BEYOND THE BUILDING: July 2023

GMI to deliver No.3 Circle Square, MCR

Construction work has started at No.3 Circle Square – the latest phase to be developed at the new neighbourhood within the Manchester?Oxford Road Corridor?innovation district.

The 267,000 sq ft development being brought forward by?Bruntwood SciTech?– the UK’s leading property provider dedicated to the growth of the science and technology sector – will feature 15 storeys of cutting edge workspace designed to facilitate collaboration and creative innovation.??

No.3 Circle Square?follows in the footsteps of Bruntwood SciTech’s now fully occupied No.1 and No.2 Circle Square, which have welcomed businesses including Disney Streaming, Roku, Autocab - recently acquired by Uber and Octopus Energy.

Businesses based at?Circle Square?benefit from being part of a growing tech community, at the heart of Manchester’s innovation district which provides access to world class research and development facilities and the city’s extensive network of higher education institutions, including the?University of Manchester?and?Manchester Metropolitan University.???

The latest addition to the Circle Square neighbourhood will pay tribute to Manchester’s Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Featuring a high quality red brick design by?Bridge Architects, the new development will include ground floor retail and leisure space, as well as a communal lounge, event space and a roof terrace.?

Sustainability and green space have also been carefully considered in the design of No.3 Circle Square, with the development expected to achieve net zero embodied carbon during construction and BREEAM Excellent status, a NABERS 5 Star rating and an EPC A rating once operational. The building will benefit from an all-electric heating and cooling system with state of the art air source heat pumps, as well as smart metering, roof mounted solar panels, a smart BMS and local MVHR units to maximise efficiency and fresh air control to occupants.?

No.3 Circle Square will open onto Symphony Gardens, a new landscaped space designed to complement Symphony Park, which promotes biodiversity across Circle Square. High-quality amenities including cycle and shower facilities will also be included to encourage green travel.?

Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between?Bruntwood?and?Legal & General, has appointed Contractor?GMI Construction Group?to develop the ￡87m site, which is set for practical completion in Q1 2025.

Bradley Topps, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, commented:?“With?No.1 and No.2 now fully let, and a successful consultation period complete, it’s exciting to see work now commencing at No.3.?

“Our goal for Circle Square has always been to provide the perfect synergy between sustainable, high quality workspaces and first-class amenities, and this latest development is in keeping with that ethos.?

“Bolstering the digital ecosystem within the Oxford Road Corridor will add vital capacity to?Manchester’s knowledge economy and showcase the wider region as a diverse international base for innovative science and tech firms to thrive. We look forward to seeing No.3 take shape with the support of GMI.”??

Marc Banks, GMI North West divisional managing director, said:?“We are extremely pleased to be chosen by Bruntwood SciTech to deliver this high profile scheme in Manchester city centre. This contract win is a major statement in the market and underlines our intentions for the business in the North West and the UK. We look forward to demonstrating once again our track record in delivering state-of-the-art projects.”

NEPO Framework Appointment

GMI?has strengthened its presence in the North East after being appointed to the framework of the North East Purchasing Organisation (NEPO).

This national framework enables the independent business to tender for public sector contracts awarded each year by the procurement group on behalf of the region’s 12 local authorities.

GMI, which recently moved to larger offices on Teesside, was successful in each of the four lots?of approved contractors?that?it applied for: North East ￡5m to ￡10m; National ￡5m to ￡10m; North East over ￡10m and National over ￡10m.

The construction framework?offers?public sector buyers the reassurance that those selected have been pre-assessed for experience and technical and professional ability. It also features pre-agreed terms and conditions?and cost ceilings.

GMI, one of the largest independent construction companies in the North of England and Midlands, has a growing portfolio of public and private clients across multiple sectors - with projects ranging from major industrial, manufacturing and logistics units to hotels, offices, retail centres, and student accommodation.

In the North East, it?has?delivered a 12,000 sq. ft office for the Department of Work & Pensions in South Shields and was principal contractor on the ￡12m Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM) at the International?Manufacturing Park (IAMP), a joint venture between Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council.

Current projects include the first ￡30m phase of Hillthorn Business Park near Sunderland and the 650,000 sq. ft Connect warehouse and logistics development at J61 of the A1(M) at Bowburn.

Gary Oates, GMI’s Divisional Managing Director North East, said: “GMI’s inclusion in the NEPO framework underlines its position as a trusted and dependable public sector construction partner.

“It strengthens our ability to secure public sector work, which will contribute to our expanding pipeline of work in the North East. It?also increases our ability to further contribute to the levelling up process.

“GMI remain committed to using local contractors and suppliers whenever possible, which brings additional benefits to the regional economy.”?

In April this year, GMI secured a place on Pagabo’s national ￡1bn medium works framework, which allows it to be considered for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to ￡10m.

Huntingdon is the first GMI site to get solar-serious ??

Solar hybrid generators are revolutionising the construction industry and #GMIMidlands are trialling them on our sites with Huntingdon, Lightning Park the first to get solar serious.

As part of GMI's push for netzero and our ongoing commitments to sustainability this new initiative will offer the scheme, being delivered for Trebor Developments, numerous benefits and pave the way towards a more sustainable greener, cleaner future. These innovative power solutions combine the advantages of renewable solar energy with backup sources, providing a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional generators.

One key advantage of solar hybrid generators is their reduced carbon footprint. Construction sites have high energy demands, often relying on diesel generators that emit harmful greenhouse gases. By incorporating solar panels into the generator system, construction companies can significantly reduce their carbon emissions. This not only helps combat climate change but also aligns with the industry's growing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Moreover, solar hybrid generators offer enhanced cost savings. As we know, construction projects typically entail long hours of operation and high energy consumption. Traditional generators are notorious for their fuel costs, which can quickly escalate project expenses. Solar hybrid generators, on the other hand, utilise free and abundant solar energy during the day, minimising reliance on expensive fossil fuels. This leads to significant savings on fuel expenses, positively impacting the bottom line of construction companies.

Another significant advantage is the reduced noise pollution associated with solar hybrid generators. Construction sites can be noisy environments, with traditional generators contributing to the cacophony. Solar hybrid generators operate quietly, reducing noise pollution and improving the working conditions for construction workers and neighbouring communities. This quieter operation allows for a more conducive and productive work environment.

Gareth Jones, Midlands MD, said: "Full credit to Rhys Robinson, Site Manager, on introducing this to the business. It's early days but we believe we could save a lot of money, help the site further and reduce traffic.

"I firmly believe that embracing solar hybrid generators is not just a good idea, but a crucial step towards a more sustainable future. We are trialling this at Lightning Park and we will then take a view for the wider region. By harnessing the power of the sun and combining it with backup sources, we can reduce our carbon footprint, cut costs, and enhance the resilience of our operations. It's a win-win situation for our company and the environment, paving the way for a brighter, greener construction industry."

Exciting News: Our Brand New Podcast is Coming Soon!

In a world where podcasts have become the go-to source for information, entertainment, and thought-provoking discussions, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our brand new podcast, entitled 'Building Beyond'!

As we venture into the realm of audio content, we aim to bring you an engaging and captivating experience that will keep you hooked from the very first episode.

With the rising popularity of podcasts, Associate Director of Marketing, Ian Cheveau, recognised the need to create a platform that would allow us to connect with our audience in a more intimate and immersive way. Our podcast will offer a unique opportunity for us to share our expertise, delve deeper into trending construction topics, and engage in meaningful conversations with guests from various fields.

Already our CEO, Lee Powell, MD Yorkshire MD Andy Hurcomb has featured, as well as GMI project experts Dom Dickinson, David Bramwell, Andy Young and Lance Jones. Mina Roche and her team of successful Information Managers have also guested.

Clients and Commentators have also been booked as we turn up the volume on what we are doing across the four regions where we work.

The upcoming podcast promises to cover a wide range of subjects such as digitisation in construction, women in construction, sustainability, safety and what creates a winning team. From this we will move to diverse construction interests and providing a wealth of knowledge and entertainment. Whether you're passionate about technology, business, or even personal development, we have captivating episodes in store for you. Our aim is to deliver high-quality content that both educates and entertains, leaving you inspired and informed.

What sets our podcast apart is the meticulous research, expert guests, and thought-provoking discussions that will be the foundation of each episode. Our team has been working tirelessly to ensure that every episode brings value to our listeners, sparking intellectual curiosity and fostering meaningful conversations.

Moreover, the podcast will be easily accessible across multiple platforms, allowing you to tune in whenever and wherever you want. Whether you prefer to listen during your daily commute, while working out, or simply relaxing at home, our episodes will be just a click away.

To ensure that you don't miss out on the launch of our much-anticipated podcast, we encourage you to follow us on our social media channels and sign up for our newsletter. By doing so, you will be among the first to receive updates, exclusive sneak peeks, and notifications about the release date.

Ian Cheveau said: "As we count down the days to the launch of our brand new podcast, we are excited about the opportunities it presents. This podcast is not just a new venture for us; it's a chance to connect with you, our valued audience, on a more personal level. We look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you and hope that you will join us in this exciting endeavour.

"Stay tuned for more updates, and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of captivating conversations, insightful discussions, and unparalleled entertainment. The countdown to the launch of our brand new podcast begins now!"

For more information and updates, please visit our website, gmi.co.uk and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Tik Tok and Instagram.