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EG Awards 2018: property celebrates the great and the good

Property’s great and good gathered at London’s Grosvenor House, W1, to celebrate the most prestigious awards in the real estate calendar. Here, we profile the winners.


Diversity champion: Outstanding contribution to property

Partnered by Together

Freehold

In a sector that lags behind most others when it comes to diversity and inclusion, one industry body has had a lasting impact.

Freehold’s Saleem Fazal and David Mann. Portrait by Tom Campbell

A network set up exclusively for the real estate industry, Freehold now has a membership of more than 1,200 surveyors, valuation surveyors, agency surveyors, asset managers, architects, developers, investors and property lawyers from both the public and private sectors. Backed by the charity Stonewall, it is a unique networking forum for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender real estate professionals.

Have times changed since its launch in 2011?

Back then Freehold’s founders, Taylor Wessing’s Saleem Fazal and TFT’s David Mann’s, sought advice from large employers only to be met with responses that varied from “we don’t have any gay employees” to “we don’t have a problem; we are a completely inclusive business”. Freehold’s early joiners told a different story, of not being out at work for fear of career limitation, office ‘banter’ verging on bullying and the strain on their wellbeing of feeling ‘different’ and not bringing their whole self to work.

Things have improved. Freehold stages regular events hosted by leading industry players where support is offered, lasting friendships formed, and business opportunities created.

Other sector specific or regional LGBT networks have sprung out of Freehold, including Planning Out, Open Land and Off Site. Key employers like CBRE, JLL, Savills, Cluttons, Knight Frank and Cushman & Wakefield have started their own internal diversity networks following colleagues meeting at Freehold events.

And it is a contributor to diversity initiatives by key industry bodies, such as RICS, RIBA, RTPI, BPF and Revo.

With a mentoring scheme that has benefitted more than 50 people, many mentees and members are now industry LGBT role models for the next generation.

Of course, real estate still has some way on diversity, but forward-thinking employers are now accepting that all forms of inclusion is a priority that will help them attract and retain talented staff. Reflecting the communities this industry serves is now a prerequisite for many in the property sector and many clients are insisting that their supply chain has the same values as them.

Freehold has been instrumental in this sea change.

Want to know more?

EG spoke to Fazal and Mann in 2015 about the story behind property’s LGBT networking forum. Click here to read more…

London Deal of the Year

Partnered by Carter Jonas

The Leadenhall Building: British Land, Oxford Properties and CC Land

(c) Simon Belcher / imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock

In a year which saw several trophy transactions, one stood out for our judges: the sale of the iconic Leadenhall Building by British Land and Oxford Properties to CC Land, securing what was then the second highest price ever paid for an individual UK asset.

The sale of British Land’s 50% share was launched in October 2016. The sale process evolved to also include Oxford Properties’ 50% share in response to market demand for the whole building.

Hong Kong-listed CC Land emerged as the front runner, with a record-breaking offer of £1.15bn – at the time, the second highest price paid for a single asset in the UK and a premium of 26% to the building’s most recent valuation. Overall, the project delivered annualised returns of 25% for both partners.

The sale was a landmark transaction which settled the market and set the tone for trophy acquisitions in the London real estate market in the wake of the EU referendum. It was, said our judges, “a standout in terms of scale and pricing”.

Want to know more?

EG spoke exclusively to CC Land’s Dickie Wong in 2017 about the group’s future plans for London. Click here to find out more…

Regional Deal of the Year

Partnered by Shoosmiths

Wrenbridge Sport York Community Stadium

York stadium project
Wrenbridge’s handling of the complexities of the project impressed the judges

A true multi-use project that had been talked about for 15 years was eventually signed in November 2017.

It took Wrenbridge Sport three years to knit together the prelets, the jv with the council, the funding via Legal & General, the leisure operators and the construction. More than 120 legal documents needed to be entered into simultaneously in order for the deal to work.

The project suffered several major blows along the way – including the withdrawal of funding and a contractor. But it was worth the hard work to secure delivery of an 8,000-seat stadium, 30,000 sq ft of retail, five restaurants, a 13-screen IMAX cinema, community leisure facilities and an NHS facility.

Wrenbridge’s handling of the complexity impressed the judges: “A standout achievement. Thoroughly mixed use. And they talked about the problems they’d had in a humble way.”

Want to know more?

EG found out more about the specialist sports developer’s projects in June. Click here to find out more…

Residential Company of the Year

Partnered by Allsop

Berkeley Group

Berkeley Group’s chairman Tony Pidgley

A strong market leader in the eyes of our judges, Berkeley had another impressive year.

As well as delivering double-digit growth in its share price, NAV, turnover and profit before tax over the last 12 months, it also made leading commitments on net bio-diversity gain.

It became the first carbon-positive housebuilder, achieved its best-ever health and safety performance on record and is tackling the skills crisis through its leading apprenticeship programme and commitment to modular construction.

Standout projects included site acquisition planning application submission for a 150,000 sq ft modular manufacturing facility and 15,500 sq ft office on a 10-acre site in Northfleet, Kent.

Meanwhile Berkeley has looked to grow its footprint outside of London, notably in Birmingham.

An impressive year and a deserving winner.

Want to know more?

Berkeley Group chairman Tony Pidgeley spoke to EG in 2017, saying it was time to back the Crossrail 2 initiative. Click here to find out more…

Residential Adviser of the Year

Partnered by U+I

Savills

Canada Water CGI
Savills has been appointed residential adviser to British Land on Canada Water

Another outstanding performance by last year’s winner prompted one judge to say: “The breadth and scale of what Savills do is absolutely dominant at the moment.”

The firm grew its business in a tough resi market, advising on land transactions with capacity for 82,998 plots across 332 sites, three times more than any of its competitors. The team achieved planning permission for around 16,000 residential units and executed 40 multi-family forward funding transactions in the UK, more than any other agent.

The team is also working on some of the standout projects, including being appointed residential adviser to British Land on Canada Water.

All this and the firm’s commitment to staff wowed the judges. Some 57% of divisional employees are female, while 30% of the development division’s staff are under 30.

Want to know more?

Savills’ join head of UK investment James Gulliford comments on why councils putting money into property instead of spending on services is a wise financial move. Click here to find out more…

Creative Spaces Award

Partnered by Colliers International

Derwent London White Collar Factory

White-Collar-Factory-racetrack-847
Derwent’s White Collar Factory

“Extraordinary, visionary and transformational. That’s what our judges had to say about the White Collar Factory.

Completed in 2017, the Old Street landmark consists of new and refurbished mixed-use buildings that offer offices, studios, incubator spaces, a rooftop running track and café, three restaurants and nine apartments. All that frames Old Street Yard, a new public space in the middle.

The scheme challenges wasteful over-specification and offers flexible space, high floor to ceilings and concrete core cooling technology. Derwent expects 25% annual carbon savings and the new building has already achieved BREEAM Outstanding, LEED Platinum and the UK’s first Wired Score Platinum rating.

A ‘long-life, loose-fit’ flagship building – as one judge said: “Derwent just do it better than anyone.”

Want to know more?

EG took a look inside Derwent’s White Collar Factory and found out the company’s five principles for the office of the future. Click here to find out more…

Legal Team of the Year

Partnered by CLS Risk Solutions

Shoosmiths

Spinningfields
Spinningfields Manchester

Shoosmiths’ Real Estate team has had a stellar year, growing its income by almost 20% through excellent client service, winning new client mandates and expanding its UK footprint.

The firm has moved its Leeds operation into 10,000 sq ft floor at Platform, and announced it would take an additional 5,000 sq ft due to above-forecast growth. It is also creating one of Manchester’s most innovative workspaces in the XYZ Building.

The firm has worked comprehensively on Allied London’s No 1 Spinningfields development in Manchester, culminating in the sale to Schroder Real Estate for £200m. It was also part of the team on a negotiated tender which led to the exchange of the development agreement between IM Properties and Birmingham City Council to bring forward the first phase of Peddimore – at 175 acres one of the UK’s largest regeneration sites.

Want to know more?

EG takes a look at flexible office sites in Manchester, including Spinningfields, and explores why landlords and agents have been forced to rethink how they let space in the city. Click here to find out more…

Industrial/Retail Adviser of the Year

Partnered by Prideview

CBRE

CBRE’s Moscow office

Industrial may be enjoying its moment in the sun, but there’s no tougher market in real estate right now than retail. Yet CBRE was able to show it is responding to a fast-changing sector with innovative data products, market insight and an integrated suite of advisory and transaction services.

The firm has also made a number of key appointments and its decision to co-locate its retail and logistics teams is clearly paying off.

It is investing in proptech, via its alliance with Stowga, while its ‘Omnichannel Real Estate’ strategy couples CBRE’s data knowledge and consumer insight with expertise across retail and industrial asset classes.

It was also the UK’s Most Active Retail Agent for the second consecutive year.

“Great testimonials, impressive breadth and strong innovation,” said one judge.

Want to know more?

CBRE’s EMEA Tech Cities: Opportunities in Technology Hotspots report reveals which city is home to the largest cluster of tech businesses across EMEA. Click here to find out more…

Industrial/Retail Company of the Year

Partnered by Hartnell Taylor Cook

SEGRO

SEGRO Park Enfield
SEGRO’s Park Enfield

No company has innovated more or capitalised better on the UK’s dramatic shift from bricks and mortar retail to e-commerce than SEGRO.

The business is rightly proud of its whole development programme – a 7m sq ft expansion across the UK and continental Europe.

In the UK, the business commenced work on the first ever logistics park combining road, rail and air connections, the 700-acre SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway, adjacent to the M1, East Midlands Airport and a major new rail freight terminal.

And despite embarking on its most ambitious development programme ever, SEGRO’s vacancy rate fell from 5.1% to 4%.

“Through innovation, sponsorship, charity commitment and its numbers, SEGRO was head and shoulders above everyone else. It is riding the wave in the big box arena, especially in the east, but equally is playing a political game in London and has had another strong year.”

Want to know more?

SEGRO spoke to EG in 2017 about its strategy for the future. Click here to find out more…

Employer of the year

Partnered by Hays

Gerald Eve

Gerald Eve surveyor Sarah Chicken

Gerald Eve’s mantra is that everything it does is designed to help people reach their potential, be themselves, and be supported in their professional and personal lives. The firm believes it is unparalleled in its work on the key issues of diversity and welfare – and that the firm, its employees and its clients are reaping the benefits.

On diversity the firm backs up its bold claims with encouraging stats: 20% of its executive board is female, 44% of associates and 17% of partners are female and 40% of those promoted last year are female. Some 75% of women who have taken maternity leave still work at the firm, and while 80% of employees are white British, 20% are from other ethnic groups.

The firm recognises it has further to go, nevertheless the awards’ judges were impressed.

Want to know more?

Gerald Eve surveyor Sarah Chicken helps to attract more young people into the property industry and tackle its diversity issues. Click here to read more…

Specialist adviser of the year

Partnered by L&G

Malcolm Hollis

QC Nicholas Dowding made Malcolm Hollis the only UK real estate adviser with in-house legal counsel

Malcolm Hollis may be growing revenue, profit and staff numbers but it prefers to talk more about how it is focusing on supporting its people and its clients.

In the past year, client numbers soared by almost 25% to well over 1,100, including 32 of the UK’s top 40 funds. Almost 90% of our revenue stems from repeat business.

As well as client service, it focuses on the mental health of its staff. And in one ground-breaking move, real estate QC Nicholas Dowding joined, making Malcolm Hollis the only UK real estate adviser with in-house legal counsel.

“Well run, innovative and with an impressive client roster, Malcolm Hollis stands out by a mile,” said one judge.

Want to know more?

Renowned silk Nick Dowding QC talks to EG about his career move from Falcon Chambers to join Malcolm Hollis as in-house legal counsel. Click here to read more…

Lender of the year

Partnered by Lambert Smith Hampton

OakNorth

OakNorth has provided debt capital for a range of developments, including Select Property

In March this year, OakNorth became the first digital bank to report a full-year of profit. Its loan book now stands at £1.25bn and the bank has completed more than over 50 transactions this year. What’s more, there is a further £1bn of qualified loans in the pipeline, and it has never experienced a default.

Founded in 2015 OakNorth set out to be different, providing bespoke loans of £0.5m to £30m to fast-growth businesses and property developers/investors – no-off-the-shelf solutions, no computer-says-no decisions.

The bank has provided debt capital for a range of developments – care homes, student accommodation, social housing, serviced apartments, co-working/co-living spaces, and properties for first-time buyers – as well as finance for land acquisitions, planning gains, PRS, vendor loan notes, PIK toggles and refinancing.

“It has grown from nothing to a sizeable business,” said one judge. “And it is great to see people making the lending decisions, not algorithms.”

Want to know more?

OakNorth completed a £40.2m development loan to Select Property for 356 apartments in Manchester in August. Click here to find out more…

Offices Adviser of the Year

Partnered by Addleshaw Goddard

Cushman & Wakefield

1 Triton Square
Cushman & Wakefield boasts a wide and diverse track record, including the acquisition of 312,000 sq ft at 1 Triton Square, NW1

Cushmans has won flagship leasing mandates in 2017, including advising on the largest prelet in and outside of London to HMRC, the UK’s tax authority. But it also strives to deliver a creative and personal approach to its projects.

The approach is reflected in the firm’s wide and diverse track record, ranging from achieving a record rent for One Cathedral Square in Bristol to advising Dentsu Aegis Network on the acquisition of 312,000 sq ft at 1 Triton Square, Regent’s Place, NW1.

Last year saw Cushmans’ national team advise on a total of 4.25m sq ft of office transactions, while in the capital it advised on eight of the top 10 largest transactions.

The firm has also expanded in three growing areas: healthcare, occupier business performance and serviced office advisory.

The judges were especially impressed by its Futures Programme, an internal and external model created to understand the disruptive factors that will impact client businesses.

Want to know more?

Ahead of its IPO earlier this year, EG revealed 17 things to know about Cushman & Wakefield’s IPO. Click here to find out more…

Offices Company of the Year

Partnered by Malcolm Hollis

Derwent London

 

Last year was Derwent London’s best-ever lettings performance, including its best deal at 80 Charlotte Street, W1

With a portfolio of 5.5m sq ft of commercial real estate predominantly in central London valued at £4.9bn, Derwent is the largest London-focused REIT.

Very much the developer’s developer, Derwent is a leader in sustainable design-led office development, redefining buildings to suit occupier needs. Time after time Derwent has demonstrated that good design, well-judged investment decisions, strong operational performance supported by robust financing can deliver attractive space and achieve good returns.

And the awards year saw another stand-out performance by for the business.

2017 saw it best-ever lettings performance, its best deal at 80 Charlotte Street, W1, project innovation with the White Collar Factory, EC1, and 25 Savile Row, W1, refurbished as new consolidated HQ.

And despite continued market uncertainty, its financial performance has been consistently strong.

Our judges were sold: “They are all about how people want to use space. They are doing office development in a very innovative way.”

Want to know more?

Derwent London’s Simon Silver has spent 10 years bringing the White Collar Factory to fruition. In 2017, he joined EG on the building’s top floor to discuss how the building has taken shape, what London’s new hotspots are, and whether it is possible to buy land like this in the capital anymore.

National Company of the Year

Partnered by Savills

SEGRO

SEGRO enjoyed its greatest success in our London urban logistics portfolio, including growth at Park Royal

SEGRO was the outstanding performer in the UK listed property sector in 2017, breaking into the FTSE 100, far outstripping all other REITs with 16.3% NAV growth and ending the EG Awards period with a market capitalisation of more than £6bn.

While the FTSE 350 index of property companies generated a 7.61% total return for shareholders between April 1 2017 and March 31 2018, SEGRO generated a 35.63% return over the same period.

Its arrival in the FTSE 100 in June 2017 was the culmination of a six-year turnaround strategy focused on capitalising on the growing demand for edge of town and big box warehouses through e-commerce.

The business enjoyed its greatest success in our London urban logistics portfolio, seeing 9% ERV growth in its North and East London portfolio, and 7.1% growth at Park Royal in 2017.

Beyond business success, SEGRO’s 2017 ‘Keep London Working’ report had a major influence on the draft London Plan, making the case for protection of industrial land at a time of increasingly restricted supply.

Judges liked SEGRO’s innovative approach, client-orientated mindset and willingness to take risks. “A phenomenal year for SEGRO,” said one. “They’ve taken some risks and still improved tenancy rates and vacancy rates. While focusing on logistics, they think about corporate responsibility, sponsoring 1,000 students on programmes.”

SEGRO has since gone on to become the UK’s largest listed property company. It’s a hugely deserving winner of this important accolade.

Headline sponsor comment

“With so much talent, innovation and achievement throughout our industry, we are delighted to be sponsoring National Company of the Year, which recognises some of the most outstanding performances and successes over the past year. Congratulations to all those shortlisted.” James Sparrow, Savills, UK chief executive

Want to know more?

SEGRO’s David Sleath wrote a comment for EG earlier this year calling for an end to ‘white, male-dominated property industry’. Click here to find out more…

Global Real Estate Adviser of the Year

Partnered by Linklaters

Savills

Savills-UK-management
From left: Savills’ James Sparrow, Mark Ridley, Richard Rees

Against a political and economic backdrop of uncertainty in several markets, Savills continued to grow around the world in 2017, demonstrating the strength and depth of its businesses globally, the resilience of its brand and the quality of all its people. Back-to-back years of double-digit growth ensured Savills’ global platform impressed our judges.

Savills now manages 1.5bn sq ft of commercial space across Asia – five times the combined total commercial space in the City of London, West End and Canary Wharf. Transaction revenue in Japan rose 75%. The firm’s executed transaction volumes in North America rose 24% on 2016, while Savills Investment Management executed £4.8bn of transactions, a record annual volume.

In Europe headcount increased 60% as Savills grew from 35 to 45 offices. And it added a new hotels team in Australia; an investment team in Indonesia and logistics teams in Tokyo and Seoul. Acquisitions included acquired Aguirre Newman, a leading property consultancy across Spain and Portugal, and Larry Smith, a retail property management business, taking headcount in Italy from nine to 80.

“Savills’ efforts to create a global brand are bearing fruit,” said one judge. “Theirs is a service that doesn’t get diluted around the world.”

Want to know more?

Earlier this year, Savills put in place new management for its UK business ahead of the retirement of group chief executive and chairman Jeremy Helsby at the end of the year. EG spoke to Mark Ridley, James Sparrow and Richard Rees ahead of the changes to talk about how to encourage teamwork, the rapidly changing role of the traditional property adviser and the measures Savills is taking to tackle its gender pay gap.

Global Real Estate Investor of the Year

Partnered by Knight Frank

Blackstone

Logicor-featured-crop
Blackstone’s most eye-catching transaction in 2017 was the €12.25bn sale of Logicor

“They see external trends before others. They deploy capital at scale and execute before others move in. Being able to continue doing what they do at the size they are is truly amazing.”

In a closely fought category our judges could not look beyond Blackstone.

Throughout 2017 the business again struck some of the highest-profile real estate transactions in Europe. Most eye-catching of all was the €12.25bn (£10.9m) sale of Logicor to China Investment Corporation, one of the largest European property deals on record.

Also in 2017, Blackstone acquired a majority interest in flexible workspace provider The Office Group at an EV of £500m.

And Blackstone continues to be one of the biggest office owners in London and 2017 was a busy year on both the leasing and selling front; the £580m sale of Devonshire Square to WeWork being the latest example of Blackstone’s successful “buy it, fix it, sell it” strategy.

Want to know more?

After the sale of Logicor, EG asked what’s next for Logicor, CIC, Blackstone and the logistics market? Click here to find out more…

National Adviser of the Year

Partnered by Octopus Property

JLL

JLL NXT Office

A strong market leader, JLL delivered an outstanding 2017, becoming UK’s most active commercial investment adviser, completing more residential land deals by value, and the largest office leasing transaction outside London.

JLL transacted six of the 10 largest London leasing transactions, 65% of all deals over 100,000 sq ft and 57% of all pre-let deals. The firm also transacted more industrial and logistics space by sq ft in west London and Thames Valley than competitors.

It also expanded its proptech capabilities by launching NXT Office, an innovative technology which transforms how businesses select new office space speeding up the process for both occupiers and landlords dramatically.

JLL was also the first UK property agent to publish its 2018 gender pay report. To help deliver on its ambitious diversity targets, it has appointed a new director of diversity and inclusion. New senior hires strengthened JLL’s banking, debt advisory and asset management capabilities.

As one judge said: “I’d go to them for the complete suite of advice.”

Want to know more?

EG went behind the scene to explore JLL’s NXT Office and find out what it really does. Click here to find out more…

Collaborators Award

Partnered by GVA, U+I, Mount Anvil, Mischon de Reya

Fort Kinnaird Recruitment & Skills Centre Partnership

Each year one of the closest fought categories in the EG Awards is the Collaborators Award. This year was no different but Fort Kinnaird Recruitment & Skills Centre Partnership emerged triumphant.

The Recruitment & Skills Centre is an innovative private and public sector partnership at Fort Kinnaird shopping park in Edinburgh. This collaboration brings together many different organisations for the first time to grow local skills and open access to jobs, for the benefit of local people, businesses and the economy – especially in an area with deep rooted economic issues.

British Land and Fort Kinnaird provide premises free-of-charge, Fort Kinnaird retailers are highly engaged, including providing work experience, guaranteed interviews and jobs and Edinburgh’s Joined up for Business Partnership and other local partners provide cash and in-kind contributions.

Over five years, 8,461 jobseekers and trainees have used its services and facilities, with 3,585 people supported into jobs.

The beauty of the RSC is that it’s replicable. A win/win collaborative model that’s proven to work. And with almost one in five UK jobs in retail, its model offers a massive opportunity.

Want to know more?

EG’s The Collaborators celebrates some of the best those contributions. Click here to find out more…

Alternative Sector Award

Partnered by Radius Data Exchange

Knight Frank

Knight Frank’s alternatives team had its best year yet, having been a pioneer in the sector with the launch of a dedicated group a decade ago. It now has dedicated healthcare, automotive, hotels and student property teams, transacting and advising on over £28.3bn annually.

These well-established platforms have been formed through strategic and organic growth, with many of the teams built up from a single individual including market-leading Healthcare and Student Property teams.

The firm also uses its established global network to open the alternatives market to international investors and back this up with industry-leading technology and market research.

“It was an entry that jumped out,” said one judge. “It had great testimonials and the healthcare business was particularly impressive.”

Want to know more?

Knight Frank was one of the first major UK real estate agents to commit to sharing their data via Radius Data Exchange. Click here to find out more…

EG Tech Award

Partnered by Cluttons

Demand Logic

Demand Logic founder Sonny Masero

Accolades have come thick and fast for Demand Logic, a FitBit for buildings, according to founder Sonny Masero.

Last year the business won the inaugural EG Tech Talk Academy, which included investment from tech accelerator Pi Labs. Then in July Demand Logic’s tech, which feeds into existing building management systems and rapidly reads that data to provide a fitness regime for the building, won the productivity category at the inaugural EG Tech Awards.

The product is sold as a software service. It is a single device that is installed in the building in less than three hours that securely connects the building network – the ventilation, heating, air conditioning, energy and utility meters and more – to the internet. Once connected, Demand Logic creates a virtual model of the building and starts “talking” to all the equipment in the building and gathers data.

It’s certainly got the market – and our judges – talking.

Want to know more?

EG spoke to Masero earlier this year to find out more about Demand Logic. Click here to find out more…

Rising Star Award

Partnered by TFT

Jack Sibley

Jack Sibley
Jack Sibley has achieved the unthinkable at TH Real Estate

Two years ago, Jack Sibley was fresh out of university. Now, the 23-year-old is running global tech strategy for TH Real Estate.

In two years he has worked his way up through the ranks from intern to tech strategist having focused at university (Cambridge, Land Economy) on tech and how disruptive ideas can disrupt industries. At TH Real Estate he not only thinks in terms of tech, but also the role of that tech within the business.

With his limited experience, what Sibley has achieved – and what TH Real Estate has been prepared to invest in him – is pretty much unheard of.

“You have to be somewhere forward-thinking enough to empower someone like me, who hasn’t had 10 years in the business,” he told EG recently. “But then this is a relatively flat playing field in that there aren’t many people out there who actually have experience doing the job I am doing.”

Want to know more?

Sibley talks to EG about leading a global firm into the future.

Future of Real Estate Award

Partnered by MIPIM UK

Urban Splash

Urban Splash

For more than two decades, Urban Splash has been pioneering regeneration through good design, restoring old buildings and creating new, sustainable communities.

Today the company is investing in its modular operations, culminating in February’s acquisition of its own offsite factory – vertically integrating the production of modular properties into its portfolio.

The Urban Splash Town House launched 2016, a product determined by customers who can select either a two-storey 1,000 sq ft home or 1,500 sq ft over three storeys. Another major, pioneering step taken in the House story this year was the evolution of another modular product. Ten Fab House properties – which stands for “factory-built, affordable and beautiful” –have been created in recent months in the same factory facility in which all Urban Splash modular products are developed, and are now on site.

“This should be a game-changer in future housing delivery,” said one judge. “It’s a glimpse into the future of real estate.” said one judge. “Theirs is a service that doesn’t get diluted around the world.”

Elevator tweet: Pioneering and innovative, Urban Splash has turned its attentions to developing more much needed houses in the UK through investing in modular; it’s @housebyus brand a rising star in the sector

Want to know more?

EG spoke to Urban Splash earlier this year to find out more about its modular housing construction business. Click here to find out more…

EG London Award

Partnered by Stripe Street

The Office Group, Old Street

The Office Group

2017 was a milestone year for The Office Group, selling a majority share in the business to The Blackstone Group, valuing it at £500m. The flexible office sector is now an established part of the market. TOG is now set for real growth – with New York in its sights – targeting the best buildings, both freehold and leasehold.

But its story is a quintessentially London one, too. TOG launched in 2003, when the global economy was beginning to be radically reshaped by new technology and new ideas. It aimed to reconfigure the modern British workplace to bring it into line with a fast-changing world.

In September 2010 – when there were seven buildings in the portfolio – it attracted the interest of another London entrepreneur. Lloyd Dorfman had started his own currency exchange business, Travelex, from a small shop in Southampton Row in central London. Dorfman, already running four buildings with a similar ethos, funded the management buyout of the previous private equity shareholders and became the majority shareholder and company chairman.

Today, TOG is focused on the future, opening new locations and defining innovative ways of addressing how people wish to work.

And while other flexible workspace providers may get more airtime, none is so linked to London and so deserving of an EG London Award.

Want to know more?

The Office Group hosted this year’s EG Awards shortlist party at its flagship Tintagel House on the Albert Embankment, SE1. Click here to find out more…

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