Deeply rooted in the rich history of the Surrey Docks, Dock Shed is part of what was once the heart of London’s timber trade, receiving shipments from Canada and the Baltics.

The area was heavily bombed during World War II, leading to significant changes in its landscape, and the entire area was officially closed to commercial shipping in the 1970s, before being redeveloped in the 1980s with low-rise residential and retail.

Creating a new icon

Today, the area is being given a new lease of life by British Land and AustralianSuper through their 53-acre Canda Water development, aimed at transforming the area into a vibrant new town centre. As part of this, the new Dock Shed offers 180,000 sq ft of BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ workspace across six floors, along with a 5,000 sq ft retail unit and 60,000 sq ft leisure centre at basement level. With flexible floorplates ranging from 32,000 to 43,000 sq ft, the facility is designed to meet the needs of occupiers looking for headquarters.

Designed by Allies and Morrison, Dock Shed’s dramatic warehouse-inspired architecture reflects the area’s industrial heritage with its characteristic vaulted roofs mirroring the timber ‘deal’ sheds that once lined Canada Dock. Our structural engineers worked closely with the architects and design team to sympathetically blend historical elements with modern functionality.

The major restoration and redevelopment of the historic Great Grimsby Ice Factory site will see it become a new hub for the UK’s offshore wind, green maritime and renewable energy industry, with the scheme’s initial elements recently securing planning approval from North East Lincolnshire Council.

Built in 1900, the ‘at risk’ Grade-II listed buildings in Grimsby Docks originally supplied crushed ice for the town’s thriving fishing fleet. At its peak in the 1950s, up to 1,200 tonnes of ice a day left the facility, before the industry went into decline and the factory shut its gates. Now, developer Tom Shutes is set to breathe new life into this maritime gem through ambitious redevelopment plans.

Centred around a major renovation of the derelict Ice Factory, the Waugh Thistleton Architects-designed scheme will incorporate a 1,000-seat events venue, 56,000 sq ft of office space and a research and development area for offshore renewables. Elsewhere, a newly built 161-bed Kasbah Hilton Hotel will also be incorporated within the site.

Following years of underinvestment, this significant redevelopment will help drive widespread regeneration across the Grimsby Docks area, with the scheme aiming to create 600 new jobs.

Working closely with the project team, Waterman’s structural and civil engineering experts supported the scheme throughout the planning process, helping unlock the site’s potential through a series of sensitive design interventions. To maximise available floor space, the south building will be extended to incorporate a new entrance, whilst two new first-floor bridges will enable access between the two buildings.

Focussing on the sympathetic restoration of original features, our team developed the scheme’s conservation strategy, liaising with Historic England to ensure their concerns and requirements were addressed. This led to the retention of the historic facades and ice compressor room, whilst the boiler house will be repurposed to provide food and drinks facilities.

With planning permission now in place for the initial elements, our experts have also supported Shutes’ wider vision for the remainder of the site. This has seen us provide advice on a range of speculative options including a new floating solar array, the repurposing of Henderson Jetty and the potential addition of light industrial and commercial units along Fish Docks.

The major restoration and redevelopment of the historic Great Grimsby Ice Factory site will see it become a new hub for the UK’s offshore wind, green maritime and renewable energy industry, with the scheme’s initial elements recently securing planning approval from North East Lincolnshire Council.

Built in 1900, the ‘at risk’ Grade-II listed buildings in Grimsby Docks originally supplied crushed ice for the town’s thriving fishing fleet. At its peak in the 1950s, up to 1,200 tonnes of ice a day left the facility, before the industry went into decline and the factory shut its gates. Now, developer Tom Shutes is set to breathe new life into this maritime gem through ambitious redevelopment plans.

Planning approval has been granted for Unite Students’ 6-12 Kennington Lane student living scheme in Kennington, London. The London Borough of Lambeth reached a unanimous decision, allowing Stage 3 works to begin.

The approved plans involve demolition of the existing buildings to create a mixed-use development featuring industrial and community spaces across ground and mezzanine levels, with purpose-built student accommodation above. The scheme will provide 511 high-quality student bedrooms, including 177 affordable (35%) and 26 wheelchair-accessible rooms. Accommodation options are placed in a mix of clusters in varying in sizes with shared kitchens and individual studios. The industrial spaces have the option of being utilised as self-storage or a fulfilment centre, while a new community space will support local groups and service providers.