Logistics development specialist Evander Properties has confirmed the signing of an agreement for lease with leading UK supermarket retailer Waitrose for a 90,000 ft² (approx. 8,361 m²) built-to-suit dot.com fulfillment center at a site assembled by the developer in Coulsdon, South London.
Evander will commence construction in January 2014 and is expected to deliver the expanding retailer’s first bespoke distribution center dedicated to online orders in Q4 2014. The facility will create over 600 jobs and constitutes a total investment of over £30 million.
The deal was signed at the start of October after a complex site assembly and acquisition process. Evander is backed by British Airways Pension Fund who will own the completed development.
This represents the second transaction inside 18 months between the parties. Evander completed a 420,000 ft² regional distribution center also purpose built for Waitrose in April 2012 at their Matrix Park development in Chorley, Lancashire.
Commenting on the announcement Evander Director Neil Dickinson said “We are delighted to be part of the Waitrose success story once again. Repeat business is the best business and this project further underscores Evander’s ability to respond quickly to our customer’s requirements and endorses the quality of the Evander product”.
DTRE represented Evander / BAPF and Colliers CRE represented Waitrose.
Source: Brown & Co
