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15.
June
2018.
Launch of Connect38 at Ashford Commercial Quarter

Launch of Connect38 at Ashford Commercial Quarter puts Ashford on the map for business

Media Release

15June 2018

Quinn Estates has officially opened the highly anticipated Connect38 - the first building to be launched on the Ashford Commercial Quarter site marking the start of an exciting new chapter in the town's story as the economic powerhouse of Kent.

Already contributing to the success of Kent's International Town and one of Ashford's ‘Big 8' projects, Connect38, designed by Canterbury based Clague Architects, is the largest office block to be built in Kent for 20 years with 75% of the building let.

Located adjacent to Ashford International Rail Station - linking the town with high speed services to London and Europe - the new building delivers 80,500 sq ft of office, restaurant and retail space with the creation of around 481 full-time jobs.

The new building has already welcomed its first tenants with infrastructure consultants, Peter Brett, accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy, and dental practice Pennypot Dental the first to arrive. Connect 38 will be part of what will ultimately become a 600,000 sq ft office and retail campus.

Mark Quinn, CEO, Quinn Estates said: "This project is one of my proudest achievements to date. Connect38 and Ashford Commercial Quarter is going to mark a new chapter for Ashford and sets the standard for office space in the South East.

"It's been brilliant to celebrate the official opening with representatives from so many of the county's leading businesses and organisations today. We've had great feedback all day and people really believe that this development is the start of a new legacy in Ashford.

"Connect38 represents an extraordinary opportunity for businesses looking to relocate locally, or from London and further afield. The international train station is almost adjacent to the development site, making this an ideal commuting location.

"Connect38 is the dynamic new business hub in town - we have already let 75% of the space. We look forward to seeing a new professional community develop here onsite in this state-of-the-art collaborative workspace."

Connect38 has been delivered by Quinn Estates, in partnership with George Wilson Developments, and with the strong backing of Ashford Borough Council who see the scheme as pivotal to the town's future economic success. To enable the first phase of development at the Commercial Quarter, the council has underwritten the cost of two floors of the office block.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council said: "We've been hugely excited to watch the construction of Connect38 over the last few months. Now, it has come to fruition and it's better than we could have imagined.

"This building, and Ashford Commercial Quarter as a larger site, makes an important statement about the borough's economic position, our can-do attitude as an authority, our sharp commercial focus and the confidence that key businesses and developers have in the town.

"This borough has a rich heritage, but we are also embracing growth with ambitious plans for the future. Ashford Commercial Quarter marks a significant project within our ‘Big 8' developments -major projects emphasising this ambition. These developments illustrate our intention to unlock major opportunities, while delivering new jobs, housing, retail and cultural facilities."

Karl Elliott, Managing Partner at Clague Architects, said: "Connect38 makes a step-change in terms of the design and quality of commercial development being brought forward in Kent, and east of London.

"With St Pancras only 38 minutes away, hence its name, Connect38 and the forthcoming other buildings that make up Ashford Commercial Quarter, a masterplan we're currently finalising for Quinn Estates, will ensure Ashford is a very strong destination for ambitious businesses."

To see further details about the development, visit www.quinn-estates.com or, for more information economic development in Ashford, visit www.ashfordfor.com

ENDS

 For more information contact Darren on 01634 671167 or email: Darren.laws@zesttheagency.com

 Editor's Notes
 
High res images available on request 

 About Quinn Estates

 Quinn Estates is the South East's foremost mixed-use developer with an exceptionally strong track record in obtaining planning consent on strategic and brownfield sites. 

  • In every scheme, we aim to do something positive in the communities in which we develop and, for this reason, we are developing a reputation amongst landowners, parish councils, local councils and county councils for honesty, integrity and delivering what we say we will. As a result, we create huge social, environmental, sporting and economic benefits through   actively engaging with local communities at an early stage.
  • We have built in excess of 2m sq.ft of commercial space in which 5,000 people now work, which is more space than any other commercial developer in Kent
  • As a mixed-use specialist, we are able to deliver exceptional schemes that actively contribute to the community's fabric.
  • In the past three years, we have committed to over £50m of community projects including a new state of the art facility for the Pilgrim's Hospice, an apprenticeship centre for Canterbury College and delivering a new sporting super hub for the people of Herne Bay.
  • Our reputation for delivery has led us to become joint venture partners with several councils in Kent and we are currently building eight schemes including ACQ ONE (the largest office scheme to be built in Kent in the last 10 years).
  • In Swale, where several other developers have failed, we have struck the ground on the redevelopment of Sittingbourne town centre - a fact we are particularly proud of.  
  • We own or control land upon which we are actively involved in planning on 22,500 residential plots and four million sq ft of commercial space spread across 48 sites in the South East of England.