Plans to transform Liverpool’s iconic former Littlewoods building into a world-class film and TV campus have been given the green light by the city’s Planning Committee. The ambitious project, led by social impact developers Capital&Centric, will revitalise the 1930s Edge Lane site, creating a vibrant hub for the UK’s creative
First of 200+ containers installed at strategically significant site of former coal-fired power station Global energy storage company Pacific Green has hit a number of key milestones in the delivery of its 249MW / 373.3MWh Sheaf Energy Park in Kent, England. The large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under
OryxAlign’s leadership in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure recognised with two Building Innovation Awards shortlistings OryxAlign, a leading managed service provider (MSP) in the IT and cybersecurity sectors, has been shortlisted for two categories at the Building Innovation Awards 2024. The company has been nominated for the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or
Sempra Homes has officially broken ground on the highly anticipated Chapelgate development in Basildon, marking the start of construction of 105 new homes. The event was celebrated with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by Sempra Homes, and Sempra’s developer partner, The Hill Group and Basildon Council’s Cllr Christopher Hilleard, Member Director
Bellway South London is celebrating after winning a prestigious award for a house which sets the standard for what a modern sustainable home of the future could look like. The four-bedroom Reedmaker at Fallow Wood View, in the West Sussex town of Burgess Hill, has won the ‘Best House’ category
The FirstPort Group, the UK’s leading provider of residential property management services, has appointed Rocco Archidiacono as its new Head of Business Development to lead the Group’s new business services and bolster client partnerships. Rocco has joined FirstPort from real estate firm Hamptons where he was pivotal in expanding its business
BOOSTING biodiversity efforts, work has completed to restore the wetlands area of Middlesex Filter Beds in Lee Valley Regional Park, decades after the former water supply system was abandoned. The maintenance and restoration project, which is a short distance from London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has seen a new biofuel
Eric Wright Civil Engineering has commenced construction work on Salford Rise, a transformative element of the wider £2.5 billion, 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan. Delivered by ECF – a joint partnership between Legal & General, Homes England and Muse on behalf of Salford City Council – the infrastructure and public realm
The Renters’ Rights Bill is progressing through Parliament with pace, with the Second Reading of the legislation happening on 9 October, and Propertymark’s recent webinar on the widely anticipated new law helped alert property agents as to why it will prove to be one of the ‘biggest changes to the
At the end of the summer, one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the airport sector opened a new 5,000-sqm site in the ever-expanding Maglód logistics park, which currently boasts almost 100,000 sqm of warehouse space. The long-term lease agreement between HGL Group Hungary and HelloParks will allow the
Plans to transform Liverpool’s iconic former Littlewoods building into a world-class film and TV campus have been given the green light by the city’s Planning Committee. The ambitious project, led by social impact developers Capital&Centric, will revitalise the 1930s Edge Lane site, creating a vibrant hub for the UK’s creative industries. The approved plans include restoring and repurposing the much-loved Littlewoods building, with the development featuring two state-of-the-art 20,000 sq.ft studios designed for big-budget film and TV productions. Alongside these, the site will house offices, workshops, support facilities, and an educational centre aimed at nurturing the next generation of creative talent. This marks a significant milestone for the £17 million project, which is backed by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. With enabling works already completed, the approval now paves the way for full restoration work to begin, subject to the final funding agreements. One of the standout features of the project will be the transformation of the building’s former canteen, housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar, into a multi-purpose cultural space. This will include five boutique cinema screens, an outdoor performance area, and a permanent food hall. The space will serve as a resource for on-site tenants but will also open to the public after hours, becoming a new cultural destination for Liverpool residents and visitors alike. John Moffat, Joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric, hailed the approval as a landmark moment for the project and the city. He said: “This is a huge moment for Littlewoods and for Liverpool. The green light allows us to move forward with creating the ‘Hollywood of the North’. Liverpool already enjoys a global reputation as a filming hotspot, and this project will build on that, providing much-needed studio space and creating jobs for future generations. For local people, including myself, seeing this iconic building come back to life is truly special.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, echoed the excitement, saying: “The Littlewoods Project is a game-changer for the region. It preserves a key part of our heritage while driving economic growth and creating thousands of jobs in the creative sector. It cements our growing reputation as a hub for high-end productions and places us firmly on the international stage.” Liverpool City Councillor Nick Small added: “The Littlewoods Project is set to transform Liverpool’s TV and film industry. With the approval now secured, we’re ready to work closely with Capital&Centric to ensure this scheme delivers on its full potential and takes a leading role in the city’s creative future.” The construction of the new sound stages is expected to take around a year to complete, while the renovation of the main building will take longer due to the complexity of restoring the historic structure. When fully operational, the Littlewoods campus is anticipated to create around 4,000 full-time jobs within the region’s creative industries, further solidifying Liverpool’s status as a key player in the UK’s film and TV production landscape. The project’s design is being overseen by renowned architects shedkm, with planners Avison Young also involved. Capital&Centric has a proven track record of restoring historic buildings across the UK, including high-profile projects such as Crusader in Manchester, Weir Mill in Stockport, and Eyewitness Works in Sheffield. As Liverpool gears up to welcome this new creative hub, the Littlewoods Project promises to be a landmark development for both the city and the wider UK film and TV industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
First of 200+ containers installed at strategically significant site of former coal-fired power station Global energy storage company Pacific Green has hit a number of key milestones in the delivery of its 249MW / 373.3MWh Sheaf Energy Park in Kent, England. The large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under construction on behalf of asset owner Sosteneo, is located on brownfield land at the site of the former Richborough coal-fired power station. In conjunction with Pacific Green and Sosteneo’s now operational 100MW / 100MWh Richborough Energy Park, Sheaf will form part of a strategically significant UK clean energy storage and transmission hub which hosts vital connections for the Nemo Link interconnector with Belgium and Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. Site preparation and groundworks were recently completed on schedule. This work has paved the way for the successful arrival of the first of 200+ equipment containers. Following completion of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Sheaf has now taken delivery of 68 containers and installed the first of 34 housing the project’s Power Conversion Systems (PCS) – a crucial component for dynamic coupling of the BESS with the grid. These PCS containers will be followed by 135 liquid cooled, LFP chemistry battery containers, to be shipped from supplier and installed in a just-in-time approach prior to energization with the electrical grid. Activity at the site is being conducted in line with robust safety and risk management protocols. Community engagement and biodiversity are also being prioritized, with key milestones including the appointment of a stakeholder engagement representative and biodiversity actions including removal of contaminated landfill left by the power station, rewilding of 10,000m2 of land, and ultimately achieving biodiversity net gain of no less than 14.91%. Christo Hammes, Pacific Green’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Located at a former industrial site and with an excellent grid connection, Sheaf Energy Park will be a strategic asset for the UK’s energy grid – and in many ways is a true symbol of the energy transition. Coupled with Richborough Energy Park, this project embodies Pacific Green’s commitment to UK energy storage and is laying the foundation for future growth.” “We are pleased with progress to date, having hit a number of our key development milestones, and we are committed to maintaining dialogue with our stakeholders and the community as we bring the project through to commissioning next year.” Pacific Green was retained to oversee the construction, operations and maintenance of Sheaf Energy Park following its sale to Sosteneo Fund 1 Holdco S.à.r.l. in December 2023. SSE Energy Supply Limited (SSE) will be responsible for providing optimization services for a 10-year period from the start of commercial operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OryxAlign’s leadership in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure recognised with two Building Innovation Awards shortlistings OryxAlign, a leading managed service provider (MSP) in the IT and cybersecurity sectors, has been shortlisted for two categories at the Building Innovation Awards 2024. The company has been nominated for the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or Project of the Year and Best Technology Partner categories. The awards ceremony will take place at the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester on October 17, 2024. The Building Innovation Awards celebrate forward-thinking organisations that embrace emerging technologies and digital transformation to advance the UK’s construction sector. Entrants are judged based on their ability to enhance productivity, sustainability and safety within the built environment. OryxAlign’s nomination in the Resilient Infrastructure Innovation or Project of the Year category recognises its work on the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Acceleration and Maturity Project for a leading commercial real-estate company, which bolstered the cybersecurity defences of over 30 high-value properties across the UK. The project demonstrated cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and real-time data analytics to anticipate and neutralise cyber threats proactively. The infrastructure was aligned with both ISO 27001 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity frameworks, providing resilience for the client’s critical systems and devices. In addition, OryxAlign is competing in the Best Technology Partner category for its consistent commitment to client success, delivering round-the-clock IT support, secure network design and a proactive approach to digital resilience. The company’s managed IT services ensure operational efficiency for key building systems such as CCTV, access control and power management, proving instrumental in safeguarding critical infrastructure across a variety of sectors. “As cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, it’s critical for businesses to adopt resilient, forward-thinking technologies,” said Peter Schwartz, senior technology consultant at OryxAlign. “Our work in critical infrastructure projects showcases our commitment to safeguarding both digital and physical assets, ensuring that businesses can operate securely and efficiently, no matter the challenges they face.” The Critical Infrastructure Cyber Acceleration and Maturity Project has helped to enhance the cybersecurity posture of buildings by implementing advanced encryption and authentication protocols across operational technology (OT) devices. By integrating cybersecurity with physical security systems like surveillance and access controls, OryxAlign created a cohesive defence strategy that has significantly reduced operational risks. “Our approach is always to listen closely to our clients, align their business objectives with the right technologies and exceed expectations at every stage,” Schwartz added. “From proactive monitoring to comprehensive cyber awareness training, we go beyond delivering transactional services, becoming true partners in our clients’ long-term success.” To learn more about how OryxAlign can support your project needs, visit www.oryxalign.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sempra Homes has officially broken ground on the highly anticipated Chapelgate development in Basildon, marking the start of construction of 105 new homes. The event was celebrated with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by Sempra Homes, and Sempra’s developer partner, The Hill Group and Basildon Council’s Cllr Christopher Hilleard, Member Director of Sempra, along with representatives from Homes England, Basildon Council and the project team. The Chapelgate development, located on the former Car Park 14 site, will deliver a range of high-quality homes, comprising 35 houses and 70 apartments. These homes will vary in size, offering two, three, and four-bedroom options with a mix of social rent and private sale opportunities. Melanie Keys, Service Manager at Sempra Homes comments, “We are really pleased to reach this milestone on site and see the work begin to deliver these new homes. This development has been made possible with the support of several Government funding streams secured including the Brownfield Infrastructure & Land funding (BIL), Brownfield Land Release funding (BLRF) and collaboration with Homes England to secure Affordable Housing Programme funding.” Chapelgate will not only provide much-needed housing but also support the revitalisation of Basildon’s town centre. The project includes improvements to local infrastructure, open spaces, and biodiversity enhancements, all while increasing footfall to benefit local businesses. Sempra Homes is also committed to delivering social value, with over £28 million of inward investment. The development will create numerous opportunities for residents and businesses, including employment, training, apprenticeships, and the use of local suppliers. Cllr Adele Brown, Deputy Leader of Basildon Council and Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure, attended the groundbreaking and said: “There is an urgent need to increase the supply of social and affordable homes in the borough and I am so pleased we are getting on with building the homes we so desperately need. “New, high-quality housing is a top priority for this administration and events like today show we are taking this challenge seriously. “Through Sempra Homes, Basildon Council is unlocking its housebuilding programme – getting developments like Chapelgate underway so that we can deliver on our promise to provide Basildon homes for Basildon residents.” Robert Jack, Regional Director at The Hill Group, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Sempra Homes and Basildon Council on this exciting mixed-tenure regeneration project. We are building the new homes at Chapelgate using a fabric-first approach, including air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems and electric vehicle charging points. At Hill, creating new sustainable communities is at the heart of all we do. It’s fantastic to see work begin on this project which is about so much more than just new homes, it will help to transform Basildon’s town centre and build a brighter future for the local community.” Alongside the housing delivery, Sempra Homes is making a financial contribution exceeding £800,000 towards local infrastructure. This funding will support a variety of community services, including NHS healthcare provision, early years and childcare services, primary and secondary schools, open spaces, culture, play and sports facilities, highways and pedestrian access, and sustainable transport. These contributions reflect Sempra Homes’ commitment to not only building homes but also improving the wider community. The Chapelgate development is a key component of Basildon Council and Sempra Homes’ ongoing efforts to enhance housing supply and community infrastructure while ensuring sustainable growth in the area. For further information about Sempra Homes please visit: www.semprahomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway South London is celebrating after winning a prestigious award for a house which sets the standard for what a modern sustainable home of the future could look like. The four-bedroom Reedmaker at Fallow Wood View, in the West Sussex town of Burgess Hill, has won the ‘Best House’ category in the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2024. The four-bedroom detached home, which is part of the company’s flagship Artisan Collection, has been adapted to incorporate low-carbon features including an air source heat pump, PV panels and a sustainable FSC-certified timber frame instead of traditional blockwork. A team from Bellway South London accepted the award at a ceremony held at the Dorchester Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Friday (27 September). Daniel Williamson, Sales Director at Bellway South London, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award at this prestigious event in the UK’s property calendar. Our team put a great deal of thought and effort into the design of the Reedmaker at Fallow Wood View and it is very satisfying to see their work recognised by this coveted accolade. “The Reedmaker is not a bespoke eco-home but an attainable low-carbon property for ordinary families which can be rolled out at scale, helping to provide a possible template for how the industry as a whole can meet the challenge of moving towards net zero. “As part of our Better with Bellway sustainability strategy we have used timber, a renewable material, in place of carbon-intensive block construction methods, and included technologies such as an air source heat pump, solar PV panels and wastewater heat recovery to help further reduce carbon emissions.” The Evening Standard New Homes Awards, which were set up more than 30 years ago, recognise, celebrate and commend innovation and excellence in the construction industry. An independent team of industry experts carried out the judging over four stages, from initial assessments and site visits to shortlisting and deciding on a category winner. In choosing the winners, the judges were looking for homes and developments that reflect, or exceed, current best practice in the housebuilding industry in a number of areas including quality of design, value for money, energy-efficiency and innovation. The Best House category states that homes should be in a well-located, attractive setting, offer an impressive sense of arrival and have imaginatively designed yet functional interiors for modern living. Daniel said: “The Reedmaker is an energy-efficient home with enviable green credentials yet offers the flexible space that is demanded by modern family life. The layout downstairs offers an open-plan kitchen and dining room across the rear of the property, with French doors out to the back garden, plus a utility room and a light-filled front-facing living room. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms which benefit from en suite facilities while the other two bedrooms are big enough for space for play or study as well as storage. “Fallow Wood View has a wonderful location close to both the South Downs National Park and the High Weald, and the exterior of the Reedmaker has also been carefully designed to complement the architecture found in this attractive part of Sussex. “What is particularly pleasing is that the Reedmaker is part of our Artisan Collection – a range of homes designed after decades of customer feedback, which combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary methods of construction. We have opened a Reedmaker showhome at Fallow Wood View so people can come along see inside this award-winning family home.” Fallow Wood View features a range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The FirstPort Group, the UK’s leading provider of residential property management services, has appointed Rocco Archidiacono as its new Head of Business Development to lead the Group’s new business services and bolster client partnerships. Rocco has joined FirstPort from real estate firm Hamptons where he was pivotal in expanding its business development team across its network, playing a key role in aligning the company’s residential and commercial arms. In his new role, Rocco joins the Business Development team to improve its new business services, ensuring FirstPort is a partner that is approachable and responsive. Commenting on his appointment, Rocco said: “This is an exciting time to be in property management, and I’m looking forward to being part of this journey with FirstPort. “I believe my experience across the different aspects of the property sector will bring a fresh perspective and enable us to develop a more integrated approach for our clients” “I think there’s a huge opportunity to push into new sectors and to really tap into areas that haven’t been fully explored yet. I am looking to regionalise the company’s business development efforts, expanding into areas where we have a strong client base and can offer tailored services.” With over 20 years of experience in residential real estate, Rocco’s extensive understanding of the full build lifecycle – from planning to delivery – will prove valuable as The FirstPort Group looks to forge partnerships with its new and current clients across the UK. Martin King, Managing Director at The FirstPort Group, said: “Rocco’s ability to build strong relationships with our clients and drive growth will be invaluable as we continue to expand our business and explore new opportunities across the UK. Rocco has a deep understanding of this industry but he’s coming at property management as a sector with a fresh perspective, which I welcome. “I look forward to Rocco working closely with FirstPort’s existing teams to align the company’s offerings with the evolving needs of its developer, freeholder and resident director clients.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BOOSTING biodiversity efforts, work has completed to restore the wetlands area of Middlesex Filter Beds in Lee Valley Regional Park, decades after the former water supply system was abandoned. The maintenance and restoration project, which is a short distance from London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has seen a new biofuel generator installed alongside new pumps and control equipment, helping reinstate the water supply to the filter beds, which have origins dating back to the 1800s. A range of measures have also been developed to deter thieves and secure the site’s safety, including the design of a custom welded steel cage, reinforced with mesh plate, to house the new generator. The fenced compound will also be fitted with extra tree planting around the edge of the site to protect the restored filter beds. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, operating through Perfect Circle and appointed via the SCAPE BECS Framework to provide civil engineering services and work closely with contractor Neilcott to reinvigorate the wetlands habitat. Paul Cannaby, director of civil engineering at Pick Everard, said: “This has been an extremely rewarding project to work on, creating a wetlands ecosystem that has huge benefits for the local wildlife and surrounding area. “Through close liaison with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and community action groups, we’ve been able to maintain the historical integrity of the site, which was a key objective for the client in meeting a successful delivery programme. “The scheme has also allowed us to create a green space for the local community to enjoy, so dog walkers, runners and other members of the community can feel the benefits too. We’ll be continuing to collaborate with local stakeholders and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to ensure the long-term viability of this area and see it returned to its former glory.” Having been built in the 1800s in response to the London cholera outbreaks, Middlesex’s Filter Beds cleaned the city’s water supplies but were eventually closed and abandoned as a new treatment facility took their place. Under the stewardship of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, a new pump, powered by a generator was later installed, but after multiple thefts of equipment the system fell into disrepair. Paul Roper, head of projects at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said: “This has been a long running and complex project which initially seemed to offer more hurdles than solutions. However, Pick Everard came up with this interim solution whilst we still seek to route a permanent electricity supply to the site. The Park is delighted that we can now bring water and the biodiversity back to the filter beds for all to enjoy.” Pick Everard will be examining the available options to secure a permanent power supply to the site, and once the water supply system is reinstated, the area will be monitored by park rangers to ensure water levels are maintained at the correct depth. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Eric Wright Civil Engineering has commenced construction work on Salford Rise, a transformative element of the wider £2.5 billion, 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan. Delivered by ECF – a joint partnership between Legal & General, Homes England and Muse on behalf of Salford City Council – the infrastructure and public realm project will remove physical barriers between the communities to the north of the Crescent area, replacing them with walking and cycling routes focused on accessibility and active travel, significantly improving connectivity between these communities and Crescent Salford. In addition, there will be large areas of new, high-quality green spaces, trees, planting and public squares for pop-up events and festivals. At the heart of the ambitious regeneration of Salford Crescent, is a near five-acre elevated walkway spanning Frederick Road which will enhance connectivity and act as a key gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and the Crescent innovation zone. Eric Wright Civil Engineering has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the walkway designed by MAKE, Planit and Cundall. It stands at 11 metres wide and 220 metres long and will be a green and safe haven for pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging active travel and facilitating improved collaboration across the development. The project is partially funded by £13.17m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. Preparatory and ground works will be carried out for the remainder of 2024, while work on the bridge structure is expected to begin in early 2025 and complete in summer 2026. Salford Rise forms a key part of the Crescent masterplan which will deliver more than 3,000 homes, 1,000,000 sq ft of offices, retail and leisure, a multi-model transport hub and vast areas of green space. Commencement of work on the project follows the approval of plans by Salford City Council to bring forward Crescent Innovation, another pivotal element of the Crescent Salford masterplan. Creating a high-quality innovation ecosystem around the University of Salford, Crescent Innovation will build on existing world-class research and development capabilities; help drive further economic growth in the city and wider region; and facilitate enhanced links between academia, research, and business. Salford Rise will physically connect economic assets across the innovation zone to unlock significant development opportunities and enable collaboration between academia and industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Renters’ Rights Bill is progressing through Parliament with pace, with the Second Reading of the legislation happening on 9 October, and Propertymark’s recent webinar on the widely anticipated new law helped alert property agents as to why it will prove to be one of the ‘biggest changes to the rental market’ in over three decades. The message from the webinar was clear: change is coming. The professional body advised property agents that they need to understand the changes in good time to help maintain excellent working relationships with landlords. Led by Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Jan Hÿtch, Lettings Help Line Manager, and Valerie Bannister, former ARLA Propertymark President and current ARLA Propertymark Regional Executive, the webinar explored four key themes around the Renters’ Rights Bill: periodic tenancies, student tenancies, new grounds for possession, and advertising and increasing rents. The three key speakers advised property agents to review their fee structure, mitigate any business risks, and ensure that existing tenancy agreements do not collide with the new legislation that will enable tenants to keep pets at their properties, something many of them cannot do currently. However, this will change once new tenancy agreements are produced after the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law next summer. They also discussed the future of fixed-term tenancies, longer rent arrears, and periodic tenancies becoming simpler once the new law is enacted. The panel advised anyone unsure of what is being proposed by the legislation to potentially attend one of Propertymark’s upcoming training courses or conferences to assist in furthering their understanding as to how the Renters’ Rights Bill might affect them. Tessa Shepperson, Managing Director of Landlord Law Services Ltd, will be leading a virtual training course titled Preparing for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 31 October to discuss how the Renters’ Rights Bill will affect landlords and agents. Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, said: “The Renters Rights’ Bill represents one of the biggest evolutions of law for the rental sector in many decades and we hope that our webinar powered letting agents with robust information to help them navigate upcoming changes. “It is vital we see strong stakeholder engagement from across the industry to help shape the new legislation and ensure it is balanced, workable and and fit for the future. We will continue to ensure there is healthy engagement with the UK Government to strike a functional and fair balance between tenants, agents and landlords.” To attend one of Propertymark’s upcoming regional conferences in your area, use this link: Conferences | Propertymark. In order to attend one of the professional body’s training courses, click this link: Estate and letting agent training courses | Propertymark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
At the end of the summer, one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the airport sector opened a new 5,000-sqm site in the ever-expanding Maglód logistics park, which currently boasts almost 100,000 sqm of warehouse space. The long-term lease agreement between HGL Group Hungary and HelloParks will allow the company to expand further within HelloParks Maglód megapark in the future. Located near Ferenc Liszt International Airport, the development has won several prestigious awards and has recently become increasingly popular with leading companies in the air cargo industry. For example, Aeroplex Central Europe Ltd, the region’s largest independent aviation maintenance company, previously leased nearly 8,000 sqm of warehouse and office space on the same site. With this year’s transactions, 90 per cent of the two completed halls in the megapark have already been let. HelloParks Maglód Megapark boasts two national firsts: MG1, which houses HGL Group, was the first industrial property in Hungary to achieve BREEAM New Construction Excellent, while MG3, completed in the second phase, was also the first to achieve an Outstanding rating. The facilities support tenants’ day-to-day operations with sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Among the efficiency features are roof-mounted solar panels — which allow the offices to operate with zero primary energy consumption — and HelloParks’ dedicated mobile app. Even the rain that falls on the roof is harnessed and collected in a separate storage tank for irrigation. The common areas will be lit by smart-ready lights, and electric car chargers will be available in the warehouse car park. In addition to state-of-the-art technology, the developer, which will also manage the facilities, offers its partners flexible and customised design solutions that comply with all current regulations and favourable conditions for their further development. The HGL Group, which will soon move into hall MG1, focuses on transporting and handling high-value and sensitive goods that require special care, high speed and increased security. With its exceptional parameters, the site is also perfectly suited to these specialised activities. The company also provides European transport coordination for the major players in the Hungarian film industry and the arrival and customs clearance of a significant proportion of e-commerce goods entering the European Union via Hungary. “Moving to a new, sustainable facility is an important milestone for us and represents a significant stage in developing our ever-growing operations and high-quality services. Throughout the negotiations, we were convinced that HelloParks megapark would provide an excellent solution for our e-commerce business and our customers. The state-of-the-art facility will already house our new roller-bed transport and storage system developed for handling ULD air pallets,” said Csaba Németh, Managing Director of HGL Group Hungary, commenting on the deal. “We are proud to have gained the confidence of the HGL Group and are particularly pleased to be able to support their planned growth. This agreement is a further success of our firmly established development and leasing concept. Our presence in the vicinity of the airport is of paramount importance. With this cooperation, we have once again moved forward in an exciting and crucial market segment,” said AndrásBodahelyi, Senior Business Development Manager of HelloParks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
