Fusion Group, one of the UK’s leading privately-owned developers and operators of student accommodation, has partnered with global alternative investment manager Cheyne Capital to acquire a second site in Brent Cross Town for the development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Brent Cross Town is a major 180-acre mixed-use development in north London, valued at £8 billion. The project is being delivered by Related Argent in partnership with Barnet Council and will eventually feature 6,700 new homes, workspaces for 25,000 people, schools, a high street, leisure spaces, and over 50 acres of parks and playing fields. The newly acquired site will see Fusion and Cheyne Capital deliver a £275 million scheme designed by PRP, which will include approximately 650 student beds along with a range of associated amenities. The planning application for this development is expected to be submitted in the fourth quarter of 2024. The scheme will feature extensive study areas, a digital gaming zone for virtual sports such as football, padel, and tennis, as well as a health kitchen, zero-waste shop, private dining facilities, a yoga studio, a herb garden, and relaxation pods. Situated just minutes away from Claremont Park and close to Brent Cross West station on the Thameslink line, which provides a direct connection to St Pancras International in just 12 minutes, the development boasts excellent transport links to central London universities. Brent Cross Town is also set to host Sheffield Hallam University’s first campus outside Yorkshire. This latest project marks the seventh collaboration between Fusion and Cheyne Capital, and their second venture within Brent Cross Town. Together, their investments in the area will now total approximately £500 million in gross development value (GDV). Fusion and Cheyne’s initial PBSA project in Brent Cross Town, acquired in June 2022 and designed by Glenn Howells Architects, is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2025. This development will offer 662 rooms spread across three connected buildings, along with a dedicated events space, café, zero-waste shop, cinema room, e-sports arena, and a KTV karaoke room. The development will also include group and private study lounges, an on-site gym, yoga and wellness studios, a basketball court, and an external terrace. Julian Evans, Land and Planning Director at Fusion Group, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “Brent Cross Town is London’s most exciting new neighbourhood, and expanding our partnerships with Cheyne and Related Argent to bring more than 1,300 student rooms to it is a privilege. We’ll leverage our extensive experience in developing residential assets in urban regenerations across the country to deliver another best-in-class student scheme as part of the town.” Hamish Gordon of Cheyne Real Estate highlighted the strong demand for high-quality student housing in London, saying, “The student housing market continues to be driven by considerable demand, with a growing need for high-quality and well-located developments across the UK and particularly in London. We are excited to continue our partnership with Fusion to deliver another premium scheme that will benefit both students and the wider community in Brent Cross Town.” Oli Rifkind, Executive Director at Related Argent, welcomed the new development, noting, “Fusion’s track record in providing great student living environments in high-quality and well-managed developments fits perfectly with our aim to create a town where all can flourish. This new development will support future generations to thrive and adds to the vibrant mix at Brent Cross Town.” Councillor Ross Houston, Barnet Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, added, “We are pleased that Fusion and Cheyne Capital have signed up to deliver a second offer for student accommodation, further enhancing our commitment to providing a first-class higher education experience at Brent Cross Town.” This latest development continues the momentum at Brent Cross Town, where seven buildings are currently under construction. The first residents are expected to move in later this year, with the first office building, 3 Copper Square, set for completion in 2026. To date, over 930 homes are under development, including affordable, market sale, and rental properties, alongside the initial 662 student rooms in partnership with Fusion and Cheyne. The first permanent public park, Claremont Park, opened in June 2022, and the Brent Cross West mainline station, operational since December 2023, offers rapid connections to central London. Additionally, Brent Cross Town already boasts a selection of local retail and leisure facilities, with Sheffield Hallam University’s new campus set to further enrich the area. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading UK contractor HG Construction has been named as the main contractor on a Manchester-based purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme for developer Greystar. One Medlock Street will comprise 1,014 high quality student rooms across 37 storeys, with access to amenity space at ground, first, eleventh and thirty-seventh floors to promote the health and wellbeing of the residents.  The scheme will deliver 13,000 sq ft of resident amenities in total, including a gym, yoga studio, quiet study areas, meeting spaces, screening rooms, shared lounges and games rooms.  The development will incorporate sustainability features including a green living roof, solar PV panels and sustainable materials. Plans also include an 11-storey public art installation across 30 pre-cast panels.  Located in the Deansgate regeneration area, One Medlock is an 11-minute walk from Manchester Metropolitan University. The scheme is also a 20-minute walk from both the main and north campuses of The University of Manchester – two of the UK’s most populous universities. HG Construction will be internally delivering the concrete frame and piling on the scheme, which is due for completion in 2028. Adam Quinn, CEO, HG Construction commented: “This is an exciting scheme which will make a significant contribution to the transformation of this area and help to meet the high and growing demand for first-class student accommodation in the Manchester area.  With solid expertise in delivering high-quality PBSA projects across the UK, we are delighted to partner with Greystar on this landmark Manchester scheme.  We are looking forward to getting to know the local area and to maximising opportunities for local employment and positive community engagement throughout the construction of this project.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Greystar, a global leader in rental housing property management, development, and investment, celebrated the structural completion of its Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Wembley with a topping out ceremony organised by construction partners McAleer & Rushe, and attended by senior representatives from Brent Council and the Greater London Authority. The Canvas Wembley site, Greystar’s first ground-up PBSA asset under the Canvas brand, will consist of 770 beds and is strategically located close to transport links (four-minute walk to Wembley Park tube station), providing access direct to central London, and near the iconic Wembley Stadium. Set within the North East Lands development, the site is part of a 12-acre district that will ultimately deliver 2,347 residential units of varying tenures next to the biodiverse seven-acre Union Park. Wembley Park is now an established neighbourhood, and an increasingly popular environment for students to live. The well-amenitised scheme will feature two lounges, co-working spaces, as well as a café, activity space, library, gym, yoga studio and private dining areas. The Canvas brand is all about creating a lifestyle that matches the needs of its residents, and students will be invited to partake in a full annual calendar of events, as well as gain access to the innovative Canvas app which offers a convenient home for maintenance and parcel services, exclusive offers and promotions. A comprehensive wellbeing programme including events, talks, and a Student Assistance Programme will also be available to those enrolled in partnership with university stakeholders. In a significant step towards sustainable finance, Greystar entered into its first Green Loan in the UK, to acquire the site from Quintain in April 2023. The financing underscores Greystar’s commitment to delivering an environmentally responsible and sustainable building, ensuring that the project adheres to the highest standards of ESG criteria. The scheme will be all-electric to reduce its carbon footprint, connected to the District Heat Network to provide efficient heating solutions, and equipped with roof PV panels. Construction Partners, McAleer & Rushe are delivering the scheme as a Whole Life Carbon Assessed project, achieving a LETI A rating for the building structure and is on track to achieve its 500kgc02e/m2 (A1-A5) embodied carbon target upon completion. Ben Mowbray, Managing Director- UK Student Investment, Greystar, said: “London is a highly attractive market for student accommodation investment, facing a scarcity of high-quality options despite its status as one of the top global capital cities for students. This is a significant milestone in the growth of our Canvas brand in the UK, and we were delighted to mark the occasion with Brent Council, who have been an important partner in the delivery of the scheme. Canvas Wembley is set to transform the student accommodation landscape in Wembley Park, offering a modern, sustainable living environment for students that supports both their academic journey and personal growth.“ Mark Allnutt, Executive Director, Europe, Greystar, said: “We look forward to completing the fit out of Canvas Wembley and welcoming our first students for the 2025 academic year. The project forms part of our wider strategy to increase our UK student accommodation footprint and develop new supply in a market characterised by acute shortages. We are constantly on the lookout for well-located, brownfield sites to develop high-quality, purpose-built accommodation from the ground-up.” Darragh Greenan, Contracts Director, McAleer & Rushe, adds: “We are delighted to be delivering this landmark PBSA project for Greystar and to contribute further to the ongoing transformation of Wembley Park. Over the last 8 years, we’ve built a strong and meaningful relationship with the community and look forward to continuing to collaborate with Brent Council to promote local employment opportunities. NE01 showcases the significant efforts our business is driving to reduce embodied carbon, with focuses on innovative efficiencies within the concrete frame and maximising offsite fabrication. We’re on track to exceed our Sustainability targets on NE01, underscoring our commitment to delivering our projects safely and sustainably.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

GMI Construction Group has completed the £24m Pershore Junction purpose-built student accommodation in Birmingham on schedule – with rooms already being reserved ready for Autumn term. The 167 bed state-of-the-art development in the suburb of Stirchley consists of 101 studios and also features a student hub, communal spaces and enhanced retail space. Led by specialist student developer Alumno, the vibrant living space is ideally located for the city’s universities, together with Birmingham’s School of Dentistry. A launch event marking its completion was hosted by Alumno and was attended by the delivery team and key stakeholders. It also coincided with an Alumno-sponsored Birmingham student photography competition and exhibition organised by Photo North which featured a series of talks by notable photographers. Designed by Birmingham-based Howells, the Woh Hup-funded scheme incorporates brickwork and terracotta detailing that reflects the area’s architectural heritage while also providing the building with a distinct identity. A highlight of the development is an interior poetry garden, a unique and peaceful social space created in collaboration with Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey and Writing West Midlands. The garden includes landscaping, seating, and cycle stands. Situated at the intersection of Dogpool Lane and Pershore Road, Pershore Junction has successfully transformed the former BT brownfield site and its completion strengthens Alumno’s successful partnership with GMI Construction Group, which recently delivered the nine-storey Church Inn student scheme in Manchester and the Terry Frost Building, a 411-bed student accommodation, in Leeds. David Campbell, Alumno Managing Director said: “It is wonderful to see this dynamic building come to life and provide accommodation for Birmingham’s expanding student population. Working with the local authority and community was integral to the buildings’ success and it has re-energised the overlooked site to offer a unique student experience and enhance this vibrant university town.” Gareth Jones, GMI Construction’s Divisional Managing Director in the Midlands, said: “We are delighted to see Pershore Junction completed, which will help tackle the shortfall in high-quality student accommodation in the city. This development underscores GMI’s expertise in constructing multi-occupancy buildings, particularly in the student sector, and highlights our ongoing successful partnership with Alumno.” Philip Johnson, Head of Investment at Woh Hup, added: “We are delighted to launch this new property at Pershore Junction to add to our existing portfolio of more than a thousand student beds in the UK. “We are extremely grateful to the Alumno and GMI teams for their support in delivering a best-in-class building and look forward to welcoming students in September. We continue to look for further development and funding opportunities around the Selly Oak and adjacent areas.” Alan McCartney, Partner at Howells, said: “Pershore Junction contributes appropriately to the ongoing transformation of Stirchley, with the design delivering a contemporarily crafted brick and terracotta building, which remains clearly of its place. “Stirchley is a fantastic part of Birmingham and the quality the whole team have been able to deliver will serve to set the benchmark for new buildings coming forward in the area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals