KPI plans office park next to Adidas base

KPI Properties, the joint venture partnership between St Modwen Properties and Salhia Real Estate, has submitted a detailed planning application for 162,000 sq ft of office and light industrial space on its 10-acre site in Trafford Park, Manchester.

The new development, to be called Avro Park, will comprise 70,000 sq ft of own-front-door offices and 92,000 sq ft of light industrial space. The site fronts Mosley Road and is immediately adjoining the Bridgewater Canal. Avro Park will be built next to the 360,000 sq ft warehouse and UK headquarters currently being developed by KPI for sportswear giant Adidas.

Avro Park will be delivered speculatively in two phases and the first units will be ready for occupation from next summer. The adjoining Adidas facility is scheduled to be operational next spring. KPI pre-sold the Adidas building to the National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society for £33m. The 360,000 sq ft building will be let on completion to Adidas at a rent of £4.75/sq ft for 15 years.

The site was formerly the home of GEC's Hotpoint operation. It was acquired by KPI in a portfolio of Marconi properties and became available for redevelopment after Merloni, Hotpoint's successor, vacated the site.

Paul Batho, of St Modwen, said: "Trafford Park has consistently proved to be a vibrant market for employment space, increasingly offices. Avro Park will provide a new stream of business accommodation in the heart of the area."

The scheme has been named Avro Park after the manufacturer of the Manchester heavy bombers made there during the Second World War. The Avro Manchester was effectively the predecessor to the more famous Lancaster bomber entering into service in 1940.

King Sturge is advising St Modwen.