Developers St James Securities have won their first award for the £200m Becketwell scheme in Derby.
The Leeds-based company, along with its advisers Allsop and Rigby & Co, scooped the coveted Deal of the Year award for phase one of the scheme at this year’s East Midlands Property Dinner (EMPD) Awards, which took place at the De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre.
Phase one includes the construction of Derby’s first purpose-built build to rent (BTR) apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store on Victoria Street, which will be funded, acquired and operated by Grainger plc, market leader in the UK build to rent and private rented sector.
The development will comprise of 259 one and two-bedroom apartments, which will be adjacent to a new multi-purpose public square, which is the centrepiece of the development and will also be delivered as part of phase one.
The BTR scheme will offer a range of resident amenities, including a rooftop terrace and ground floor amenity space. There will also be an onsite Resident Services team, gym and separate co-working space, along with secure car parking, bike storage and electric car chargers. Two commercial units will also be available.
Construction work on phase one began in July, with work set to be completed by early 2023.
Work is underway to bring forward a second phase to comprise a new 3,500 capacity performance venue on the site of Laurie House offices and the former Pink Coconut nightclub.
Future planned phases include other complementary uses of the site including new grade A offices and commercial space, a hotel, and a multi-storey car park.
Now in their 21st year, the EMPD Awards celebrate the success and achievements of companies in the property sector throughout the East Midlands. The Property Deal of the Year award recognises those property companies which have completed the major East Midlands property deals over the past 12 months.
Speaking of being awarded the Property Deal of the Year award, Oliver Quarmby, managing director of St James Securities, said:
We’re delighted that the Becketwell regeneration scheme has been recognised with this prestigious regional award. The scheme will be transformational for the city of Derby, allowing hundreds of people to live in high-quality homes in the heart of the city and breathing new life into an area which has been neglected for many years.
Thanks go out to all our team, including our advisors Allsop LLP and Rigby & Co, who we share this award with, along with Derby City Council, who played a key role in assembling the land and securing the D2N2 LEP investment, enabling this collaboration with the private sector.
Funding for the Becketwell project includes £8.1 million in Local Growth Fund investment from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services which works to promote economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.