The annual King’s Cross Cycle to MAPIC returns for its fifth outing this November. This year’s riders will not only be looking to meet fellow like-minded professionals from the retail property industry but will also be required to raise funds for children’s charity Coram as they cycle 700km in four days. We met up with four of this year’s sponsors to find out why they are involved.
Headline sponsor: King’s Cross
Argent is the developer of King’s Cross in central London. Famed for its iconic heritage buildings, international rail stations and vibrant arts and culture scene, it is now once again bursting with life and vibrancy, with the arrival of Central Saint Martins and other major institutions and headquarters buildings. It is now time for the retail evolution, the strategic vision and tactical delivery of 500,000 sq ft of shops across 67 acres.
Craig White, director of retail leasing at Argent, says: “We are in the midst of a busy leasing programme on Coal Drops Yard, a set of Victorian Coal stores built in 1851, today redesigned by Thomas Heatherwick to bring 100,000 sq ft of retail spaces to London’s shoppers. It will open in October next year.
“As headline sponsor, we love the fact that Cycle to MAPIC is an epic endeavour, raising much needed funds for Coram, as well as raising awareness of King’s Cross as London’s latest retail and leisure destination.
“By sharing this almost impossible physical endeavour together, you overcome the challenges with teamwork. That results in trust and friendship, which in turn creates great business networking, both with people we already know and a new network of contacts. Many deals have started shoulder-to-shoulder cycling over endless miles!
The team:
- Craig White
- Claire Levitt
- Jeremy Hall
- Jen Ponting
- Tom Callaway
- Steve Alderson
- David Marriott
- Ruairidh Jackson
- Mike Lightbound
- Nathan Howard
- Ian Freshwater
- Nick Searl
Team sponsor: Citygrove
Citygrove has been involved with Cycle to MAPIC for the last three years and is looking forward to playing a big part again. Relationships formed on the ride have led to a number of significant deals being signed.
Tom Burn, associate development director at Citygrove, says: “All of the team at Citygrove are passionate cyclists and there really is no better way to network than spending several hours with business partners and colleagues on a bike.
“Cycle to MAPIC gives all of the team the opportunity to integrate with a range of people from the retail property industry and also allows us to become a stronger team both professionally and personally.
“We’re currently working on Terrassa Placa in Barcelona, an ongoing development in partnership with Burlington Capital. It is a 320,000 sq ft GIA retail warehouse scheme that has set a new precedent for retail property in Spain as the first in-town retail warehouse scheme. It is due to complete in November 2017 and we will be riding very close to the finished development as we set off for MAPIC ride later in the year.”
The team:
- Toby Baines
- Rob Lane
- Philip Waddell
- Simon Lanyon
- Tom Burn
- Oliver Weston
Team sponsor: Wembley Park
Quintain is the London developer behind the transformation of Wembley Park. Between now and 2020, £1bn will be invested as Quintain develops around 1m sq ft of office and commercial space and a further 6,000 homes. Within the masterplan there is 185,000 sq ft of shops and leisure space.
Matt Slade, director of commercial operations at Quintain, says: “MAPIC 2017 will be an important opportunity for us to start the careful process of curating the new retail and leisure tenant mix at Wembley Park.
“Cycling is core to our business objectives and we promote it in many ways: as a retail use, it’s an important sports and leisure lifestyle trend to incorporate into our evolving retail mix. As a sports event, it brings a place to life with excitement and entertainment. It inspires young people to take up a sport with great health benefits. And as a mode of transport, it’s a sustainable alternative for commuting and leisure journeys. Wembley forms part of TFL’s priority routes for the development of London’s cycle network.”
The team:
- Angus Dodd
- Jeremy Sharland
- James Burt
- Matt Slade
Team sponsor: Nash Bond
Nash Bond is a retail property consultancy focused on central London, working on some of the most exciting retailing environments in the capital, including the eponymous Cadogan Estate in Chelsea and the recent opening of Victoria Gate in Leeds, as well as the development of King’s Cross, St James’s, Wembley Park and Elephant & Castle.
David Bannister, director of Nash Bond, says: “We have been involved with Cycle to MAPIC over the past three years and have found it to be great fun and hugely beneficial to our business.
“Cycling is part of our business strategy because in the main we are terrible golfers! Cycling is a great way to spend a day (or four) out of the office with the opportunity to chat with a huge variety or different people that give a great insight to the world of property.”
The team:
- David Bannister
- Gavin Rowlands
Find out more about this year’s Cycle to MAPIC here
To send feedback, e-mail Samantha.McClary@egi.co.uk or tweet @Samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette
