Lendlease team takes over £1.2bn London Docks scheme

Home » Lendlease team takes over £1.2bn London Docks scheme
11th June 2018

Lendlease and US property giant Starwood have bought out the development rights for the 62-acre Silvertown Quays redevelopment in East London’s Royal Docks.

Redevelopment of Millennium Mills will still form the centrepiece of phase 1

The partners will replace the Silvertown Partnership consortium of Chelsfield Properties, First Base and Macquarie Capital, which was selected as development partner by the Greater London Authority back in 2012.

Under the new deal, Lendlease Europe Holdings will act as development manager for the 7m sq ft scheme, following a phased transition from the existing development manager, First Base.

Silvertown Partnership was planning to redevelop the large swathe of former industrial land between Canary Wharf and London City Airport with offices and 3,500 homes.

Phase 1 at Silvertown Quays was ready to start with an iconic flour mill not used since the 1980s converted into a new centre for business and enterprise alongside more than 800 homes.

Under the new deal all works at Millennium Mills will form half of phase one  which must be completed before the lease agreement for phase 2 can be drawn down under the Master Development Agreement.

The deal includes as yet unpublished milestone dates for the submission of the approved planning application for the detailed planning permission for Phase 1 and its completion.

Dan Labbad, Chief Executive Officer, International Operations, Lendlease said: Working in partnership, we plan to create a place that’s innovative and environmentally sustainable, and will provide tangible benefits for the local community for the long-term. These are standards and commitments we apply to all our work and Silvertown Quays is no exception.”

Jeff Dishner, Global Head of Real Estate Acquisitions, Starwood Capital, said: “We are excited to partner with Lendlease on this prominent East London regeneration scheme that will help address London’s much needed affordable housing and private residential demand.

“We believe in London’s long-term growth potential and are confident that the underlying value for this waterfront site.

“Working with Lendlease, our vision is to invest significantly into the infrastructure around the site and create a completely new and creative neighbourhood that meets consumer demand, reinvigorates London’s East End and delivers for our investors.”

Rival bidder Indian conglomerate Essel Group had also submitted proposals to the Greater London Authority to purchase the site with plans  for a major world class visitor attraction, hotel and leisure complex to celebrate India’s culture and history.

The firm planned to work in partnership with HPW Architects and Mace on its project which has now fallen by the wayside.

A Silvertown Partnership spokesperson said: “We are very proud of the success of The Silvertown Partnership in unlocking the potential of Silvertown to deliver much needed homes; including affordable homes and thousands of jobs for Londoners.

“That vision for Silvertown is now being delivered with the planning consent for 7m sq ft secured and Millennium Mills’ future safeguarded.

“We wish TSP and its new owners LendLease and Starwood the very best in continuing the regeneration of the area.”

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