SEGRO has agreed a 10-year lease with the creative production group, RD, at its first UK net zero-carbon refurbishment at Premier Park, Park Royal.
RD (www.rdstudios.uk) will take a 45,000 sq ft unit with the intention of making RD Studios the most sustainable film studio development in London. The global company uses pioneering technology to help the world’s biggest brands use the latest platforms to market their products. Their clients include Manchester City Football Club, Qatar Airways, Williams F1, Diageo and Barbour.
SEGRO fully refurbished Unit E at Premier Park at the start of the year, transforming the existing unit into a state-of-the-art and environmentally sustainable warehouse. The building sets a high standard in energy efficiency by drawing on solar power from 176 kWh photovoltaic panels, with any surplus power exported back to the network. Rainwater is harvested for re-use, charging points are provided to encourage electric vehicle usage and sensor activated LED lighting and air-sourced heat pumps have been installed to reduce energy consumption and occupancy costs. It is set within a landscaped woodland garden, with insect boxes and ‘bug hotels’ providing important habitat to improve biodiversity at the estate.
Ryan Dean, Founder, RD Studios, said: “The UK has become the world’s premier destination for film production, but a lack of high-quality sound stages and studio space has the potential to limit the growth of the creative industries. We’re delighted to be bringing to the market a truly world class facility, that has sustainability at its core. By offering five separate stages, as well as on site catering and lighting and camera hire, we believe we’re creating a film production complex that meets the demands of feature film, live tv and commercial film production.”
Alan Holland, Managing Director, Greater London, at SEGRO, said: “Modern, high-specification, sustainable warehouses are suitable for a variety of uses beyond traditional industrial and logistics. This is another great example of how companies in the creative industries are using our properties in Greater London to grow. We’re also hugely proud of the fact that this unit pushes the boundaries of sustainable development and RD’s decision to lease it demonstrates that low carbon properties are no longer nice to have, they are essential for the future.”
The unit will be fitted out to a high standard, with recording studios, offices and facilities for employees. Ultra-modern, fully soundproofed stages will be constructed within the warehouse enabling multiple filming projects to take place simultaneously in environments which eliminate noise pollution. RD Studios will also feature a specialist automated lighting truss, which will enable them to film effortlessly, fix or alter lights without working at height and therefore improve the quality and the safety of film productions. One of the stages will also be designed to support cutting edge virtual production.
The refurbished Unit E at Premier Park is part of SEGRO’s growing portfolio of carbon neutral developments and aligns with the company’s Responsible SEGRO commitments to champion low-carbon growth and be net-zero carbon by 2030.
Premier Park is located in the heart of Park Royal, London’s largest industrial and commercial centre which currently supports over 1,700 businesses and 43,100 employees. The estate, which provides excellent access to the A406, A40 and the London rail network via Stonebridge Park, is home to a diverse mix of businesses including Royal Mail, DHL, Japan Centre, Bakkovor and Brakes.