Boris Joins the Reubens for Paddington Topping out

28 May 2009 – Property Week

The Mayor of London performed the topping out ceremony at European Land’s Carmine office building in London’s Paddington yesterday.

Boris Johnson joined the Reuben brothers for the ceremony to mark the final beam being placed at the top of the building.

European Land is a joint venture between the Reubens and the Jarvis family, and is developing the 1.8m sq ft Merchant Square development.

Johnson said: ‘I am extremely encouraged to see that, despite the current downturn, London is bucking the trend and investors are continuing to show confidence in the capital.

‘Major developments like European Land’s Merchant Square are vital, not just for the regeneration of Paddington.

‘They will also ensure that London emerges from the recession with a modern infrastructure that will act as a catalyst for further investment and economic growth once the upturn comes.’

Carmine is a 355,000 sq ft office building. In April last year Property Week revealed that Marks & Spencer had taken around 170,000 sq ft on a prelet.

The building is expected to complete in 2010.