Ivygrove Developments is marking a key milestone with the first major transaction at Looms Business Park, Spondon. It sees the beginning of a formal partnership with Whitehouse Construction.
The two companies have entered into a design and build agreement for a bespoke headquarters facility developed through close collaboration between their respective technical teams.
Whitehouse Construction, a civil engineering firm founded in 1977, will relocate its operations to a newly designed 25,000 sq ft headquarters at the seven-acre Looms site.
The purpose-built facility, developed in partnership with Ivygrove, will consolidate Whitehouse’s business streams (civil engineering, flood door manufacture and property flood resilience testing) under one roof, enhancing operational efficiency and providing a modern workspace for its growing team.
The new headquarters will occupy nearly two acres and include 8,000 sq ft of office space, a large compound for vehicles and plant, and parking for over 50 cars. A planning application is scheduled for submission to Derby City Council in early October, with construction expected to begin following approval.
Phase 2 of the Looms development will comprise 80,000 sq ft of small and medium-sized industrial units, available to let or for sale. Ivygrove reports strong early interest, with initial units anticipated to be ready by late 2026.
Whitehouse’s chair, Jo Ewart-Sear, said: “Our business has been rooted in Derbyshire for close to 50 years. Partnering with Ivygrove to develop a space that reflects our heritage and supports our future growth is a natural step. Looms Business Park offers unrivalled connectivity and a purposeful environment for our people, equipment, and clients to thrive.”
Ivygrove Developments and Whitehouse Construction share a longstanding professional relationship. “Whitehouse are an excellent company to work with,” said John Blount, chairman of Ivygrove Developments. “We’re proud to be working together once again on such a significant project.”
Stephen Salloway of Salloway Property Consultants emphasised the strategic location: “Looms Business Park offers exceptional access to the UK’s major road network via the A52, A50, and M1—making it one of the most logistically advantageous sites in Derby.”
Nick Blount, director at Ivygrove, concluded: “This is just the beginning. We’re excited to bring Looms Business Park to life and support industrial growth across the city.”
