Caledonian Land - 20 years on

The twentieth anniversary of the privatisation of the Hillington Industrial Estate on the edge of Glasgow was marked in early August by a gathering of professionals who have been involved in its transformation into 'Hillington Park' over the intervening years.

The Estate was the first government-backed initiative of its kind when it was originally set up by Act of Parliament in 1938. Very quickly, the location was pressed into war service, housing a massive aircraft factory beyond the range of German bombers. In the 70’s and 80’s the estate suffered from a lack of investment and renewal.

Eventually, after coming under the ownership of the Scottish Development Agency, the decision was taken in 1990 to sell the increasingly dilapidated Hillington to the private sector as the 'jewel in the crown' of a portfolio of Scottish industrial estates and Caledonian Land was established. MEPC then acquired Caledonian land in 1996 and Hillington Park remains a core component of its UK portfolio.

Our picture shows three of the key figures in the development of the Hillington estate in the past two decades:

Grant Edmondson (left), managing director of MEPC Hillington Park, the current majority landowners and developers at the estate.

Doug Smith (centre), Chairman CB Richard Ellis Scotland, who led the team of professional advisers to the SDA for the original privatisation initiative, with CB Richard Ellis continuing its role as advisers to MEPC Hillington Park.

Keith Pringle (right), former managing director of Caledonian Land, the company set up after winning the bid contest back in 1990.

These three, and over 70 other past and present employees, agents and consultants who have influenced the development and modernisation of Hillington into Scotland's premier business location, gathered in CB Richard Ellis’ Glasgow offices to celebrate the continued success of the venture.

MEPC iPhone App Now Available

MEPC are delighted to launch their first ever iPhone App today giving customers immediate access to current availability across the eight MEPC Business Estates.

The App can be downloaded from the App store.

New Office Lettings in Glasgow

New businesses continue to arrive at Hillington Park, demonstrating confidence in the location – more than a dozen lettings since February.

Water hygiene specialists Mulvey Environmental have taken one of the units in the Kelvin Gate development. Another of the units is now occupied by freight forwarders Yusen Air & Sea Services Ltd. And the popularity of this development of starter units is also endorsed by Clyde Signs & Graphics, who have moved into Unit 8.

MEPC's other major development of recent times, the Arc off Colquhoun Avenue, has attracted staff recruitment experts NES UK Ltd.

Elsewhere, Park Wholesale Beds have moved into 38 Kelvin Avenue; JL Motor Engineers, who specialise in the restoration of old cars, can be found at 27 Montrose Avenue; and Chauffeurline, who organise airport transfers, are now based at 39 Hepburn Road.

BMI Healthcare have taken a significant space in suite 2 at Cameron Court in Cameron Street, where they are opening an extension to their busy call centre operations.

And a clutch of organisations have moved into the Merlin Business Centre, including Bluestar and CCS Media, moving internally, while Annodata and the Automobile Association moved into the newly-refurbished first-floor office suites.

Lease renewals, too, are keeping up, with Caledonian Industries, Indigo Lighthouse, CK Heating, UPVC Doors, Provan Sports, Hi-Wire, the Met Office and C & D Industrial all staying put.

MEPC asset manager Andrew Kerr says: “It’s business as usual for us at Hillington Park, because we have such a wide variety of buildings to suit anyone's requirements.”

MEPC Wins Estates Gazette Regional Award!

We are delighted to announce that MEPC has been recognised by its peers as a leader in its field by scooping the Estates Gazette Regional Awards for Property Company of the Year (London and South East).

Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive, comments 'This award demonstrates MEPC's commitment to providing Great Estates throughout the UK, accommodating more than 1,000 organisations, employing 20,000 people'.

Five down two to go for the Arc

Against the trend in Scotland's marketplace, MEPC has been successful in securing five lettings in the past six months of its distinctive office accommodation at The Arc at Hillington Park. There are now only two units remaining available in the seven-unit development off Colquhoun Avenue.

MEPC have just let Unit 6 at The Arc to FES FM Ltd (part of the Forth Electrical Services group) on a five-year term, having also let Unit 5 to Ceridian for additional meeting room space in conjunction with their existing lease on Unit 4. With independent financial advisers Positive Solutions in Unit 1, and engineering recruitment specialists NES UK Ltd shortly to take occupation in Unit 7, that means that only Units 2 and 3 are available to let at the present time."

"This is a good effort in a difficult office-letting market," said Grant Edmondson, managing director of MEPC Hillington Park. "FES FM is a good coup for us as they are based out of Stirling and needed space in the Glasgow area to service their growing contract base west of city.

"The fact that we had already fitted out Unit 6 was undoubtedly the key in enabling FES FM to move in and start operating very quickly - as well as saving them the upfront cost of procuring the fit-out themselves. This was also a determining factor for NES deciding to take Unit 7, so we are now going to fit out Unit 2 in same way.

"We believe that MEPC’s proactive action in this regard, plus our new flexible leasing policy, is giving us a head start on the competition."

Ian Maitland, Managing Director of FES FM, added: "The Arc provided FES FM Ltd with a solution that met the needs of the business in terms of a strategic and commercial fit that supports our continuing growth in the UK. We would like to thank MEPC for their flexible and supportive approach in concluding this deal in the short timescale we required."

New businesses continue to arrive at Hillington Park

New businesses continue to arrive at Hillington Park, demonstrating confidence in the location – more than a dozen lettings since February.

Water hygiene specialists Mulvey Environmental have taken one of the units in the Kelvin Gate development. Another of the units is now occupied by freight forwarders Yusen Air & Sea Services Ltd. And the popularity of this development of starter units is also endorsed by Clyde Signs & Graphics, who have moved into Unit 8.

MEPC's other major development of recent times, the Arc off Colquhoun Avenue, has attracted staff recruitment experts NES UK Ltd.

Elsewhere, Park Wholesale Beds have moved into 38 Kelvin Avenue; JL Motor Engineers, who specialise in the restoration of old cars, can be found at 27 Montrose Avenue; and Chauffeurline, who organise airport transfers, are now based at 39 Hepburn Road.

BMI Healthcare have taken a significant space in suite 2 at Cameron Court in Cameron Street, where they are opening an extension to their busy call centre operations.

And a clutch of organisations have moved into the Merlin Business Centre, including Bluestar and CCS Media, moving internally, while Annodata and the Automobile Association moved into the newly-refurbished first-floor office suites.

Lease renewals, too, are keeping up, with Caledonian Industries, Indigo Lighthouse, CK Heating, UPVC Doors, Provan Sports, Hi-Wire, the Met Office and C & D Industrial all staying put.

MEPC asset manager Andrew Kerr says: “It’s business as usual for us at Hillington Park, because we have such a wide variety of buildings to suit anyone's requirements.”

Nexus - Offices To Let Glasgow

Nexus is a new 375,000 sq ft office development, conveniently located at the gateway to Hillington Park on the most prominent site between Glasgow City Centre and Glasgow International Airport, making it quick and easy to reach both city centre amenities and access transportation links to other major business destinations.

Find out more here