The Urban Splash Residential Fund (USRF), advised by SURE Capital Partners, has announced a significant new partnership with sustainable developer Citu, formalised through a £200 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This five-year agreement grants USRF priority access to Citu’s pioneering properties, which include single-family homes across Yorkshire, marking a major milestone in the fund’s expansion strategy. This alliance – the second for USRF after a similar agreement with Urban Splash – encompasses 600 homes with potential for future growth. As part of the initial investment, USRF will acquire 52 Citu homes located in the Climate Innovation District in Leeds and Kelham Central, Sheffield. Both developments reflect Citu’s principles of placemaking, building resilient, green, mixed-use neighbourhoods with energy-efficient homes that prioritise community and environmental responsibility. Adding Citu’s homes diversifies USRF’s portfolio, expanding its range of sustainable, single-family residences across the UK. Akeel Malik, Partner at SURE Capital Partners, commented, “This partnership aligns capital with regeneration, empowering us to support the creation of vibrant new neighbourhoods. Leeds and Sheffield are dynamic cities where people want to live, work, and play, and we’re proud to be part of this transformation.” He continued, “Our mission is to build a portfolio of design-led rental homes, and Citu’s award-winning properties and communities offer the ideal product for that vision.” Tom Bloxham MBE, also a Partner at SURE, added, “Investors are ready to back design-led homes – a concept that has proven successful with Urban Splash and now extends to Citu. I have long admired Citu’s work and am delighted to see this agreement finalised.” Bloxham added that this deal underscores SURE Capital’s dedication to connecting UK and international capital with top UK developers such as Citu, Urban Splash, and Javelin Block, supporting sustainable housing projects with substantial investor returns. Yorkshire-based Citu is known for its innovative and environmentally conscious developments. Building to Passivhaus standards, Citu’s homes are about 75% more energy-efficient than traditional UK homes. They are also manufactured locally using modern construction methods in Citu’s Yorkshire factory, further minimising carbon emissions. Through this partnership, Citu will introduce high-quality rental properties to its developments, a strategic new direction for the company. Jonathan Wilson, Citu’s Managing Director, stated, “This collaboration is a substantial step forward for Citu. Our growth strategy is centred on creating sustainable communities with a variety of tenures, and we’re thrilled to offer rental options in partnership with USRF, a partner who shares our commitment to sustainable development.” Established in 2017, USRF has gained a leading position in the market by actively engaging with local communities. Its initiatives include 100% green energy and a resident platform called Ark, offering discounts with local businesses. This new agreement with Citu will allow both organisations to continue fostering sustainable urban living across Yorkshire, benefiting both communities and the environment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Urban Splash Residential Fund (USRF), and its Investment Adviser SURE Capital Partners, have entered into a significant new partnership with sustainable developer Citu, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth £200m.   The arrangement gives USRF priority access to Citu’s pioneering properties and single family homes across Yorkshire for the next five years, marking a major step forward in the Fund’s expansion.   The strategic partnership – USRF’s second, following a similar agreement with Urban Splash – covers 600 homes with opportunity to grow, and includes an initial purchase of 52 Citu homes within the Climate Innovation District in Leeds and Kelham Central, Sheffield. Both developments follow Citu’s placemaking principles creating resilient, green, mixed-use neighbourhoods of low energy homes, and building through placemaking focused on people and communities.   The homes further diversify USRF’s portfolio by adding more sustainable single family homes to its current offering across the UK; Akeel Malik, Partner at SURE Capital Partners explained: “This deal connects capital with regeneration, allowing us to play a pivotal role in creating vibrant new neighbourhoods. Leeds and Sheffield are exciting, transformative cities where people want to live, work, and play, and we’re proud to help drive that change.  “Our mission is to cultivate a portfolio of design-led homes for renters – an approach that aligns perfectly with Citu. We have found the ideal product in their award-winning homes and communities.”  Tom Bloxham MBE, also Partner at SURE added: “SURE has investors ready to commit to design-led homes. It’s a concept that’s been proven with Urban Splash and now with Citu. “I have long been an admirer of the regeneration work undertaken by Chris, Jonathan and the team at Citu and was very pleased to see this deal close. This is another example of how SURE Capital is bringing UK and international institutional capital to work supporting the very best UK SME developers like CITU, Urban Splash and Javelin Block – with whom we completed a deal last year in Birmingham. This deal will both bring good returns to our investors and help fund much needed new sustainable homes and regeneration in UK regions.” Yorkshire-born Citu is renowned for its innovative and eco-conscious developments across the UK, creating homes that work to Passivhaus principles, making them approximately 75% more energy efficient than a traditional home in the UK. Citu’s homes are also manufactured locally in its Yorkshire factory using modern methods of construction (MMC) that substantially lower carbon emissions with an emphasis on quality and assurance.   The company is redefining urban living in Yorkshire through innovation and sustainability. With a commitment to creating homes and communities which are designed beautifully, are environmentally responsible and socially vibrant. Diversifying the tenures available in these places and providing a quality rental offering in an exciting next step in Citu’s journey as Jonathan Wilson, Managing Director at Citu, explained: “This partnership marks a significant step forward for Citu, and we are delighted to have found an aligned partner with the right expertise and ambitions to join us on this journey.   “Our growth strategy focuses on creating exceptional sustainable places with a variety of tenures, and we’re excited to introduce a rental offering to our developments both now and in the future, with a partner who shares our vision and responsibility. This collaboration enables us to move ahead with confidence, and we look forward to the next steps.”  Citu is passionate about building and place sustainability. The deal will help Citu, a growing Yorkshire SME, further expand its reach while giving USRF the opportunity to offer sustainable living solutions to families across the county.  Established in 2017, USRF has developed a market-leading experience that actively engages local communities. The Fund offers initiatives including 100% green energy as standard and a community platform called Ark offers a resident app with local business discounts. For further information: https://www.urbansplash.co.uk/us-residential-fund Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals