Real estate investor opens ‘world-class’ European headquarters in Covent Garden

Hines, a global real estate investment, development, and property manager, has opened their new European headquarters at its world-class Grainhouse development in Covent Garden, London, occupying three floors of the five-level building.

Grainhouse, a 91,000 square foot former Victorian seed warehouse, was acquired by the Hines European Value Fund 2 (HEVF 2) in March 2020 and has since been transformed into a prime office and retail scheme after a three-year restoration and refurbishment project, designed by architects Barr Gazetas.

Grainhouse provides a ‘first-class platform for street-level retail and amenities in a charming and original setting in one of London’s most vibrant West End neighbourhoods’.

The new building has been re-imagined in line with its ‘rich industrial heritage’, which included a warehouse for a seed merchant, interlinking five buildings originally developed in the mid-19th century and retaining key original features including exposed concrete, steel and brickwork and delivering the highest standards of workplace design.

The space supports hybrid working and employees’ desire for a diverse array of spaces for different activities, in a prime city centre location with outstanding connectivity.

Lars Huber, CEO, Hines Europe (credit - Philip Vile).

Health and wellbeing are a major focus of the design. Occupants have access to a communal landscaped terrace with native plant species and nest boxes, 15,000 square feet of onsite retail, including a café and restaurant, and spacious accommodation for secure bicycle storage, and extensive shower and locker facilities.

Grainhouse aims to reduce operational carbon through a variety of measures, as well as successfully reducing the embodied carbon on site by retaining as much of the original structure and materials as possible.

Hines’ move to a new headquarters building has been driven by the continued strength and growth of its European platform. Grainhouse will now be home to investment and operational teams for both the European region and its British business, as well as its property management business called Helix.

Lars Huber, CEO, Hines Europe, commented: “Our new European headquarters at Grainhouse will provide us with a strong base in which we can continue to focus on the growth trajectory of our European and UK businesses.

“Grainhouse represents the pinnacle of Hines’ design style and model of investment, development and management, from the original acquisition through to the launch of this world-class headquarters building, which is a deserved home for our talented team.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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