Ellandi Appoints Head of Development

Website Editor • Mar 12, 2019

Mike Whitney joins to lead and build our Development team.

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This month Ellandi welcomes Mike Whitney as its new Head of Development.


Joining from UK Real Estate Fund Manager Frogmore, Mike’s previous development projects include Stratford Shopping Centre, London; Ufford Street, Southwark, London; Notting Hill Gate Estate, London and Friary Meadow, Titchfield. Mike identifies the strategic development options within his portfolio and drives the refurbishment, change of use or ground up development programs. He joins us with over 15 years of property experience spanning development advisory, acquisition and sales, through to development in a private equity setting, with cradle to grave responsibility for development projects and servicing funding requirements throughout the project cycle.


Mike will be spearheading Ellandi’s development vision for the regeneration of town centres and high streets. His focus and passion is to introduce uses that champion social cohesion and resilience. “I am relishing the opportunity to help reshape town centres and deliver spaces that not only inspire sustainable and healthy interaction, but promote social equality by making town centres and their benefits accessible to everyone.”


Holly Harcus will be joining Michael at Ellandi in July as Development Manager, bringing her strong analytical skills from her former role as a development investment transactions manager with Aviva Investors. Holly’s experience spans the whole asset life cycle and she is driven by delivering unique and sustainable spaces that occupiers thrive in, benefiting them, communities and investors.


Mark Robinson, Ellandi co-founder says “As our town centres move from crisis to recovery, Ellandi is uniquely positioned to be an agent of the much needed change with over 30 projects nationwide. Strengthening the development team with new hires of the calibre of Mike and Holly will ensure we deliver on our vision of creating the UK’s most inclusive and sustainable communities.”

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We’re excited about Delivering Retail Plus. We are asset and development managers who invest in and create urban places with purpose. We are 16 years young, B Corp certified, and proudly independent since day one. We currently manage 18 retail-led assets across the UK, from Bradford to Chatham, from Leicester to Milton Keynes and Blackpool to Yate. We work with owners, global investors, local authorities, and lenders. For communities, retailers, hospitality and leisure operators, and healthcare providers. We transform spaces into places: places that attract and serve everyone in their communities. Places that create a sustainable impact for the businesses we partner with and the local lives we enrich. We call this Retail Plus: aligning social and financial agendas to improve the performance of both. If you’d like to know more please get in touch with one of our team. A few of us will be speaking at UKReiif next week!
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Frasers Group's Sports Direct and Lane7 will be the latest new additions to the line at Midsummer Place in Milton Keynes, set to open in 2024 / early 2025. Sports Direc t is a leading retailer of sports and fitness with stores across the UK and internationally. This 50,000 sq ft store will offer the world’s biggest sports and lifestyle brands across footwear, clothing, and equipment, and the store will also feature more brands from Frasers Group’s ecosystem including USC, Evans Cycles, and GAME. Lane7 Ltd will occupy circa 40,000 sq ft which will see the company’s 18th opening in the UK. Both brands will be in the former Next Beauty & Home unit across three floors and join other well-loved brands and retailers that have historically made Midsummer Place the ‘fashionable quarter’ and a first choice for customers looking for the latest trends and aspirational shopping. Lane7 will occupy the basement floor. Simon Anderson, Asset Management Director at Ellandi, said, “Securing both Frasers Group’s Sports Direct, and Lane 7 for Midsummer Place demonstrates both confidence in the market as well as highlighting the opportunity at Midsummer Place. These brands will complement the recent re-development of The Boulevard F&B quarter. We are transforming the centre, and in addition to the physical changes we are curating a very attractive tenant mix. This brings us one step closer to realising our vision to create a high-end, quality destination.” The strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for Midsummer Place, reinforcing its commitment to creating a destination that is innovative with a diverse offer in the heart of Milton Keynes city centre. These major signings follow the recently completed development of the popular Boulevard which has seen eight independent luxury cabins open to create a food court that provides cuisines from around the world coupled with recognised F&B occupiers Leon, Starbucks, and Pret A Manger. A Frasers Group spokesperson commented: “We are pleased to be opening a new, elevated retail destination in Milton Keynes’ Midsummer Place. The Sports Direct store will give customers access to the world’s best sports and lifestyle brands, as well as bring other brands from the Group’s ecosystem, including USC, Evans Cycles, and GAME, to the location.” Gavin Hughes, Managing Director at Lane7 added, “This will be our biggest Lane7 to date and we can’t wait to come to Midsummer Place, bringing our unique brand of entertainment and hospitality to Milton Keynes.” Midsummer Place opened in 2000 and currently includes retailers, BOSS, Zara, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Hollister, Superdry, New Look, Tesla, LEGO®, and Apple, among others. Further information, including timings, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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