European developer Ghelamco acquires second site in London

Leading European real estate investor and developer, Ghelamco, has purchased their second major development since entering the London market.

The company has acquired a 250,500 sq ft former candle factory in Battersea, which will be transformed into ‘The HiLight’, comprising 113 luxury apartments on the banks of the River Thames. The apartments will feature balconies, bay windows and full-height glazing to maximise the river views, while the building will also include a range of amenities including a club room, cinema, fitness and wellness studio, meeting room and workspaces, sky bar, sports court, viewing platform and a sensory rooftop garden.

Ghelamco has partnered with award-winning architectural design firm Squire & Partners for the project, and the development is set to break ground in Q2 2024. Bowler James Brindley has been appointed by Ghelamco as the interior designer, while Grant Associates has been chosen as the rooftop garden landscaper.

This acquisition follows Ghelamco’s successful debut project, The Arc, a mixed-use scheme in Shoreditch which is now complete and will be the UK’s first building to be DGNB certified, as the firm seeks to invest around London in residential and commercial projects.

Ghelamco has been a leading European property developer for almost forty years, with a portfolio of assets under management of some €2.2billion across sites in Poland, Belgium, France and the UK, employing around 240 individuals.

Marie-Julie Gheysens, head of UK, international business development at Ghelamco, said: “We are excited to be announcing our second development in the UK, The HiLight. After establishing our first building in London, The Arc, we are pleased to be bringing our vision to another part of the city. Our unique approach to placemaking and building beautiful homes will add something completely new to the area while remaining sympathetic to the history of the space and the environment.”

Tim Gledstone, partner at Squire & Partners, commented: “At HiLight, we have sought to design a new industrial, crafted tower which references the candle-making history of the existing heritage buildings on the site and marks the new public realm that will link to the river. The HiLight is designed to optimise natural light with outlooks over Battersea, London and along the River Thames. The design of the development celebrates ‘inside outside living’ where the city meets nature, with spectacular views and extensive amenities for modern living, including the only rooftop communal gardens, ballcourt and social amenity space in the area.”