British Land has unveiled plans for a last-mile logistics hub in Bermondsey, central London. Teaming up with McLaren Construction, a renowned name in the industry, British Land aims to pioneer a new era of multi-storey logistics facilities that marry innovation with sustainability.
The centrepiece of this project is a four-story, 140,000ft2 structure nestled on a 0.78-hectare plot on Mandela Way. Unlike traditional warehouses, this hub is designed to accommodate a diverse range of industrial and logistics activities.
By stacking logistics facilities across multiple floors, the facility aims to provide maximum flexibility for tenants while optimising the use of limited urban real estate. From heavy goods vehicles to nimble cargo bikes, the hub will also cater to a spectrum of distribution needs, with dedicated access points and a network of lifts seamlessly connecting each level.
McLaren’s involvement extends beyond construction, encompassing everything from landscaping to parking infrastructure. The design ethos prioritises sustainability, with a focus on low-carbon materials and innovative energy solutions.
The BREEAM Excellent design includes low carbon materials and 1,470 square metres of rooftop photovoltaics above a mix of green and blue roofs, the latter collecting for a grey water system. The total biodiversity net gain for the former car pound site is 167%, which includes creation of an ecological corridor alongside a residential boundary.
David Gavin, managing director for industrial and logistics at McLaren, shared: “We are seeing a new generation of clever industrial buildings that stack light industrial, warehouse and distribution space to keep a broader range of jobs in urban areas and serve demand for last-mile distribution space. If there’s one thing they have in common, it’s that they maximise their use of tight urban sites, requiring ingenuity and careful planning for the plant and materials we need for construction.”
Echoing Gavin’s sentiments, Lewis Huntington, development manager at British Land, highlighted the hub’s role as a trailblazer in sustainable urban development. “This multi-storey urban logistics scheme is the first of its kind in central London and has market leading sustainability credentials,” remarked Huntington.
Completion is expected for Q3 of 2025.
