Amazon Fresh delivers in Croydon

Schroders Capital’s UK Real Estate Fund (SCREF) has successfully completed a notable retail letting with Amazon Fresh, who have opened a store at One Ruskin Square in Croydon.

The new Amazon Fresh store occupies one of the retail units at the scheme adjacent to East Croydon station and Boxpark, reinforcing Croydon’s growing reputation as a hotbed for the tech sector and Ruskin Square’s role as the gateway to the town. The store offers a wide range of fresh produce, bakery items, freshly prepared meals and more, all at great prices.

As well as welcoming Amazon Fresh, last year SCREF and its development partner Stanhope Plc secured detailed planning consent from Croydon Council for the next office phase, Three Ruskin Square while development on Two Ruskin Square also topped out.

Both buildings are targeting BREEAM outstanding ratings, as well as NABERS building performance accreditation, with Schroders Capital and Stanhope Plc looking to deliver a best-in-class and highly sustainable workplace.

These latest developments and the arrival of Amazon Fresh will further amplify Ruskin Square’s transformative effect on the London Borough of Croydon.

Pre-lets to the UK government were secured for both of the first two phases; the 183,000 sq ft, Grade A 1 Ruskin Square was let in its entirety on a 25-year lease to HM Revenue & Customs in 2016, and the 330,000 sq ft 2 Ruskin Square was pre-let to the UK Home Office in 2020 on a 25-year lease from completion of the development.

Rob Cosslett, fund manager, Schroders Capital, commented: “Croydon is gaining ground as a veritable tech hub, and we are pleased that Amazon has chosen Ruskin Square for its newest Amazon Fresh store. With the addition of high quality, convenience led retail, Ruskin Square continues to deliver what modern office occupiers need from their workplaces.

“With growing demand to provide flexible, ESG driven working environments that deliver nearby amenities, public spaces and ease of access, Ruskin Square’s proposition is strong, and we anticipate continued interest from the occupier community as our commercial pipeline progresses.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily