Banbridge Building Services Firm Sees Unprecedented Growth

Northern Ireland building services firm Kane has acquired three London projects worth £68 million providing a boost to their ambitious growth plans. The firm which is based in Bainbridge has offices in London, Glasgow, and the Republic of Ireland, has secured two projects in the industrial and healthcare sector and a design and build agreement with Canary Wharf contractors. The two deals are worth £25 million and £43 million.

Kane is due to start on a health and wellbeing centre in London in June, delivering the MEP and building contract for the project, which will offer GP and outpatient services. The work is expected to last eight months. Work will also begin on an industrial sector project in November, with Kane delivering offsite solutions.

Cathal McMullan, Managing Director, said: “Kane is delighted to have secured projects in targeted diversified sectors, in line with our growth strategy. We have a highly skilled team with the transferable skills to deliver innovative design and manufacturing capabilities in a wide range of sectors.”

Further to the above, a £43 million design and build contract will see Kane deliver MEP installation across two blocks at Wood Wharf in London. The project will commence in April 2023 and will offer 760 buy-torent residential units alongside six guest suites across 34 and 49-storey towers. Additional amenities include retail space, a gym, work and recreational lounges, a games room, and dining spaces.

IMAGE: Canary Wharf Contractors/Kane Group - Kane have secured a £43 million design and build contract with Canary Wharf Contractors to deliver the MEP installation across two blocks at Wood Wharf in London.

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Green Light for Birmingham 540-bed Student Scheme

A revised plan for a 29-storey student accommodation block originally deemed too overbearing has now gained approval. Following changes to the design, the 540-bed development has been given the green light for construction in Birmingham City Centre.

Work will begin at Gough Street in the summer of 2023, with construction expected to be completed before the 2026 autumn academic term. The project, a venture by joint developers MRP and Vita, will offer private dining rooms, a gym, and outdoor recreational space.

Max Bielby Chief Operating Officer for Vita Group said: “We’re delighted to achieve planning consent for this exciting new development in Birmingham with MRP. Demand for high-quality PBSA within Birmingham continues to outstrip supply. This in turn is creating wider pressures on the city’s housing infrastructure.”

Following the completion of the new building, designed to meet BREEAM 'Very Good' ratings, Vita Group will own, operate, and manage the building as Vita Student.

IMAGE: Urban Innovations

Ballymore’s Cuba Street Development Plans Secured

Property developer Ballymore has secured planning permission (subject to a section 106 agreement) to construct a dynamic mixed-use development in London’s Docklands. The parkside development will offer 421 high-quality private and affordable homes, from studios to four-bedroom residences.

The plan includes a gym, cycle storage, communal spaces, and a sky lounge. There will also be 100sqm of retail space on the ground floor. A new park will provide the largest open public space since the construction of Jubilee Park. The new ‘Cuba Park’ will feature a stunning garden-style green space inspired by natural elements of the surrounding environment.

Designed by architect Morris + Company, the building will boast a unique, sculptural look, with aluminium facades and a projected red canopy to highlight entrance points. The design will maximise the site’s enviable views and natural light - creating a distinctive feel while remaining sympathetic to the local environment.

Ballymore will source high-performance, sustainable materials, while highly energy-efficient systems, including air source heat pumps, will maximise carbon reductions.

Simon Ryan, Projects Director, said: “We are incredibly excited to see progress around our Cuba

Street application. Our plans – if fully approved will enable us to create a striking new building that is distinctive from and complementary to - the existing area. It will create a substantial number of much-needed new homes and bring significant improvements to the surrounding public realm, including half of the site providing a large new garden square for residents and locals to enjoy.”

IMAGE: Ballymore - Dynamic mixed-use development in London’s Docklands

Project: South Quay Plaza, London E14

At 68 storeys and 220m high, the striking SQP development includes one of the tallest residential towers in Europe. RVK telescopic connectors invisibly support precast stair landings in the concrete core. FERBOX bespoke continuity strip maintains continuity of reinforcement across construction joints in the RC frame.

Client: Berkeley

Architect: Foster + Partners

Engineer: WSP

Contractor: Expanded