The Meteor Partnership, a joint venture between Astral Developments and Legal & General, has signed Whirlpool UK to the biggest speculative warehouse to be built in Kent for more than a decade.

Whirlpool has taken the 246,485 sq ft (22,898 sq m) Magnitude distribution warehouse on New Hythe Lane in Aylesford at junction 4 of the M20 on a 10-year lease at £6.50/sq ft (£69.97/sq m). It has the benefit of a fit-out package supplied by Meteor for a sprinkler system and suspended ceiling.

The requirement by the US-based white goods manufacturer for a new UK distribution centre was sparked by a fire that destroyed its previous facility, the 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m) Transfesa warehouse at Paddock Wood in Kent, last summer.

‘Whirlpool carried out a high-profile six-month site search of the UK, but kept coming back to Magnitude as it met its requirements in relation to quality, size, location, access, budgetary constraints and staff retention and it was immediately available,’ said George Glennie of Meteor.

Edwin Hill, CB Richard Ellis and King Sturge advised Meteor; Jones Lang La Salle advised Whirlpool.