1 October 2014

Forsters advise BA Pension Fund and Evander Properties on award-winning Waitrose dot.com development

Forsters has advised logistics and industrial property specialists, Evander Properties Limited, and longstanding client British Airways Pension Fund in relation to the award-winning development of a bespoke distribution centre located in Coulsdon, south London for the online grocery arm of leading UK supermarket retailer, Waitrose. 

At the recent Industrial Agents' Society (IAS) Awards 2014, the 90,000 sq ft dot.com fulfilment centre was recognised by the judges as an outstanding achievement, noting the complexity of the land assembly and the demanding specification and target delivery timeframe. It was awarded Deal of the Year in the 75,000 – 250,000 sq ft category. It is the first centre of its kind for Waitrose. 

Evander was responsible for the construction of the £30 million facility, which was forward funded by BA Pension Fund. The scheme is notable for incorporating a range of cutting edge environmental features and achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. 

This is the second time in three years that Evander, forward funded by BA Pension Fund and advised by Forsters, has been an IAS Deal of the Year winner. In 2012, the 420,000 sq ft regional distribution centre at Matrix Park in Chorley, which was also pre-let to Waitrose, took the IAS award in the over 50,000 sq ft deals category. 

Commercial Property partner Eugene McMahon, assisted by Laura Williamson, advised in relation to all aspects of the development scheme including the site acquisition and the pre-letting arrangements with Waitrose on both schemes. Partner and Head of Construction, Sarah Cook, assisted by Emily Holdstock, advised in relation to construction matters.

Our Insights

“The team is always commercially thinking along and helps to finding solutions to complex situations or dilemmas.”
The Legal 500, 2024
×