St James Quarter has announced that the latest phase of the development will reach completion this November as W Edinburgh is set to open its doors at the new lifestyle district in Scotland’s capital. 

Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre, St James Quarter first opened to the public in 2021 and is being delivered by Nuveen Real Estate. The 1.7 million sq foot development is a masterplan in urban placemaking and comprises of world-class retail, dining and leisure destinations as well as 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.  

The launch of W Edinburgh marks an important milestone for the development as it is the centrepiece of St James Quarter and will complete the renewal of this eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre. 

W Edinburgh encompasses three buildings including the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk and the Quarter House. Each of its 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces, offer a new perspective on the city.  

The hotel’s top floors will bring energy and flair to Edinburgh’s lively social scene. Highlights include W Lounge, SUSHISAMBA restaurant, Joao’s Place cocktail bar and terrace, chef’s table and outdoor terrace. The unique rooftop W deck also offers the finest unfettered 360-degree views of Edinburgh and beyond.   

Ed Webb, Director of Development Management at Nuveen, said: “We are excited for the launch of W Edinburgh at St James Quarter as it is the centrepiece of the development and completes the renewal of this eastern part of the city centre.  

“W Edinburgh will be the second hotel to open at St James Quarter and will add to a number of fantastic retail, dining and leisure destinations already on offer. The addition of SUSHISAMBA within the hotel will also further enhance the experience for all who visit.   

“We’re proud to be a part of the city’s growth and look forward to seeing W Edinburgh become a vibrant hub for both visitors and locals alike.”  

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About St James Quarter  

St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation – a new 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, St James Quarter complements the city centre’s retail circuit with John Lewis, Zara, & Other Stories, LEGO, H Beauty, and Kurt Geiger to name a few, it is also home to an enticing mix of new restaurants, cafés and bars including Duck & Waffle and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger. St James Quarter also includes a boutique five-screen Everyman Cinema, a luxury aparthotel brand Roomzzz, comprising 75-rooms; and 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.  

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RED Construction London will oversee the creation of a new office development located on Pall Mall in St James’s, London, spanning a Net Internal Area of 3,271 sq m. The existing buildings are set to be demolished down to basement level to make way for the new high-quality building, incorporating retail units and office accommodation. The Pall Mall façade will be retained and renovated, with sections being carefully dismantled from site to be cleaned and stored before reinstallation, while the massing and façade materials are designed to blend into the surrounding context.

The development will see the construction of a new building comprising of basement, ground, and seven storeys, with terraces at fifth, sixth and seventh-floor levels. The existing foundations and basement are reused to reduce embodied carbon, while the new construction uses Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) floor slabs, evidence of a clear focus on sustainable materials throughout. As a result, the upfront embodied carbon is expected to be below 550kg CO₂e/m², comfortably meeting the LETI/GLA 2030 target of 600 CO₂e/m². A very low level of operating energy is also targeted. The focus on sustainability is further emphasised by the targeting of BREEAM Outstanding and an EPC A rating, while a rating of WiredScore Platinum is also included.

Tony O’Farrell, Operations Director at RED Construction London, commented: “This key project at the heart of London’s Pall Mall is a prime example of RED Construction London’s expertise in reimagining iconic historical buildings for modern-day commercial use. The development of 55-58 Pall Mall and 1-4 Crown Passage will call on our team’s experience in the retention and restoration of heritage features, as we reinstate the building’s impressive façade. We are delighted to have been appointed and look forward to working with the brilliant team across this project.”

Edward Sneddon, Partner at Simten Developments, Development Managers for the project, added: “This is a hugely exciting project that seeks to deliver a cutting-edge building of the highest quality but in an extremely sustainable way. RED Construction London’s track record speaks volumes, and we are proud to be working alongside the team on this scheme.”

The appointment follows the news that RED Construction Group has announced a trio of project wins totalling £20m across London and the South East, to be delivered by its dedicated Special Projects team, whilst RED Construction London is currently delivering Barwood Capital’s £15.1m redevelopment of Explore, the office building in Richmond, south west London, formerly known as Eton House.

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DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, has mobilised on site with groundworks under way. Construction is scheduled for completion in Q2 2026. The original 2018 planning application was made by Assael Architecture; the scheme was later revised and modernised by Architect Studio Power.

After the Boddingtons Brewery ceased operations in 2005, proposed schemes for the site became known as Old Brewery Gardens. Salboy has renamed the scheme Waterhouse Gardens, paying homage to Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905), one of the most successful Victorian architects whose work included Manchester Town Hall and Manchester’s Strangeways Gaol, many ‘red-brick’ universities, as well as the Natural History Museum in London. 

The Waterhouse Gardens scheme will incorporate red brick in its designs, reflecting Waterhouse’s generous use of terracotta and enthusiasm for the Victorian Gothic revival style. The scheme celebrates its local environment too. Each of Waterhouse Garden’s five principal buildings will be named after local waterways, and their interior design and landscaping will be inspired by the location’s past as a brewery. 

Simon Ismail, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “Right on target, work has commenced on our hugely exciting new scheme on one of Manchester’s largest and last-remaining regeneration sites. As is always the way with Salboy schemes, we only start the sales process once we are live on site. With boots now on the ground, from September buyers will be able to purchase with confidence in this scheme, which is fully funded and their deposits are protected. ”

Salboy acquired the site in December 2022 with the intention to develop a mixed-used scheme (£195m GDV) across five buildings, including a 20-storey tower, and a landscaped public realm. 

Located adjacent to Manchester College’s new city campus and only a short walk from the city’s Northern Quarter, Waterhouse Gardens will provide 556 new city centre homes likely to appeal to students and young people. The scheme will include 31,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space, as well as exclusive access for residents to their own onsite ‘Clubhouse’ that offers them swimming pools, squash and basketball courts, lounges and games rooms, private dining, cinema room, meeting rooms and work spaces and a private landscaped garden.
Ismail concludes: “Waterhouse Gardens will be a residential-led mixed use regeneration project that pays close attention to creating an appealing landscaped environment where young people buy and rent their homes, as well as study, begin or progress their careers and socialise, all within easy reach of Manchester’s vibrant city centre. We’ve specifically and painstakingly designed a new local neighbourhood that’ll suit anyone – renters and owners alike – who’s seeking a vibrant, convenient, city central lifestyle where what they need and want is available on site at a consistently high quality and easy access.” 

Sales for the fully funded scheme will commence in September.

Graham + Sibbald is advising Salboy on the commercial space within Waterhouse Gardens. Director Conor Mulloy comments: “We are delighted to be involved in such an exciting project upon one of Manchester’s most landmark locations, and it’s great to see the works now starting on site. The design of the development together with the attention to detail on items such as the landscaping will ensure this brand new neighbourhood will be hugely attractive to both residents and commercial operators alike.

“With over 31,000 sqft of quality commercial space being created with an abundance of well designed and landscaped external seating areas, particularly along Central Avenue, Waterhouse Gardens will be an exciting opportunity for bars and restaurants seeking space within the city. These new operators will not only benefit from the rapidly growing residential population but also the immediately adjacent AO Arena. In turn they will bring vibrancy and activity to the area which will enhance the neighbourhood and local environment even further.”

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Designed by Foster + Partners, the proposed development will centre on a vibrant, new public space, delivering two residential buildings that provide over 400 new homes on site, including 40% on-site affordable homes.

The office building moves away from an all-glass design and has a series of bustles gradually reducing in size to the top. The concept is to provide a new form of architecture, departing from the traditional flat tower office building. The proposed use of colour on the façade, terraces and utilisation of natural light throughout change the concept of office buildings, and tech-enabled offices address the demand for premium quality space that support employee wellbeing in a post-Covid world. In addition, there will be 20,000 sq ft of affordable workspace aimed at supporting local and socially minded enterprises.

The proposals advance an existing consent on the site for two towers (the tallest of which was 184.2m) by providing three buildings (45, 40 and 22 storeys above podium), with the new office building being the tallest at 199.28m.

The design of the public space – the Rotunda – seeks to enhance the existing Blackfriars streetscape. A podium at the base of the new buildings will include retail and food outlets, office and residential amenities, cultural and performance facilities, educational spaces, as well as other flexible uses. At ground level, three interconnected spaces – the Rotunda, Hatters Yard and the playground – aim to create a thriving new social space for London.

The Rotunda will hold publicly accessible events linked to Hatters Yard, a new pedestrian connection to the Mad Hatter public house. Hatters Yard will feature the opportunity to hold food stalls and display public art.

The design aims to minimise embodied carbon and is targeting a 20% to 30% improvement against the GLA benchmark. The development is designed to avoid all on-site emissions, using an all-electric strategy with ground and air source heating and cooling, and therefore its operations are targeting net-zero. The project will also target new standards of health and well-being.

Ross Blair, senior managing director and country head of Hines UK, said: “We’ve been working hard with our architects, the local community and other key stakeholders to bring this land, which has been undeveloped for 20 years, back to life.

“Occupiers are demanding more from their spaces to attract and retain the best people, the lines have blurred between workspace, wellness and leisure, and our design truly responds to these needs, offering an inspirational mix of spaces that foster collaboration. In many places around the world, Hines has successfully delivered environments which connect with the local community through a rich arts and wellbeing programme for the benefit of generations to come.

“The significant investment we are planning underlines our firm belief in London, and its enduring appeal as a global centre for business. We believe that our proposals for 18 Blackfriars Road will add significant value to the already established growth story of the Southbank and Bankside neighbourhoods, and as a long-term owner and operator we are deeply invested in the future success of the site and the benefits it will bring to the Southwark community.”

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The partnership acquired the 3.8-acre site in May 2022 with full detailed planning permission for 1,012 apartments across five towers with commercial space on the ground floor.

Following the purchase, Leeds-based DLG Architects and landscape specialists Exterior Architects were appointed to review the scheme design with a focus on enhanced placemaking and a significant review of its wind mitigation features.

Having worked closely with a range of stakeholders through the summer including Leeds City Council, a Section 73 Minor Material Amendment Application was submitted in December 2023. The planning approval will mean there are wholesale changes to the building’s elevational and public realm design. Wind mitigation measures have also been substantially improved through changes to the towers’ form and massing.

Leeds Urban Village will deliver 1,012 residential apartments across five towers ranging from 13-23 storeys and will include 478 BTR apartments. The ground floor spaces will accommodate retail, food and beverage as well as a considered range of resident amenities such as a shared pantry, cinema, gym and a ‘library of things’ – appliances and useful equipment for people to borrow.

The public realm, designed by Exterior Architecture, includes features such as a climbing wall and spaces for active play, whilst a large central hub offers opportunities for events, markets and gatherings. The development is targeting Fitwel rating – the world’s leading healthy building design accreditor – and has considered occupant wellbeing and health from the outset of design.

In addition, a new cycle hub within the public realm is proposed with direct platform lift access to basement parking and a range of high-quality cycle welfare facilities.

Speaking about the scheme, George Smith, planning manager at Cole Waterhouse, commented: “These design enhancements will ensure that Leeds Urban Village is a desirable new urban neighbourhood and a cultural destination in itself, designed to meet and exceed people’s expectations now and in the future.

“Located in the heart of Leeds city centre with both the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Great Northern Ballet nearby, we have looked at how we best build on the surrounding cultural offer to deliver a vibrant and meaningful placemaking strategy to strengthen further our engagement with the cultural and creative community in Leeds as our vision for the site develops.”

George continues: “We have been working with Colliers to secure development funding and also working on the appointment of a main contractor. We are aiming to start on site in Q2 2024 to deliver the first phases of much needed Built-to-Rent homes for the city of Leeds.”

Cole Waterhouse has a strong track record in the residential and BTR sector and has a current pipeline to deliver over 2,000 residential units across its sites in Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester.

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Paul Sargent commented: “Regeneration in the UK acts as a powerful catalyst for economic growth, with the likes of London, Manchester, and Edinburgh already experiencing the benefits of investment in their cities.

“Regeneration initiatives nurture entrepreneurial spirit by providing a fertile ground for new businesses to flourish. With improved infrastructure, affordable workspaces, and access to skilled talent, our towns and cities can become incubators for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We need to continue to invest in towns and cities up and down the UK to ensure they become magnets for businesses, entrepreneurship, and job creation. This injection of economic activity has a multiplier effect, stimulating various industries and contributing to the overall prosperity of the region.

“There are great opportunities to increase tourism through regeneration, too. By preserving historical landmarks, developing cultural venues, and investing in world-class attractions, regeneration projects have the ability to transform cities into vibrant cultural and leisure destinations.

“At Queensberry, we believe regeneration is not solely about economic gains; it is about improving the quality of life for all residents and visitors. Thoughtfully designed neighbourhoods, sustainable development, and accessible green spaces foster social cohesion and promote well-being, creating vibrant and inclusive communities that people are proud to call home.

“It’s predicted that 340,000 new homes are needed in the UK each year to 2035, and with these new homes, we need to ensure that there are sufficient facilities to drive social mobility and create a fairer, more equitable society. Collaboration between public and private sectors is pivotal to ensure the benefits of regeneration are shared by all segments of the population.

“Regeneration efforts prioritise sustainable development, incorporating green building practices and renewable energy solutions. By embracing environmentally conscious design, our towns and cities can reduce their carbon footprint, enhance energy efficiency, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“Sustainable buildings not only benefit the environment but also contribute to the overall health and well-being of residents, creating healthier and liveable communities.

“We are also presented with a unique opportunity to address regional inequalities and bridge divides through regeneration projects in our towns and cities. By investing in infrastructure, education, and employment opportunities, we can create a more level playing field, ensuring that economic benefits are shard across the country.”

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The design work for the project is being led by Danish architects 3XN with support from the London-based architecture studio DSDHA. Both companies worked with British Land on Broadgate’s 2FA. The proposed design would retain a number of Euston Tower’s key features such as the foundations, basement and core.

The scheme will aim to reduce its carbon emissions throughout construction by retaining, re-using and re-cycling existing material, utilising low-carbon and recycled materials where new material is required and only using certified carbon offsets as a last resort.

Commenting on the project, David Lockyer, Head of Development, British Land, said: “This is a unique opportunity to transform a London landmark desperately in need of revival, ensuring it is fit for the future by adopting cutting-edge sustainability practices and attracting leading life sciences and innovation occupiers where it currently lies vacant.

“We’re committed to a comprehensive and transparent approach to sustainability, working closely with the London Borough of Camden and other key stakeholders to reimagine this office tower. The desire to retain, re-use and recycle as much of the building fabric as possible while creating high quality, flexible and sustainable workspaces is a blueprint for other projects facing similar challenges.”

Reflecting on their involvement, Audun Opdal, Senior Partner and Head of Design, 3XN, said: “We are proud to work on this highly progressive project and feel our proposals will transform the disused Euston Tower into a beautifully designed, sustainable new building, delivering workspaces for the future and accessible and inclusive spaces for neighbouring communities.

“Working with our innovation unit GXN, we will reuse and recycle materials throughout the development, and ultimately reach net zero at completion and in operation. As such, we have developed a guiding hierarchy for how we find the best place for any elements that are removed from the existing structure. Where we cannot retain materials in situ we are developing innovative methodologies for recycling and upcycling, working closely with research institutes to further this. Architecturally this will be a new breed of tall building, one that minimises operational energy use through passive design, reducing solar gain with less glazing and increased façade depth.”

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The building is valued at £2 million with the funds coming from local charity sources. During the work, Stepnell aimed to add social value to the project by investing in the local area. Three locals received jobs through the scheme with more than 100 hours of support going into employment training at Chesterfield College and Parkside Community School.

The company also committed to a local supply chain by ordering building materials within a 30-mile radius of the project, which achieved a 50% local spend, including 36% spend with local SMEs.

Commenting on the completed budget, Dr Hal Spencer, chief executive of CRH NHS Trust, said: “We want to be recommended as a place to come to work and for the clinical care we provide. The Health and Wellbeing Hub is pretty unique in allowing us to offer this kind of facility to colleagues. I am especially proud of us opening on the day of the celebrations for NHS75. Along with our Emergency Department, Pediatric Assessment Unit, the Community Diagnostic Centres and much more, we are redefining the role and abilities of this fantastic hospital.”

Reflecting on their involvement for the Chesterfield health and wellbeing hub, Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Our team has gone above and beyond to ensure quality throughout the design and build of this new Health and Wellbeing Hub. As well as ensuring the project was built on time and within budget, we were also proud to have supported the hospital alongside local people, communities and businesses to help raise the required project funds. We are thrilled with the end result and the positive feedback received from stakeholders across the project.”

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Construction of the 41-storey tower is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. Once complete, the tower will boast a 162-bed 5-star international hotel brand and 217 luxury residences. Relentless Developments is in the final stages of securing a deal with a global hotel operator, which will be announced in the autumn.

St Michael’s aims to set new benchmarks in quality, aesthetics, and experiences, positioning itself as a prominent destination for food, drink, and entertainment. The roof terrace will be home to the iconic Nikkei restaurant brand, Chotto Matte, while a refurbished public square will retain the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub, preserving the site’s heritage as the former home of Manchester City Police headquarters.

The scheme, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and Hodder & Partners, aims to transform the underused area while respecting its historical significance. The interiors, created in collaboration with SOM, complement the building’s high-quality external design.

The Manchester development is divided into two distinct phases. Phase one, branded as No.1 St Michael’s, comprises nine floors of top-tier office space designed to achieve world-leading standards in sustainability and well-being. The Chotto Matte rooftop restaurant and two food and beverage outlets bookend the building. No.2 St Michael’s encompasses the tower, which includes the hotel, apartments, and an additional 75,000 sq ft of office space.

Delivery of No.1 began in January 2022, led by Bowmer and Kirkland, with completion expected in 2024. No.2, managed by Salboy’s exclusive build partner Domis, will break ground in the coming weeks, and the entire scheme is set to reach completion in early 2027.

Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments, said: “This is an extraordinary scheme that has been no less than 15 years in the making and we believe it to be the most sustainable commercial space in the city. I’d like to thank all our partners who have been with me on this journey and remained committed to the vision to transform this pivotal area of the city into a global landmark.

“We’ve worked so hard to create a development that is distinctive in both its imaginative design and heritage as well as its location connecting the city’s business district with the historic civic quarter. Signing a deal with two of the world’s most reputable law firms and setting a new headline rent as we launch is testament to that.

“Progress is now beginning to accelerate as we approach the latter stages of No.1 and we set our sights on the world-class leisure and residential elements that will be delivered for No.2.”

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The move, which comes as joint venture partners Hargreaves Land and Fintry Estates have reached agreement with Falkirk Council, paves the way for a planning application in late summer 2023 for the 27-acre residential and commercial scheme at Falkirk Gateway.

The development will see an area to the east of the town, adjacent to the new Forth Valley College and Falkirk Stadium, transformed with an ‘ambitious’ scheme featuring a mix of 100 new homes, a pub/restaurant and a 120-bedroom hotel.

More than 120,000 sq. ft. of commercial floorspace to provide retail and leisure facilities, are proposed as part of a package of initiatives that will support the ongoing regeneration and development of Falkirk over the coming few years.

News of the agreement signals a further boost for plans to create new opportunities for the local economy and upwards of 400 full and part-time jobs in the construction, retail, office, and hospitality and leisure sectors over the next 15 years.

The Council is also carrying out a programme of major road improvements to support the Falkirk Gateway, including upgrading roads around Falkirk’s Westfield roundabout in a multi-million-pound investment to improve the flow of traffic in and around the area.

If the developers’ plans get the green light from Falkirk Council’s planning committee later this year, onsite work is expected to start in the second half of 2024 with completion of the scheme anticipated in 2026.

Duncan McEwan, director at Fintry Estates, who is a former pupil of Falkirk’s Graeme High School, is the project lead. He said: “I’m very proud and excited to be working back in Falkirk, investing in the area and contributing to another significant chapter in the town’s long and illustrious history.”

David Anderson, group property director at Hargreaves Land, added: “We are delighted to secure an agreement with the council, which sees our ambitious plans set to move to the next phase. We are working with Fintry as JV partners to bring forward a fantastic scheme that will deliver new homes and growth for Falkirk, with new jobs and prosperity to follow for years to come.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “This is a significant step forward for the economic regeneration of the Falkirk area and brings massive investment as well as hundreds of jobs.

“It will transform an area that has been empty for many years and we look forward to seeing the delivery of the project by 2026.”

Development advice to the developer was provided by Alastair Biggart of Biggart & Co., to whom all occupational enquiries should be directed.

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