Topping out ceremony marks The Condor’s highest point

A ceremony has taken place to mark a new £37 million residential development in Derby city centre reaching its highest point.

Representatives from St James Securities, Grainger plc, construction firm GMI, Derby City Council and other stakeholders recently attended the event, which celebrated The Condor apartments development reaching the topping out stage.

Representing part of the first phase of the £200 million Becketwell regeneration scheme, the building, which features 259 build-to-rent apartments, has now reached 11 storeys.

Paul Morris, director of St James Securities, said: “More than five years since we first visited this much neglected site, we were delighted to see this landmark first phase of the development reach the topping out stage.”

Helen Gordon, chief executive of Grainger plc, said: “This is a great milestone for our Condor scheme, which is Derby’s first build-to-rent development and a new city for Grainger.”

Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of the city council, said: Reaching the topping out ceremony in phase one of the Becketwell development is a real milestone, and we’re now well on the way to seeing the completion of what will be a truly transformative development for this part of the city centre.”

Construction work on The Condor is progressing to plan with the building expected to be completed by March next year.

The development is being forward funded and will be owned and operated by Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed provider of private rental homes.

The homes, which are being built on the site of the former Debenhams store in Victoria Street, form part of the first phase of the Becketwell scheme and will be adjacent to a new public square, which will be the centrepiece of the development and will also be delivered as part of phase one.

As well as the apartments, The Condor, which is named after a famous Rolls-Royce engine, will feature 2,962 sq ft of internal ground floor amenity space for residents, including a shared resident’s lounge and co-working space, in addition to 2,185 sq ft of external rooftop space with a terrace overlooking the new public square.

In addition to a gym, secure car parking, bike store, and electric car charging points, residents will also benefit from complimentary superfast WiFi and the services of a dedicated onsite Grainger Resident Services Team.

Helen said: “We look forward to seeing the works progress over the coming months as we prepare our inhouse team to launch and welcome our first residents – delivering high quality homes, a range of added value resident amenities and excellent customer service for renters in Derby.”

Mr Morris said: “Alongside the apartments and public square that will make up phase one of the scheme, there will be wider development, including an exciting new performance venue, which will be developed by St James Securities and owned by Derby City Council and run by ASM Global, the world’s leading venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences.

“The Becketwell regeneration scheme will be transformational – allowing hundreds of people to live in high-quality homes in the heart of the city and revitalising an area which has been challenged for many years.”

Councillor Poulter said: “The plans for the wider development, which includes an exciting new performance venue, a hotel and offices, will rejuvenate our city centre – making it an attractive space that supports the local economy and increases investor confidence.”