Patron Capital, the pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments, and APAM, leading real estate asset and investment manager, have completed work on a new floating pavilion in the centre of the lake at Arlington Business Park in the Thames Valley, as part of their extensive upgrade program of the park environment and tenant amenities.
Designed by tp bennett architects, the floating pavilion is unique for a business park in the UK and provides a multi-functional, flexible space that forms part of a new heart for the park and offers an inventive space within the lake setting for creative collaboration, corporate meetings and tenant social events.
A combination of imaginative architecture, specialist engineering and boat building technologies were employed to create the pavilion. Four columns support an over-sailing anodised aluminium roof, creating a sense of enclosure and shelter while allowing 360-degree views across the lake through floor to ceiling glazing, reflecting water and light to create a unique and beautiful meeting place.
The steel structure base and timber frame were fabricated offsite and assembled at the park. These were then craned onto the lake for final assembly. A bridge links the pavilion to the land.
Patron Capital and APAM have invested heavily in Arlington Business Park since its acquisition in 2015, working with tp bennett on a strategy of creative design interventions and improvements. Successfully completed projects have included a new highly specified urban lakeside lounge café and gym, bookable meeting rooms, office building extensions and refurbishments and extensive enhancement of the landscaping and public realm, with further investment in progress.
The pavilion and other improvements to the park have been very well received by the existing and new occupiers, with over 12 new tenants joining since the start of the investment program, and a significant number of additional businesses in discussions to join the park.
Neil Sterling, Director at tp bennett commented: “Traditional business parks are sometimes criticised for being places that lack the intensity and connectivity of town centre locations. At Arlington Business Park, we are working with Patron Capital and APAM to change that perception. We have transformed the park in an inventive and creative way, using carefully considered design to deliver a vibrant out-of-town destination for large occupiers, SMEs and tech start-ups. The end result is a business park that meets the needs of contemporary occupiers, with clever design offering high quality architecture, stand-out amenities as well as working environments that encourage interaction and collaboration.”
Ben Dickins, Asset Manager at APAM commented: “The transformation of Arlington Business Park is progressing very well, and to complete the country’s first floating pavilion on a business park boasting such dynamic facilities, we believe offers businesses a remarkable work life environment.
“Occupiers’ workspace demands and priorities are constantly changing and the business park is meeting these, offering state-of-the-art spaces to work, relax and play.”
