Winvic Construction has been appointed by IM Properties to construct a 2.94m sq ft global parts logistics centre at Mercia Park in Leicestershire
The five industrial units will be leased to Jaguar Land Rover, making this the UK’s largest single occupier logistics park.
Aiming for the scheme to be net-zero in construction, Mercia Park provides a further step forward for IM Properties’ sustainability ambitions for future developments, complimenting an extensive social value programme and a skills and training initiative already underway at the scheme.
Winvic’s investment in people, technologies and forward-thinking approaches to construction puts the main contractor in the ideal position to support IM Properties’ green commitments.
Units 2 and 4 are the largest, at 1,000,000 sq ft, with 514m x 181m x 18m steel frames. Units 3 and 5 are each 300,000 sq ft and Unit 1 is 200,000 sq ft and all five buildings will comprise office space, totalling 107,000 sq ft.
To date, unusual project challenges have included designing the link building slabs to withstand adjacent warehouse racking leg loads and ensuring the structural frame can tolerate enhanced loading in block stacking areas.
Winvic has been onsite at the north-west Leicestershire logistics park site – close to Junction 11 of the M42 – since September 2020 for IM
Winvic will undertake preparatory earthworks, before starting construction of the first three units to the south of the estate road, before commencing Units 4 and 5 to the north. In addition to the industrial facilities, Winvic will also be delivering associated works including the construction of five yards and car parks accommodating over 2,300 vehicles.
The Winvic team started works on Monday, 15 February and the project will be handed over in September 2022.
“We’ve taken a 238-acre site from zero to development-ready in four years.” – Jason Jasper
Jason Jasper, UK project director for IM Properties, said: “This is not only the largest single occupier deal ever to be agreed and funded but major planning, construction and project delivery accomplishment.
“Typically a scheme of this scale would be delivered in separate phases over a five-to-ten-year period. After years of investment and hard work, it will be exciting to see all six buildings come out of the ground at the same time.”
Danny Nelson, director and head of industrial at Winvic, said: “We have been on an incredible journey with IM Properties to date, working on numerous projects, but schemes of this nature don’t come around too often and so Mercia Park is one we are very proud to be a part of.
“To be selected by IM Properties as the delivery partner on a project of this size, scale and importance is testament to the relationship that has been cultivated over many years and that we continue to be market leaders in the sector.”
