Construction has already begun on one of the most exciting development projects in Europe which will see the Royal Albert Dock transformed into London’s next business and financial district. The 4.7 million sq ft development comprises mainly offices, but also includes residential, retail and public realm. The £1.7 billion project at Royal Albert Dock is opposite London’s City Airport (the international airport for Europe) and a new high speed rail station for Crossrail will open nearby in 2018.
As the biggest Chinese private investment in the UK, the ABP RAD project has drawn lots of attention and the support of political and business leaders from both China and the UK. The main contractor is CITIC Construction under a signed agreement witnessed by Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015. The construction on Phase 1 shows ‘Chinese speed and UK quality’ by achieving its topping out in April 2018 following construction commencement in April 2017, and completion scheduled in March 2019. ABP, the company behind the project, is already taking reservations for office space from companies from financial services, IT, creative and knowledge based industries, and companies seeking a representative office in London.
ABP总部基地正打造 ‘皇家阿尔伯特码头’ 成为伦敦下一个商务金融中心。项目总投资额为17亿英镑,将提供470万平方英尺(约44万平方米)的办公、零售、住宅和公共空间。项目毗邻伦敦城市机场,可直达多个欧洲城市;且又邻近将于2018年启用的伦敦高铁网络 – 跨城铁路。
皇家阿尔伯特码头项目作为中国私人在英的最大投资项目,受到中英双方政商各界的关注和支持。2015年,在中国国家主席习近平和时任英国首相卡梅伦的见证下,中信集团和ABP签订工程建设协议,中信建设正式成为项目的总承包商。项目一期于2017年4月开始开工建设,2018年4月完成封顶,并将在2019年3月按期完工,真正实现了“中国速度,英国质量”。ABP吸引了多家企业签约预订办公楼,涉及金融服务、信息技术、创新和知识型企业等诸多领域,以及计划在伦敦开设办公室的公司。