ODA says three organisations are still in with a chance for athletes’ village

The Olympic Delivery Authority has shortlisted three investors, including Shard developer Qatari Diar, to develop and mange the athletes’ village after the 2012 Games.

The decision means that all the traditional developers and housebuilders formerly in the running for the opportunity, including Barratt, Urban Splash, Galliard Homes and Grainger, have failed to make the cut.

However, wealthy health charity the Wellcome Trust, which is rumoured to be bidding £1bn to take the bulk of the whole Olympic park after the games, including the athletes’ village, is on the list.

The full list is:

  • Delancey and Qatari Diar
  • Hutchison Whampoa Ltd
  • Wellcome Trust

The bidders are competing for the opportunity to take on the 1,439 private homes in the athletes’ village, as well six development plots around the site for a further 2,000 new homes.

The ODA said it was looking to for the winning bidder to provide “best-value, together with a long-term commitment to realise the full potential of the new homes and future development opportunities across the village site.”

Dennis Hone, ODA chief executive, said: “The quality of the three shortlisted parties is a vote of confidence in the Olympic village, demonstrating both UK and international interest in first-class British property.

The village will deliver the best of city living all in one place with high-quality new homes joined by education and healthcare facilities, new parklands, public squares and open space. Securing best value and the best legacy owner for the village will be key.”

Bidders that missed out were:

  • Dorrington & Pinnacle Capital
  • Galliard Homes
  • Grainger plc and Moorfield Group
  • Le Frak Organization, Aviva plc and J.P. Morgan
  • London & Stamford Property plc, David Wilson and Sir Robert McAlpine
  • The William Pears Group and Urban Splash

A final decision on the winner will be made in the summer, the ODA said.

In a separate development, QD has financed its first ever development in the US, it has been reported.

The Telegraph reported this morning that the developer is backing the 10-acre, $700m CityCentreDC mixed-use project in Washington.

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