2018: The year’s biggest Design Build Network stories

GDC starts £80m construction project at Leeds Beckett University

UK-based property developer George Downing Construction (GDC) broke ground on a £80m project to construct the Creative Arts Building at Leeds Beckett University in West Yorkshire.

Designed by architect Hawkins\Brown, the new building will be delivered by Downing.

The facility will house the university’s School of Film, Music and Performing Arts and the fashion department.

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Japan to build world’s largest wooden skyscraper by 2041

Japanese company Sumitomo Forestry announced plans to construct a 350m-tall skyscraper built primarily out of wood by 2041.

The structure is part of the W350 plan to create ‘environmentally friendly and timber-utilising cities,’ according to the company and is timed to mark the 350th anniversary of the founding of Sumitomo Forestry in 1691.

The building will be made of 90% wood, with the remainder made up of steel. The finished structure will include 70 floors above ground, cover a total area of 455,000m² and require 185,000m³ of timber. Sumitomo Forestry also predicts the project will cost around JPY600bn.

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Balfour Beatty JV secures £370m residential contract in Hong Kong

UK-based Balfour Beatty’s joint venture (JV) Gammon Construction (Gammon) secured an HK$4bn (£370m) residential contract from Hong Kong financial real estate firm Wheelock and Company.

Under the deal, Gammon will be responsible for developing a large-scale residential infrastructure called ‘Lohas Park Package 9’.

Located at Tseung Kwan O bay in the Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong, Lohas Park Package 9 will feature three residential towers on a five-level podium. The towers are between 54 and 56 storeys high.

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Multiplex wins £400m design and build contract for Broadway site in UK

Multiplex was selected by Northcare as the preferred bidder for the £400m design and build contract to redevelop a previous New Scotland Yard location in Westminster, London, UK.

The Broadway development scheme secured its planning consent in 2016.

This 1.72-acre mixed-use development will feature six towers rising from 14 to 20 storeys, offering 268 apartments and 142,000ft² of commercial and retail space.

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City of London approves Cheesegrater 2 skyscraper plan

The City of London Corporation in the UK approved Lai Sun Development Company’s plan to construct a new skyscraper, called Cheesegrater 2, at 100 Leadenhall.

The building will be 263.4m-high upon completion, thereby becoming the third tallest building in the Square Mile.

The project was approved by the corporation’s planning and transportation committee.

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HED completes Metropolis Tower II Residences in Los Angeles, US

Architecture and engineering firm Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) completed the glass-enveloped Metropolis Tower II Residences in Los Angeles, US.

The new 40-storey, 461ft-tall tower offers 514 condominium homes ranging from studios to two-bedroom units.

The building features a residential amenity level with an expansive outdoor landscaped deck on its 9th floor.

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Columbia Property Trust JV agreed to construct $300m building in US

Columbia Property Trust and Normandy Real Estate Partners signed an agreement to form a joint venture (JV) to develop a $300m 799 Broadway boutique office building in Manhattan, New York, US.

In the ground-up project, which is slated for completion in the second half of 2020, Columbia will own a 50% stake.

Designed by Perkins+Will, the new 12-storey, loft-style 799 Broadway building will be located at the convergence of Union Square and Greenwich Village featuring 182,000ft² of boutique office space.

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Rogers Real Estate unveiled Mississauga M3 tower design

Rogers Real Estate Development introduced the design of its M3 tower to be constructed in collaboration with Urban Capital and IBI Group at M City in Mississauga, Toronto, Canada.

Claimed to be the tallest building in Mississauga, the 851ft-high, 81-storey building will have 900 residential units ranging between 480ft² and 1,000ft².

The tower will house an amenity pavilion with an indoor pool and gymnasium for residents. The ground floor of the tower will feature a wraparound café, along with a linear park.

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MP Boston begins construction of $1.35bn Winthrop Center

MP Boston has commenced construction of its $1.35bn Winthrop Center development in Boston, US.

Designed by Handel Architects, in collaboration with Passive House experts Steven Winter Associates, the 691ft-tall Winthrop Center will house office workspaces, residential units and retail, dining and commercial spaces, as well as a curated public gathering area.

The project is expected to be completed in 2022 and will be the fourth tallest building in Boston.

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Crown Group and MJR to develop Mastery by Crown Group project

Australian residential property developer Crown Group and Mitsubishi Jisho Residence (MJR) formed a strategic alliance to develop the new $500m Mastery by Crown Group community in Sydney.

Mastery by Crown Group will be located at 48 O’Dea Avenue in Waterloo and has been designed by Sydney-based architect Silvester Fuller, as well as Japanese architects Kengo Kuma and Koichi Takada.

The development will comprise five buildings offering 374 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses.