RO realises a healthy return with sale to Strides Pharma

RO Group is pleased to announce the successful sale of 56 Clarendon Road, Watford to Strides Pharma UK, the UK arm of global pharmaceutical company Strides Pharma Science Ltd.

RO originally acquired the property in 2014, and the sale represents the successful realisation of a long term investment highlighting the Group’s value-driven approach to managing and unlocking potential across its portfolio. The disposal enables RO to recycle capital into carefully selected opportunities in the Roadside and Industrial sectors across the Midlands and South of England.

56 Clarendon Road will become Strides Pharma UK’s new headquarters, supporting the company’s ongoing operations and long-term presence in the UK market. The decision reflects Watford’s position as a major regional business centre, located approximately 20 miles north west of central London and within the M25. The town is home to a strong cluster of national and multinational companies, particularly along Clarendon Road, including TJX Europe, KPMG, Ralph Lauren, PwC, Epson and Allwyn, underlining the area’s appeal to corporate occupiers.

Nick Cashmore, Investment Director at RO Real Estate, commented:

“We are delighted to announce the sale of 56 Clarendon Road to Strides Pharma, a multinational pharmaceutical company, and to see the building become its new UK headquarters. The opportunistic sale represents a well-timed realisation with the sale price reflecting a 40% premium on the 2025 valuation.”

“We intend to reinvest the proceeds into carefully selected land and investment opportunities in the Roadside and Industrial sectors across the Midlands and South of England where we see further potential to create value.”

The property is favourably positioned close to Watford Junction station, which provides direct Metropolitan Line, London Overground and mainline rail connections into central London. The property also benefits from excellent road connectivity, situated adjacent to Junctions 5 and 6 of the M1 and just minutes from the M25.

The RO Group was advised by Brasier Freeth and Womble Bond Dickinson on this transaction.