Member Article

Leeds developer Oakapple commences work on £19 million London scheme

Leeds-based Oakapple Group has begun work on a £19 million mixed-use scheme in London and has appointed Jason Papprill as development manager to keep up with the project.

Surrey-based Marbank Construction will be constructing the new 10,000sq ft offices and 40 luxury apartments in Clapham for the firm as part of a £7.6 million contract.

Before work has started the entire grade A office complex has been pre-let to global lift and escalator company, Kone plc, while all the apartments have been sold off-plan.

Jason joins from Hull-based construction company, Hobson & Porter, where he was CEO. He has extensive experience managing large scale developments and has worked across a diverse range of sectors including residential, retail, commercial, leisure and healthcare.

In addition to managing the Clapham scheme, Jason will deliver a significant development pipeline for the group.

This includes a number of robust residential and commercial projects, the key one being the 100,000 sq ft of grade A office space on Sweet Street in Leeds city centre, as well as a number of retail developments in the North of England.

Speaking about his appointment, Jason said: “I am very pleased to have joined the Oakapple team as I admire its entrepreneurial and forward thinking approach.

“Rather than put things on hold during the property slump it continued to develop a land bank in readiness for the recovery and also diversified into other areas with growth potential, such as solar power.

“I am therefore looking forward to putting my skills and experience into practice to help the group enjoy success following the recession.”

Commenting on the state of the property market, chairman of Oakapple Group, Philip Taylor said: “It has been an extremely difficult six year period but it is now beginning to settle down.

“More operators are coming into the market seeking new properties and, with banks beginning to lend again, developers can now start to develop to relieve this pent up demand. We are therefore being proactive in our search for new opportunities.

“Although it certainly looks more positive I do not believe it will return to the heady days of seven years ago.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .