Regional developer Hampton Brook commenced the speculative development of a new 103,000 sq ft logistics and distribution warehouse – known as Thrapston 103 – in October last year, as a marker of its continued confidence in the County’s distribution market and in response to the increasing demand for warehousing space in the area.
This assurance has been rewarded with securing a pre-let to simplehuman prior to the completion on the building.
simplehuman, a privately owned designer and manufacturer of kitchen, bath and beauty tools, has agreed to lease the building, which comprises a single facility offering warehousing and high quality air-conditioned offices of 103,000 sq ft, for a term of 10 years. The unit also offers a clear eaves height of 12.5 meters, eight dock-level and two level-access loading doors, and a car park featuring 74 car spaces and 23 HGV parking spaces.
Ian Jackson, Director of Hampton Brook, said: “Our decision to undertake this speculative development was borne out of market demand and ensured that we were well positioned to take advantage of outstanding occupier requirements.”
“We are particularly pleased to have completed the letting to simplehuman ahead of practical completion. This vindicates our decision to speculatively construct this building – constructed to a BREEAM very good’ standard – when no other shed development was being undertaken along the A14 corridor in the County.”
simplehuman’s Director of Finance and Operations, James Dowdeswell added: “After an extensive search for a new facility in the Midlands – to service the European market – we identified Thrapston 103 as the preferred location for a new distribution centre. Its proximity to the A14 is unrivalled and is ideal for our distribution requirements.”
simplehuman was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles with the goal to make it easier and more efficient to ‘take out the trash’. The success of its first pedal bin led the company to expand its mission to create ‘tools for efficient living’ – products designed to help make people more efficient at home. Recent innovations include sensor activated bins, sensor pumps and sensor mirrors. The company now has more than 100 products that are sold throughout the world by leading retailers. UK retailers include John Lewis, Dunelm, Argos and Lakeland.
Burbage Realty and Savills acted on behalf of Hampton Brook.
