High Performing Buildings – April’s Roundup

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• High Performing Buildings – April’s Roundup

22 April 2024

April’s high performing buildings roundup includes a new office scheme in the Square Mile, a Fitwel-accredited business park and plans for a new home for Birmingham City Football Club.

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1 Little New Street

The City of London Corporation has approved a new office scheme, as part of the redevelopment of the Fleet Street area.

1 Little New Street will become the new Hill House development, featuring over 57,000 sqm of Grade A office space, stepped green landscaped terraces and upgrades for Shoe Lane Library. The library will move from the basement to ground level and will be refurbished to include a new prominent entrance, a changing places toilet, and exclusive managed use of the level 18 top floor amenity space and rooftop for community events.

Deputy Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Graham Packham, said: “The Hill House scheme is a fantastic example of the new holistic office schemes that the City Corporation are delivering sustainably, across the Square Mile: Inclusive, green and respectful of valued community assets, whilst providing public realm improvements for local residents and visitors.

“Through the City Corporation’s Destination City programme, together with developments like Hill House, we are creating a unique and diverse offer for local workers, residents and visitors, to make the Square Mile a world-leading destination for all to enjoy.”

Winnersh Triangle Business Park 

Winnersh Triangle business park, based in Reading, has received a Fitwel Best in Building Health Award.

The site was named the Highest Scoring Project (Built) and Highest Scoring Project: Commercial Industrial Site v2.1 (Built) at the Fitwel's Best in Building Health (BiBH) Awards 2024.  

Owned and managed by Frasers Property UK, Winnersh Triangle is a 1.5 million sq ft mixed-use business park with a wide variety of workspaces and 90 acres of green open spaces. It offers several wellbeing initiatives to its occupiers, including healthy events programmes such as bootcamps, yoga, meditation and chair massage. 

Joanna Frank, President and CEO of the Center for Active Design, accreditor for the Fitwel Certification System, said: “This year’s winners are true champions exemplifying Fitwel’s global reach, bringing building health to all. Fitwel is empowering industry leaders to implement a framework that prioritises stakeholder health and wellbeing, improves ESG performance, and future-proofs asset value. Frasers Property’s achievements demonstrate that this year will be a game changer for the real estate industry, as organisations commit to healthy building strategies at-scale, driving value, and prioritising health.”  

Birmingham’s New Sports Quarter

The co-owner of Birmingham City Football Club has purchased a 48-acre site which will house a world-class stadium and training facilities for all Birmingham City teams, and extensive commercial and community facilities.

Knighthead Capital Management and Birmingham City Football Club intend to create a new Sports Quarter, featuring a new multi-use stadium, training facilities, a new academy, community pitches and commercial space to support local businesses.

Knighthead Co-CEO and Chairman, Tom Wagner, said: “When we invested in Birmingham City, we made it very clear that we had an ambitious vision to transform the experience for our fans and make a positive contribution to the growth and vitality of the city of Birmingham. The acquisition of the former Wheels site is an important next step in making this a reality. The plans for the Sports Quarter will bring global interest to our Club and to Birmingham as a whole. It is going to transform the future of our Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams, and the fortunes of the community that we call home. We are excited to collaborate with the fans, the local community, and key partners in Birmingham to deliver on our plans for the Sports Quarter.”

Birmingham City Football Club Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, added: “The Birmingham City story dates back to 1875 when the Small Heath Alliance team was formed. A blue thread based on teamwork, entertainment and unbreakable community spirit was created. This is the strength of our brand. Our owners have an ambition that is greater than anything this Club has ever seen, and when we deliver it the impact on the global reputation of Birmingham will be seismic.

Picture: a CGI showing the proposed new development at 1 Little New Street. Image Credit: City of London Corporation

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 April 2024

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