CUBE RE (Cube), on behalf of the Hathaway Opportunity Fund (HOF), its joint venture with the NFU Mutual, has acquired a 2.2-acre development site in Manor Royal, Crawley to develop a c. £30m GDV multi let and self-storage scheme.
The site, which currently houses approximately 50,000 sq ft of warehouse and office space, has been purchased freehold from the owner and previous occupier. The gateway site is located in the heart of the established Manor Royal business district, one of the premier business centres in the South East market.
Planning is due to be submitted in Q2 2025 for the redevelopment of the existing site to provide approximately 100,000 sq ft of best-in-class, multi-let warehouse and self-storage space, incorporating the highest levels of sustainability, reflecting Cube and HOFs ESG credentials. Subject to planning, completion of the scheme is expected in 2026.
Nic Lowry, Investment Director at Cube, says: “Following the acquisition and subsequent leasing of other industrial and logistics properties within our Hathaway Opportunity Fund – including Hathaway 89, Warrington and Hathaway 32, Poyle - we are pleased to secure this strategic site to commence our development pipeline to provide highly sustainable business space to serve the industrial and logistics Market.
“The planning process for the site is already progressing, currently in the pre-app stage, and prior to acquisition we successfully secured a short-term letting of the existing building to ensure occupation and income during the planning process.”
Cube is continuing to explore other development opportunities in strategic locations across the UK as part of the expanding HOF portfolio.
George Hardcastle, Founder of HDL Estates Ltd, the development manager, comments: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Cube RE in delivering a best-in-class sustainable development within an unquestionably prime location.”
Haslams advised Cube/HOF on the acquisition and CBRE advised the vendor. Gowling WLG represented HOF on the legals. SHW and FTD Johns represented Cube/HOF on the short-term letting.