Global developer and investor Trammell Crow Company (TCC) has acquired a prime site in Milton Keynes, UK, and unveiled plans to develop three Grade A speculative logistics buildings totalling approximately 340,000 ft2 (31,590 m2).
The 19.4-acre (7.85 ha) site at Merton Drive was home to the former Arcadia Distribution Centre. Construction is expected to begin in Q2 2022 with an expected completion date of Q2 2023.
Mike Forster, director and head of UK logistics for TCC, said: 'This is a unique opportunity, and we are extremely pleased to acquire our first site in Europe having only entered the market a few months ago.
'This important acquisition demonstrates our ability to identify and close prime opportunities quickly, in order to facilitate the rapid planned expansion of our European development programme.
'Milton Keynes is considered one of the key prime logistics locations in the UK, with excellent transport infrastructure that serves to attract a number of manufacturers, third-party distributors and, increasingly, large retailers operating their own distribution functions.'
The master planned site will comprise three buildings of 212,309 ft2; 70,816 ft2 and 51,420 ft2. With the growing likelihood of electric vehicles (cars and lorries) and increased levels of automation and overall power demand, the buildings will provide increased load capacity on the roof to accommodate photovoltaic arrays and additional natural daylighting.
It will also house transformers and primary electrical frameworks sized for increased electrical demand and reserves of power; have infrastructure made ready for electric vehicle charging; provide increased capacity of floor slabs for floor-standing mezzanines and pick-towers and have the flexibility to accommodate various office configurations.
In addition, the buildings will seek BREEAM Excellent certification by providing efficiencies in natural and artificial lighting; heating, cooling and ventilation; water conservation and storage as well as a careful selection of environmentally friendly construction materials.
Ian Worboys, head of European logistics for TCC said: 'I am delighted that the first TCC European purchase is under our belt, which demonstrates our firm’s commitment to the European market.
'In addition to this project, we are currently in negotiations on sites in Spain, France and the Czech Republic and our German team opens for business on 1 September.
'We will continue to acquire both brownfield and greenfield sites in strategic locations, such as this one at Milton Keynes, across Europe. The deal also reflects our policy to work closely with the agency world.'
CBRE represented TCC on the purchase, and DTRE represented the seller in the transaction, both of whom will have the letting assignment for the project.
