New AIPUT 117,000 sq ft building at Heathrow

Work has begun on a new 117,000 sq ft warehouse building south of Heathrow Airport.

Aberdeen Standard Investments’ AIPUT (Airport Industrial Property Unit Trust) fund, a partner business with Thames Tap and London West newsletters, has said its latest development – phase II of dnata City East – delivers a vote of confidence in Heathrow’s continuing success as a leading global air freight hub

dnata is the airport’s largest independent cargo-handler and already operates 250,000 sq ft dnata City East Phase I, also built by AIPUT.

The phase II building, which was granted full planning permission by the London Borough of Hounslow in August 2020 and is due for completion by early October, is designed to meet the requirements of dnata.

McLaren Group, is lead contractor for the build programme, reporting to project manager, Avison Young.

The project will be delivered in line with AIPUT’s carbon strategy, which commits the fund to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. It includes the use of recycled and low-carbon materials and solar PV panels, air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. The new building will target a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Edward Amery, head of UK Industrial & logistics for Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “AIPUT’s new, landmark warehouse at dnata City East will reinforce our long-term vision to drive the continued growth of our portfolio of prime air cargo assets at Heathrow.

“The completed dnata City East site will set a new benchmark for airport industrial property investment, with AIPUT’s partnership with dnata creating a new, off-airport centre of excellence for UK air freight.”

Alex Doisneau, managing director, dnata (UK), said: “We are delighted to be working with AIPUT in completing the dnata City East complex with the phase II build. This highlights our growing commitment to the UK’s premier gateway airport in creating world-leading cargo infrastructure to support and enhance our customer and operational needs at this critical time.”

Chappell King is AIPUT’s strategic development consultant for dnata City East.

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