Panattoni, the largest developer in Europe, has committed to speculatively develop 515,000 sq ft in Derby, at the heart of the UK’s major road and motorway network. The developer is advancing its building portfolio with construction beginning on the site this month for the Derby 515 warehouse. At 514,193 sq ft, it is set to be one of the largest single-unit speculative developments under construction in the country, ahead of the Panattoni Wakefield development of 512,850 sq ft.

The building is part of Panattoni’s 900,000 sq ft development at Derby Commercial Park, on Raynesway, two miles east of the city. It is already home to the speculatively built Derby 370 unit, which has recently been let to Alloga UK on a 15-year lease term. Derby 515 is expected to complete Q4 2021, with the potential for circa 500 jobs to be created.

The building will have 15m clear internal height, 56 dock doors and 8 level access doors, as well as parking for 185 trailers. It will be built to BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.

Panattoni has also announced a new design to their portfolio which enables the buildings to be split to accommodate two operations. Derby 515 has been designed with a flexible envelope to accommodate a cross-split option, allowing the building to be sub-divided down its length for two occupiers. The cross-split will form two self-contained units of 226,497 sq ft and 287,416 sq ft. Each would have 28 dock doors, 4 level access doors, a secure self-contained yard, a car park and own gatehouse.

“The new warehouse will be built to our normal high specifications offering flexibility and energy cost savings to occupiers. This will be one of the largest single-unit spec builds in the country and will benefit from being in one of the UK’s centres for advanced manufacturing and logistics,” said Andy Preston, Development Manager for Panattoni Derby 515.