The landmark development is Watkin Jones’ first BtR development in Bath, creating over 300 new homes
Highlights:
- Signal Box Yard on the Lower Bristol Road, Watkin Jones’ first Build-to-Rent (‘BTR’) development in Bath, Practically Completed on 30 April 2025
- The development creates 316 high quality apartments in the centre of Bath, including 95 affordable homes and 10 properties compliant with Disability Discrimination Act (‘DDA’) standards
- The development will noticeably increase the number of affordable options for renters in the City
Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential-for-rent, is delighted to announce the Practical Completion of Signal Box Yard, a BTR development on the Lower Bristol Road in Bath, on 30 April 2025.
The two-building development, which is located a short walk from Bath city centre, was delivered on behalf of an institutional real estate fund managed by global real estate investment manager, DWS and comprises 316 high-quality apartments, including 95 affordable homes, and 10 accessible homes built in compliance with DDA standards.
Signal Box Yard will offer residents a mix of studios and plus one, two or three bed apartments.
Residents will benefit from a range of high-quality indoor and outdoor amenities, communal lounges, and secure indoor parking for 100 vehicles. All residents will have access to thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces, featuring landscaped areas and seating that encourage social interaction and relaxation.
Bath is one of the UK’s most beautiful and historic cities, offering Signal Box Yard’s residents access to a unique mix of heritage and modern living. From vibrant independent shops, cafés, to cultural festivals, there’s always something to explore in the city. Residents can also expect excellent schools and great transport links to cities, including Bristol and London, making Bath a truly desirable place to live, work, and relax.
Signal Box Yard was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating sustainable features including PV roof panels, Air Source Heat Pumps, 24 electric vehicle charging points, car club spaces, and bicycle storage. The scheme will achieve ratings of ‘Very Good’ from BREEAM and HQM Level 3.
In the coming months, the development will also feature commercial units available for lease, further enhancing the convenience of on-site services for its residents.
Gwyn Pritchard, Managing Director at Watkin Jones, commented:
“The completion of Signal Box Yard is a proud moment for Watkin Jones. It is our first Practical Completion of a BtR development in Bath, and represents our continued confidence in the City, which we believe has attractive, long-term investment appeal.
“As the demand for high-quality, professionally managed rental homes continues to grow, this development is our response to the growing need in a desirable location. Signal Box Yard will offer residents a modern, well-connected place to live with community at its heart.
“We’re committed to delivering schemes that not only offer attractive opportunities for investors, but also leave a lasting, positive impact on the places we build. This development will help meet local housing needs, support economic growth within the city and help to create new, thriving communities in Bath.”
Hugo Vere, Lead Portfolio Manager, Real Estate at DWS said:
“We are pleased to deliver our first forward funded UK residential development to the historic city of Bath. Signal Box Yard raises the bar in terms of quality of space as well as affordability offered to renters, comprising a significant proportion of discounted rental units.”
“Bath’s strong fundamentals aligns with DWS’ living sector strategy which underpins our investment approach targeting high quality living sector schemes in key regional cities across Europe.”
- Ends -
Media enquiries:
MHP Group (Watkin Jones)
Charles Hirst
Email: watkinjones@MHPGroup.com
Tel: +44 (0)7770 753 544
Notes to Editors
Watkin Jones is the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent, with a focus on the build to rent, student accommodation and affordable housing sectors The Group has strong relationships with institutional investors, and a reputation for successful, on-time-delivery of high quality developments. Since 1999, Watkin Jones has delivered over 49,000 student beds across 147 sites, making it a key player and leader in the UK purpose-built student accommodation market, and is increasingly expanding its operations into the build to rent sector. In addition, Fresh, the Group's specialist accommodation management business, manages over 19,000 student beds and build to rent apartments on behalf of its institutional clients. Watkin Jones has also been responsible for over 50 residential developments, ranging from starter homes to executive housing and apartments.
The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced management team and capital-light business model, which enables it to offer an end-to-end solution for investors, delivered entirely in-house with minimal reliance on third parties, across the entire life cycle of an asset.
Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with the ticker WJG.L. For additional information please visit www.watkinjonesplc.com.
DWS Real Estate
DWS has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternatives platform, the real estate business has more than 350 employees around the world and around 76 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2021. Providing a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, we offer core and value-added real estate, real estate debt, real estate securities and opportunistic real estate. The real estate investment business employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver attractive long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, retirement plans, and private clients worldwide.
DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 1,012bn of assets under management (as of 31 December 2024) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.
We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.
DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,700 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future.