Brent Cross refurbishment and extension plans move closer

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Feb 22, 2017

Plans for the modernisation of Brent Cross shopping centre are starting to come together with Hammerson expected to submit a planning application this spring.

The 40-year old shopping centre in north-west London is set to undergo a major refurbishment and extension programme to become the principal retail destination for north London. The redevelopment will cost Hammerson and Standard Life, its joint venture partner, up to £550 million, the group said this week.

The project, part of the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration, will see the shopping centre more than double its size to 1.9 million sq ft.

Brent Cross opened in 1976 as Britain’s first fully enclosed shopping mall. It is located in one of the UK’s most affluent catchments and attracts 15 million visits a year. Its key tenants include Fenwick, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, with the retail offer expected to double to 200 shops due to the extension.

Hammerson expects work on the extension to commence in summer 2018 with completion due in 2022.

The project pipeline for this year also includes the redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre and refurbishment of Centrale in Croydon in partnership with Westfield.

The group announced the news as it reported a 56% fall in annual pre-tax profit to £322.8m.