A variety of installations and construction is underway and planned.

Avire in Leeds Building

Avire has installed its E-Motive iS2 LCD multimedia display at the City Exchange office building in Leeds, U.K.’s Trinity Leeds. After City Exchange’s lift service provider suggested the iS2 as a solution as part of a general refurbishment program, it was decided to upgrade the displays in the seven-story building’s four lifts. Avire stated, “Changing graphics or information on the existing displays had proved an extremely time-consuming and costly process, with an engineer call-out needed to make even the slightest alteration.” Since the building was constantly letting and re-letting its floors, easy owner customization was highly desired.

Bridge to Get Lift Attraction

Plans to build a glass lift at the Humber Bridge near Kingston upon Hull, U.K., could create more than 400 jobs if approved, Grimsby Telegraph reported. Dubbed the “Humber Bridge Lift Experience,” it would feature a glass elevator to send an estimated 240,000 visitors per year 150 m into the sky for views of the region. The development would also entail a visitor center, 60-bed hotel and office complex. Some town councilors are against the plans due to the loss of car parking spaces, traffic implications, and the locations of the office and hotel. However, support for the lift is widespread. As hopes are for it to become operational by 2018, the timing correlates with Hull as the U.K.’s City of Culture 2017.

Redevelopment of Suburban London Acreage Pitched

A team consisting of architect Studio Egret West, financier Benson Elliot and development manager Londonewcastle is proposing the redevelopment of 5.2 acres in Barking, suburban London, into a mixed-use enclave that would include 13 buildings up to 36 stories, Building Design reported. If the plan happens, the site of the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre would create 275,994 sq. ft. of retail, 54,876 sq. ft. of leisure, and 13,450 sq. ft. of office space, along with 850 residences and a 150-room hotel. A theater, 300-capacity music venue, school and healthcare facility are also on the drawing boards.

DAMAC Plans London Residential Towers

Dubai-based DAMAC Properties has embarked on its first project in London, consisting of a pair of towers — the taller of which would stand 50 stories — housing approximately 450 residences, The National reported. Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the structures, and Australia’s Lendlease has been hired to build them. Despite there being more than 106,000 new apartments coming online in London and murmurs of slowing demand, DAMAC is confident in Aykon London One, reporting that 40% of available units in phase one have been sold. The development overlooks the Thames River in the Nine Elms neighborhood. Completion is expected in 2020.