Great Portland Estates seeks to connect and collaborate with local communities, throughout the lifecycle of its buildings and across its development and asset management activities.

They recognise that local initiatives play an important role in improving and promoting central London, and are committed to being actively involved in enabling their success.

Unlocking potential with local communities

In its purest sense ‘community’ means people living and working in close proximity to our properties. Community backing is central to the success of a property both during development and also when operational.

Great Portland Estates engages with neighbours early in the development process and throughout construction, using public meetings, exhibitions and regular newsletters; hearing their thoughts; listening to their concerns and demonstrating its commitment to sensitive, sustainable development, before, during and after construction.

"In order to create a sense of place around our properties, it is vital that we engage with local communities. By investing in local initiatives, not only do we support our neighbours but we help to make central London a better place to live and work for our occupiers." Andrew White Development Director

For Great Portland Estates, community is also about…

Helping people gain valuable experience

To encourage talented people to enter the property and construction industry, Great Portland Estates engages with universities, colleges and schools to provide learning opportunities through on-site tours, presentations, work experience, mentoring and apprenticeships. They have successful collaborations with the University of Westminster, Reading University and Westminster Kingsway College.They also encourage their contractors to employ local people during their developments.

Investing in local initiatives

Between 2008 and 2016 Great Portland Estates invested £17.8 million in community initiatives. This investment takes many forms, including:

• Contributions made directly to local borough councils
• Assisting with maintenance works at community centres
• Opening up vacant space for the arts and charities
• Providing affordable housing and work space as part of our developments
• Sponsoring local events, from local street festivals to West End Live.

Supporting the local community

LUMIERE 2018

More than 58 artworks from 14 countries around the world transformed London’s architecture and streets as part of Lumiere London. Great Portland Estates was proud to sponsor the event for a second year, helping to transform the city into a dazzling nocturnal art exhibition attracting over 1.5 million visitors.

See the full story here...

THE GPE CHARITY BIKE RIDE

60 riders from across the industry were thrilled to raise an impressive £82,000 for The Willow Foundation and The Evelina London Children’s Hospital at Guys and St Thomas Hospital NHS. In this challenging biking event – held for the second time – architects, lawyers, engineers and contractors came together to cycle 150 miles from Bournemouth to London in just over two days. 

Read the full story here...​

Representing local business interests

Great Portland Estates are members of local business improvement districts and community associations. This membership enables them to promote the interests of businesses in the communities where their buildings are located, working collaboratively with other property owners and local groups.

They are currently part of the Baker Street Partnership, Heart of London Business Alliance, New West End Company, Better Bankside, Jermyn Street Association and the Shoreditch Property Association.

This article was originally published on the Great Portland Estates website here.