December 27, 2024
A joint venture between Melburg Capital [Melburg] and TPG Angelo Gordon, announce the completion of a £75.5m development facility with specialist real estate finance provider Maslow Capital, to bring forward their 399-bed eco-purpose-built student accommodation scheme in the heart of Bristol city centre.
Having secured planning permission to transform the former South Plaza office complex in May 2024, Melburg have signed a build contract with Winvic and begun reimagining the scheme to provide Bristol’s first eco-PBSA development.
The development will provide 399 student beds whilst retaining the original office structure. In so doing, the proposal will save 4,215 tonnes of embodied CO2, when compared with a demolition and rebuild. The embodied carbon will be 33% lower than a new ultra-low energy steel framed building, the equivalent of powering 1,504 houses a year, and save an additional 3,000 tonnes of CO2 by connecting to Bristol’s District Heat Network, incorporating heat pumps and roof-mounted PV panels. This will enable the project to target BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC A rating.
Featuring 11,464 sq ft of internal amenity space, the scheme offers a market-leading 29 sq ft of internal amenity space per bed, setting a new benchmark in student accommodation. Residents will enjoy an unparalleled array of premium amenities designed to enhance their university experience. These include a yoga studio, gym, lounge, library, study space, bookable meeting room, faith room, laundry facilities, and a roof terrace on the 10th floor. It will also feature 8,181 sq ft of external amenity space and promote eco-friendly transportation by providing 434 cycle parking spaces. The scheme is due for practical completion in June 2026.
Burgess Okoh Saunders and Freedman + Hilmi provided legal services. Savills acted as property advisors. BBS Capital acted as debt advisor to the JV.
Jack Burgess, Melburg’s Chief Executive said: “We are pleased to be working with Maslow Capital on this ambitious project and look forward to welcoming students in the 2026 academic year. We continue to selectively grow our student housing exposure as part of our wider investment into the living sectors, which now stands at over 2,500 beds”
James Henry, Origination Director at Maslow Capital commented: “Maslow is delighted to be partnering with Melburg to deliver much-needed student housing in the Bristol market. This £75.5m commitment underscores Maslow’s strong appetite for partnering with best-in-class sponsors and delivery teams to fund high-quality living sector assets across the UK and Europe. It has been a pleasure working with all parties involved, and the Maslow Capital team looks forward to seeing the asset’s delivery over the next two years.”
Adam Buchler, BBS Capital added: “We’re delighted to complete another financing for TPG Melburg and it was a pleasure working again with the Maslow team”.
