SEGRO and St George celebrate major milestone in delivery of ground-breaking multi-storey industrial development in the UK

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, have marked the completion of the highest point of the main structure of a ground-breaking, multi-storey industrial development with a ‘topping out’ ceremony at the 1.7-acre site in Brent, North West London.

This pioneering 134,500 sq ft. six storey development will provide modern, light industrial space, as part of the wider regeneration of the site, previously known as Northfields Industrial Estate. The wider 22-acre site is being transformed by St George into a vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood in Alperton compromising 3,350 homes, 35% of which will be affordable, providing an innovative demonstration of industrial intensification and co-location of industrial space and residential accommodation.

SEGRO and St George were joined by Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills; Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council; its contractors on the project including Glencar; and a range of local dignitaries to celebrate the milestone and showcase progress on the development, which is expected to complete in early 2024.

SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is an innovative new concept for delivering light industrial warehousing space in areas where land is constrained and is designed to maximise employment space. The concept fully supports the aspirations in the new London Plan to intensify industrial land, delivering up to 250 jobs and apprenticeships once the scheme is fully let. The wider Grand Union development will deliver much needed homes, public open space, commercial space and a Community Hub, a new canal-side destination to live, work and relax.

The development 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 addition to its excellent connectivity with close access to public transport, SEGRO V-Park Grand Union will incorporate parking provision and electric vehicle charging points.

The industrial space is equipped with cargo lifts and arranged over four upper levels offering a range of sizes, supported by shared meeting rooms, breakout areas and wellness spaces, including a green roof terrace. The development is targeting BREEAM Excellent and incorporates electric charging points, photovoltaic cells and an internal green wall, which aligns with the 'Responsible SEGRO’ commitment to championing low-carbon growth to meet its goal of being a net carbon business by 2030, and St George’s ‘Transforming Tomorrow’ vision, 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.

SEGRO V-Park Grand Union expands SEGRO’s footprint in North West London, where it already owns and manages developments in locations including Acton, Ealing, Greenford and Park Royal, In Brent, SEGRO owns and manages over 1.8 million sq ft of built space across six estates, providing workspace for a wide range of companies operating across a broad spectrum of sectors, including production company, RD Studios, John Lewis, Royal Mail, Ocado and pharmaceutical company ITH Pharma.

David Sleath, CEO, at SEGRO, said:

“The topping out at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is a significant milestone for this project. This is an innovative multi-storey development, which will deliver much needed light industrial space in this area of London and forms part of an exciting housing-led scheme.

“V-Park Grand Union and the wider regeneration of the site demonstrates how delivering jobs and homes can come forward together.”

Piers Clanford, Chairman of St George Plc and Berkeley St Joseph, said:

“Working in partnership with the London Borough of Brent and the GLA, and in close consultation with the local community, Grand Union is an excellent example of our approach to transforming a brownfield site into a pioneering canalside neighbourhood with new homes, jobs and over 50% open space. To date, we have delivered 400 homes; 115 of which are affordable, the Grand Union Community Hub and opened up this previously inaccessible part of the canal. We have also employed 128 Brent residents including 17 apprentices from the local area, creating a place for everyone to live, work, collaborate and innovate.

“SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is an exciting and key part of this development that will bring further opportunity for job creation and new skills to the local area. The topping out marks an important milestone in our partnership with SEGRO and we look forward to welcoming occupiers next year once it completes.”

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills at the Greater London Authority, said:

“With a clear need for high quality, sustainable homes and suitable industrial workspace in London, this development serves both needs and showcases how innovative multi-storey industrial premises can fit well into London’s urban landscape.

“It’s great to see SEGRO and St George, working in partnership and contributing to London’s growth by delivering affordable homes, jobs, and apprenticeships.”

Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Growth at Brent Council, said:

“Today marks a significant and exciting milestone at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union. The Grand Union development is transforming an under-utilised industrial area into a thriving neighbourhood bursting with opportunity.

“Last year, we saw the delivery of 400 new homes and an impressive new community centre, along with almost 150 new jobs created for the local community.

“Alperton has a rich industrial history, and we are proud to be building one of the country’s first multi-storey industrial developments. The revolutionary design will provide much-needed, good quality industrial space and create up to 250 jobs for local people.”

Grand Union is set to become an all-encompassing canalside neighbourhood, which includes 14 acres of green space, restaurants, a supermarket, coffee shops, medical centre, canalside piazza, a nursery, Community Hub, co-working space, an Anytime Fitness gym and social activities including a bowling alley and screening room.

The new neighbourhood, where 400 homes have already been delivered, has also opened up previously inaccessible parts of the Grand Union Canal and River Brent to the local community, creating improved routes around Grand Union and to nearby Stonebridge Park Station. Across the development there will also be590 electric vehicle charging points and 5,612 cycle storage spaces available.

About SEGRO

SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property.  It owns or manages 9.9 million square metres of space (106 million square feet) valued at £20.9 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries.

For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive. 

A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO’s purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent. 

Striving for the highest standards of innovation, sustainable business practices and enabling economic and societal prosperity underpins SEGRO’s ambition to be the best property company.

See www.SEGRO.com for further information.

About St George PLC

St George is proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group. We regenerate brownfield land to create beautiful, successful places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy a great quality of life.  

Every place that we create has a bespoke, locally inspired masterplan and every home we build is individually designed.

St George’s current live sites will deliver 12,700 mix tenure homes, 1 million sq ft of commercial floorspace, and 49 acres of public open space.

This year, St George was awarded the 'Gold' and 'Outstanding Achievement' awards for customer satisfaction from In-House Research in recognition of its contribution and commitment to the delivery of world class customer experience. 

About Berkeley Group

Berkeley Group builds homes and neighbourhoods in London, Birmingham and across the South of England.

Our passion and purpose is to build quality homes, strengthen communities and improve people’s lives.

We are holistic placemakers, focusing on large-scale brownfield regeneration. We work in partnership with local people and councils to create successful places where communities thrive and where people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy a great quality of life. 

Every place we create has a bespoke, locally inspired masterplan and every home we build is individually designed.

Founded in 1976, we are a proud UK business and taxpayer. Our commercial success funds public services, supports thousands of jobs, drives economic growth and delivers value for shareholders.

We are a FTSE 100 company. Over the last five years we built more than 19,000 homes of all types and tenures and made a £14bn contribution to the UK economy.

Our Group is made up of six autonomous companies: Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph and St William.

Through the Berkeley Foundation we fund impactful charitable programmes and partnerships, which make a profound difference to thousands of disadvantaged people every year.

Find out more at www.berkeleygroup.co.uk