Article posted by
2018 is on course to be a big year of building in the UK. You’ve probably seen the plethora of cranes gracing the skyline of many cities around the country. Below are several exciting developments that will turn heads once they are completed.
Paddington Cube
Forget Paddington 2, 2018 is all about the Paddington Cube. After a lengthy legal battle, the massive Paddington Cube building has been given the go-ahead. Planning permission has been given to the development, which is part of a larger £775 million regeneration in the Paddington quarters area. The regeneration includes plans for a new public piazza, new cycle parking and a £65 million upgrade at Paddington Station.
Custom House, Glasgow Waterfront
Developers want to transform the Customs House site in Glasgow and in January, plans for a £90m waterfront development were submitted. The Custom House has very much become a forgotten part of the city’s waterfront and the aim is to revive the site, which has been vacant since 2007. Full details of the development are expected to be submitted in the Spring. At present, the project has a mid-2020s completion date.
New Stamford Bridge Stadium
Chelsea Football Club is hoping to get a new home, if they can get the multi-million project through planning. UK architects Herzog & De Meuron have been selected to design the stadium. The scheme has received many objections due to its sheer size, and residents against the project received a big boost in 2018 when Hammersmith and Fulham Council agreed to an intervention that threatened to derail the project. There may be further legal challenges, but this £500m ground is set to become one of the world’s most innovative football stadiums. It will provide 60,00 seats and it’s expected to be a stadium of “architectural distinction”, due to its bold and complex design. The project will have 264 brick columns on the backbone of the structure, along with wide glass walls and decorative metals. Its design has drawn comparisons to the Colosseum and if all the works go to plan, the stadium will be ready in time for the 2020/21 season.
Battersea Power Station Regeneration
The second phase has begun on the Battersea Power Station regeneration. It’s a £8bn redevelopment project that aims to put a new lease of life into the power station and the surrounding area. As part of the regeneration, the power station will include 250 new retail, beverage and food units, a riverside walk, a six-acre park, 800 apartments, plus shops, offices, and even a theatre. The Battersea Power Station was built in the 1930s but has lain dormant since 1983. However, this British landmark is now turning into a luxury accommodation and leisure development.
St John’s, Manchester
St. John is a proposed £1.35bn neighbourhood in Manchester. This scheme will deliver a regeneration of the old Granada TV Studios site on Quay Street; with plans to build 387 apartments, 400 new flats, quality office spaces, as well as shops and restaurants. But that’s not all: the masterplan will see the construction of two towers, one of which will be 52-storeys and looks to become a new iconic landmark in Manchester. The designs for the tower have taken inspiration from the early skyscrapers of Chicago and New York, installing the project with a sense of architectural heritage. Residents at the tower will enjoy first class apartments, rooftop gardens, commercial spaces and quality restaurants.
Big Ben renovations
Big Ben, the iconic London tower is receiving essential maintenance, which is expected to last for four years. As a result, besides special occasions, the world-famous bell won’t chime again until 2021 when the work is complete. This conservation project was originally expected to cost £29 million, but this figure has now increased to £60 million. A 16 month study revealed there was more damage to the clock than expected. The renovation includes repairs and refurbishments to the clock’s hands, the installation of a lift, and many repairs to broken panes of glass.
St Michael’s, Manchester
There will soon be a new addition to Manchester’s skyline. The St. Michael’s development was originally proposed in January 2017, but it faced a heavy backlash from members of the public. Plans were later revised and the development will feature a single tower, instead of two black skyscrapers as in the original proposal. 84% of the feedback to the revised plan was positive. The new development will have 189 luxury departments, a gym, spa, a pool and a 30-bed boutique hotel. Subject to planning consent, it’s hoped the scheme will start development in 2021. It will go before Manchester’s planning committee in March 2018.
Aykon London
Akyon is a new luxury residential tower that will rise to 50-storeys. Located in Nine Elms, it will be an ultra-modern building with 360 apartments and it’s set to include office spaces. It has a 2020 completion date and is expected to become an iconic structure.
We’re here if you need help defining a role or brief, specialist insight to help shape your ideas or expert help with your recruitment process. Just get in touch to arrange a conversation with one of the team or if you’re ready for us to find the perfect person for you, send us your brief.
If you’re looking for your ideal job send your CV to us to get started or search for the latest job vacancies and we’ll get the ball rolling.