aspireDM, acting as Development Manager and Project Manager for BlackRock UK Property Fund, has successfully achieved practical completion of John Lewis’ new store shell and core in Cheltenham, UK. The redevelopment of the former Beechwood Shopping Centre is the result of a combined investment in excess of £30m between tenant, landlord and Cheltenham Borough Council.

The redevelopment, complete with new atrium and remodelled car-park, will boast 150,000 sqft of prime retail floorspace, across 2 floors. Designed by Haskoll Architects, the new facade draws on the historic buildings within the town. A combination of slender white panels and large frit patterned glazing is enhanced with bronze coloured feature metalwork that makes reference to the delicate Georgian embellishments so prominent in Cheltenham.

aspireDM led the development process and delivery on behalf of BlackRock, including agreement for lease and lease negotiations, planning and stakeholder engagement, gaining vacant possession of the former Beechwood Shopping Centre to allow the development to proceed.

aspireDM’s integrated development and project management services and proactive approach with the local authority and stakeholder groups has been well received throughout and continues to deliver to the unique requirements of our client and their tenant. Managing Director of aspireDM, Peter Hopson, comments:

We are delighted with the practical completion and handover of the shell to JLP. A fantastic team effort from all involved. A great milestone to a proposal which started for us in July 2014.

Practical completion and handover of the shell to John Lewis marks a significant day for landlord, tenant and shoppers alike: the penultimate step towards delivering a major anchor store to Cheltenham High Street.

For any enquiries, contact Amber Fisher-Clark  afisherclark@aspireDM.com