Henderson Park, the international real estate investment manager, has agreed to forward fund a 453-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) portfolio from the Alumno Group.

The portfolio consists of two separate development projects in Edinburgh and Glasgow, both of which have secured planning consent.

The two cities are consistently ranked among the UK’s most undersupplied PBSA markets, with Glasgow and Edinburgh having full-time student populations of approximately 78,000 and 75,000 respectively (Savills 2023 data).

Alumno Group, an experienced PBSA developer with a track record of delivering over 8,500 beds across the UK, will be responsible for the delivery of both projects. Practical completion for the sites is expected in time for the start of the 2027–28 academic year.

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The two developments are:

• Jock’s Lodge, Edinburgh: This is a 191-bed asset located 1.9 miles from the University of Edinburgh (ranked 5th in the UK). Situated in the Meadowbank suburb, it is within easy reach of the city centre, colleges, and local landmarks like Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

• St George’s Road, Glasgow: This is a 262-bed development located 0.8 miles from the University of Glasgow (ranked 11th in the UK). It is also within walking distance of Glasgow Caledonian, the University of Strathclyde, the Glasgow School of Art, and the City of Glasgow College. The property is situated in the vibrant Woodlands district in the sought-after west end.

Sustainability and Amenities

Both projects are targeting high sustainability standards, aiming for BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. They will offer a range of amenities designed to meet student expectations, including:

• On-site gyms

• Private study and dining rooms

• Communal courtyards

• Rooftop terraces

• A diverse mix of room types to suit varying student budgets.

Christophe Kuhbier, Head of Investments, Europe, at Henderson Park, commented that the transaction "represents a rare opportunity to secure two derisked purpose-built student accommodation assets in prime, undersupplied locations." He noted that the structural supply-demand imbalance is set to intensify due to strong international student demand and a projected growth in the UK’s domestic student-age population to a record 1.7 million by 2030.