SEGRO, the leading owner and developer of industrial and warehouse space, and St George, a leading mixed-use developer in London and proud member of the Berkeley Group, were joined by Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth at Brent Council and a range of local dignitaries to celebrate the completion of SEGRO V-Park Grand Union – the innovative, multi-storey industrial development in Alperton, North West London
SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is a 134,500 sq ft, six-storey development that sits in 1.7 acres as part of the wider 22-acre Grand Union neighbourhood. It delivers modern industrial warehousing designed to maximise employment space where land is constrained, and the concept fully supports the aspirations of the new London Plan to intensify industrial land. It is expected to deliver up to 250 jobs and apprenticeships once the scheme is fully let, contributing to the total 400 new jobs that will be created across the Grand Union development.
The industrial development is arranged over six storeys and is equipped with cargo lifts. Two lower levels provide loading bay space and parking facilities, while four upper levels offer units in a range of sizes. Each customer will occupy a self-contained industrial unit and benefit from outstanding communal amenities that enable a modern, inclusive and enjoyable working environment, which is not always commonplace with more traditional industrial spaces. These include dedicated social and workspaces, from break-out and bookable meeting rooms through to a roof terrace where teams can connect and collaborate. A dedicated reception service is also available to provide support when needed.
The development embodies the very best in energy-saving measures across its construction and lifecycle, and has been specifically designed to support customers in reducing their carbon footprints and achieving their sustainability goals. Specifically, it is targeting BREEAM Excellent, and includes 20 charging points for electric cars and vans, as well as photovoltaic cells and an internal green wall. These sustainability features align with the Responsible SEGRO commitment to Champion low-carbon growth, and Berkeley Group’s Our Vision 2030 Strategy, which sees the Company seek to transform the most challenging sites into exceptional places and maximise its positive impact on society, the economy and the natural world.
St George is transforming the wider former derelict brownfield industrial site into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood comprising 3,350 homes, 35% of which will be affordable. It provides an innovative demonstration of industrial intensification and co-location of industrial and residential space. The pioneering new development reconnects the public to this previously inaccessible part of the canal and brings the community new green spaces, commercial offering and a Community Hub, creating a new canal-side destination to live, work and relax.
Bonnie Minshull, Head of London, SEGRO, said: “Housing and employment are key ingredients of any successful town or city, and it’s unrealistic to think you can focus on one at the expense the other. We need both. It sounds simple, but in a complex, land-constrained metropolis like London finding the space to create these homes and jobs, on top of other demands for land, is particularly challenging. This is why innovative, sustainable, high-quality, co-location schemes like SEGRO V-Park Grand Union, which intensify land use and drive regeneration, are so important.
“The concept of multi-storey is relatively novel in the UK, but has proven to work well elsewhere. Potential occupiers we’ve already spoken with are open-minded about how they could make the space work for their businesses, and now they can see it in its full completed glory we look forward to converting the initial interest into completed leases, and in turn enabling job creation and economic prosperity.”
Claire Hammond, Land Director, St George Plc, said: “Grand Union is an impressive example of what can be achieved in a relatively short period of time when public and private partners work collaboratively together. Brent Council takes a strikingly hands on approach to regeneration which has ensured that the site can be delivered at the speed and scale that London needs to continue to keep pace with growing demand.
“Our ambition across the St George portfolio is to create successful places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy a great quality of life. Grand Union exemplifies that with more than 400 residents living here, enjoying its prime location next to the Grand Union Canal, access to high-quality amenities and a varied programme of community events. We expect the launch of SEGRO V-Park Grand Union will propel this even further as we welcome professionals from a range of industries to the development.”
Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth, Brent Council said: “The Grand Union development is transforming under-utilised industrial land into a thriving neighbourhood bursting with opportunity. It has already delivered more than 400 new homes, a beautiful canal-side piazza and an impressive new community centre. Today, we are delighted to mark the completion of SEGRO V-Park Grand Union. On just a small plot of land this pioneering multi-storey development will provide 134,500 sq ft of high-quality industrial space and create up to 250 jobs for local people.”
SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is located in the heart of Park Royal, one of London’s most sought-after industrial areas, and will front onto the North Circular (A406), providing excellent access into the London market and connectivity to the M1 and M25.
In Brent, SEGRO owns and manages over 1.8 million sq ft of built space across six developments, providing workspace for a wide range of companies operating across a broad spectrum of sectors, including John Lewis, Royal Mail, Ocado, as well as production company RD Studio and pharmaceutical company ITH Pharma.
Grand Union is set to become an all-encompassing canal-side neighbourhood, providing a mix of Manhattan, one, two and three bedroom homes. A canal-side piazza, Community Hub, Anytime Fitness gym, Benham & Reeves estate agents, two-lane bowling alley, entertainment room, residents’ lounge, and Crepes+Coffee café, which operates from the development’s narrowboat PAVO, have already launched, with a Co-op store and nursery set to open later this year.
14 acres of green space, restaurants, coffee shops and medical centre also form part of St George’s wider plans for the new community.