Chinese developer R&F
Properties has bought the iconic Nestlé Tower in Croydon and surrounding
development sites for a price believed to be just under £60m, marking its debut
buy in European real estate, Property Week can reveal.
The developer purchased the
200,000 sq ft tower and the 250,000 sq ft St George’s Walk development site –
including the listed Segas House – from Minerva, which is owned by funds
advised by Delancey and Ares Property Partners.
In total, the purchased sites
have development proposals for more than 1,000 residential units: 288 in the
former Nestlé offices, which have planning permission, and around 800 units at
St George’s Walk.
The estimated development value
of the units is around £500m.
Property Week understands that the Chinese company –
which has developments in China, Australia, and Malaysia – beat a slightly
higher, joint bid from Grosvenor Square Properties and Inspired Asset
Management to win the site.
Minerva acquired the Nestlé tower, called St George’s
House, for £10m in 2015 from then owners L&G. The food and drink
company had occupied the building from its completion in 1964 until 2012, since
when it has been vacant.
Xia Ning, on behalf of R&F Properties, said: “As a newcomer to
the UK market, we are excited to bring our expertise and enthusiasm to this
significant town centre scheme.
“We aspire to provide positive
real estate schemes across the world and look forward to working closely with
the local community, businesses and stakeholders, to deliver the most
appropriate scheme for the benefit of the borough.”
Minerva: “Right time” to hand project over
A spokesperson for Minerva said:
“Having spent the last couple of years investing in the overall Queen’s Square
site, we now believe this is the right time for another party to deliver this
vitally important project for Croydon.
“The St George’s House planning
permission has been implemented, existing Section 106 Agreement revised and a
masterplan has been prepared and discussed with Croydon Council.
“It will now be for R&F
Properties to consider the most appropriate way to bring the scheme forward,
however we have no doubt the result will be something the town can be proud of
and we look forward to following progress, whilst we focus on our other land
holdings in the area.”
JLL Residential advised Minerva,
CBRE acted for R&F Properties.
Tom Moore, director at CBRE said:
“This is a fantastic investment for R&F Properties and one of the largest
London residential development deals to have taken place this year.
“It will provide a huge boost to
Croydon, which due to its affordability and strong infrastructure is becoming
an increasingly popular part of London. Chinese developers have shown a great
interest in large London development sites over the last three years but few,
if any, have been successful. It is encouraging to see this deal happen,
despite tighter capital control in China.”