THE CORE Aberdeen, the city’s largest energy efficient low carbon business park, has appointed Kier Construction, one of the UK’s leading construction companies, as its infrastructure contractor.
Kier recently started work on a large infrastructure and enabling works package worth approximately £6 million. The package includes the provision of 5.5 megawatts of electricity, new gas, water and drainage supplies, a new access road and landscaping from the A90 at Murcar to open up the 10-acre park in Bridge of Don.
This first tranche of works is expected to be complete by October of this year. This is a significant milestone for THE CORE and is a sign of the developer’s commitment and confidence in a project that carries substantial political support both locally and nationally. With the commencement of the contractor programme at THE CORE, delivery of the access road will mean new occupiers can be on site in bespoke units as early as March 2014. The programme is designed so that construction can start in parallel with the enabling works.
Kier Construction managing director Brian McQuade expressed his delight at supporting such a significant venture in Aberdeen, commenting: “We are proud to be associated with this landmark project and to be contributing to the development of the region. Our Aberdeen team is looking forward to demonstrating its ability to deliver high standards in both project delivery and quality of product.”
Leader of Aberdeen City Council Barney Crockett said: “This is fabulous news for Aberdeen. The level of investment and development in the city is really remarkable, particularly compared to other areas in the UK and Europe. THE CORE business park is a fantastic example of the interest the city is generating and I am delighted to see work getting under way on site, with jobs being created during the construction phase and the prospect of future jobs once this low-carbon development has been completed. Aberdeen is clearly the place in Europe to be for business. It is the smarter city and THE place to invest, live and visit.”
This week the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, neighbor to THE CORE, plays host to All-Energy 2013. This is the UK’s largest renewables exhibition and THE CORE has chosen the opportunity to be a sponsor of this year’s event which promotes the ideology behind the site to use renewable energy technologies to help deliver premier sustainable business space in a world class working environment.
The offices and warehouses will be best in class for sustainability and efficiency and built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ as standard, making it cheaper for occupiers to operate and maintain. This will also make a significant contribution to help operators meet their carbon reduction commitments. Nick Berry, partner at Mountgrange Investment Management LLP said: “The green credentials and substantial savings in running costs combined with proximity to the city center harbor, AWPR and excellent amenities will be a major pull for companies and their employees in the energy & renewables sectors”.
The 1.5 million ft² (approx. 139,350 m²) of business space planned at THE CORE is set to be a flagship project for the city and the country.
Source: Generate Land
