Bidwells’ mixed-use development team has expanded, with new partner David Parker joining.
The Ox-Cam Arc focussed team is led by former senior partner Patrick McMahon before he stepped back from the role at the end of last year.
Mr Parker is joining from Savills, after being in its development division for over 14 years, and has worked on large scale residential and mixed-use development schemes, more recently leading the leam on repurposing retail assets in London and the South East.
He will advise on strategic development, joint venture opportunities, funding, planning and leasing services on a coordinated basis. Though based in the London office, he will primarily focus on Oxford, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge.
The pandemic has emphasised the Arc’s world-renowned life sciences sector, with global investors and firms pouring money into this rapidly expanding sector of the economy, with McMahon’s team focussing on large scale development opportunities in these markets, providing development consultancy to both investors and developers.
Research published by Bidwells last year forecasted that up to 20 million sq ft of extra office and lab space will be needed across the region in the next 20 years if it meets predicted demand levels.
Patrick McMahon, partner of the mixed-use development team said “David brings some amazing experience from his time in London and joins us at a really exciting moment for the development sector across Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes. The centre of gravity in the UK is changing and our region has the chance to really lead the way over the next five to 10 years.”
David Parker, newly appointed partner of mixed-use development said “With changing working patterns and shopping habits set to radically reshape the UK’s city centres, the Arc could play host to some of the UK’s most innovative mixed-use developments. There are some amazing opportunities to lead the way on what 21st century mixed-use development looks like.”
Bidwells is currently advising Marshall on its Cambridge East proposal to develop a new quarter of Cambridge – with five million sq ft of commercial space and 12,000 homes on the site of the Cambridge Airport.
The mixed-use team is also advising Oxwed, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College, on its ambitious innovation district proposals for the city centre of Oxford; and Socius (formerly FirstBase), on its flagship 210,00 sq ft mixed-use development, MK Gateway, close to Milton Keynes’ train station.
The firm also played a key role in the funding and development of Brookgate’s 1.6 million sq ft CB1 development, which surrounds Cambridge train station.
Image source- Bidwells
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