On 3 July 1919, Helical Bar and Engineering Company Limited was incorporated in London. The company was originally established to manufacture and sell reinforcing steel for the construction industry, supporting building activity at a time when modern urban development was expanding across Britain.

For more than six decades, Helical remained connected to the construction supply sector. However, during the 1980s, the company changed direction and moved into commercial property. After selling its steel reinforcement business in 1986, it transformed into a property development and investment company.

Today, Helical plc is recognised as one of London’s leading development focused real estate companies. Its history reflects an important shift in the UK property sector, from traditional construction materials and engineering support to modern real estate development, investment and urban regeneration.

1979: The Hoboken Land and Improvement Company Building in New Jersey was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognising its architectural, commercial and urban development significance.

Built in 1889, the building served as the office of the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company, a real estate holding company linked to the Stevens family. The company played an important role in shaping the growth of Hoboken by managing land, supporting development and helping guide the city’s transformation into a key urban and commercial area.

The building is also notable for its high quality brickwork and historic character, reflecting the commercial architecture of the late nineteenth century. Its preservation highlights the importance of protecting buildings connected not only to architecture, but also to land ownership, city planning and real estate development.

Today, the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company Building remains an important reminder of how private landholding companies influenced urban expansion in the United States. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places marked a key step in recognising the link between real estate history and historic preservation.