Citra Living has completed the acquisition of 125 new apartments at Land Charter Group’s ‘Warley HQ’ site in Brentwood, Essex.
The one and two-bed apartments, which will be available to rent from April, are part of the 330-home regeneration of the former headquarters of the Ford Motor Company.
Built in 1964 and modelled on Ford’s global head office in Detroit, the building has been sensitively redeveloped with the support of its original architects, tp bennett, maintaining the unique historical features of its façade while also significantly reducing the embodied carbon in development and operation through the retention of the original building structure. The redevelopment included the installation of electric vehicle charging points and solar panels.
The new homes will be owned by Citra and will deliver much needed rental accommodation to the Brentwood area. The homes will benefit from the building’s wider amenities, including a café, gym, workspaces, meeting rooms, residents’ lounge, dining room and BBQ areas, all coordinated by an in-house manager, who will assist residents in making the most of the shared spaces.
Warley HQ is located a short walk from Brentwood station with fast rail links to London on the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street Station just 40 minutes away.
Ford ceased operations at the site, which is surrounded by local woodland, in 2019 and the site has since been under construction.
Andy Hutchinson, Managing Director of Citra Living, said: “It’s great to work with a family-run business like Land Charter that knows the value of community and maintaining historical architecture while boosting the supply of much-needed high-quality, rented accommodation in this part of Essex.
“What’s striking about Warley HQ is the energy credentials of the building. By investing in a project which retains the original building structure, there are significant embodied carbon savings.
“This building has been designed to accommodate modern lifestyles with cafés, dining areas and gym, and those working from home with meeting rooms and high-speed internet. There’s also plenty to explore in and around Brentwood, whether it be open countryside, entertainment or boutique shopping, there is lots to see and do.”
Jack Buttleman, Land Charter Group, said: “It’s Citra’s mission to provide a great rental experience in sustainable homes and communities: Warley HQ is a great example of modern living made more attractive by the rich history of the building and surrounding area, in a spot that was at risk of being lost or overlooked. By redeveloping this site, we were able to reinvigorate the existing community and offer exceptional housing options for those working in Essex and London.
“It’s been fantastic to work with Citra on this deal given their experience in the sector, and we look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”
