Staines: Invista unveils major redevelopment plans

Invista Real Estate, the largest UK listed real estate fund management group, has unveiled detailed plans for the first phase of a new business district for the town centre of Staines.

Staines Central is a major new regeneration scheme, situated on the former British Gas site on London Road, which could create over 3,000 jobs and attract new business to the town.

Construction work has officially begun on the foundations for the scheme, which are expected to take around 12 months to complete. Meanwhile, Invista has engaged leading commercial property agents Jones Lang LaSalle and Savills to secure a pre-let for the office space. If a significant letting is achieved, the development could be completed by 2010.

Staines Central is a 400,000 sq ft plus office led development, which will revitalise the town, providing high quality office space combined with shops and restaurants situated around a newly landscaped public square. The development also includes a 155-room Tulip Inn Hotel, which international hotel operator Golden Tulip is committed to opening and will be its first Tulip Inn hotel venture in the UK.

The Staines Central development reflects Invista’s vision to create a vibrant new business district in the town. The ambitious proposals have been developed by Invista in close consultation with Spelthorne Borough Council to ensure the scheme brings maximum benefit to the long term prosperity of the town. Invista already has significant investment in Staines through its lease and management of the Elmsleigh Centre.

Full planning consent has already been secured for phase 1 of the scheme, which includes 200,000 sq ft of office space, a hotel, shops and coffee bar. Planning permission has been submitted for phase 2 of the scheme, which will integrate with phase 1 and provide an additional 230,000 sq ft of office and retail space plus 73 new homes.

The construction works will create around 500 jobs on site, with the completed occupied buildings generating a potential 3,000 new jobs.

Invista has assembled a world-class team to deliver the scheme including architects TP Bennett LLP, Mellersh & Harding Building Consultancy to manage the project, and sub structure contractors John Doyle Construction, with Jones Lang La Salle and Savills appointed as joint letting agents.

The design of the offices are characterised by the hi-tech specification demanded by modern businesses and incorporate a range of sustainability measures including photovoltaic energy resources on the roofs used in conjunction with ground source heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions by 14%, rainwater harvesting with over 90% of recyclable materials from the demolished buildings being recycled. Staines Central’s location, near to excellent public transport links, will also encourage occupiers and visitors to use public transport in addition to the secure cycle spaces and shower facilities.

Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Nick Howitt, of Invista Real Estate said: “Our vision is to regenerate and revitalise Staines with this development being a key component to securing the town’s future prosperity. As the name suggests Staines Central encapsulates the current trend towards sustainable town based office locations where people increasingly want to work and be close to local amenities. We have worked closely with Spelthorne Borough Council to develop the plans and we now look forward to delivering the benefits of our substantial investment and development programme.”

Andrew Hirst, Mayor of Spelthorne Borough Council, added: "This considerable investment is great news for the residents of Staines and surrounding areas. Staines Central will be a significant addition to the local business community, which already includes some of the UK’s most successful companies, and will provide essential jobs and opportunities at all levels. In contrast to previous developments the regeneration scheme will encompass eye catching buildings and better public spaces, reinforcing Staines as a vibrant town to live and work.”