Ares Management has acquired a major purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Handsworth Wood, North West Birmingham – three miles north of the city centre.

In total, the Browns Green affordable housing scheme and Ham Cam PBSA are around 450,000 sq ft. Overall, it comprises 525 PBSA beds, 529 privately let residential apartments, 145 garages, and a majority-vacant PBSA building (135 beds), this significant mixed-use campus totals over 1,000 units. The estate includes nine low-rise residential blocks and is  c. 450,000 sq ft.

The estate offers asset management and development opportunities, including the potential refurbishment of Hamstread Hall. Addington and AddLiving have been appointed as asset and property managers by Ares Management following the completion of the acquisition of the expansive housing development …

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Gamuda Land has announced the acquisition of a prime site at 14 Marshgate Lane in Stratford, East London, for a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development. The 321-bedroom scheme is Gamuda Land UK’s first fully self-developed and managed PBSA project, representing a significant step forward in the company’s ability to deliver projects independently in the UK …

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Amro Partners and Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, have announced a new joint venture partnership and the launch of a dedicated platform focused on investment into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Germany.

The partnership will initially target a portfolio of 3,000 student bedrooms, expected to represent in excess of €500m in gross asset value (GAV), which they intend to reach over the next three years.

The joint venture’s first project is a prime site in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin to develop a €60m scheme comprising 200 student rooms with amenities. The scheme sits within walking distance of the main campus at the Technical University of Berlin. It is currently expected to open prior to the start of the 2028/2029 academic year …

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AustralianSuper has committed £500 million to a new UK living platform, with plans to become one of the top five rental housing operators in the country within five years …

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Landmark Properties, the largest student housing developer in the United States, has closed on its first land acquisition in the United Kingdom, securing a prime site on William Road in central London The sale facilitated by the Student Property team of Knight Frank, will deliver a new development of 225 purpose-built student beds alongside high-quality amenity space.

Located in London’s prestigious Zone 1, the site is just a 10-minute walk from University College London (UCL), Euston Station and Regent’s Park, placing future residents at the heart of one of the world’s leading academic and medical hubs …

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Far East Orchard Limited has increased its stake in Homes for Students (HFS) to 84%, making it a subsidiary. The strategic move aims to enhance Far East Orchard’s lodging platform, drive operational efficiency, and expand its PBSA portfolio in the UK, with plans to acquire the remaining stake by November 2030.

Far East Orchard first announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in HFS in April 2024, for £17.6m. It acquired the 49% stake from two non-management sellers.

The group completed the first stage of the phased acquisition, acquiring about 35% of stake in HFS for £25m. With its current stake at 84%, HFS becomes a subsidiary of Far East Orchard …

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M&G Real Estate has announced at the beginning of the new academic year that it has added more than 1,000 new bedrooms to its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio via three PBSA schemes in Manchester, Nottingham and Lisbon.

These schemes add 1,072 student bedrooms to M&G’s 9,000-bedrooms portfolio which spans the UK, Europe and Asia, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to high-quality assets and addressing shortages in dynamic university cities through investments with strong fundamentals. The additions reflect M&G’s strategic agility to execute across a range of risk/return profiles, from core, long-term holdings to value-add opportunities, demonstrating the sector’s versatility …

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Regal has become part of Arada following the acquisition of a strategic stake in the business. The operation will now trade as Arada London.

As part of the deal, Arada is committing an initial £500 million to support and accelerate the residential-led pipeline across the capital.

The partnership aims to add scale, financial strength, and international expertise to Regal’s integrated model spanning planning, construction, and delivery …

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QuadReal Property Group has announced that it has fully acquired the UNCLE brand in the UK and Europe as well as Realstar’s UK&I residential operating platform, which will be re- named. The transaction consolidates the operating company under QuadReal.

The current team will remain to expand the business. Ryan Prince will also remain as CEO for the next 12 months. Following this transition period, he will move to the role of non-executive Chairman. 

QuadReal and Realstar launched their first joint venture in 2017, expanded the relationship through asset acquisitions and, in 2021, QuadReal purchased a minority interest in the Realstar UK operating company …

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KKR has acquired a UK PBSA portfolio from Curlew Student Trust II, funded by clients of CBRE Investment Management, for approximately £230 million.

The seven-property portfolio was developed by Curlew between 2020 and 2022 and spans seven UK cities.

The assets primarily feature en-suite units and a strong amenity provision. Approximately 80 per cent of units are let to undergraduates and more than 50 to domestic students.

Inhabeo, KKR Real Estate’s living sector platform in Europe, will act as the asset manager for the portfolio …

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