DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
Winner: The White Building
The award for Development of the Year, sponsored by law firm Lester Aldridge, was now the centre of attention. Here the judges were focused on ‘future’ commercial projects; developments either recently completed or with consent to be built in the near future.
Three projects were shortlisted:
• Units 3 &10 Kites Croft, Segensworth – Hellier Langston
• Meridian Waterside – Inland Homes
• The White Building, Southampton – Link House Investments
This new development at Kites Croft – the first of its type in Segensworth for 10 years – completed in April – comprises two detached high specification warehouse/ industrial units with 24/7/365 use and B1 9c), B2 and B8 planning consent. The two Kites Croft units sit within a modern business park environment, already occupied by significant established businesses, a short distance from J7 of the M27 in the heart of the Southampton/Portsmouth conurbation, close to Southampton Airport and coastal ports.
Formerly home to Meridian TV Studios on the River Itchen, this brownfield site redevelopment is creating 350 homes. Meridian Waterside will provide one to three bedroom properties on two to 13 floors, set
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among courtyard gardens near retail and commercial space. Enhanced waterfront connectivity for residents and public is a development feature. Inland Homes is working closely with Southampton City Council on this 2.8-hectare development, set to ‘kickstart’ the Itchen riverside regeneration as a new eastern gateway to the city.
Formerly known as Queens Keep, this landmark building had suffered from decades of under investment. The White Building vision was to create a practical and unique design-led office scheme focused on a high- standard working environment – ‘a space that businesses would be proud to occupy.’ Located at the heart of Southampton’s central business district, the building has been transformed with stylish ‘traditional’, contemporary and incubator studio offices, formal and collaborative work areas, plus refreshment zone and basement bike station with shower-changing facilities.
Announcing the winning development was Matthew Barrow, partner of Lester Aldridge. To a dramatic fanfare, he opened the traditional judges’ envelope that revealed the words – The White Building.
Later, Gareth Edwards, director at Ashville Asset Management, (AAM) who worked with Link House Investments on the award- winning development, suggested that the
Southampton
secret was “spotting the work that needed to be done, and the right way to do it.”
AAM’s lettings manager Andrew Oliver added that, from the marketing perspective, one difficulty had been convincing people that the transformed building would suit a modern office market.
How do you put together a winning development team? Edwards explained: “Every development project will demand different people, so it is ever changing, but property is a close community and you just get to know the right guys to use.”
Oliver summed up the award-winning achievement, when he admitted that the White Building’s finished design, standards and style had made his lettings role much easier. Property sector peer group awareness, and PR and marketing opportunities were bonuses from the award.
“The development team has created a great product, and the feedback has been positive from people visiting the building. I haven’t really got many excuses not to be able to let it,” he smiled.
Oliver reiterated that the type of office provided today made a huge difference to the range and quality of staff that businesses can employ.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – SEPTEMBER 2016
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