March 4, 2016
VINCI Developments has been selected to bring forward a major new science park in Harlow with a development value of more than £110m.
Harlow council picked VINCI to develop the 25-acre site after shortlisting the firm alongside MEPC and Morgan Sindall last summer.
VINCI will work with Discovery Park, the consortium behind the regeneration of the 1.5m sq ft Discovery Park in Kent, which comprises Palmer Capital, Trevor Cartner and Chris Musgrave.
The masterplan for the site, which lies within the Harlow Enterprise Zone, has been drawn up by architects Scott Browning and consists of buildings spanning more than 480,000 sq ft.
“VINCI and Discovery Park will set out to deliver a unique scheme for Harlow that is a step change from what currently exists in the town,” said VINCI chief executive Bruno Dupety. “We will achieve this through delivering a consistent yet flexible building design that will appeal to modern occupiers and offer maximum flexibility. This masterplan will be built around a central heart that will provide a vibrant hub for people to meet, form partnerships and exchange ideas.”
The park will focus on high-technology businesses in the life science, ICT and advanced manufacturing sectors and has the potential to create 2,000 jobs.
Councillor Jon Clempner, leader of Harlow council, said the development of the science park was part of wider regeneration plans for the area.
“It will be part of the London Road Harlow Enterprise Zone and next to a new modern business park and data centre campus at Kao Park, and also the home of a new Anglia Ruskin University Med-Tech Innovation Centre,” he said. “This is an important chapter in showing that Harlow is once again at the forefront of technology, research and science.”
John Keddie, chairman of the Harlow Enterprise Zone Board, said Discovery Park had a successful track record as a science park developer, while VINCI brought expertise in delivering large projects. VINCI is working with St Modwen on the regeneration of 57-acre New Covent Garden Market in Nine Elms, London.
Harlow council was advised by DTZ/ Cushman & Wakefield and Sharpe Pritchard on the procurement process.
Link: http://www.propertyweek.com/news/vinci-developments-selected-for-new-%c2%a3110m-science-park/5079651.article
Author: Guy Montague-Jones, Property Week