Investing for the long-term
6th to 10th July 2026
In it for the long-term: Barclays' 999-year lease on its Canary Wharf HQ
Property is often accused of being cyclical, but this week's stories remind us that the industry's biggest decisions are rarely made with the next year in mind. Instead, they reflect confidence in places, people and projects that will shape towns and cities for decades to come.
That confidence was perhaps best illustrated by Barclays' decision to secure a 999-year leasehold interest in its global headquarters at One Churchill Place. While hybrid working continues to evolve, one of the world's largest financial institutions has chosen to deepen its roots in Canary Wharf rather than loosen them. It is a powerful endorsement not only of the building itself, but of London's continuing role as a global financial centre and Canary Wharf's evolution into a broader mixed-use destination.
Elsewhere in the capital, AshbyCapital's appointment of Skanska to deliver the new 55 Old Broad Street development demonstrates that demand for high-quality, sustainable office space remains strong. With environmental performance, workplace flexibility and public realm improvements all central to the scheme, it reflects the continuing flight towards best-in-class commercial buildings.
Regeneration was another dominant theme this week.
In Glasgow, detailed planning consent for the first phase of the £250 million Charing Cross Gateway masterplan moves forward the transformation of one of the city's key gateway sites. While purpose-built student accommodation forms the opening chapter, the wider vision extends to offices, homes, retail and public spaces that will reconnect an important part of the city centre over the coming decade.
A similar approach is emerging in Boscombe, where AJC Group has been appointed to deliver a mixed-use regeneration scheme combining homes, community facilities, commercial space and new public realm. It is another reminder that successful regeneration increasingly depends on creating complete neighbourhoods rather than simply delivering new buildings.
Operational living also featured strongly this week. Dandara's approval for 252 homes in Bristol highlights the continued importance of brownfield regeneration in meeting housing demand. Beyond the homes themselves, the scheme places equal emphasis on green infrastructure, active travel, biodiversity and community facilities—reflecting the industry's growing focus on creating places designed for long-term living rather than short-term delivery.
Taken together, this week's stories point towards an industry that continues to invest with confidence where the fundamentals are right. Premium workplaces, mixed-use regeneration and sustainable neighbourhoods all require patience, significant capital and long-term commitment. Yet they also offer the greatest opportunity to create lasting value for investors, occupiers and communities alike.
One to Watch: Confidence returns to the office market
After several years dominated by questions about the future of offices, this week offered two notable signals of confidence. Barclays' long-term commitment to Canary Wharf and AshbyCapital's decision to press ahead with one of the City's next generation office developments both reinforce a trend that has been gathering pace: while demand may be more selective than before, businesses continue to invest heavily in exceptional workspace. The race is no longer to provide more offices, but to provide better ones.
Risk Radar: Delivering the whole place, not just the project
Whether in Glasgow, Boscombe or Bristol, today's regeneration schemes are expected to do far more than deliver buildings. They must provide homes, public spaces, community facilities, biodiversity, active travel routes and long-term social value, often within increasingly challenging financial conditions. That raises the bar for developers and local authorities alike. The opportunity is significant, but so too is the complexity of bringing these ambitious mixed-use neighbourhoods successfully to life.
