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Former Cardiff office building being turned into Wales' first co-living scheme

A project transforming a former office building in the centre of Cardiff into Wales’ first co-living scheme has secured a £30m-plus funding boost to ensure its completion . Developer Urban Centric has struck a £23.8m debt deal with Shawbrook for the project at the 60,000 sq ft Knox Court building alongside securing a £7.6m equity injection from Housing Growth Partnership, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2026 and will provide 206 apartments for rent, alongside share areas. It will also have office units on the ground floor. The funding will finance the construction work, including the addition of two new floors, and assist with tenant acquisition. The building has been vacate since financial services firm L&G moved staff last year into its new Welsh HQ building at the Interchange scheme, which forms part of the wider Central Square development around Cardiff Central Station. Andrew Wood, director of Urban Centric, said: “Urban Centric are proud to be delivering the first co-living scheme in Wales with our partners, the Housing Growth Partnership and with the support of Shawbrook. “Following the successful completion of our first scheme with Shawbrook in Swansea in 2022, we were delighted to partner with them once again on this landmark project. Their flexible and tailored funding approach has been instrumental in helping us bring our vision to life and we look forward to working with them in the future.” John Hughes, senior relationship director at Shawbrook, said “We are pleased to support Urban Centric in launching Wales’s first co-living scheme. This partnership, alongside the Housing Growth Partnership, combines our financial expertise with their innovative vision, propelling the project forward. Co-living offers a flexible, community-focused living experience that resonates with today’s urban residents seeking affordability and connection. Working with Urban Centric again underscores our commitment at Shawbrook to fostering strong relationships with developers.” Mike Murphy, director of Housing Growth Partnership, said: “This first investment alongside Urban Centric highlights the ever-growing significance of equity funding in creating, regenerating and delivering vibrant communities and homes that meet an unmet demand for housing in key regional UK cities. It also underscores our team’s capability in executing complex equity transactions across the UK living sector. "Co-living in particular is a nascent but fast-growing product, as people prioritise city centre living and the infrastructure and social advantages it brings. It’s been great working with the team at Urban Centric to date and the collaboration with Shawbrook has given us the reliable financing and confidence needed to bring this project to life.

· Commercial Property   2026-01-29 00:17:00

Restoration of Hull's landmark Burton building progresses under Wykeland plans

A landmark historic property in Hull has been revealed after undergoing a major regeneration by a city-based developer. The 1930s Burton building - the original home of menswear retailer Burton - has been re-established by Wykeland Group as commercial and leisure space. Scaffolding has now been removed from the prominent art deco property, which once completed will provide 12,700 sqft of prime city centre space over five floors. Replacement granite cladding for the building - now called Burton House - has been sourced from the same quarry in Norway as the original stone, which dates back to the mid-1930s. And its art deco windows have been replaced with new signage to be installed. Work so far on the upper floors has refurbished the original lift and now internal walls will be removed to create open-plan work areas. The project includes 2,400 sqft of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor and 1,600 sqft of basement area that could be used for back-of-house. On the first, second and third floors, there will be 2,500 sqft of office and commercial space. Jonathan Stubbs, Wykeland development director, said: "There has, unsurprisingly, been a huge amount of excitement and anticipation surrounding the regeneration of the Burton building. As one of the best-known landmarks in Hull, we’ve approached this project with a great deal of care and sympathy. With the scaffolding now removed, and the restored exterior of the building revealed, people can envisage how Burton House will transform the entrance to Whitefriargate. "As the project has progressed, we have had growing levels of interest from potential leisure and retail occupiers of the ground floor and basement accommodation, looking to make the most of this rare opportunity to move into a prime, regenerated city centre space. We expect that demand will further intensify now people can see the quality of the restoration we are carrying out." Grant funding for the Burton House project includes £750,000 from the Levelling Up Fund Grant Scheme, allocated by Hull City Council and a further £450,00 from Historic England. For Wykeland, the project is the latest part of long-term regeneration effort that includes a number of its properties between Whitefriargate and Alfred Gelder Street. Coun Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “It’s wonderful to see Burton House being rightly restored to its former glory. For people visiting the city centre, it is a symbol of the wider regeneration of Hull which simply could not happen without companies like Wykeland.

· Commercial Property   2026-01-20 17:05:59

North Cornwall hotel put up for sale following renovation

A coastal hotel in north Cornwall that has recently been refurbished has been put up for sale. Widemouth Manor, near Bude, is a family-run operation with 10 ensuite rooms, a restaurant, lounge bar, rooftop terrace and gardens. The hotel has undergone "significant" renovation works under the current ownership, according to specialist property firm Christie & Co which has been instructed to market the venue. Set within private grounds, Widemouth Manor holds a wedding license and regularly hosts events, celebrations and private functions. On-site managers’ accommodation and a sizeable car park are also included in the sale. According to Christie & Co, there is scope for a new owner to grow existing operations by extending trading times and developing the facilities further, subject to obtaining necessary consents. Widemouth Manor freehold is being marketed at an asking price of £2.9m. The business is also available by way of a new lease at an asking premium of £350,000. Stephen Champion, director of hotels South West at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, said: “Widemouth Manor presents as an exceptionally profitable business which could suit integration into either an existing group operation or acquisition by an individual operator. We expect strong buyer interest in this superbly positioned business.”

· Commercial Property   2026-01-21 13:40:11

New office for Harris Lamb

Commercial property consultancy Harris Lamb has relocated its 60-strong team in Birmingham to a new office.The business, which has been based in Francis Road in Edgbaston for the past 21 years, has leased 5,391 sq ft of space on the fourth floor of 4 Brindleyplace. The move will support its growth plans.Director Charles D'Auncey said: "This is a very exciting move for us, the time was right for the business and the team."We wanted a central, sustainable and flexible office solution that would suit the needs of our multi-service team, both professionally and personally."Brindleyplace needs no introduction, lying at the heart of the Second City, and offering superb amenities and an excellent business community within the complex itself."2024 has been an exceptional year for Harris Lamb, with us having made a number of key senior appointments within the business to further our growth and we are delighted to be relocating to our new Birmingham office and look forward to what the future holds."The office has undergone an extensive fit out, led by Harris Lamb's own project management and building consultancy team, with improvements including a new heating and cooling system and LED lighting.

Elizabeth Hart · Commercial Property   2026-01-08 21:59:38

OP wins brief to fit out food firm's new home

Office interior design consultancy OP has won the brief to deliver the new Solihull home of food processing firm ABP UK.OP will refurbish 28,000 sq ft of Vienna House, on International Park, following a competitive tendering process.The 12-week project will create a modern, office environment for up to 200 people, with a range of settings to allow for privacy, focussed work and collaboration.Features will include a conference suite, demonstration kitchen and space for town hall meetings. There will also be quiet spaces and also various areas for collaborative working and client visits.Specialist acoustics will be installed throughout the workspace to ensure optimum noise levels.The design includes finishes made with plastic sourced from the ocean floor and existing furniture and materials are being reused and retained wherever possible.ABP acquired Vienna House earlier this year and will occupy two floors of the three-storey, self-contained building, on completion of the refurbishment.Gary Tailby, joint managing director of OP, said: "We're looking forward to delivering a fabulous new workplace for ABP UK."The project is the culmination of a year-long collaboration between the two companies to pinpoint the best available location for the new office and create a high-end design that supports flexible ways of working.

Clara Walsh · Commercial Property   2026-01-08 13:18:53

Birmingham office block to undergo major overhaul

A 1980s office building in the heart of Birmingham's business district is to undergo a major facelift which will include the addition of a new roof terrace. Estilo Interiors, which specialises in office fit-out and design, has been recruited to lead the revamp of 35 Newhall Street after plans for the project were first lodged last year.35 Newhall Street, which sits at the corner with Cornwall Street, is six storeys tall and has 70,000 sq ft of space.The planned work comprises the addition of a roof terrace and sky lounge, replacement of the existing cladding with a modern, reconstituted stone cladding, the installation of six electric vehicle charging points in the basement car park and a new 44-space cycle hub with lockers and changing rooms.The existing Newhall Street entrance will undergo a transformation, replacing the current canopy with a portal adorned with perimeter lighting.Andrew Moore, founder and managing director of Estilo Interiors, said: "We are delighted to spearhead the refurbishment of 35 Newhall Street."This project represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable office spaces that meet the evolving needs of today's businesses."Property consultancies Knight Frank and Savills have been appointed as joint leasing agencies for the office space.Jamie Phillips, partner in the office agency team at Knight Frank, said: "35 Newhall Street will, on completion, provide the market with much-needed, high-quality office accommodation which will offer the very highest sustainability credentials and provide occupiers with a best-in-class experience."Ben Thacker, office agency director at Savills, added: "On track for completion next summer, 35 Newhall Street will be delivering a new opportunity that is precisely aligned to the scale, location and quality of workspace that occupiers are seeking in an office market with increasingly limited availability."

Mia Shaw · Commercial Property   2026-01-18 17:14:17

Office block above night time 'strip' set to be transformed into 14 flats

Plans have been put forward to convert the upper floors of the Victoria Buildings on Bury's bustling Silver Street into 14 new flats. Previously utilised as office space, the planning application reveals a stark decline in occupancy rates from 80 per cent in 2017 to a mere 10 per cent by 2019, with the building becoming entirely vacant in 2023. Silver Street is known for its nightlife, hosting an array of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, reports the Manchester Evening News. The proposed development aims to repurpose the commercial upper floors into residential units, offering 10 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats for market sale. Should the plans be approved, all existing windows will be replaced, although no other external alterations are expected as the redesign is intended to accommodate the current structure. A design and access statement submitted by the applicant, Mr R Sidebottom, highlights: "The site at Silver Street is located within a central, highly accessible urban area." The plans state: "The proposed density of 14 units is compatible with the surrounding urban context, where residential and commercial developments of similar scale are prevalent. Given the site's proximity to public transport links, shops, and local amenities, the proposed density is sustainable and aligns with the objectives of national and local policies that encourage higher densities in urban areas to reduce the need for outward expansion." A heritage statement on the Victoria Buildings, constructed in the late 19th century, describes it as 'a prominent example of Victorian commercial architecture in Bury'. It adds: "Each studio apartment has been designed to meet national space standards." "The development will make efficient use of the existing building, contributing positively to the local housing stock without negatively impacting the character or amenity of the surrounding area."

· Commercial Property   2026-01-17 01:39:50

Manufacturer secures huge land deal in Birmingham

A manufacturer of non-combustible insulation has signed a deal to open a huge new production facility in Birmingham.Rockwool has agreed terms to buy 114 acres of land at the Peddimore site near Sutton Coldfield with the aim of building a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub.It will feature proprietary electric melting technology for its stone wool insulation products.The new facility will boost supply capacity for UK and Ireland customers while also supporting the company's global sustainability plans along with creating jobs directly and supporting the West Midlands' supply chain.The Peddimore site at Minworth has been designated specifically for manufacturing and logistics uses and is part of a long-running regeneration and development project.Infrastructure including a new access road and roundabout is already in place which serves the new Amazon warehouse which opened last year next to where Rockwool's new factory will be.The manufacturer said it would launch a consultation in the coming weeks over its plans including information events for the local community to learn more about its proposals and the business in general.It will then submit a planning application to Birmingham City Council. This would be the company's second UK production facility in addition to its existing Bridgend plant.UK and Ireland managing director Nick Wilson said: "We're very excited at the opportunity to expand the business into the West Midlands that would enable us to boost our production capacity in the UK and to create quality jobs and business opportunities in the local community."During the past 45 years, we have built a strong foundation at our site in South Wales where we will continue to manufacture and invest for the long-term and are now looking to build on that success with a second manufacturing plant at the Peddimore site."The West Midlands has a skilled, local workforce, a strong manufacturing tradition and excellent transport links so it is an ideal location for us to expand our business in the UK and bolster our service to customers in the Midlands and across the north of England and Scotland.

Ella Brooks · Commercial Property   2026-01-30 16:48:21

New HQ for growing Birmingham company

A young and growing company has secured a deal for a new headquarters in Birmingham.DuraClean has signed a lease for 10,000 sq ft of warehousing and office space on Rovex Business Park in Tyseley.The move to the new base early next year will represent a fivefold increase in size on its current head office on the same business park.DuraClean, which was founded in 2023, supplies cleaning products such as mops, chemicals, staff uniforms and machinery to contract cleaning companies and wholesale customers.Its client roster includes more than 600 UK hotels as well as schools, commercial and industrial premises, retailers and facilities management companies.Turnover for the current financial year is forecast to be £1.1 million and co-founders and directors Yasin Shariff and Imran Khandhia said they were aiming to grow revenues to £5 million within three years, fuelled by an expanding product range and burgeoning customer base.DuraClean currently has six staff and is recruiting for a variety of new roles.Mr Shariff said: "Trading so far has exceeded our initial projections and we have an exciting strategy for further growth over the next three years."This will be underpinned by expanding our workforce with key hires, adding significantly to our product range and extending our geographical reach across the UK."The move to larger premises will support our plans and enable us to focus on winning and servicing bigger wholesale and contract cleaning companies."We're investing heavily in technology, strategic partnerships and warehouse capacity to rapidly scale our operations and speed up dispatch times. Our vision is to capture a bigger market share."Rovex Business Park is in a great location with excellent transport links and we were keen to remain at the same complex as it has served us extremely well on our journey so far."Rovex Business Park is owned by Pall Mall Estates and has 67 industrial units spanning a total of 180,000 sq ft.Commercial director James Checketts added: "We will be thrilled to welcome DuraClean into a much larger unit as the business continues to grow and thrive.

Harper Jenkins · Commercial Property   2026-01-22 13:29:35

Work starts on new business park in the Black Country

Work has started on transforming a derelict industrial site in the Black Country into a new business park which is expected to create more than 330 new jobs.Foundry Business Park is being built on 15 acres of land off Brook Street, in Bilston, and will offer a mix of accommodation for small and large companies.Oldbury-based developer Goold Estates has started work on site following confirmation of a £12.5 million investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to help get the scheme under way.Goold Estates was selected by City of Wolverhampton Council as its chosen developer for the land which it has designated for employment use as part of its wider Bilston Urban Village regeneration project.The WMCA funding is being used in part to cover the cost of cleaning up the site and making it ready for the construction of 15 industrial and distribution units totaling 166,500 sq ft of accommodation to suit a variety of uses.West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "Foundry Park will bring new life to this site and create over 300 much-needed jobs for local people."This modern, environmentally sustainable development will give businesses room to grow and contribute to the community. It will also help tackle a shortage of high-quality workspaces for our region's smaller firms."Investments like this strengthen our local economy and build a solid foundation for future growth that benefits everyone across the West Midlands."Dominic Goold, managing director of Goold Estates, added: "This brownfield site has a complex industrial legacy which has kept it vacant for more than 20 years."It required consultation with a number of third parties to progress the site's development but we are excited to have begun remediation works."Foundry Business Park has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs, secure the future of many firms in the region and attract inward investment."City of Wolverhampton Council leader Cllr Stephen Simkins said: "Bringing this strategically important site forward has been a long-term ambition for the council and I am delighted to see our chosen developer, Goold Estates, start work to create new industrial and distribution units that will deliver hundreds of jobs for our residents.

Henry Lambert · Commercial Property   2026-01-20 10:57:47