Russells gets started on BoxWorks
WORK has started on a speculative 30,000sq ft industrial unit called BoxWorks at Manchester’s Trafford Park.
The facility will provide 26,264sq ft warehouse for storage and distribution and 3,116sq ft high specification office soace.
Contractor Russells Construction has completed demolition of the former Trafford Park bakery and is undertaking groundworks prior to construction of the 10m-high steel-frame unit.
The road-front building, designed by Cube Architecture and structural engineers Healy Consulting, will be finished in contrasting tones of composite cladding, giving a contemporary look.
The scheme is set for completion by June 2016 and agents Davies Harrison and CBRE has been appointed to find an occupier.
Russells, which owns the site situated opposite its office on one of the main routes into Trafford Park, is in negotiations with a UK investment fund over the acquisition of the unit on completion.
Director Andrew Russell said: “There has been very little in the way of this size of speculative development since before the recession, and there is limited availability of this type of good quality unit, so we are cautiously confident of its attracting an occupier prior to completion.
“Trafford Park is one of the oldest and largest industrial sites in the country and probably remains the premier industrial location within North West.
“The site is highly prominent with excellent links to the M60 and wider motorway network, city centre, airport and the freight rail network. It’s ideal for a local business expanding or one moving into the area who wants a prominent location.”
Agent Rick Davies of Davies Harrison added: “The BoxWorks is one of the most prominent new warehouse facilities in Trafford park.
“It will be ideal as a headquarters building and is suitable for distribution, manufacturing or even as a quasi trade counter purpose, due to its position.
“There has been a lack of good quality warehouse accommodation built in Trafford Park in the last few years and there is a healthy level of demand.”
Russells is also working on a number of other industrial projects including two speculative units in Heywood for Harbert Management; a new business park at Baildon near Bradford as part of a JV with Pendle Projects; and the £10m, 82,000 sq ft manufacturing facility for Joy Global at Logistics North in Bolton.
