftop restaurant, food and beverage units and restoration of the central hall for events while a three-storey extension would be added to the building's roof. The developers estimated that the project could create 400 jobs. However, no work on creating the mixed-use complex has taken place and last year receivers were appointed by the project's funder. Michael Maguire, director in the Savills Birmingham development team, said: "The sale of Central Hall presents a rare freehold development opportunity to acquire arguably one of Birmingham's most iconic Victorian buildings in Birmingham city centre.