About Us

Company Timeline

Formed in 1946 and listed in 1959 and acquired by Workspace Group Plc in May 2022, and entirely focussed on the office, industrial and logistics markets of the South East and London offers a differentiated alternative to other providers in our market.

McKay remains an ambitious organisation, having delivered value for shareholders and the very best environments for teams to thrive and businesses to grow over many years. The protfolio today is built on the successes of the past, with the acquisitions and disposals shown on the timeline below highlighting the range of succesful projects, the regular recycling of capital and the Company's strategy in action.

2022

Great Brighams Mead, Reading

Sold in May 2022, the Reading town centre property was sold to a residential developer.

84,840 sq ft

2021

Evergreen Studios, Richmond

Purchased October 2021. A Grade-A open plan office space spread across five floors. EPC rating B. Ideally located close to Richmond railway station.

17,323 sq ft

2020

30 Lombard Street, EC3

Sold the long leasehold interest in August 2020. Redevelopment of the 1960’s multi-let office building was completed in early 2019, securing a 62% increase in lettable area. The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building was pre-let shortly before practical completion.

58,500 sq ft

2020

Willoughby Road, Bracknell

Purchased August 2020. A 2.7 acre freehold logistics asset consisting of two modern self contained units with large secured yards.

54,157 sq ft

2019

Station Plaza, Theale

Sold in May 2019, a complex of three office buildings sold to the asset occupier.

41,420 sq ft

2019

Rivergate Newbury

Purchased in October 2019, a multi-let office building fronting Newbury Business Park.

61,385 sq ft

2018

Runnymede Focus, Egham

Sold in March 2018, a high quality warehouse developed by McKay in 1974.

90,890 sq ft

2017

Pinehurst Park, Farnborough

Completion of disposal of the freehold of the remaining interest in Pinehurst Park in November 2017. Disposal of The Convent was achieved in 2013 following acquisition of the entire demise in 2013

50,200 sq ft

2017

Albion House, Newbury

Disposal of Albion House in October 2017.

6,520 sq ft

2016

McKay Trading Estate, Bicester

Sold in March 2016, this Bicester property comprised of seven individually let warehouse units developed by the Group in 1980.

65,540 sq ft

2016

Bartley House, Hook

Sold in March 2016, Bartley House, Hook is a two storey office building purchased and refurbished by the Group in 1998 and subsequently let to two tenants.

21,700 sq ft

2015

202 and 203 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NH

Sold in December 2015. 203 is a 21,558 sq ft office building located opposite Southwark Tube Station. The property was refurbished by the Group in 2012. 202 is a self contained office building of 2,000 sq ft adjacent 203.

21,500 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft

2015

Brunel Road, Theale

Acquired in April 2015. Distribution facility located at Junction 12 of the M4 motorway, adjacent to the Arlington Business Park at Theale, Berkshire. This recognised distribution location is on the edge of Reading and 45 miles west of central London.

96,850 sq ft

2014

The Planets, Crown Square, Woking

Acquired in August 2014. Mixed use development comprising conference centre, bingo hall, hotel and nightclub on a prime 1.04 acre site in the heart of Woking town centre and adjacent to 1 Crown Square which is also owned by the Company.

98,255 sq ft

2014

Station Plaza, Theale

Acquired in August 2014. Station Plaza provides three modern office buildings with 170 car spaces, located at J12 of the M4 motorway, on the southern side of Reading. Theale railway station, providing a regular service to London Paddington and the west, is adjacent to the property.

41,420 sq ft

2014

Gainsborough House, 59-60 Thames Street, Windsor

Acquired in 2014. A modern five storey office building with 19 secure car spaces in an attractive town centre location, close to Windsor and Eton Riverside station and the footbridge over the River Thames linking Windsor to Eton.

18,660 sq ft

2014

9 Greyfriars Road, Reading

Acquired in 2014. Located in the centre of Reading, this office building has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to deliver top quality Grade A space achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating. Completed in July 2016. Architect: Barton Willmore

39,600 sq ft

2014

The Mille, 1000 Great West Road, Brentford

Acquired in May 2014. Landmark multi-let office building of 96,650 sq ft, prominently situated next to an elevated section of the M4 motorway. Ownership includes a digital stand alone advertising tower.

96,700 sq ft

2014

Ashcombe House, Leatherhead

Acquired in March 2014. Multi – let office building situated in Leatherhead town centre.

17,450 sq ft

2014

1 Crown Square, Woking

Acquired in January 2014. Multi-let office building, with ground floor retail situated in a prominent position in the heart of Woking town centre. Located adjacent to The Planets also owned by the Company.

50,735 sq ft

2013

Columbia House, Farnborough

Acquired in 2013, Columbia House is a modern distribution warehouse with ancillary offices, with a self contained yard and eaves height of 9 metres. Built in 2000, the property is located on the established Southwood Business Park.

40,755 sq ft

2013

Pinehurst Park, Farnborough

Having achieved planning permission for the conversion of the The Convent building into 13 separate flats, a successful disposal of The Convent was achieved in 2013. The neighbouring Pinehurst building (fully let to IBM) is retained by the Company.

50,200 sq ft

2013

Prospero, Redhill

Acquired in 2013. A town centre development site on London Road with planning approval for 48,050 sq ft of high quality office space and 14 residential units. The residential site was sold to Riverdale in August 2014. Construction works completed in late 2016, delivering a BREEAM Excellent rating. Architect: Fibonacci

50,370 sq ft

2013

Bothwell Street, Glasgow

Having completed a new reversionary lease to the Student Loans Group in 2012, the building was sold in 2013.

2012

66 Wilson Street, London

Acquired in 2012, the building occupies a prominent corner location in the heart of the rapidly improving area known as Tech City. A comprehensive refurbishment completed June 2014. Architect: Formation

11,890 sq ft

2012

Pinehurst Park, Farnborough

Accquired in 2012. 2.8 acres acquired in the town centre with secure income to IBM.

50,200 sq ft

2011

329 Bracknell, Bracknell

Multi let office building acquired in 2011, with excellent car parking and good motorway access. Phased refurbishment now completed. Architect: Spratley

32,955 sq ft

2008

One Fleet, Ancells Park, Fleet

Acquired in 2008 and comprehensively refurbished in 2010, offering high quality accommodation and generous car parking on an established business park.

34,580 sq ft

2007

Switchback Office Park, Maidenhead

Switchback Office Park comprises 6 self-contained office units that were acquired in 2007. The complex is located in a fully landscaped setting, on the northern side of Maidenhead town centre. A rolling refurbishment programme has now been completed. Architect: Spratley

37,155 sq ft

2007

Lower Cherwell Street Industrial Estate, Banbury

Lower Cherwell Street Industrial Estate is a 19 unit scheme acquired in 2007. It is located between the town centre and mainline railway station. The estate forms part of an area promoted for regeneration by the Local Authority.

40,060 sq ft

2007

Lotus Park, Staines Upon Thames

Office scheme acquired in 2005. Buildings One and Two comprehensively refurbished and extended in 2007, achieving improved rents on re-letting. Sold in 2009. Architect: Broadway Malyan

79,000 sq ft

2006

Corinthian House, Croydon

Acquired in 2006. Well located close to East Croydon station overlooking the Ruskin Square regeneration site with medium term redevelopment prospects.

44,590 sq ft

2006

Dacre House, SW1

1970's office and retail property acquired in 1996. Comprehensive refurbishment in 2006 achieved additional floor area and improved rental values. Sold in 2008. Architect: ESA

14,000 sq ft

2005

1 Old Queen Street, SW1

Two adjoining properties acquired in 2001. In 2005 a complex partial demolition and refurbishment achieved a 25% increase in floor area and a high quality product, which was sold in 2009. Architect: Halpern

22,000 sq ft

2005

Swan Court, SW19

Site assembled and held from 1979. Development completed 2005, providing high quality headquarters offices and retail in central Wimbledon. Architect: Louis de Soisson

58,690 sq ft

2001

Pegasus Place, Crawley

Site acquired in 2001 and redeveloped in 2001/2002 to provide striking column-free offices in 3 buildings. Architect: ESA

50,790 sq ft

2000

One Castle Lane, SW1

Acquired in 2000 and refurbished subsequently on a rolling basis in an improving area.

14,250 sq ft

2000

Portsoken House, EC3

Prominent 1930's building acquired in 2000. Rolling refurbishment continues to improve the quality and rental value of both office and ground floor retail space.

49,570 sq ft

2000

Great Brighams Mead, Reading

Site assembly, dating back to 1980, culminating in the development of office headquarters in 2000 and the sale of adjoining land for residential development. Architect: Broadway Malayn

84,840 sq ft

1998

Bartley House, Hook

Bartley House, Hook is a two storey office building totalling 21,700 sq ft, purchased and refurbished by the Group in 1998 and subsequently let to two tenants. Bartley House was sold in March 2016.

21,700 sq ft

1998

23 Buckingham Gate, SW1

Acquired in 1995 and sold in 2001 after increasing the floor area and rental value with a comprehensive refurbishment.

15,000 sq ft

1991

Mallard Court, Staines Upon Thames

Following piecemeal site assembly from 1980 onwards, the property was developed in 1989/1990 and continues to offer high quality accommodation in central Staines.

21,860 sq ft

1990

Newminster House, Bristol

Having been developed by the Group in the 1960's and refurbished in 2003/2004, the building was sold in 2005.

30,000 sq ft

1988

Bothwell Street, Glasgow

Prime City Centre Office Development by the Company and let at the time on long leases. In 2012 a new reversionary lease until 2023 was completed on the whole building with the Student Loans Group. Sold in 2013. Architect: Newman Levison

100,000 sq ft

1985

Chancery House, Sutton

Built by the Group in joint venture with Scottish Widows. The head lease interest was acquired from Scottish Widows in 2004, and the property sold in 2006. Architect: Fitzroy Robinson

55,000 sq ft

1983

Greyfriars Road, Reading

Office redevelopment in central Reading, occupied in part as the Group headquarters. Architect: Terry Farrell

33,345 sq ft

1980

McKay Trading Estate, Bicester

This Bicester property comprised of seven individually let warehouse units developed by the Group in 1980. The estate was sold in March 2016.

65,540 sq ft

1976

McKay Trading Development, Poyle

High quality industrial estate with generous yard and parking close to Heathrow Airport. Architect: John Outram

73,955 sq ft

1974

Runnymede Works, Egham

High quality warehouse development on a former timber yard adjoining the River Thames. Architect: Nicholas Grimshaw

90,890 sq ft

1972

Chobham

High quality warehouse developed on a former brickworks site within the Greenbelt. Residential planning consent was secured in 2005 and part of the site sold in 2006.

50,000 sq ft

1970

3 & 5 Acre Estates, Folkestone

Two individual estates developed by the Group on the popular Park Farm estate.

104,835 sq ft

1962

Knightsbridge, SW1

Acquired in 1962. Refurbished apartments disposed of on long leases. Freehold sold 2002.

82 apartments

1959

Stock Exchange Listing

McKay Securities PLC

1946

McKay Securites PLC Formation

14th October 1946