Heron International » Press

Heron Annual Lunch 2010

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:33:01 +0000

Yesterday was a big day for Heron as we celebrated the Topping Out of the Heron Tower, now officially the tallest building in the City of London. We bought the site in 1999, started work in 2006, and this time next year it will be completed. Despite the length of the project, it is hitting the market at the right time and is just one of the £1.5 billion of development projects Heron is currently working on in the City of London.

Whilst we are still punching away, there is no denying that events since 2007 have accelerated the process of change in the property business. The industry is going through an evolutionary process; the property developer, though not extinct, is on the endangered list.

The dynamics have been changed by the absence of construction finance and the amount of equity that is needed. This makes it very difficult for the development industry to function. Having said that, the banks appear to have achieved a more stabilised base under which to operate but they have a major role to play in regenerating the industry from a development and investment perspective because you can’t have either without the banks. They need to support responsible, professional developers who know their business, where prudent development risk is justifiable. It has the added benefit of creating investment and jobs at a time when both are clearly needed.

Currently the property market is being driven by the availability of cash. Understandably investors find the returns from prime property, for which there is a premium, far more attractive than they do having their cash in the bank; it is also one of the best hedges against inflation.

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The City’s tallest building tops out

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:30:17 +0000

Heron International, the leading pan European property group, and Skanska, one of the world’s leading construction firms, today held a topping out ceremony to mark the structural completion of Heron Tower, the landmark development at 110 Bishopsgate, London. The 46-storey development, which is being constructed by Skanska and is on schedule to be completed in February 2011, will provide 40,836 sq m of commercial office space with a public restaurant and skybar on floors 38-40.

Situated just 200 metres from Liverpool Street station, Heron Tower will be a world-class office building at the heart of London’s financial district. The development will set the standard for offices of the future, incorporating a number of unique features, including a triple-height entrance hall with the biggest aquarium in any commercial building, ten high-speed double- decker lifts and a full-time five star concierge service.

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The Peak – launch ceremony

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:26:51 +0000

The Peak, a new landmark office and retail development opposite London’s Victoria Station, will today be officially opened by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. The development is a joint venture between Heron International, a leading pan-European property group, and its partners AXA Real Estate Investment Managers and the Co-operative Insurance Society.

This striking new building, in a prime central London location, is one of only five major new developments (over 50,000 sq ft) to be delivered in the West End in 2009. The 98,000 sq ft development provides 78,800 sq ft of office space, with 19,200 sq ft of retail space on the ground and lower ground floors. The ground floor and basement of the building have been pre-let to HBOS plc, providing a new financial services outlet for Halifax immediately opposite Victoria Station, a major hub for public transport throughout the South East of England.

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The Peak wins major property award

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:23:29 +0000

Heron International, the Co-operative Insurance Society and AXA Real Estate Investment Managers are pleased to announce that The Peak, their joint office development located opposite London’s Victoria Station, has won an award in the ‘Best Office’ category of the UK Commercial Property Awards sponsored by CNBC Arabiya.

The Peak, which will be completed this autumn, will provide 9,103 sq m (98,000 sq ft) of office and retail space. The ground floor and basement of the building have already been pre-let to HBOS plc on a fifteen year lease, providing a new financial services outlet for Halifax. Agents to the scheme are CBRE and DTZ.

The award will be presented at a gala dinner held in London on 16 October 2009.

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Heron International/Co-operative Insurance Society

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:20:32 +0000

Heron International, the leading pan European property group, and the Co-operative Insurance Society today announce that they have held a topping-out ceremony to mark the structural completion of their joint development, opposite London’s Victoria Station, known as The Peak. Due to be completed this Autumn, The Peak will provide 9,103 sq m (98,000 sq ft) of office and retail space. The ground floor and basement of the building have already been pre-let to HBOS plc on a fifteen year lease, providing a new financial services outlet for Halifax immediately opposite Victoria Station and Cardinal Place.

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Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at Heron Plazza

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:41:49 +0000

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences London at Heron Plaza Application for major hotel, residential and retail development Heron International, a leading pan European property group, announces that it has submitted a planning application for a major hotel, residential, retail development and substantial new public open space. Four Seasons Hotel and Residences London at Heron Plaza is the second, and concluding, phase of the works initiated by the construction of the adjacent Heron Tower. Both projects come together to establish a new mixed use centre which will offer a significant addition to the City’s architecture, environment and facilities for business.

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The Heron Launch

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:34:45 +0000

Heron International, the leading pan European investment and property group, today signalled its confidence in the UK property market with the launch of The Heron, its 284-apartment tower in the heart of the City of London. It is the first major residential development in the City of London for over 30 years. The Heron will be the ultimate pied-a-terre with breathtaking views across London. The slender 36 storey tower will provide much sought after, luxury living space in the Square Mile and the rare opportunity of a walking commute into the City of London which has 350,000 workers by day but only 8,000 residents. In addition to providing highly specified suites, apartments and penthouses, residents will also benefit from a landscaped roof garden providing a stunning urban oasis, a residents’ club lounge, gym, screening room, and valet parking; a café/restaurant/deli will be located on the ground floor of this premier development.

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Heron Unveils Plans for Heron Tower’s Restaurant & Skybar

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:42:25 +0000

Heron International, the leading pan European property group, today unveiled its plans for a spectacular Restaurant & Sky Bar that will be situated on the top three floors of Heron Tower. On completion in March 2011, Heron Tower will be a world-class office building and the tallest building in the City of London.

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Heron Secures First Office Tenant at Heron Parc, Lille, France

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:55:58 +0000

Heron International, a leading pan European property group, today announces that the Adeo Group (“Adeo”), the leading French DIY retailer and Europe’s second largest DIY store operator, has signed a lease with Heron International for the first floor of office space (2183m²) and 40 parking spaces at its Heron Parc development in Lille, France. The Adeo Group operates several French DIY brands including Leroy-Merlin, Aki, BricoCenter and Weldom. Adeo is expected to take occupation in December 2009 Read the Press Release >

The Peak wins major property award

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:53:29 +0000