Octopus Property funds £36 million Student Accommodation development in Coventry

By Bridging Loan Directory 7th February 2019

Specialist property lender Octopus Property, part of the Octopus Group, has agreed to provide EREC Estates Ltd, an experienced UK developer of student accommodation, with a £36 million senior loan for the development of a major Purpose Built Student Accommodation (“PBSA”) scheme in Coventry. The scheme was brought to Octopus Property by John Kerrigan – Director at Arc & Co., who advised EREC Estates Ltd on the debt structure. This loan represents the largest single development deal completed by the team within Octopus Property.

Designed to a high specification, the modern development will comprise two buildings totaling 502 beds, a mix of clusters and studios, and will feature a range of high-quality communal facilities and retail offerings.

Centrally located adjacent to the city ring road, the scheme is a short walk from the main Coventry University campus, whilst the city centre and its wide variety of national retailers and cafés, bars and restaurants is also nearby. The completed building will serve both Coventry and Warwick universities.

According to recent data, Coventry and nearby Warwick University, are characterized by a large shortage of beds. The current student to bed ratio of 2.85:1 equates to nearly 30,000 students unable to find Purpose Built Student Accommodation each year and these market dynamics support the strong investment seen in this sector in recent times.

The 27 month facility marks the third collaboration between Octopus Property and EREC Estates Ltd, following two smaller PBSA developments in Leicester and Coventry. Winvic Construction Ltd, a large multidisciplinary UK wide contractor, will act as Main Contractor to ensure the scheme is completed in time for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.

Gavin Eustace, Head of Residential Development at Octopus Property, commented:

“Whilst we are seeing some geographical polarisation caused by oversupply, the student accommodation sector remains one of the most attractive asset classes for investors. It’s a sector that we like, and as long as the broader favourable supply demand dynamics remain in place for this type of innovative and high specification accommodation, we will continue to back schemes that require bespoke and efficient financing facilities.

“Starting 2019 with our largest ever development facility is a significant milestone for the team and demonstrates our evolving maturity and ability to compete with major institutional lenders. Growing the development loan book is a key priority moving forward and working alongside our key partners should see us doing similar sized deals more regularly.”

Andrew Jamieson at EREC Estates Ltd, added:

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Octopus on behalf of UNINN Investment Fund Ltd. This is the fourth property that UNINN has developed and owned in Coventry and underscores our belief in the potential of its Universities to continue to deliver a product that is respected internationally. We understand that the West Midlands has an ability to deliver returns to students and investors alike”

John Kerrigan – Director at Arc and Co. stated:

“The completion of the Parkside transaction is a real milestone for all those involved and is the culmination of 12 months of hard work, on what has been a very complex deal, both from a real estate and funding perspective. However, the underlying proposition was extremely strong and supported by a very high calibre sponsor and funder, both of whom were a pleasure to work with”