Three construction companies, Landsec, Barratt London and McGee have recently announced new construction projects in London. The new projects will see the development of new homes, green areas and commercial spaces in the capital
The first of the three construction projects in London is from the real estate investment company Landsec. They outlined plans for The O2 Centre Masterplan, an urban regeneration scheme on Finchley Road, north-west London.
The O2 Centre Masterplan will deliver a mix-used urban neighbourhood on a 14-acre site in Camden, making it the largest planning application for Camden since Kings Cross.
The development will provide new homes and green public spaces in an under-used car park behind the O2 retail centres. The highly sustainable urban location will be well connected by five train stations.
A total of 1,800 energy-efficient homes will be delivered as part of the Masterplan, alongside 180,000 sq. ft of retail, leisure and other community spaces. The project will create 1,000 new jobs for local people and deliver around £34.5m in additional annual spending within the local economy.
“Our O2 Masterplan brings our purpose to life and is an important step for our business as we focus on shaping more mixed-use urban neighbourhoods that champion communities, the environment and quality of life,” said Mike Hood, CEO of Landsec’s regeneration arm.
Barratt London to build 900 homes in partnership with TfL
Elsewhere in London, Barratt London has secured a partnership with Transport for London (TfL), working to build 900 new homes on Bollo Lane in Acton, west London.
The project will deliver 50% affordable housing and vital revenue, allowing TfL to provide safe, green, and reliable public transport. The partnership will also deliver new projects in other parts of west London as part of TfL’s wider commercial development programme for new construction projects in London.
The scheme, which was given the go-ahead in January 2021, has been designed to reflect the heritage and surroundings of the Bollo Lane site while providing new commercial space for local businesses.
The housing development will also create new public spaces, green areas, play spaces, new footpaths, and facilities to make walking and cycling safer.
The project will be delivered in three phases, beginning with 195 build-to-rent homes. The second phase will deliver around 450 homes, and the third phase will deliver around 250 homes.
“This new construction project in Acton will provide affordable housing for hundreds of families and is a great example of how TfL land can be used to deliver much-needed homes for Londoners,” said Tom Copley, deputy mayor for housing.
“The new commercial space, as well as the green spaces and new walking and cycling areas, will benefit not just the new residents but all those who live and work in the area,” added Copley.
McGee publicises plans for deconstruction works at 1 Golden Lane
McGee, a specialist engineering contractor, has also announced a new project for deconstruction works at 1 Golden Lane, in the City of London, in partnership with Castleforge.
McGee’s carbon engineering expertise will enable the deconstruction and de-fabrication of existing structural steelwork on a building from the 1980s. The building can then be recertified, refabricated, and reused in the new proposed structure.
The pioneering approach will allow the redeveloped building to emit less carbon than other structural solutions, providing an example of how innovative technology solutions can be used for complex schemes.
Half the original 1980s building will be retained in its current form, with the deconstruction works taking place alongside it. The refabrication will involve ribbon cutting the existing beams to increase the stiffness of the section, a technique which has never been used on a reused steel section.
McGee collaborated with designers, industry bodies and Castleforge to show the viability of steelwork reuse to reduce carbon emissions while protecting the original building.
“This is the first time that any project in the UK is targeting exact steelwork sections to be deconstructed, de-fabricated, recertified and refabricated for use in the redevelopment of the same site. It is our hope that by successfully delivering this scheme, it will demonstrate that technical solutions around steelwork reuse are commercially viable for future schemes in the capital,” said Seb Fossey, group managing director.
