Author Archives: Darren James

Two new directors bolster HDD’s Birmingham team

Just weeks after relocating to Birmingham, Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) has announced it has bolstered its presence in the region with the appointment of two experienced directors.

Graeme Cosgrove and Kevin Foster have joined the ambitious property developers ahead of what promises to be a busy 2018 for the company.

Scott Davidson, managing director of HDD, said: “To welcome two directors of Graeme and Kevin’s calibre is a great boost to us at a time when we are establishing ourselves in Birmingham and winning new projects on a regular basis. They will reinforce our position as leading developers in retail-led schemes here in the Midlands and right across the country.”

Graeme has more than 27 years’ experience in commercial property across the retail, residential, and leisure sectors, having held a number of director roles at companies including Bass, Warner Bros, Wilson Bowden Developments, Savills and more recently  at Lincoln-based Simons Group where he was group director of development.

Notable projects he led while at Simons Group include managing delivery of the £17 million Portsmouth Retail Park, the £8 million Trinity Retail Park at Chipping Norton, and a £25 million North Lincolnshire Shopping Park in Scunthorpe and the £20 million Bargoed Gateway Retail Development in South Wales..

Graeme said: “This is an extremely exciting time to join HDD, with the company heading in a new direction and setting out plans for growth from its new Birmingham base. I am looking forward to being part of this new era and will endeavour to become a valued member of the team, building on the success it already enjoys.”

Kevin joins HDD as project director, with 27 years’ experience in commercial property across the retail, residential, hotel and office sectors, most recently at boutique hotel operator Cathedral Hotels Limited.

He has held development director and director roles at a number of companies, including asset management company Corum Investment Advisers and national property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, and has worked on key projects, such as Bull Ring Birmingham on behalf of The Birmingham Alliance, Market Buildings in Guernsey on behalf of a private client, together with numerous development projects across the UK in the commercial and residential sectors.

HDD recently relocated its headquarters from Nottingham to offices at Birmingham’s St Philip’s Point, to capitalise on the city’s booming commercial property market and to provide a strong platform for growth as it expands its operations.

Kevin said: “HDD is very well placed to win many new projects and have a very successful future, so it is a great time to join the company at its new Birmingham office. I’ve got to know the team here while working as a consultant and the time is right for me to join as project director as we grow the company by delivering high quality developments across the country.”

£15 million district centre delivered by HDD

A new £15 million mixed-use development in Oxfordshire, with occupiers including a major supermarket chain and High Street retailers, has reached practical completion, property developer Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) announced today.

The district neighbourhood centre at Didcot boasts an Asda supermarket, 10 retail units, a public house, 20 apartments, a children’s day nursery, a dentist surgery, chemist and a care facility.

It has been delivered by Birmingham-based HDD – which specialises in retail-led and mixed-use developments – as part of a residential development of 3,300 homes at Didcot’s Great Western Park.

Anchored by an 11,000 sq ft Asda store, other secured occupiers in the 9,400 sq ft of ancillary retail space include Domino’s, Costa Coffee, an estate agent, vets and a hairdressers. The public house has been sold to Marston’s PLC, while Bright Horizons has purchased the nursery plot. Retirement house builder McCarthy and Stone has delivered Extra Care housing.

All of the residential units have been acquired by Oxford City Council as social housing. Knight Frank Investment Management (KFIM) acquired the Asda supermarket, while the retail units – which have all been pre-let – have been acquired by Oxford and Oriental Limited.

Located in the heart of Great Western Park, the district centre forms the social and retail hub for the parks’ residents as well as the wider Didcot population, catering for the day-to-day needs of the community.  The entire site should be operational by the end of the year.

Scott Davidson, managing director of HDD, said: “We are delighted to announce practical completion of the district centre at Didcot. It is an important part of the wider Great Western Park development and, with a great range of retail occupiers, it will prove to be a real asset.There has been a lot of interest in its progress since the plans were announced, so it is very satisfying to deliver the much needed local centre.  It highlights experience and our ability to deliver developments of this size and variety.”.

Construction of Great Western Park began in 2011. Currently more than 1,600 homes are occupied, with completion of the whole site scheduled for 2022.

HDD is currently delivering major retail-led mixed-use developments across the UK, including Newton Leys in Milton Keynes, Hampton at Peterborough and the final phase of Lawley Village in Telford.

HDD recently completed the relocation of its headquarters to Birmingham and has quickly capitalised on the city’s booming commercial property market. The ambitious property developer – which specialises in retail-led, mixed-use developments – is expanding its operations after relocating from Nottingham with support from Finance Birmingham.

Care home disposal is final piece in HDD’s Lawley Village jigsaw

A decade after work first began at a major mixed-use development in Shropshire, commercial property developer Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) has announced it has disposed of the final plot.

LNT Care Homes has purchased the key 1.2 acre plot at Lawley Village, Telford, and is expected to start construction of its 66-bed facility within the next few days.. The care home will  be operational in Q3 2018.

HDD commenced construction of the £30 million district centre development in 2007. The scheme comprises a 40,500 sq ft Morrisons supermarket, a children’s day nursery, a Marston’s Inns and Taverns public house and retail occupiers including Subway, Greggs and Barnardo’s. HDD has also delivered 23 apartments and 16 town houses, and an extra care facility for Sanctuary.

Scott Davidson, managing director of Birmingham-based HDD, said: “This has been a major commitment for us since work first started in 2007. It has been very successful and well received right from the start of our 10-year association with Lawley Village.

“To have sold the final plot to LNT Care Homes represents the very last piece of the jigsaw for us. We are very proud of the facilities we have provided for the people of Telford. The district centre is a great example of what we do well; developing great schemes which attract well known retailers and local businesses to ensure the community is well served.”

The Lawley Village site, located just off the M54 motorway, covers more than 330 acres of land. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2028, across 11 phases, with more than 3,500 homes and both primary and secondary schools. Telford & Wrekin Borough Council first approved plans for the £600 million development in 2005.

 

Business developing as HDD moves to new city HQ

Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) has completed the relocation of its headquarters to Birmingham and has quickly capitalised on the city’s booming commercial property market.

The ambitious property developer – which specialises in retail-led, mixed use developments – is expanding its operations after relocating from Nottingham with support from Finance Birmingham.

The company has moved its team to St Philip’s Point, enjoying panoramic views of the city centre from its top floor offices. Clearly visible are cranes at major construction projects including Paradise and 3 Snowhill.

HDD managing director Scott Davidson said:

“It’s great to have completed our relocation into the heart of Birmingham’s central business district. There’s so much development activity it feels like the city is really on the crest of a wave. Within just a few days of moving here our eyes have been opened to the numerous possibilities there are in Birmingham.

“Nottingham has been a fantastic place for us from which to establish and grow our business. However, for us to expand and accelerate our growth further it was vital that we move to a city with a large agency base with national commissions. The opportunities here in Birmingham are very exciting and we are already reaping the rewards with several new projects in the pipeline.”

“We are determined to expand the business but to do that we need to recruit the very best, highly experienced property professionals. In a highly competitive market, it can be difficult to find the right people. We only want to recruit people of the highest quality and Birmingham offers us the chance to do that.”

HDD is currently delivering major retail led mixed use  developments across the UK, including Didcot in Oxfordshire, Newton Leys, at Milton Keynes, and Hampton at Peterborough and the final phase of Lawley Village in Telford.

HDDs growth aspirations have been supported by Finance Birmingham’s regional mezzanine fund, supported by the Regional Growth Fund on behalf of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

Nick Oakley, head of property investments at Finance Birmingham, said:

“We are delighted to support HDD in both their move to Birmingham and also their exciting growth aspirations, they are a dynamic property development business with an excellent track record of delivery. We look forward to helping them continue their growth over the years to come.”

 

Download a press release here.

 

HDD sells two retail and leisure schemes

Henry Davidson Developments (HDD), has announced the sale of two mixed-use developments with a combined value set to reach £19m.

East Gate, a leisure-led development occupying five acres in the centre of Llanelli, has been sold to the Ignis UK Property Fund for an initial payment of £14 million, with further payments due upon the letting of the remaining vacant units, which reflects an initial yield of 7.41%. East Gate totals some 95,000 sq ft of leisure, retail and office accommodation. Developed in conjunction with Carmarthenshire County Council, the scheme received planning permission in July 2010, and was constructed in phases until full completion in January 2013.

East Gate’s occupiers include Odeon (five-screen multiplex), Travelodge (53-bed hotel) and 22,000 sq ft of restaurant accommodation, with outlets such as Nando’s and Greene King. The scheme also provides 21,000 sq ft of office space for Carmarthenshire County Council. BNP Paribas Real Estate advised the Ignis UK Property Fund on this transaction.

HDD has also sold Tranmere Court Neighbourhood Centre, in Birkenhead on the Wirral, to Local Retail Fund for £1.85 million. Completed in 2012, the scheme comprises a Co-operative convenience store and 7 retail units whose occupiers include a mix of national and local retailers. Waypoint Asset Management advised Local Retail Fund on this acquisition.

Scott Davidson, Managing Director of Henry Davidson Developments, said:

“These sales underscore the success of our approach to development. The schemes carefully match residents’ needs with appropriate retail offerings, and as a result both are enjoying high footfall, which is again reflected in the lettings. We are delighted with their sale.”  

“East Gate and Tranmere Court showcase the variety of our work. While our specialism is retail-led development, we are equally skilled in making both larger and smaller projects successful. ”