John Lewis Partnership plans to transform a former warehouse site in Reading into a residential area.
- The proposal includes an investment of over £80 million for 215 rental homes.
- This development will feature 6,000 sq ft of internal amenity space and improved public areas.
- A mix of one, two, and three-bedroom flats are planned to rejuvenate the central Reading location.
- The initiative is part of a £500m joint venture aiming to create 1,000 new homes in London and Reading.
The John Lewis Partnership has submitted a planning application to Reading Borough Council. This proposal aims to redevelop a former distribution warehouse situated opposite the Oracle shopping centre in central Reading. The plan is to invest over £80m in creating 215 residential units for rent.
The housing development not only includes residential units but also incorporates 6,000 sq ft of internal amenity space designated for community use. Additionally, the design outlines two external garden spaces alongside general improvements to the public realm surrounding the development.
The housing units will feature a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom flats, appealing to a range of potential tenants. This development is intended to revitalise the area, turning a disused industrial site into a vibrant residential community.
In the broader context, the Reading housing proposal is part of a significant £500m multi-decade joint venture with investment company Abrdn. This partnership aims to deliver around 1,000 new homes across London and Reading, marking a strategic move for John Lewis away from solely retail-based operations.
The Reading project follows the recent approval of another John Lewis scheme in Bromley, London, which plans for 353 rental homes including a modernised Waitrose store. An additional application has been submitted for West Ealing, London. All of these initiatives align with John Lewis’s long-term strategy, conceived by outgoing chairman Sharon White in 2020, to diversify and innovate in property development.
Construction for the Reading site is projected to commence in early 2026, with the first residents expected to move in by 2028. Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent for the John Lewis Partnership, stated the development would “transform a disused industrial site into a thriving rental community,” thus benefiting both future residents and the wider community.
The proposed Reading housing development by John Lewis represents a strategic shift towards community-centred urban regeneration.
