Property briefs: OCON completes student scheme; plus Weaver Square and Wetherby House
OCON Construction has completed its £34m Vine Court project for the University of Liverpool.
Designed by architects Stride Treglown, the 749-unit scheme provides a mix of en-suite study bedrooms, studio apartments, two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom duplex ‘loft’ apartments along with a 250-seat restaurant, a café and retail accommodation.
Located on Chatham Street, the building has two horseshoe-shaped buildings with a central, landscaped courtyard.
The OCON team has now moved on to a second student scheme for the university which will see it deliver 1,200 rooms at the £50m Crown Place project.
Project manager Steve Jerams said: “Increasingly, the calibre of accommodation offered by a university is key to its success in attracting students from both home and abroad. Our experience of schemes like Vine Court means that we are able to deliver to a high standard within challenging timescales and we are delighted to be continuing our relationship with the University of Liverpool.”
::
AGENTS representing Weaver Square Shopping Centre in Northwich say they are close to signing a national retail chain.
Manchester-based Hynes & Company is now in detailed negotiations with the retailer and an announcement is expected by Christmas.
Lender Nationwide Building Society appointed Richard Crompton and Jon Cookson of Colliers International as Law of Property Act (LPA) receivers of the shopping centre in July.
The centre is owned by Weaver Square Investments which in turn is owned by St Anns Square Holdings, jointly owned by Monaco resident Dean Russell and Frederick Webster.
Andrew Hynes, letting agent for Hynes & Company, said: “Northwich is a vibrant town, with a wealthy and loyal catchment in the heart of Cheshire.
“The scheme benefits from free parking and provides a semi-covered shopping environment within the prime retail pitch of the town centre.
“Northwich is already well anchored by Marks & Spencer along with other retailers including Boots, WH Smith and Quality Save.”
::
LEEDS-based property group Wilton Developments has sold a Trafford Park office building for £799,500.
The 6,000 sq ft building, known as Wetherby House, was bought by a private investor.
It is let to MAC Clinical Research on an annual rent of £90,000 at £14.90 per sq ft. The sale price reflected a net initial yield of 10.6%. The deal was handled by OBI Property.
OBI investment parter Gary Scorah said: “The sale of Wetherby House is an example of the increased level of private investors who are now back in the market to acquire properties with strong property fundamentals at attractive returns.
“Within the past 12 months, there have been a number of disposals within Cobra Park, demonstrating the popularity of the estate.”
::
AGENTS representing Weaver Square Shopping Centre in Northwich say they are close to signing a national retail chain.
Manchester-based Hynes & Company is now in detailed negotiations with the retailer and an announcement is expected by Christmas.
The shopping arcade’s owner, Weaver Square Investments, went into receivership in July. Lender Nationwide Building Society appointed Colliers International as Law of Property Act (LPA) receiver.
Weaver Square Investments was owned by St Anns Square Holdings which is jointly owned by Monaco residents Dean Russll and Frederick Webster.
Andrew Hynes, letting agent for Hynes & Company, said: “Northwich is a vibrant town, with a wealthy and loyal catchment in the heart of Cheshire.
“The scheme benefits from free parking and provides a semi-covered shopping environment within the prime retail pitch of the town centre.
“Northwich is already well anchored by Marks & Spencer along with other retailers including Boots, WH Smith and Quality Save.”
