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23rd October 2015
Futurologist Dr Ian Pearson says 18-mile high buildings with spaceports will be a possibility in a London of 2045, thanks to new materials. Dr Pearson wrote the report for construction hire firm Hewden. On construction sites, builders who are "half-human, half-machine" could wear super-strength exoskeletons capable of carrying great weights, while London's housing crisis could be eased by 3D-printed pre-fabricated buildings assembled by robots.
Evening Standard (23/10/2015
16th October 2015
Ballymore and Oxley’s Royal Wharf development at West Silvertown – Phase Three of which is set for release this autumn – will have a 20,000 sq ft leisure facility available for residents in the 3,385 riverside properties. Designed by David Morley Architects, the company behind the 2012 Olympics Water Polo Arena and the Hurlingham Club’s outside pool, the facility will include a gym, a 25m indoor pool, exercise studios, and a communal café and rest area, sitting alongside a 2.4 acre park and 500m of riverfront walkways. Oxley chief executive Ching Chiat Kwong said “The planned leisure facility will bring a space for community and wellbeing to Royal Wharf, encouraging an active lifestyle among its residents. We are excited that David Morley, one of the UK’s leading architects for sporting facilities, is working with us to bring this vision to life”.
The Wharf (10/10/2015)
16th October 2015
An east London property boom has seen prices rise by almost 15% in some areas in the first six months of the year. Land Registry data reveals that property prices increased 3.4% in Canary Wharf and the Docklands, 2.6% in Greenwich, and a massive 14.4% in Blackheath.
City AM (12/10/2015)
16th October 2015
Around London’s Tech City in the Hoxton and Shoreditch areas, six major new-build developments have been finished or are under construction, and more than 2,300 apartments are due to be completed by 2018. Concerns are being raised over whether the housing is too expensive, as the market for high-end properties in London is faltering. However, estate agents report nearly 100% sales for developments. At the same time, what made the area a success story – tech start-ups – are being priced out of the area due to the cost of property.
Financial Times (10/10/2015)
16th October 2015
Data from the ONS shows that house price growth stagnated in August, with prices up 5.2% in the year to year to August, matching the percentage growth seen in the year to the end of July. House prices for first-time buyers were up 3.8% on a year ago, with the average price paid for a starter home in the UK now £215,000. Annual house price inflation was 5.6% in England; London prices climbed 4.2%, the lowest figure since March 2012.
The Times (14/10/2015)
9th October 2015
Shanghai-based Greenland Group has submitted plans for a 67-storey tower at West India Quay, designed by architects HOK. Should it be approved, it will be the tallest residential building in western Europe, standing at 241m in height – 21 m higher than the neighbouring South Quay Plaza project being built for Berkeley Group by Laing O’Rourke. Hertsmere House will contain a total of 869 one, two and three bedroom units, along with new community spaces and a play area for children. A number of the properties will be classed as affordable. Setareh Neshati, Senior Planning Manager at Greenland, said the “graceful” new tower will complement the Canary Wharf skyline, while also improving the landscaping and public realm at ground level.
Property Week (08/10/2015) Construction News (08/10/2015)