Office development within Belfast’s City Centre has received a significant boost as The Ewart in Bedford Street reaches a major construction milestone with the building’s structure ‘Topping Out’ ahead of its targeted opening in January 2022. One of the most important and historic architectural landmarks on Belfast’s skyline, The Ewart
Regeneration Of Dee House Progresses CBRE has been instructed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to seek a development partner to be part of the regeneration of Dee House, a prominent and historic building that has been vacant since the 1990s. Forming part of the Chester One City Plan, the
Colliers calls on RICS to Regulate Ratings Industry and Introduce Register of Rating Surveyors to prevent “cowboy” surveyors take advantage of business rates distress. “A group of conmen” “exploiting small businesses to sign unfair contracts”. This is how Kevin Hollinrake MP, the Member for Thirsk and Malton described rogue rating
Planning Submitted For Phase 1 Renovations At Three Graces Building Acting on behalf of Amtrak Real Estate, CBRE’s Planning and Development team has submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the first phase of renovations to reposition Liverpool’s Grade II* Listed Port of Liverpool Building into a 21st
New starters in Building and Industrial teams CBRE has bolstered its team in Leeds with a round of new hires across the National Building Consultancy and Industrial service lines. Dan Wells has been appointed as Senior Project Manager and Tom Wright joins as Building Surveyor. Davina Hyde-Sykes joins the team
National Regional Property Group and PMC Construction have completed Southampton’s second Build to Rent (BTR) scheme, and have now handed over the landmark building in the heart of the city to residential landlord, Grainger plc. Grainger plc agreed to forward-fund and acquire the Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme of 132
Leftfield Properties has launched Leftfield Park, a two-unit industrial scheme totalling 120,000 sq ft off J32 of the M62 in West Yorkshire and has appointed the industrial agency teams at CBRE and Carter Towler to market the available units. Leftfield acquired the two newly developed units from Gregory Properties at
Stretton Property Group secures outline planning consent Stretton Property Group has successfully secured outline planning consent for over 720,000 sq ft of prime industrial opportunities at Interchange Park, J1 of the M18 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The development has the capacity to create over 1,000 regional jobs. The planning consent
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme.
CBRE Global Investors Buys 3 Units At Leeds Logistics Park CBRE Global Investors has acquired 3 units totalling 119,500 sq ft from CDP Marshall at the flagship 62 Leeds logistics hub, demonstrating the continued high level of demand for prime mid-box units in the regional industrial sector. The acquisition includes
Office development within Belfast’s City Centre has received a significant boost as The Ewart in Bedford Street reaches a major construction milestone with the building’s structure ‘Topping Out’ ahead of its targeted opening in January 2022. One of the most important and historic architectural landmarks on Belfast’s skyline, The Ewart at 17-storeys high, is the final phase of developer MRP’s Bedford Square development, constructed by Design & Build Construction Partner McAleer & Rushe, which includes the Invest NI Headquarters. A £85m 210,000 sq. ft Grade A listed office project, The Ewart is set to accommodate 2,500 people when fully occupied. Construction began in January 2019 with 300 jobs created throughout the construction phase of The Ewart building. MRP are long term investors in the City and have completed a number of other large developments including the nearby Maldron Hotel and Queen’s University’s’ student accommodation Elms BT1 and Elms BT2, all constructed by McAleer & Rushe. While the original sandstone warehouse dates back to 1870, a two-storey link extension will connect to a new modern office tower creating highly efficient and flexible floorspace. The panoramic glazing offers spectacular views across the City and there is also an extensive landscaped plaza area to enrich the environment adjacent the double height reception entrance. The building will have a BREEAM Excellent rating and a Wired Score Platinum Certification making it one of the most environmentally friendly and digitally connected offices in the City. Set in the heart of the central business district, The Ewart is only a short walk from City Hall, main transport hubs, shops, bars, restaurants and hotels. The finished offices will be part occupied by Deloitte NI with a further 124,000 sq ft for tenants seeking high quality workspace in the prime office core of the City. Stephen Surphlis, Managing Director at MRP said: “Despite the challenges of the last 18 months, the team and our project partners have worked to deliver a landmark development creating one of the most sophisticated and desirable office spaces in the City. The contemporary building will offer a flexible, dynamic and sustainable working environment and with many businesses currently reviewing their return-to-work strategies, we have begun to see an increase in the number of tenant enquiries over the last few months. “As Belfast continues to recover from the pandemic, we are confident that this very significant and important commercial project in the heart of the city will further support its regeneration, delivering a modern working environment for Northern Ireland’s workforce of the future.” Jonathan O’Neill, Senior Director at McAleer & Rushe said, “The Ewart is a vital part of Belfast’s historic Linen Quarter and we are proud to be restoring and conserving the building respectively and sustainably to bring it back to its former glory and once completed, the new build section to the rear will be the tallest commercial office project in Belfast city centre. We are thrilled to be a part of this significant development for the city and to have remained on programme following the difficulties of the past 18 months is a huge testament to the monumental efforts of all the teams, consultants and supply chain involved.” Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl spoke about the city centre development and said: “The city centre of Belfast is one of the most important places in Northern Ireland. A city centre which is attractive, safe, with high levels of employment and investment can provide the basis for a prosperous and successful city and surrounding region. The Bedford Square Development Project will contribute to the success of Belfast as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The dynamic, sophisticated and modern office building will inject a new lease of life into the city centre, aid recovery and in turn create jobs and prompt further investment and long-term economic growth. Our city centre vision- The Belfast Agenda outlines that we work every day to make Belfast the city of choice for investment opportunities and I am delighted that this project will deliver a world-class working environment for future generations.” Robert Ditty, Executive Director at CBRE NI, letting agent on the scheme said: “Belfast Offices has built a strong reputation for being a market leader in a number of sectors to include cybersecurity, fintech, professional Services and creative industries. The City also continues to benefit from having one of the lowest operational and occupational cost bases when benchmarked against other regional cities. The Ewart will offer some of the best quality office space in Belfast City Centre and this factor coupled with all the environmental, health and wellbeing credentials sought by new office occupiers makes the building a compelling proposition for tenants”
Regeneration Of Dee House Progresses CBRE has been instructed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to seek a development partner to be part of the regeneration of Dee House, a prominent and historic building that has been vacant since the 1990s. Forming part of the Chester One City Plan, the redevelopment of Dee House is a key aspect of the scheme and the Council is moving the project forward this year. CBRE’s UK Development Advisory team has been appointed to seek the right partner to bring the site back to life, with a shared vision to create a development of excellence to contribute to the long-term regeneration of Chester. Both Dee House and the site on which it sits have significant historical value. The site covers part of the area of the unexcavated Roman Amphitheatre discovered in 1929 and provides excellent views over the visible section of the amphitheatre, whilst the building is Grade II listed due to its special architectural and historic interest. Dee House is located to the south east of Chester City Centre adjacent to the City Walls and within close proximity to St John’s Church, the Roman Gardens and Grosvenor Park. The River Dee lies 100m south of the site. Its central location adjacent to the A5268 ring road (Vicar’s Lane) makes the site highly accessible and desirable. To help facilitate redevelopment and safeguard the integrity of the building, Cheshire West and Chester Council will be instructing vital works to stabilise key parts of the building. These are scheduled to commence this autumn and complete during early 2022. Alex Andrews, Associate Director, at CBRE Manchester, commented; “We are delighted to be appointed to work with Cheshire West and Chester Council to bring this exciting project forward. The preservation of historically significant sites is key to the long term regeneration of Chester and breathing life back into a site that has been redundant for over thirty years will not only enhance the immediate area, it will also add to the wider attraction of the city itself encouraging both tourists and locals alike to enjoy Chester City Centre at its very best.” Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The Council and the Dee House and Amphitheatre Working Group have the collective view that Dee House is an important historical asset for the city of Chester and should be redeveloped and modernised for the 21st Century, while retaining its historic appearance and unique characteristics. “It is a building with great potential in a prominent location in the centre of a well-known and historic city. Anyone who chooses to join the Council in investing in its future is sure to benefit, helping to transform it into a place visitors and residents can enjoy for many years to come.” Andy Foster, of Dee House and Amphitheatre Working Group, said: “After more than a year of deliberations and taking guidance from experts in the field of archaeological and historic building preservation, the working group concluded that Dee House should be saved and redeveloped. “We are keen to see progress this year and the plan is to prepare a planning application to seek permission to begin stabilisation work as soon as possible in the autumn, which will enable a long term end-use to come forward.”
Colliers calls on RICS to Regulate Ratings Industry and Introduce Register of Rating Surveyors to prevent “cowboy” surveyors take advantage of business rates distress. “A group of conmen” “exploiting small businesses to sign unfair contracts”. This is how Kevin Hollinrake MP, the Member for Thirsk and Malton described rogue rating surveyors in a Parliamentary debate today focusing on reports of a significant escalation in the number of cases of “cowboy” rating surveyors targeting struggling businesses looking to reduce bills during the pandemic. Mr Hollinrake named and shamed rogue agents who he claimed are “effectively conning” small businesses into signing long term contracts, which are not in their interests , for reliefs they would have receive anyway and then pursuing them through the courts for payments. The Westminster debate on the “Regulation of business rates reduction services” called for industry regulation to protect vulnerable businesses who are suffering financial distress, in part because of high business rates, from falling victim to such rogue rating surveyors. Mr Hollinrake has called for the Insolvency Service to step in, but so far this body has not agreed that it is their role to regulate. According to the rating team at Colliers, it should be the RICS, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors that urgently needs to step in and regulate the rating industry. According to Colliers, and borne out by the debate today, an increasing number of businesses, including Colliers clients, are being approached by rogue rating surveyors promising to obtain a marked reduction in their business rates bills. Some businesses, unaware they are entitled to reliefs are being targeted by the rogue agents to secure Small Business Reliefs or “Covid” reliefs despite the fact the businesses are in sectors that would have received them for free – by purely writing to the local authorities. The small business involved is then charged an annual fee of up to 52% of the “saving” for the length of the contract. In some cases, businesses have been tied in for 10 or 12 years. And it is not only the smaller businesses that have suffered from unscrupulous rating surveyors. According to Colliers numbers of such incidents has particularly grown during the lockdowns, when many office based businesses, who did not receive the business rates holidays seen in other sectors, struggled to pay their rates bills and therefore become more vulnerable to such a cowboy element. A particular spike was seen at the beginning of the year when businesses were led to believe that the government’s Valuation Office ( the VOA) had agreed to a 25% reduction on business rates for those mounting an MCC, or material change of circumstance, appeal and rogue surveyors made promises they could help obtain this relief. There is no such relief on offer. “Businesses are getting desperate, “says John Webber, Head of Business Rates at Colliers. “Some who are entitled to reliefs were not aware of them and have therefore been targeted by rogue rating surveyors. Others who are not receiving any support, but with no announcement by the Government of any forthcoming, have been clutching at straws. Rogue agents are able to take advantage of this distress. The current business rates system with its high multiplier and complex system of reliefs has created an unsustainable system, as has the widely criticised and calamitous system of Check Challenge Appeal introduced by the Government in 2017. Both have played into the hands of cowboys extracting money up front.” “We believe the situation will only get worse after the end of June, when the 100% rates holiday comes to an end for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industries and Government support lessens. Businesses must beware of false promises.” Webber continued, “We have long been campaigning for the rating industry to be properly regulated and we are supportive of Kevin Hollinrake MP raising this issue in Parliament. We believe there should be a register of appeals professionals, which should be regulated by the RICS, in the same way the FCA regulates financial advisors.” He continued, “The lack of such a register gives a cowboy element the opportunity to gain credibility and persuade vulnerable businesses that it can save them serious funds. In the current crisis this situation is getting more out of hand. We call the RICS to take robust measures to effectively show these cowboys for what they are. Instead of infighting and navel-gazing, the RICS should take some leadership on a problem which has existed for many years.”
Planning Submitted For Phase 1 Renovations At Three Graces Building Acting on behalf of Amtrak Real Estate, CBRE’s Planning and Development team has submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the first phase of renovations to reposition Liverpool’s Grade II* Listed Port of Liverpool Building into a 21st century office building. The planning application includes the delivery of new Grade A office space across the ground and first floors including small suites and lounges to the ground floor together with a mix of flexible sized office suites and collaboration spaces, informal meeting with quiet zones to the first floor. Whilst the initial phase of proposed work to refurbish currently vacant ground and first floor space will address the types of work space on offer, a more holistic approach to the provision of amenities, such as high quality food and beverage offer, shower, changing, cycle and fitness facilities is on-going. The renovated building will ultimately combine amenity, health and vitality, high quality office space and social/community aspects all under one roof in a magnificent waterfront setting. Amtrak has appointed the best in class team to sensitively revitalise the building and preserve its future viability by creating a sought after address that appeals to the evolving needs of occupiers in a post-pandemic world. CBRE’s Project Management and Building Consultancy, Planning and Development and Property Management and Asset Management teams are working together with lead architect Corstophine+Wright, 2M2 Studio Interior Designers, Orion building heritage advisors, Curtins structural engineers and Hoare Lea fire engineers to evaluate the existing building. Avison Young and Hitchcock Wright are appointed office agents. As part of a masterplanning exercise for the building, the repositioning scheme embraces the heritage value of this Grade II* Listed property to deliver a world-class office building to meet modern day office occupier requirements. Simon Hepple, Director, National Building Consultancy team in Liverpool said: “Following the recent completion of our award winning refurbishment at another of the Three Graces, Royal Liver Building, we are delighted to be instructed to undertake a truly complementary, considered and sympathetic refurbishment which will return this magnificent building into its former glory preserving its future viability by delivering a wide range of flexible Grade A office accommodation and stunning amenities, whilst respecting the heritage value of the building.” Grade A office suites from 250 sq ft to 14,000 sq ft on the ground and first floor will be offered to suit a wide range of contemporary occupiers from diverse sectors. The aim is to appeal to professional services, SMEs, creative and digital businesses, but also to appeal to the flexible requirements of blue chip, corporate occupiers. Hepple continues; “With homeworking making it harder to attract employees back into the workplace there is now a greater emphasis on the office providing leisure, lifestyle and wellbeing facilities along with opportunities for social engagement.” Hannah Cornthwaite, Senior Planner at CBRE, said “Working collaboratively with Amtrak, CBRE is developing a long-term vision to re-position the magnificent Grade II* Port of Liverpool Building with the aim of creating a truly vibrant and revitalised destination in Liverpool.” Ed Baverstock, Director, lead architects Corstophine + Wright commented: “We are delighted to be working on this exciting project. Attracting people back to the workplace and providing resilient and flexible space that accommodates new ways of working post the Covid-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing is central to the plans and we look forward to developing this project with the team.”
New starters in Building and Industrial teams CBRE has bolstered its team in Leeds with a round of new hires across the National Building Consultancy and Industrial service lines. Dan Wells has been appointed as Senior Project Manager and Tom Wright joins as Building Surveyor. Davina Hyde-Sykes joins the team as PA to support the Building Consultancy and Engineering teams across the North, based in Leeds. The Industrial team has appointed Danielle Raunjak as Assistant Surveyor, joining from CBRE’s London office where she worked for 3 years. Forming part of a wider Building Consultancy team of more than 30, Dan Wells joins from Gardiner & Theobold and Turner & Townsend, where he delivered a range of projects spanning new build education facilities, hotel refurbishment and the largest CAT A office building in Leeds with a contract value of £84M. Dan’s role at CBRE is as a senior lead and Project Manager with focus on delivery of capital schemes across a range of sectors and property types. Following a 13 year service as a Royal Air Force mechanical technician, Dan has successfully delivered a range of projects across Leeds and London. Tom Wright joins from Knight Frank where he acted for commercial clients on a wide range of instructions across office, industrial, retail and leisure properties. His role with CBRE will see him working on a range of core Building Surveying instructions for commercial clients across the North East. CBRE also announces two promotions with Charles Parkinson promoted to Associate Director in the Office Agency team and Alison Mackay becomes Associate Director in Planning. Two new graduates also join the CBRE Leeds office – Sam Berry joins Planning and Tom Kruger joins Building Consultancy. Charles Parkinson joined CBRE’s Office Agency team in 2019 as a senior surveyor from Garness Jones Ltd to work on Landlords office space and occupier projects. Alison Mackay joined CBRE’s UK Planning team in 2018 from Colliers to support the firm’s growing project workload. Alison’s expertise in large complex commercial planning applications and land promotion across multiple service lines has been instrumental in her success. Richard Bamford, MD, CBRE Leeds commented: “We are delighted to welcome both Dan and Tom to the National Building Consultancy team. The sector has remained resilient despite the pandemic and we look forward to harnessing their experience and expertise to grow our project workload and complement the wider team. Davina will also be a great addition to Leeds to support both the Building and Engineering teams across the North of England and it’s great to welcome two bright young graduates to the Leeds Planning and Building teams. Congratulations also to both Charles and Alison on their well-deserved promotions to Associate Director. We look forward to a busy and exciting year ahead.”
National Regional Property Group and PMC Construction have completed Southampton’s second Build to Rent (BTR) scheme, and have now handed over the landmark building in the heart of the city to residential landlord, Grainger plc. Grainger plc agreed to forward-fund and acquire the Private Rented Sector (PRS) scheme of 132 one and two bedroom apartments in Southampton’s city centre in 2018, in a deal worth £27 million. The development, known as Gatehouse Apartments, has now been handed over to Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, who will own and manage the 14-storey building which boasts a range of resident amenity spaces including roof terraces, a gym, communal lounge area, and co-working space, as well as 462 sq ms of commercial space at ground floor level. Grainger Chief Executive Helen Gordon said: “The launch of our Gatehouse Apartments scheme in the centre of Southampton is an important milestone for Grainger. We identified the city for investment owing to its excellent potential and Gatehouse Apartments is one of Southampton’s first build to rent developments. “We believe the high-quality finish and professionally managed service, delivered by the inhouse Grainger team, will attract a range of residents from across the city and beyond. “With Southampton being confirmed as one of the new Freeports and its bid for City of Culture 2025 under consideration, we see Southampton as a key destination for those looking to rent as a lifestyle choice. We look forward to welcoming our first residents in the next few weeks.” This is the second BTR scheme that National Regional Property Group and PMC Construction have completed in Southampton, the first being the £60m transformation of the city’s run-down fruit and veg market into apartments and retail space. Known as Bow Square, this now thriving community comprises 280 one and two-bed apartments for private rent. Shaun Adams, Chief Executive Officer at National Regional Property Group, based in Portsmouth commented: “We’ve been instrumental in bringing build to rent schemes to Southampton and continuing to invest in the ongoing regeneration of parts of the city.” Matt McGee from Cosham-based contractors, PMC Construction, who led the construction of the building, comments: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with National Regional Property Group and Grainger plc. As well as providing high-quality housing for the people of Southampton, we were able to provide significant employment for our specialist local supply chain and opportunities for young people to gain experience and qualifications working in construction.” Southampton has recently been tipped by CBRE as one of the top 20 future rental hotspots, due to a variety of factors, such as its strong transport links, excellent employment opportunities and relatively young population. For further details please visit www.gatehouseapartments.co.uk
Leftfield Properties has launched Leftfield Park, a two-unit industrial scheme totalling 120,000 sq ft off J32 of the M62 in West Yorkshire and has appointed the industrial agency teams at CBRE and Carter Towler to market the available units. Leftfield acquired the two newly developed units from Gregory Properties at the end of 2020, after having purchased an existing 21,400 sq ft unit at the same location in June last year which has now let to GEOAmey. Fronting the A639, just 1 mile from Junction 32 of the M62, Leftfield Park comprises two new Grade A industrial distribution units of 35,000 sq ft and 85,000 sq ft which have been built to the highest specification. The units are available for immediate occupation. Occupiers in the surrounding area include Travis Perkins, GEOAmey, Wickes and Halfords, with the Racecourse Retail Park in close proximity. Mike Baugh, Senior Director of Industrial Agency at CBRE, commented: “There continues to be a significant amount of demand for units of this size along the M62 corridor, and Leftfield Park is hitting the market at the right time to satisfy occupier demand, at a time where there is limited supply of good quality space. CBRE’s latest research shows that take-up of UK logistics space in 2020 exceeded that of any other year, totalling 42.97 million square foot. The active Yorkshire market has shown a promising start to 2021, with over 3.5 million square foot currently under offer and we anticipate the continued demand for well-located and specified units to result in significant interest at Leftfield Park which is designed to suit a variety of industrial and logistics occupiers.” Nico Fourie, CEO of Leftfield Advisors, added: “Leftfield continues to add strategic distribution assets, in key locations across the UK, to its portfolio. These include distribution centres, urban logistics warehouses and out-of-town last mile retail centres. Leftfield properties serve occupiers with a consumer focused, online-to-offline (O2O) delivery strategy. Leftfield Park is a valuable addition, both in terms of location and specification, for the underserved M62 corridor.”
Stretton Property Group secures outline planning consent Stretton Property Group has successfully secured outline planning consent for over 720,000 sq ft of prime industrial opportunities at Interchange Park, J1 of the M18 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The development has the capacity to create over 1,000 regional jobs. The planning consent granted to Stretton Property Group from Rotherham Council will bring forward a new logistics warehouse development to address chronic regional shortages of prime, Grade A industrial accommodation to meet the continued high levels of demand across the sector. Stretton has appointed the industrial agency teams at CBRE and M1 to market the scheme. The 40 acre site, located strategically at the tip of the M1/M18 triangle, has outline planning consent to deliver up to 720,000 sq ft of B2, B8 and E(g) employment space. The scheme can accommodate a range of Grade A industrial warehouse unit sizes, suitable to a variety of occupiers. The units will be designed to incorporate office accommodation and extensive parking. This development comes at a time where there is an acute lack of supply across the region and as a result, the scheme is expected to attract a mix of regional and national occupiers looking to be strategically located within Yorkshire. Mike Baugh, Senior Director of Industrial Agency at CBRE, said; “It’s fantastic news that Stretton Property Group has secured outline planning for Interchange Park. Yorkshire will represent around 30% of all the UK logistics take-up this year due to its appeal to a wide range of occupiers. As a result, we are experiencing severe shortages of big box supply in the region and Interchange Park is hitting the market at the right time to satisfy occupier demand. The site’s key location and the potential range of accommodation opportunities make the development an excellent choice for a wide variety of occupiers.” Edward Chantler, Group CEO at Stretton Property Group, said; “We are delighted to have secured consent to unlock this strategic, job creating site and to facilitate the delivery of much needed stock for the Yorkshire industrial market. The regional logistics sector continues to go from strength to strength and we are pleased to bring Interchange Park to the market to deliver a range of opportunities for occupiers in South Yorkshire.”
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme. Planning approval has been granted for the creation of the residential development on Skerton Road comprising 367 units which is designed across 5 blocks ranging between 5 and 10 storeys. The completed scheme will encompass 166 one-bedroom apartments, 118 two bedroom and 42 three-bedroom apartments which are accompanied by 41 townhouses ranging from one to three bedrooms. The masterplan includes the delivery of onsite parking, landscaped outdoor space, and a clubhouse in the centre of the development which will provide multifunctional space for residents to socialise and exercise, a nod to the site’s former standing as the home to the Northern Lawn Tennis Association. The 3 acre site is located in the heart of Trafford bringing together Trafford Bar and the highly anticipated 135-acre Civic Quarter masterplan which sets out Trafford Council’s 15 year plan to regenerate the area, the new Civic Quarter will bring forward 5 new neighbourhoods and a number of other landmark developments. The iconic sports venues of Old Trafford Football stadium, home to Manchester United, is less than 1 mile away and the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground less than 0.5 miles away by foot. Along with its superb location, the site has enviable transport links, residents will find Trafford Bar Metrolink station on their doorstep, connecting them to Manchester Airport, the City Centre and many of Greater Manchester’s towns. Trafford Council’s £13.4m cycling and walking route that will incorporate the UK’s first unique cycling junction bringing both Manchester City Centre and the vibrant suburb of Chorlton within easy reach is just 500 metres away and also, of note, Manchester City Centre is easily accessible via the A56 (Chester Road) plus a number of bus services which run throughout Trafford Park. The M602 accessed via the A57 is less than 5 minutes by car. In recent years, the area has experienced a significant and rapidly growing residential and leisure offering including Media City which comprises a 200-acre mixed use development and is the home to ITV, BBC and Kellogg’s, along with great restaurants and a vibrant social scene. John Dunlop, Senior Director in CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team, said; “Having been instructed to work with CJM on this key site in June, it is an excellent result for the team to have secured planning consent to bring it to life. The scheme is an ideal size, location and configuration for the current residential market and as such is set to attract strong interest from potential delivery partners. We are looking forward to engaging with interested parties and to seeing the scheme progress in due course.” Tim Groom from Tim Groom Architects added; “The design of the Trafford Bar project is so that it provides a great mix of homes centred on sense of community and neighbourhood and seeks to diversify the existing housing offering in the area. What sets the development apart from others is that the location is fantastic, offering a suburban lifestyle that benefits being just minutes away from city life and with its large open green space which includes the onsite “Lawn Club” it provides a real focal point for residents to the create their own community.”
CBRE Global Investors Buys 3 Units At Leeds Logistics Park CBRE Global Investors has acquired 3 units totalling 119,500 sq ft from CDP Marshall at the flagship 62 Leeds logistics hub, demonstrating the continued high level of demand for prime mid-box units in the regional industrial sector. The acquisition includes the investment of the 42,000 sq ft Unit 5 which is let to Johnsons Apparelmaster Ltd for 15 years, along with the 57,500 sq ft Unit 6 and the 20,000 sq ft Unit 7 which are both currently under construction and scheduled for completion in September 2020. 62 Leeds is an established industrial/warehouse development on Geldard Road by J27 of the M62 and is home to high-profile occupiers including Lidl, Unitrunk, Johnsons Dry Cleaners and Turners Accident Repair Centres. CBRE Global Investors was advised by Carrick Real Estate and the joint agency team of CBRE and Carter Towler represented CDP Marshall in the transaction. Sophie Angus, Associate Director at CBRE Leeds, said; “CBRE GI’s acquisition at 62 Leeds reflects the strength and confidence in the regional industrial and logistics market and prime detached warehouse units such as these are in very short supply. As such, the new units becoming available in September will be extremely well received by the occupier market.”
