Hammerson appoints main contractor for Victoria Gate scheme
HAMMERSON has appointed Sir Robert McAlpine to undertake the main construction works for its £150m Victoria Gate development in Leeds city centre.
The new retail scheme, which received detailed planning consent last year, will deliver John Lewis first store in the city with a 21,000 sq m store, 30 stores, restaurants, cafes, a casino and a multi-story car park.
Vinod Thakrar, Hammerson director for project management, said: “With a strong track record of delivering schemes on time and to a high build quality, we delighted to add Sir Robert McAlpine to the Victoria Gate team.”
Richard McAlpine of Sir Robert McAlpine said: “We are delighted to be involved in this prestigious project. We have an established track record of working with Hammerson on outstanding retail-led developments and look forward to building on our relationship as we work together to deliver this exciting new project.”
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure and Skills, added: “It is fantastic that we have begun working closely with Hammerson and Sir Robert McAlpine to ensure that opportunities through this major development become available to local people. We are committed to ensuring that local people benefit from the new opportunities and to making sure our work with the developer and contractor is tailored effectively to meet the needs of our city.”
Initial enabling works on the site have begun with the main start on site scheduled for later this spring.
The first phase of the regeneration scheme will create up to 1,000 construction opportunities and 1,000 retail and hospitality jobs.
Hammerson is currently working with Leeds City Council’s Employment and Skills Service and Sir Robert McAlpine to ensure employment opportunities are available to the local Leeds workforce with skills and training opportunities. A careers fair will be organised in early April for individuals wanting to find out more about jobs and training opportunities.
In Hammerson’s results for the year ended December 31 2013, pre-tax profit for 2013, including discontinued operations, was £341.2m compared with £142.2m the previous year. The business reported growth of 2.1% in like-for-like net rental income and strong demand for high-quality retail property, with new rents secured of £24m, compared to £19m in 2012.
