Sir Robert McAlpine teams up with property entrepreneur on £2bn project

Sir Robert McAlpine and property entrepreneur John Baker, the man behind the facelift of Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade, have partnered up to develop £2bn of new office space across the South East.

The contractor is to build out 2.2 million sq ft of new office space for Baker’s new business called The Commercial Parks Group, starting with a 500,000 sq ft new business hub (pictured), which is 10 minutes from Gatwick Airport.

Planning approval has already been given for a 110,000 sq ft office scheme at this site known as Gatwick Park and designs for a second 60,000sq ft building have been submitted to planners.

Baker is also looking at creating similar schemes in Bromley, Kent, and Haywards Heath in Sussex. All three schemes are being designed by Urban Infill Architects.

He said the towns had been handpicked because more people wanted to live and work there rather than having to travel into London. “The South-east continues to see an influx of skilled workers seeking a more comfortable, flexible lifestyle outside of central London,” he added.