Cambridge-based property investor and developer Howard Group is pleased to confirm submission of outline planning for the re-development of the existing Enterprise Centre at the Elizabeth Industrial Estate in the north of Lewisham Borough, London.
In the acquisition of the Elizabeth and Juno Way Industrial Estates in 2000 and 2005 respectively, Howard Group identified one of the most exciting regeneration and growth areas in London. In the intervening years the area has seen substantial investment and transformation, as have the Howard Group holdings which have undergone a substantial programme of active asset management and sympathetic ongoing re-development. The region stands to further benefit from additional large-scale regeneration and infrastructure improvements over the coming years, including the Surrey Canal Triangle regeneration zone and the ‘New Bermondsey’ East London line station, just 75 metres away.
The re-development of the Enterprise Centre, which sits within a “Strategic Industrial Location” is in line with the aspirations of the Greater London Authority to intensify floorspace on appropriate sites through intelligent master-planning and building design. The principles – borne out in the proposed design – of multi-level, lift-serviced industrial and distribution floorspace will deliver a next generation industrial building which is both aesthetically and operationally superior to the existing building stock, whilst also improving both the quantity and quality of employment space in the borough.
Sitting as it does on the most prominent part of the Elizabeth and Juno estates, the integration of the building with the local community has also been given considerable thought. Plans include the creation of a ground floor café/restaurant facing the Surrey Canal Road, which would be open to the public as well as occupiers of the building. It is also intended that the building be able to accommodate a fitness and/or wellbeing provision. Understanding the importance of fresh air and ‘down time’ during the day, a roof top garden/terrace is also a possibility, to enable employees to access specifically landscaped outdoor areas in which to relax during the day.
Howard Group is committed to the sustainable development of the building. It will target a BREEAM Excellent rating and aspires to meet the GLA requirement for carbon neutrality through the use of photo voltaic panels on the roof, air sourced heat pumps, efficient mechanical and electrical services and via carbon off-setting. Discussions are also under way with the South East London Combined Heat and Power plant regarding opportunities to connect into existing infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions further.
Werner Baumker, Group Director – Property, Howard Group commented: “We have worked closely with a number of experts and partners, both within the UK and internationally, to research what ‘best in class’ looks like in terms of the next generation of industrial buildings. More specifically, the project team, led by Colin Brown, Director – Development at Howard Group, has paid special attention throughout the design process to our sustainability and wellbeing aspirations for the development, feeding all those learnings into our initial plans for this new development.
“The potential re-development of the Enterprise Centre is a natural next step in our continuing programme of investment in an asset that has delivered new jobs and considerably better buildings for the borough during the last 20 years of Howard Group ownership. As part of the borough community, we are committed to its long term success and hope that our ambitions for this next phase of development at Elizabeth Industrial Estate reflect our shared commitment to the regeneration and continued revitalisation of the area.”
