News & Insight

OWP New Slider (1)

5th February 2024: Investec Real Estate (“Investec”) announces that it has provided City & Docklands Group (“City & Docklands”), the London property developer, with a £50 million investment loan, secured against 149 newly completed luxury apartments at One West Point, a landmark residential scheme in West London. The December month facility, which refinances an existing loan, is the 6th transaction between the two parties.

Completed in 2022 and 100% occupied, the 149 one and two bed apartments, a mix of for sale and rent, form the [second phase] of One West Point, an iconic 54-storey residence located in the heart of the North Acton/Old Oak & Park Royal (OPDC) regeneration area. London’s tallest residential tower outside of Canary Wharf offers panoramic views across London and features a 5000 sq.ft gym and holistic studio, Tian Tian Asian supermarket and landscaped gardens, while a residents’ app and 24hr concierge ensures life at One West Point is as connected and seamless as possible.

A longstanding client across the wider Investec bank, City & Docklands is one of London’s leading developers, having delivered 18 highly successful schemes totalling over 3,555 luxury apartments since 2000.

Despite growing demand for housing in London, the supply of new residential developments has fallen substantially. Compared with the 2015 peak, private starts on site are currently 60% down, planning permissions on private sites over 20 units are also down 60% and new applications are down 70% .

Ian Burdett at Investec Real Estate, commented: “Living continues to be a conviction sector for us due to its compelling supply/demand fundamentals. The London market remains particularly constrained and in City & Docklands we have a partner that has a track record of delivering highly successful mixed tenure projects.

“One West Point is already an iconic sight on the West London skyline and the speed at which it has been occupied is testament to the quality of the finished asset. Building on our strong, longstanding wider bank relationship with City & Docklands, this latest facility demonstrates our competitiveness in the refinancing space, which we anticipate continuing to be a significant part of our loan origination in 2024.”

Gary Sacks, CEO at City & Docklands, commented: “As always, working with Investec on this refinance was a pleasure. Their commercial approach to the transaction was refreshing in a market where financing real estate has become increasingly difficult. The debt package provided has enabled us to fully stabilise our BTR offering so we can build our inhouse management brand AWOL whilst continuing to offer a 5* service to our tenants. We are pleased to add another successful deal to our ongoing relationship with Investec Bank”

-Ends-


Media Enquires:

For Investec:
FTI Consulting

Richard Gotla, Giles Barrie, Andrew Davis
Tel: +44 20 3727 1575
[email protected]

Notes to editors:

About Investec

Investec Bank Plc (‘Investec Bank’ or ‘IBP’) is the UK banking subsidiary of Investec, the international financial services group. Investec Bank partners with private, institutional and corporate clients, offering banking and investment services in the UK, Europe and certain other countries.

Investec Bank also offers wealth management services through its strategic partnership with Rathbones Group, the UK’s largest discretionary wealth manager. Investec Bank has operated in the UK since 1992.

As part of the Investec Group, Investec Bank is a purpose-driven organisation, dedicated to its core purpose of creating enduring worth. This means we will always strive to create long-term value for all stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to people, communities and the planet.

It is the principal operating business of Investec Bank plc, a FTSE-250 listed company which holds the Investec Group’s non-Southern African businesses under a dual listed company structure.

Further information can be found at www.investec.com.




LDF23_Poster_A4

30th August 2023: City & Docklands is proud to partner with the Park Royal Design District for the third year running.






V04_AERIAL_highres01bb

16th February 2023: REACT NEWS - City & Docklands and HGP announce equity partnership on flagship regeneration scheme North Kensington Gate, with £73m development facility from Cheyne Capital Real Estate

• 208 homes to be built on the edge of the Old Oak Common regeneration area, including 58 affordable homes
• HGP have committed £14m equity, with £73m debt from Cheyne Capital Real Estate
• Construction work has commenced onsite


Today, 16th February 2023, City & Docklands Property Group and Housing Growth Partnership (HGP) have announced an equity partnership to develop 208 homes, including 58 affordable homes, in a scheme ranging from 7 to 24 storeys.

North Kensington Gate is a gateway regeneration site within the OPDC regeneration area. It will be a 5 minute walk from the new Old Oak Common transport super-hub, the link between the Elizabeth Line and HS2 which is set to be the largest and best-connected station in the UK. The development will deliver some of the first homes within this west London regeneration area, contributing to the OPDC’s overall target of delivering 25,500 homes in the next 20 years.

Housing Growth Partnership is investing £14m equity in the deal, with lender Cheyne Capital Real Estate committing £73m of development debt.

The scheme has been designed to deliver 208 one, two and three bedroom homes, together with residents amenities that will include an onsite resident and business lounge, sky terrace and landscaped gardens. Residents will also have access to the Mary Seacole bar and casual dining, artist studios and a beautiful outside seating area leading to the landscaped Mary Seacole Gardens & Grand Union Canal at the adjacent City & Docklands development, Mitre Yard.

This represents HGP’s first investment with City & Docklands, and is the largest investment made since the expansion of the HGP III Fund this year. This deal is funded by HGP’s parent company Lloyds Banking Group to accelerate equity investment into larger urban schemes and a wider range of residential sectors.

Rachel Miller, Investment Director at HGP commented: “We are delighted to be supporting our new and highly experienced partner City & Docklands to develop these homes which will catalyse this key brownfield regeneration site in London. The transaction represents HGP’s ambition in scaling up our investments to tackle housing challenges, and our remit to support the growth of our development partners.”

Anna Bulach at Cheyne Capital Real Estate commented: “We are delighted to be the lender of choice yet again to City & Docklands and their new joint venture partner Housing Growth Partnership, and to continue supporting their efforts in driving forward the delivery of high quality homes across London. The development occupies an important position at the Eastern gateway to one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK. We look forward to seeing North Kensington Gate lead the way for similar developments in the area in the coming years.”

Gary Sacks, Chairman and CEO at City & Docklands adds: “We are very happy to be partnering with HGP on such a key regeneration site, within one of Europe’s most high-profile and exciting regeneration projects. We are also pleased to be developing the site with debt funding from our longstanding development debt-providers, Cheyne Capital Real Estate. This development follows the delivery of 701 homes at One West Point in North Acton, and will contribute to the overall delivery of more than 1150 homes in west London by City & Docklands, in the next two years.”




News 55

16th December 2022: REACT NEWS - Downing proposes residential towers to add to North Acton cluster

Developer is eyeing a redevelopment of the Holiday Inn next to North Action train station

Residential developer Downing has announced plans to redevelop the Holiday Inn Express site next to North Acton station into a student accommodation scheme, React News can reveal.

Designed by architect SimpsonHaugh, the development would sit directly next to North Action Station Square. The existing site is a five-storey hotel with associated street-level parking around.

Downing is planning to deliver a gateway scheme made up of a 17-storey and 35-storey tower, totalling 114 mixed-tenure flats in a range of unit sizes, alongside 730 student accommodation bedrooms with amenities such as a gym and workspace.

There will be three commercial units at ground level, and a roof and podium garden for residents and students.

Submission of a planning application is scheduled for January 2023, and a start on site by autumn subject to planning consent.

The towers will form part of the emerging North Acton town centre cluster which is seeing a series of residential and student accommodation high-rise buildings emerge.

There are six high rise buildings, ranging from 24 to 57 storeys, consented or under construction in the surrounding area as well as applications working their way through the planning system.

Imperial College London submitted a planning application at the end of last year for around 1,300 affordable, build-to-rent and co-living units on the former Dixons Carphone Warehouse site at One Portal Way, in buildings of up to 55 storeys.

At 4 Portal Way, Aldau Developments has planning consent for 55 and 45-storey towers totalling 700 flats and 160 hotel bedrooms on the site of the Holiday Inn.

City & Docklands is also delivering One West Point, including a 54-storey building which will be the tallest residential tower outside of Canary Wharf.

Modular developer Tide has also received consent for a co-living development, the 37-storey Castle tower.

Read the story on REACT News here:



News-54

23rd September 2022: Acton and Park Royal launches as new creative enterprise zone at London Design Festival

On Friday 23rd September, hundreds of artists, creatives and makers gathered to launch the Mayor of London’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, OPDC, and Ealing Council’s new Creative Enterprise Zone.

On Friday 23rd September, hundreds of artists, creatives and makers gathered to launch the Mayor of London’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, OPDC, and Ealing Council’s new Creative Enterprise Zone.

The Acton and Park Royal Creative Enterprise Zone unlocks unique opportunities for homegrown creative industries, artists and businesses by driving investment into the amazing creative talent that the area holds, as well as providing much needed funding to kick-start creative projects.

Unveiled by Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, Friday’s event was a prominent moment in the Park Royal Design District’s celebration of the annual London Design Festival.

Held in Excelsior Studios in Park Royal, it saw some of London’s most talented artists exhibit and hold live workshops, including Absolute Beginners where young people demonstrated making paper from shredded waste, and By.Wuzzy a slow fashion sustainable denim brand, displaying reworked and upcycled garments and accessories.

OPDC and Ealing Council are working with local artists and creatives to protect and expand jobs and affordable space for the artistic community, as part of the wider regeneration ambitions for the Old Oak Park Royal Opportunity Area. This includes developing a small grants programme to deliver affordable community and creative space that will benefit over 30 local creatives with over £100,000 of grant funding.

Friday’s event launched an exciting three-day programme to celebrate the Park Royal Design District. Sponsored by OPDC, Imperial College London and City & Docklands, the Design District will host more than 50 open studios, 9 exhibitions, 14 workshops, walking tours, pop-up shops and film screenings, open to the public, to shine a light on the area’s history and tell the stories of the people behind West London’s industrial powerhouse.

--

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor, Culture and the Creative Industries, said:
“The Mayor launched the Creative Enterprise Zones programme in 2018 to protect and preserve our city’s world leading cultural and creative industries and ensure that wherever you are in London, you can find the tools, connections and opportunities you need to bring your ideas to life, to build a career and make your future happen.

“Park Royal is home to some of the capital’s most interesting and creative artists, makers, and producers. This new Creative Enterprise Zone will help shine a light on the hidden creative economy that fuels London’s theatres, films, events, gigs and galleries.”


Prominent artist and designer, with a studio based in Park Royal, Yinka Ilori said:
“Park Royal is a vibrant hub of creative activity and is home to an incredible mix of artists, designers and makers. The area's new Creative Enterprise Zone status will make it possible for the next generation of talent in West London to have access to affordable studio spaces alongside training and funding that supports the growth of their practice.”

OPDC’s CEO, David Lunts said:
“Acton and Park Royal are home to some of the capital’s most interesting and creative artists, makers and producers. As the Mayor’s development corporation for regenerating the area, we’re working to invest in and support local people and businesses. The Creative Enterprise Zone will help nurture talent and drive investment as this area grows.”

Ealing Council leader Peter Mason said:
“One of our key pledges is to help deliver new jobs and spaces for local businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive and I’m delighted that Acton has been chosen as one of two new creative enterprise zones in London.

“This will create the perfect environment for artists and creatives to put down roots, grow and nurture the skills of local people for generations to come.”



About OPDC
OPDC is a Mayoral Development Corporation established to oversee one of the largest Opportunity Areas, catalysed by HS2 and the Elizabeth Line. The regeneration of Old Oak, Park Royal and surrounding areas, has the potential to deliver 25,500 new homes and 56,000 jobs over the next 20 years and beyond.

About Creative Enterprise Zones
The Acton and Park Royal Creative Enterprise Zone is one of nine zones across London which will benefit from £800,000 of Mayoral funding to kick-start jobs, training and affordable workspace for creatives. The ground-breaking initiative has already established nearly 1,000 creative apprenticeships, training and work placements across London, and by 2025 will have increased new, permanent, affordable workspace by more than 65,000sqm.

About Yinka Illori
Yinka Ilori is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold visual language draws on his British Nigerian heritage to convey new narratives through contemporary design. Drawing on Nigerian parables and verbal traditions, Ilori touches on a multitude of themes that resonate with a global audience. His work is underpinned by the belief that art and design should be accessible to all. Humorous, provocative, and playful, his projects demonstrate how design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society, evoking a sense of joy and optimism. Often using the city as his canvas, he reimagines spaces to encourage a sense of community and invites audiences to engage and participate in his work and its surroundings. A graduate of London Metropolitan University’s BA in Furniture and Product Design, Ilori’s work has been showcased globally through solo and group exhibitions, public commissions and set and exhibition design.

About the Park Royal Design District
Now in its second year, Park Royal Design District is an exciting new hub to discover innovative designers, artists and makers during London Design Festival. Visitors to the area will uncover an inclusive, collaborative community of new and established creatives, thriving within buildings repurposed from the area’s rich history in the automotive and culinary industries. An incubator for fresh design talent, the district will offer an engaging programme of exhibitions, open studios, demonstrations, workshops and product launches from a diverse range of disciplines. Designers and makers’ specialisms include leathercraft, millinery, art, furniture design, glasswork, sustainable fashion and product design.

Find out more at PRDD's website:



Acton mainline station and OWP

23rd August 2022: London Evening Standard - Date for Elizabeth line link-up finally revealed

The first direct Elizabeth line trains between Canary Wharf, the Square Mile and Heathrow airport will start running in November, it was revealed on Tuesday.

This will mean journeys between the capital’s two key business districts and London’s main airport will take just 40 to 50 minutes – and bring the West End within 30 minutes of Heathrow. The delayed Bond Street station, at the heart of Oxford Street, will open ahead of the second phase of the roll-out of the Elizabeth line, though a precise date has yet to be set.

Services from Reading and Heathrow in the west, calling at Acton Main line will no longer terminate at Paddington but will run through the new tunnels under central London to Liverpool Street, and vice versa. The November 6 changes will also see the line operate seven days a week. Since its opening on May 24, two-and-a-half years late and £4bn over budget, there has been no regular Sunday service.

Read the full story here:



news-53

5th August 2022: REACT News - Developer mulls student tower to join North Acton cluster.

Plans are being drawn up for more than 1,300 student flats and homes across two sites in Ealing. North Acton’s growing skyscraper cluster, of which One West Point stands amongst and will be the first development within this cluster to achieve practical completion, could soon have two new additions under plans being working up for sites on Park Royal Road.

At 5-7 Park Royal Road and Lower Park Trading Estate, both triangular parcels of land that sit either side of Park Royal Road, owner Tiago Properties is planning to build more than 1,300 homes across student accommodation and affordable residential. The 1,200 student apartments would be built in a 44-storey tower on Park Royal Road, and the 160 affordable homes across the way on the trading estate. The brownfield site was acquired last year by Tiago with detailed plans expected to be submitted next year.

The area is a growing tower cluster and investors are drawn to the improved connectivity from the Elizabeth line and the future HS2 station.

Read the full story here:



Block D entrance

25th July 2022: ESG and placemaking is at the forefront of City & Docklands’ new West London development, One West Point.

As reported by BTR News this week.

City & Docklands and BTR management arm AWOL are working closely with ACG BTR on a more sustainable approach to the design and delivery of the resident and community spaces at One West Point. With a focus on ESG and placemaking, ACG seemed the obvious choice as partners to assist us in the delivery of the various spaces at our flagship development One West Point. As well as designing the spaces for the target demographic, ACG BTR look at other factors including local amenities, quality of finish and placemaking.

At One West Point, an extensive premium list of services will be available to residents and the local neighbourhood, setting the benchmark for West London living. Fully adapted to the new hybrid working model many people are experiencing, One West Point will be home to a ‘Resident’s Study’ perfect for future collaborative opportunities and a comfy spot to work from whilst the world goes by. Our BTR arm AWOL offers One West Point tenants a 5* experience while being part of a connected lifestyle.

Read the full story here:



news51

28th June 2022: Ealing, together with the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, becomes the latest Creative Enterprise Zone as announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced the expansion of his Creative Enterprise Zones programme with an investment of £800,000 to support thousands of jobs and create affordable studio space across the capital.

Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing are to become the Mayor’s latest Creative Enterprise Zones, joining Croydon, Haringey, Hounslow, Lambeth, Lewisham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, as well as Waltham Forest which is creating a new zone. All of the zones are to receive a share of £800,000 which will help support 5,000 young Londoners to enter the creative sector and create more than 25,000 sqm of new, permanent, affordable workspace for the sector by 2025.

The Ealing zone, in partnership with Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, will help increase creative employment opportunities across the borough, through working with young people and local businesses.  In addition, 30 local creatives will benefit from a small grants programme to develop community spaces, through murals, and public art installations.

Read the full story here:



shot 02 post

31st May 2022: REACT News - City & Docklands gets to the Point with latest Isle of Dogs tower

City & Docklands has submitted a planning application for a residential-led tower of more than 50 storeys at One East Point on the Isle of Dogs, as covered in REACT News.

The proposals would see the demolition of the 1980s Harbour Exchange office currently on the plot to make way for a 54-storey building which will deliver 457 homes.




news-50

4th May 2022: Elizabeth Line to open on 24th May 2022.

Transport for London (TfL) has today confirmed that, subject to final safety approvals, the Elizabeth line will open on Tuesday 24 May 2022.

The Elizabeth line will transform travel across London and the South East by dramatically improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing additional capacity, and transforming accessibility with spacious new stations and walk-through trains. The Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railways, with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with the central tunnels from autumn this year.

One West Point is 0.3 miles or an 8-minute walk from Acton Main Line station. The arrival of Crossrail will significantly reduce journey times across London, meaning Bond Street will be 8 minutes from North Acton, and Heathrow only 18 minutes.
Read the full story here:



news-49

12th April 2022 – One West Point in featured in the METRO’s Neighbourhood Watch focus on Acton.

The feature showcases the development, and highlights Acton as one of West London’s upcoming areas.
Read the full article here:



Shaka_Template_HTMLasset_01

8th April 2022: City & Docklands appoints leading marketing agency.




news-48

1st February 2022: City & Docklands partners with local grassroot youth charity, JE Delve.

Jamal Edwards Delve (JE Delve) is a grassroots youth work charity engaging young people ages 11 - 25 in Acton through open-access youth centres.

The partnership with City & Docklands will enable the charity to deliver more than 90 sessions this year and support 150 young people from the local community. JE Delve focuses on providing young people with safe spaces and trusted relationships to support them through difficult life transitions. The Charity aims to deliver good quality open-access youth work, offer opportunities for a wide range of positive activities (including in music, filmmaking, mental health & sports) and widen young people's career aspirations through its employability & employment programmes. Our youth-centred approach means that we work collaboratively and equally with young people to nurture agency, a positive sense of self, develop skills & competencies and build a safe and inclusive community in our youth centres.

Who We Support
Through our youth centres, we support young people who would otherwise not access youth services as well as those with Special Educational Needs, young people excluded from mainstream education, young carers, and young people in care. Our youth centres are based in 20% of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. 80% of the young people we engage are from communities of colour and face multiple inequalities.

Project Funding
The funding will also enable JE Delve to deliver a financial education programme for young people to support them in making financial decisions & developing a healthy approach to managing their money. We've found that often young people do not have access to financial education programmes in school or anywhere else. Outcomes: Increase young people's financial literacy and knowledge. Gain the skills and confidence to make healthy financial decisions. Develop a healthy and stable relationship with money/finances. Nurture financially responsible behaviour (e.g. learning how to plan ahead & save).
Find out more about JE Delve here:



news-38

13th January 2022: One West Point is featured in the Evening Standard Homes & Property, in an area guide to Park Royal.

There are so many hidden gems in Park Royal, and we are so happy to see a spotlight on this hugely exciting, up and coming area.

This feature showcases many of the wonderful things that are happening, including (the not so hidden!) One West Point.
Read the full article here:



News-47 v7

10th January 2022: City & Docklands registers as for-profit RP.

City & Docklands is pleased to announce that is has successfully registered the build-to-rent management arm of the business as a for-profit provider with the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

Commenting on the move into this market, Gary Sacks, CEO of City & Docklands comments: “When we (City & Docklands) made the move into the build to rent space, through our PRS brand AWOL, we made the customer experience our highest priority. From the start, we wanted to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards, not only for customer service, but operationally and financially as well. As a business, we noticed that we have already been implementing a lot of the latest guidance given in the affordable housing white papers. It made sense for us to make the move and become registered as an RP as well.

Our goal is to grow AWOL London and acquire more properties. We want to deliver 5* customer service to affordable housing. Something that hasn’t really been done before. We want people to be proud to live in our affordable housing.”
Read the full article here:



8714_Mary Seacole painting

23rd November 2021: Mary Seacole painting, commissioned by City & Docklands, unveiled at Guy’s Hospital.

A new painting honouring the Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole has been unveiled at Guy’s Hospital.

Local artist Richard Wilson spent 600 hours over three months creating the 1.4 metre by 2.2 metre canvas, which depicts Mary in 1857 at her home in Soho Square in London.

Richard was commissioned by City & Docklands to provide a portrait of the Jamaican-born nurse as part of a wider regeneration scheme at Mary Seacole Memorial Park, just a stone’s throw away from Marys’ grave in north west London.

City & Docklands are working with The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation on the project. Rather than let the artwork remain in storage, we have loaned the portrait to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust until at least the end of 2022, and when work is complete, it will eventually reside in its permanent home at the Mitre Yard development.

City & Docklands joined members of staff from Guy’s Hospital and the Mary Seacole Trust to celebrate the new painting on what would have been Mary’s 216th birthday – the same day Jamaica declared the 23rd November as Mary Seacole Day.

Avey Bhatia, Chief Nurse for Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “Mary Seacole was an extraordinary individual and a great role model. Her writing, legacy and memory lives on and has touched the development of modern healthcare. I am delighted that we are able to host this beautiful painting by Richard Wilson at Guy’s Hospital so our staff, patients and visitors can sit, reflect and be inspired by her.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity owns, manages and cares for artwork at the Trust, and supported the professional art handling service and installation of the new painting at Guy’s Hospital.

This is the second tribute to Mary on display at the Trust.

In June 2016, a statue honouring Mary was unveiled in the gardens of St Thomas’ Hospital – believed to be the first statue in the UK dedicated to a named black woman.

Trevor Sterling, Chair of the Mary Seacole Trust, said: “We are delighted that this stunning portrait of Mary by Richard Wilson has found a fitting temporary home at Guy’s Hospital. People have been enjoying Mary’s statue in the grounds of St Thomas’ Hospital for more than five years and so it is wonderful to be able to share Mary’s portrait with staff and patients at Guy’s. I would like to thank staff and management at Guy’s and St Thomas’ for their commitment to promoting Mary’s legacy and values.”
Watch Richard Wilson talk about his portrait.



LDF logo_p485

4th October 2021: City & Docklands sponsor London’s biggest new Design District as part of the London Design Festival, which launched during September in the heart of the Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration area .

City & Docklands is proud to be the official partner of the first Park Royal Design District, as part of the 2021 London Design Festival, which launched in West London last weekend.

The festival ran from the 24-26th September and hosted an impressive programme of over 40 open studios, four exhibitions, nine workshops, walking tours, popup shops and film screenings, open to the public, shining a light on the area’s history and telling the stories of the people behind West London’s industrial powerhouse. Sponsored by City & Docklands, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and Imperial College London, the district, which was the largest of the 10 districts that took part in this year’s festival, celebrated the area’s rich heritage, diversity and creative talents.

City & Docklands were part of the programme of open studios, with One West Point exhibiting newly curated artwork by RareKind Agency in our first rental building, together with a sneak peak of what other art installations will be delivered at One West Point by the time the project is complete. We also unveiled our first art installation by the talented Sophie Mess that will welcome our first tenants as they move into The Residence Building at the beginning of October.




Read more about the Park Royal District and our involvement here:



news-44

1st September 2021: City & Docklands announce founding partnership, together with Imperial College London and the OPDC, of the first Park Royal Design District Part of the London Design Festival 2021

We are excited to announce the official partnership, together with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and Imperial College London, of the first Park Royal Design District as part of the London Design Festival 2021.

Park Royal sits alongside 9 other Design Districts in London, to include Kings Cross, Mayfair and the Shoreditch Design Triangle. Each Design District is a key component of the Festival makeup, with each District constituting a cluster of events within a short walking distance of each other, enabling visitors to navigate over 200 events and geography of the city.

The London Design Festival has recognised the abundance of creativity within Park Royal and this event celebrates and showcases the number of artists and makers in the area. During the LDF there will be a host of events and activations throughout the Park Royal Design District from 24-26th September.
Find out more about the programme of events here:



news-43

29th July 2021: REACT News: Imperial College London makes call to begin £1bn Acton development

Imperial College London has triggered the start of the application process for the redevelopment of the former Dixons Carphone HQ in North Acton, putting in plans indicating its intention to deliver a high-rise residential and workspace cluster, adjacent to One West Point.

Proposals for the first phase to come forward would include 440 flats and 320 co-living units, alongside retail, restaurants, and cafes. The next phases would include a further 800 flats, a 70,000 sq ft hotel, and 180,000 sq ft of offices and co-working. The buildings are expected to reach around 50 to 55 storeys and will further enhance North Acton as part of London’s most exciting regeneration zone.
Read the full article here:



news-41

23rd July 2021: One West Point has been featured by The Guardian in a news article on ‘Hi-tech homes for sale’ in the UK.

The article highlights One West Point as being the tallest building in London outside of Canary Wharf, with a dedicated tech space that will flip from cinema into a YouTube studio for entrepreneurs or influencers.

. It also mentions how North Acton is part of the Old Oak Common and Park Royal regeneration area that will be served by HS2 and Crossrail.
Read the full article here:



news-40-a

21st July 2021: City & Docklands has commissioned local artist Richard Wilson, who is based in Excelsior Studios in Park Royal, to paint a life size portrait of Mary Seacole.

Mary Seacole was a British-Jamaican nurse, healer and businesswoman who set up the "British Hotel" behind the lines during the Crimean War.

This offered comfortable quarters for sick and convalescent officers, and provided succour for wounded service men on the battlefield. Coming from a tradition of Jamaican and West African "doctresses", Seacole displayed "compassion, skills and bravery while nursing soldiers during the Crimean War", through the use of herbal remedies.

Schools of nursing in England were only set up after the Crimean war, the first being the Florence Nightingale Training School, in 1860 at St Thomas' Hospital in London where Mary was believed to be the first nurse practitioner. Mary was born in 1805, and after her death in 1881 she was largely forgotten for almost a century, but has been subsequently recognised for her success as a woman. She was posthumously awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1991 and in 2004, she was voted the greatest black Briton.

City & Docklands has commissioned this piece of art honouring Mary and her achievements, which will sit within Mitre Yard, our newest residential development that lies behind Mary’s Memorial, in the Mary Seacole Gardens on the Grand Union Canal.



news-39

10th July 2021: New Bench Installations Unveiled in North Acton Square, as part of the LFA - London Festival of Architecture.

Three benches made for Ealing have been unveiled as part of the London Festival of Architecture in North Acton

City & Docklands teamed up with Ealing Council, Imperial College and the OPDC to commission three architect teams to each create a bench for the newly created space at North Acton Square. This was an opportunity to give some of London’s best emerging architects an chance to explore new ideas of what a bench can be and also to shine a light on a dynamic and fast-changing area of London. The result is three colourful but very different creations that allow people to sit and enjoy the new North Acton station square.
Read the full story here:



news-42

27th May 2021: EGi - Imperial College to develop £1bn mixed-use development in the heart of North Acton.

Imperial College London is preparing to bring forward plans to create a new heart of North Acton, West London.

The college has drawn up proposals for a £1bn redevelopment into a 1,400-home mixed-use development and sustainable, new HQ for the retailer.

The site has an existing consent for a 1m sq ft scheme, comprising 764 flats, 16,000 sq ft of office space and 33,000 sq ft of retail and leisure across eight buildings ranging in height from six to 32 storeys.

The residential plans for the scheme include co-living, BTR, for sale, later living residences and a hotel.

For more information please visit: https://www.oneportalway.co.uk/our-vision-and-proposals/
Read the full story here:



news-37

15th January 2021: City & Docklands will deliver more new homes within the OPDC, following a successful enhanced Planning application at North Kensington Gate.

We are delighted to announce, following the completion of our review of our consented North Kensington Gate scheme, that the OPDC has granted an enhanced planning consent for this development. North Kensington Gate will now deliver 208 residential units of studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments in three linked buildings ranging between 6, 8 and 24 floors.

The North Kensington Gate site lies at the confluence of the Grand Union Canal and Mitre Bridge on Scrubs Lane and importantly sits at the gateway of the OPDC – the UK’s largest regeneration project. Construction is expected to start later this year.

This is the second residential development site that City & Docklands has acquired on Scrubs Lane, joining Mitre Yard which has planning consent for the delivery of 241 homes and will span two new buildings ranging from 6 to 22 storeys, comprising a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes.

City & Docklands are delivering a further development in North Acton, One West Point, that is due to complete in December 2022 and will deliver 701 new homes split between private sale, affordable housing and Build to Rent, across 4 impressive buildings. The tallest of which will be a 54-storey tower that is the tallest building outside of the Docklands and the 16th tallest in the Capital.



news-38

13th January 2021 - Evening Standard Homes & Property - Where to buy in 2021: 8 London neighbourhoods on track for house price growth.

One West Point has been featured by the Evening Standard Homes & Property in an article looking at where best to buy this year.

Old Oak Common has been named as one of the 8 London neighbourhoods on track for the highest house price growth in 2021, by the London Evening Standard. The paper highlights the area, comparing it to White City commenting that Old Oak Common is earlier in its Crossrail-led transformation and offers more for your money highlighting homes at One West Point as the clever place to buy for house price growth.
Read the full article here:



news-36

7th October 2020 :Evening Standard Homes & Property - Be part of the future of West London.

A new neighbourhood where art meets industry .

With affordable studios, an underground creative scene and new homes in the pipeline by City & Docklands – is rising out of Old Oak Common and Park Royal.
Read the full story, brilliantly written by Anna White, here:



news-36

9th September 2020: Evening Standard Homes & Property - Future London: could sustainable "mini towns" with homes, parks and cycle routes be the answer for changing city lifestyles?

Covid has changed lifestyles, teaching us to value neighbourhoods where we feel at home and safe.

One West Point is featured in the Evening Standard Homes & Property, in a piece looking at the impact that Covid 19 has had on London lifestyles. The articles discusses if London is set to become a series of ‘mini-towns’, as those living in the capital look at becoming more adequately equipped for the future with everything closer to home, in a post-pandemic world. Old Oak Common is featured as one of these new mini-towns, highlighting the areas’ £26 billion regeneration project, and One West Point leading the way as an active, community-led development.
Read the full article here:



news-35

6th May 2020 – Ealing Council has signed the ‘Building Safety Pledge’ to ensure vital building safety improvements continue during the pandemic.

The Pledge, so far signed by 26 councils and five regional mayors, sets out a commitment to improving the safety of residential blocks while ensuring those working on site are given clear information and support to guarantee their own safety and limit the spread of Covid-19.

Read more on the government website here:



news-34

6th May 2020: VisiLean launches exclusive feature for managing safe distancing on-site amidst new COVID-19 guidelines.

With the impact of COVID - 19 having disrupted life globally, the construction industry has been left with new challenges to continue work on-site safely and within the required guidelines.

Many construction projects have been impacted and are on hold or working with uncertainty due to the safe working guidelines imposed by several authorities globally. One of our partner companies, VisiLean, has responded to this challenge by launching an app that manages safe distancing on site allowing a workforce and the site to be operational whilst adhering to the new government guidelines to ensure safety for all during COVD-19.
Read the full press release here:



news-33

4th March 2020: City & Docklands has been featured in the Evening Standard Homes & Property

Following confirmation that HS2 will be going ahead, City & Docklands has been featured in the Evening Standard Homes & Property discussing why Old Oak Common is a regeneration hot spot and one to watch for buyers playing the long game.

Both our developments on Scrubs are mentioned – Mitre Yard and North Kensington Gate, together with other notable projects in the area.
Read the full article here:



news-32

24th February 2020: Proposals for a superhub station have been finalised.

Proposals for a superhub station which combines HS2, Crossrail and National Rail services at the heart of the country's largest redevelopment have been finalised.

During a sensitive time for both HS2 and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development where the station will be based, the official planning application for the station has been submitted.

Estimated to carry around 250,000 passengers each day, the huge new station will be built on former rail and industrial land at the heart of a huge brownfield site which will turn into London's newest town.
Read the full article here:



news-31

19th February 2020 - One West Point is granted planning approval to take the total number of new homes within the development to 701.

One West Point was presented to the Ealing planning committee for the additional residential units at the February meeting at which the committee voted in favour of a resolution to grant consent.

The development will now provide 701 homes across four buildings of between 9, 11, 37 and 54 floors in height. The resolution to grant consent has to be referred to the GLA for a Stage 2 review and we anticipate formal planning consent to be provided mid-2020.

The tallest tower within the development had an original planning consent for 275 homes over 42 storeys, and which has now increased by 87 homes and 12 floors that will see the delivery of 362 homes over 54 storeys, making it the tallest residential tower in West London.

The tenure mix of homes within the development consists of private sale, affordable housing (to include discount market rent - DMR) and a Build to Rent allocation which will be operated by City & Docklands inhouse rental management arm AWOL – A Way of LiFE.

Completion of the first phase of One West Point is expected to be Q4 2021 with completion of the full development scheduled for Q4 2022.

This planning application at One West Point follows a successful planning consent granted last month at our Mitre Yard site on Scrubs Lane, increasing the total number of units delivered within the development to 241, from an initial planning consent of 200.

The combination of our three developments – One West Point, Mitre Yard and North Kensington Gate - will increase the number of new homes being delivered by City & Docklands in West London to more than 1100.
Find out more here:



news-30

17th January 2020: Mitre Yard on Scrubs Lanes achieves planning consent for a further 41 homes:

City & Docklands are pleased to announce that the OPDC planning committee voted to approve the application for a further 41 homes at our Mitre Yard development on Scrubs Lane. Mitre Yard will now comprise 241 homes located at the gateway to the Old Oak Opportunity Area - London’s largest and most exciting regeneration opportunity.

The development will span two new buildings ranging from 6 to 22 storeys, and comprise a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments which will be retained and managed by City & Docklands PRS management arm - AWOL - A WAY OF LiFE.

Mitre Yard is located within the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) which, when delivered is set to rival Kings Cross and Nine Elms. Homes will benefit from excellent transport links via Kensal Green and Willesden Junction stations, both just a short walk away, and connectivity will further improve with the completion of Old Oak Common Station in 2026 with new links via a new Crossrail interchange significantly cutting journey times to both the City and West End, and out to Heathrow.

Construction is due to commence in the spring and the development will be completed by mid 2022.
Read the full article here:



news-29

8th January 2020: Evening Standard Homes & Property:

Where to find new homes in London in 2020 - four fast-changing areas from Bermondsey to Lewisham, and White City to Kensal Rise

London’s newest communities are being created as huge changes are being made to our cityscape maximising transport links and regenerating brownfield sites for new homes and communities in which to live. In order to cope with the capital’s growing population, adding 100,000 Londoners a year, developers are breaking ground in new locations.

Scrubs Lane is one of these areas that will see new homes delivered by City & Docklands at Mitre Yard and North Kensington Gate, adding to the homes already under construction at One West Point in North Acton taking the total up to circa 1000.
Read the full article here:



news-28

04th December 2019 – London's most eco-friendly boroughs:

Ealing, Bromley and Croydon top list of capital's 'greenest' areas with low-emission homes.

One West Point is featured in the Evening Standard Homes Property as one of Ealing’s Eco developments. The piece features latest research by CBRE looking at London’s greenest boroughs, with Ealing ranking top of the table. This is great accolade for the borough, acknowledging all the hard work that is going on by all stakeholders to make Ealing a greener place to live.
Read the full article here:



news-27

2nd December 2019: VisiLean is shortlisted for the Construction News Specialists Awards 2020.

December 2019: VisiLean has been selected as a finalist in the Innovation Software of the Year category of the 2020 Construction News Specialists Awards, the only national awards that recognises the best specialist contractors from across the UK.

To decide the winners, all finalists will attend face-to-face judging by our panel of more than 60 judges, made up from the UK’s largest construction firms and the leaders of the country’s major projects, including:

Dale Turner, director of procurement and supply chain, Skanska UK
Louisa Finlay, deputy managing director (London), Kier
Liz Baldwin, project director, Mott Macdonald
Alan Brookes, group executive – Europe, Middles East & UK, Arcadis
Graham Edgell, director of sustainability and procurement, Morgan Sindall

The Construction News Specialists Awards ensures that whatever size or specialism there is an appropriate avenue to showcase the achievements of specialist contractors.

Construction News editor Lem Bingley said: “The UK construction sector is a significant pillar of the national economy and it rests on the unique skills of specialist contractors to deliver at every stage, from demolition to topping off. Our shortlisted organisations demonstrate the breadth of capabilities offered by today’s specialists as well as their ability to innovate and diversify, offer additional value to their clients.

Bhargav Dave, CEO of Visilean comments: “We are delighted to have been nominated for Innovation software of the year award in the 2020 Construction News Specialist Awards which recognises the best specialist contractors across the UK. A huge amount of hard work and perseverance has gone into building a 4D BIM integrated tool that helps construction companies achieve significant cost and time savings across the entire lifespan of a project. We wish all finalists the best of luck and look forward to the awards ceremony in March.

VisiLean provides a 4D lean construction solution with last-planner implementation for project-based management, enables real-time tracking of construction activities through mobile apps and dashboards and bridges the much talked about gap between the field and the office.

Finalists will now progress to our face-to-face judging stage, where they will have the chance to impress some the UK’s biggest and most significant contractors and developers.”

The winners will be announced on 25 March 2020 at a glamorous ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London where over 1,000 of the industry elite will meet for a night of entertainment, celebration and networking.

The full list of finalists and more information can be found at: specialistsawards.constructionnews.co.uk
More information about Construction News:



news-26

22nd November 2019: VisiLean is proud to announce that they have won the Innovation of the Year award.

Helsinki based Construction Management start-up VisiLean is proud to announce that they have won the Innovation of the Year award for BIM and Project Planning Solutions at the Construction Computing Awards held in Central London last week

The award was decided by a panel of judges who were particularly impressed with the efficiency of the tool that helps construction companies achieve significant savings, improve trust between partners and helps deliver projects safely and within target costs. The judges also highlighted the direct integration of the collaborative planning workflow with BIM and tipped the software as “one to watch”.

VisiLean, which has offices in Helsinki, London and Ahmedabad, provides a 4D lean construction solution with last-planner implementation for project-based management. The tool also enables real-time tracking of construction activities through mobile apps and dashboards, bridging the much talked about gap between the field and the office.

Dr. Bhargav Dave, CEO of VisiLean comments; “The award is a recognition of our deep expertise in the field of lean construction, BIM and digitisation and the hard work and perseverance of the entire team. It was our first nomination and we believe that we have much more to contribute to the field”.

Kevin McHugh, Associate Director with Mace Technology Ireland (Mace have recently integrated VisiLean into their business and are partners in the case study) said “The project has benefited from the increased collaboration of the work crews digitally. VisiLean has helped improve the co-ordination required for the preparation and execution of weekly work assignments which improves the safety and quality of the planned works.”



news-25

15th November 2019: City & Docklands change their logo in support of Grief Encounter.

Grief Encounter, one of City & Docklands’ chosen charities, is the UK’s leading childhood bereavement charity, supporting children, young people and their families following the death of a parent or sibling.

As part of their campaign and through our continued support of Grief Encounter, City & Docklands has dropped the letter ‘i’ from our logo throughout Children's Grief Awareness Week (CGAW) which takes places between 15th – 21st November. According to Grief Encounter, this represents the missing person in our lives, and how, although they are gone, life can still make sense, guided with the help of Grief Encounter's clinical support.

Gary Sacks, CEO at City & Docklands comments about the importance of this initiative and supporting Grief Encounter: “We have supported Grief Encounter for a number of years and welcome the opportunity to support this initiative and raise awareness of Grief Encounter amongst the property industry. This is a hugely important charity that are doing some amazing things for those who really need our support.”

To coincide with CGAW, Grief Encounter has launched 'grieftalk' - a brand new confidential helpline available for children, young people and adults. 'grieftalk can be accessed by telephone or instant chat with trained professionals, 5 days a week from 9 am - 9 pm. You can find out more information on 'grieftalk' by clicking the button below.

Children’s Grief Awareness Week (CGAW) was founded by Grief Encounter and is designed to raise awareness of bereaved children and young people in the UK, shining a light on what can be quite a dark time in their lives. Now in its fourth year, CGAW runs every November and is a chance for us to come together and show support for bereaved children across the UK.

To donate and show your support for Grief Encounter and Childrens Grief Awareness Week, please head to Grief Encounter.