Modern design codes and methods of building procurement can encourage innovation and early supply chain involvement within our industry; thereby helping realise real benefits for clients. The No1 New York Street building in central Manchester, UK was completed in October 2009, providing 9300m2 of Grade A office accommodation over 12 floors and 420m2 of high street retail space. The development sits within a typically confined and challenging inner city site and in order to be financially viable required a range of flexible and bespoke engineering solutions. Two key aspects were: the retention and re-use of an existing two storey basement structure, including a bespoke foundation solution to support higher column loads; and a compact and offset core for stability. The engineering solutions developed demonstrate the benefits of: (i) gaining early specialist contractor advice and; (ii) the advantages in utilising the less prescriptive Eurocode 2, to inform a less restrictive design development. Gary Robinson, MA, MEng Centre for Innovative and Collaborative Engineering, Loughborough University Kevin Gilsenan, BEng, MSc, DIC, CEng, MIStructE Buro Happold