Hammerson Plc history, company profile (overview) and corporate video
Hammerson plc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in London, England, the United Kingdom. It owns, operates and develops urban real estate in the UK, Ireland and France. It also holds investments in premium outlet villages.
HISTORY
Hammerson was established in 1942 by Lewis Hammerson to invest in real estate, converting houses into apartments.
In 1948, L.W. Hammerson & Co expanded into commercial property.
In 1954, the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange and changed its name to Hammerson Property and Investment Trust.
In 1960, the company expanded into Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.
In 1970, the group expanded into Canada and Europe.
In 1976, Brent Cross Shopping Centre was opened as the first major enclosed shopping centre in the UK.
In 1982, Hammerson Property and Investment Trust changed its name to the Hammerson Property Investment and Development Corporation plc.
In 1995, the company acquired interest in Espace St Quentin, a shopping centre in France.
In 1996, the former Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham was acquired.
In 1998, Italie 2, Paris 13eme, was acquired.
In 1999, the retail scheme, The Oracle, Reading, was opened
In 2000, the retail scheme, WestQuay, Southampton, was opened.
In 2002, the company acquired publicly quoted Grantchester Holdings plc. It also acquired Bercy 2, Paris.
In 2003, Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham, was opened.
In 2004, the company acquired additional 50% interest in WestQuay Shopping Centre, Southampton.
In 2005, Villebon 2 retail park, near Paris, was acquired.
In 2007, the company acquired the Grand Maine shopping centre in Angers, France. It also sold 9 place Vendome, Paris.
In 2008, One London Wall, London, was sold.
In 2009, Union Square Aberdeen was opened.
In 2011, the company acquired SQY Ouest and St Martin’s retail portfolio, including Centrale, Croydon.
In 2012, the company changed its strategy and started focusing on retail property. It also acquired Junction Fund retail parks portfolio.
In 2018, the company announced its intention to exit the retail park sector and focus on “flagship retail destinations”.
PROJECTS
- Bishopsgate Goodsyard, London;
- Dublin Central, Dublin;
- Grand Central, Birmingham;
- Martineau Galleries, Birmingham.
DESTINATIONS PORTFOLIO
- Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London, England;
- Cabot Circus, Bristol, England;
- Grand Central, Birmingham, England;
- Highcross, Leicester, England;
- Bull Ring, Birmingham, England;
- The Oracle, Reading, England;
- Westquay, Southampton, England;
- Swords Pavilions, Dublin, Ireland;
- Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin, Ireland;
- Ilac Centre, Dublin, Ireland;
- Union Square Shopping Centre, Aberdeen, Scotland;
- Italie deux, Paris, France;
- Les 3 Fontaines, Cergy-Pontoise, France;
- O’Parinor, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France.
Hammerson plc is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World, according to Forbes.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.hammerson.com
**Video published on YouTube by “Hammerson“