Security and fire safety firm takes first unit at Bridgewater Point development

The first unit has been let at the new 130,000 sq ft last-mile urban logistics development Bridgewater Point at Trafford Park in Manchester.

Security and fire safety business, Fortus Group, has signed a 10-year lease on a 5,976 sq ft unit. The company is relocating from its existing premises in Salford Quays.

Bridgewater Point is a joint venture between developer Chancerygate and real estate private equity firm, Northwood Urban Logistics.

The development comprises 16 high specification Grade A leasehold units, ranging in size from 5,114 sq ft to 13,582 sq ft with the potential to combine units to provide a single unit of 44,694 sq ft.

Located at 103 Barton Dock Road, the scheme sits on one of the most prominent sites in Trafford Park and benefits from excellent access to Manchester city centre and is one mile from junction nine of the M60. Neighbouring occupiers include Kellogg’s, Amazon, L’Oréal and Adidas.

The letting to Fortus Group at Bridgewater Point has set a new rental record on Trafford Park and in the North West for a unit of its size.

Two additional units at Bridgewater Point, a 12,576 sq ft unit and a 8,769 sq ft unit, are currently under offer on a leasehold basis.

There are a further 13 units remaining at the scheme, ranging in size from 5,114 sq ft to 13,582 sq ft, with interest continuing to grow.

All the units at Bridgewater Point feature electric vehicle charging points and solar cells on their roofs which provide up to 35% of the units’ energy needs.

In addition, the units are constructed from high performance building materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme has achieved an EPC A and BREEAM Very Good rating.

Andy Farrer, Chancerygate development manager based in the company’s Warrington office, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Fortus to Bridgewater Point and secure a new rental record in the region.

“The level of interest throughout the development’s build has been high, and with construction now complete we are seeing interest in the remaining units continue to grow.”

He added: “Bridgewater Point’s strategic location means occupiers will be best placed to serve both the locality and the wider North West region. We encourage any parties interested in taking space at the scheme to get in touch for more information.”

Founded in 1995, Chancerygate says it is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and asset manager and the only one operating nationwide.

The company currently has around 1.16 million sq ft of urban logistics space under construction or ready for development across 10 sites ranging from Edinburgh to Croydon.

Northwood Urban Logistics is part of Northwood Investors, a privately held firm that owns and operates real estate across the US and Europe. The firm currently manages approximately $10bn of investor capital with its Manchester office headed by executive director Richard Pellatt.

JLL, Davies Harrison and DTRE are the joint letting agents on the scheme.

Richard Johnson, director-UK industrial and logistics at JLL, said: “The deal negotiated by JLL sets a new rental record on Trafford Park and in the North West and is testament to the quality of Bridgewater Point and strength of region’s most prime industrial location. The scheme is getting off to a good start with two more deals under offer.”