Enabling works reach completion at Beech Street, marking a major milestone in the transformation of this retained structure into a pioneering low-carbon co-living development. This phase has laid the foundation for reuse-led design and long-term sustainability.
The enabling works at Beech Street, also known as Cornerstone, reached practical completion on Friday 3 October following a focused 20-week programme. Delivered on behalf of our clients Hub and Bridge Fund Management Ltd, this milestone signals the end of a critical early phase which has prepared the building for its next chapter.
As part of the works, 133 tonnes of material were removed, with over 99 percent diverted from landfill. Across seven storeys and a single basement, finishes and utilities were stripped back to expose the existing structural frame. This process has not only cleared the way for the next stage of works but has also provided valuable insight into the building’s current condition.
We have undertaken a series of ongoing structural tests to better understand the retained frame. These insights are already informing a more efficient and targeted approach to strengthening. A more precise understanding of what the structure can support means less new material, less intervention and ultimately a more carbon and cost-efficient outcome.
Working alongside Redhammer Demolition Ltd and asbestos remediation specialists Furn Contracts Ltd, we at Circle Development oversaw a carefully coordinated programme. Redhammer led the strip-out works and managed the material separation on site, while Furn ensured the safe and compliant removal of asbestos-containing materials.
As Quantity Surveyor, Contract Administrator and Carbon Manager for this phase, we led the integration of carbon tracking alongside cost, using live data to inform every key decision. A full 3D laser scan of the stripped-out building has now been completed, providing a highly accurate digital model to support the next stage of detailed design.
Redefining urban regeneration through carbon-conscious design
Our clients, Hub and Bridge Fund Management Ltd, are transforming this former office building into 174 co-living homes on the edge of the Barbican estate. The development sets a new benchmark for carbon-conscious regeneration in dense urban settings.
We at Circle Development are proud to support the scheme in multiple capacities. Our role includes Quantity Surveyor, Contract Administrator and Carbon Manager. Through our Lifecycle Carbon Assessment work, we are helping the team quantify the benefits of reuse and make data-led decisions that support long-term sustainability.
Retaining the structure has already saved 1.7 million kgCO₂e, equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,400 family cars. The scheme is also targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, with further savings forecast throughout both embodied and operational carbon phases. Compared with a new-build alternative, the design currently achieves 35 percent less embodied carbon and a 41 percent operational carbon saving over a 60-year period.
These achievements are the result of deliberate early-stage decisions, made possible by tools that track carbon and cost in tandem. Our methodology aligns with RICS standards and contributes to BREEAM Man 02 credits, helping ensure that sustainability is embedded from concept to completion.
What’s Next?
With the enabling works now complete, we move into the next phase of delivery with completing Stage 4 design and then submit the Gateway 2 application. We look forward to continuing to support the delivery of this scheme.
Discover more about Beech street
From Carbon Management and Quantity Surveying to Residential expertise, we offer a comprehensive range of services, all designed with sustainability at their core, ensuring your project meets its goals for a smarter, more efficient future. Get in touch to learn more.
