London Development Agency's Tony Winterbottom
tops out Building 1000 at The Royals Business Park
Building 1000 at the Royals Business Park was topped out yesterday by Tony Winterbottom, Executive Director, Regeneration & Development at the London Development Agency on behalf of Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London. Building 1000 is being constructed by Bowmer & Kirkland and is the first major speculative office building in the Royal Docks, complementing the existing residential developments and ExCel, London's exhibition centre. The construction of the project uses a special Australian 'strong force' system of building which is not widely seen in the UK, and large scale prefabrication.
On completion, the 50 acre Royals Business Park will be the capital's largest business park with 1.6 million sq.ft of offices and 100,000 sq.ft of ancillary retail and leisure.
Building 1000 at the Royals Business Park is a joint development between Development Securities PLC, Standard Life Investments and the London Development Agency and is due for completion in mid 2004. Two buildings totalling 237,000 sq ft designed by Aukett are linked by a spectacular winter garden and overlook the Royal Albert Dock and London City Airport.
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said of the topping-out:
“I was here at the Royals over a year ago for the ground-breaking ceremony for the Royals Business Park, and the pace of change in the area since then has been enormous. Funding has been secured for a new aquarium over at Silvertown, which will bring millions of tourists to the area and work has started on the East London Line extension. But perhaps most importantly of all the Government has signalled its clear commitment to the area through the Communities Plan and by backing London's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. I am sure that if we all came back here again in ten years' time this area would once again be one of London's great economic hubs, providing tens of thousands of jobs for Londoners. ”
Executive Director, Regeneration & Development, at the London Development Agency, Tony Winterbottom said:
“The topping-out of Building 1000 marks a significant milestone for the LDA and its private sector partners in driving forward the Royals Business Park and in the redevelopment of the Royal Docks. Its dramatic architecture, high quality design and excellent location make the Royals Business Park a uniquely attractive business location.”
Bowmer & Kirkland, Director, Robert Kirkland:
“I am extremely proud to be here today at the topping-out of Building 1000. This is a stunning project made possible due to the wonderful team effort of both the professional and the B&K teams, who by working together have produced this amazing building.”
Development Securities' Joint Managing Director, Julian Barwick said:
“The celebrations on site here today mark the topping-out of Building 1000 at the Royals Business Park a new and exciting addition to the Royal Docks, transforming it into a dynamic mixed use location.”
David Paine, Investment Director at Standard Life Investments said:
“The topping out of Building 1000 today sees a new venue for business taking shape. The stunning building cannot fail to impress and contribute positively to the evolution of this area of London.”
Letting agents on The Royals Business Park are Knight Frank and ATIS Real Weatheralls.
