Valpre Capital and Katch Investment Group have launched a new joint venture aimed at delivering up to 1,500 high-quality student beds across the UK as investors continue to target the structurally undersupplied Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) market.
The platform follows the successful acquisition and development of The Roc Club (main image), a 244-bed PBSA scheme in Elephant and Castle, London, which is currently being built in partnership with CKC Properties.
Building on that collaboration, the firms plan to expand into London, Bristol and one or two other major regional cities, where demand for modern student housing continues to outstrip supply.
The joint venture is targeting a gross development value (GDV) of around £500 million and has already assembled a pipeline of schemes, with further acquisitions expected to be announced in the coming months.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
Mazen AbouChakra, Managing Partner at Valpre Capital, says: “As forward funding remains scarce, well-capitalised equity has a unique opportunity to secure high-quality PBSA developments at compelling entry points.
“Partnering once again with Katch Investment Group through this new platform gives us the scale and focus to deliver much-needed, best-in-class schemes alongside trusted developers.
“The sector’s fundamentals remain exceptionally strong, and investors with patient capital and conviction are well positioned to capture long-term value in this dislocated market.”
STRONGEST DEMAND
The UK’s PBSA sector has continued to attract institutional and private capital despite broader headwinds in commercial property, buoyed by record student demand, a limited development pipeline, and rising international enrolments.
Youssef Sbai, Managing Partner at Katch Investment Group PERE, adds: “We’re delighted to deepen our relationship with Valpre Capital.
“By focusing on London, Bristol and other key regional cities, we are targeting markets with the strongest demand and working with experienced developers and operators to deliver projects that add real long-term value for students, communities and our investors.”
