Watkin Jones, the UK's leading developer and manager of residential for rent, is working in a Development Partnership with Manchester-based property developer Jadebricks to deliver a 15-storey purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Charles Street in Manchester city centre. Watkin Jones has been appointed as Delivery Partner to deliver the development.
The development will provide 107 class-leading studios in a prime city-centre location within metres of Oxford Road, further strengthening Watkin Jones’ secured PBSA pipeline. The project marks Watkin Jones’ return to Manchester, and its first collaboration with Jadebricks, building on the Group’s strong track record of delivering developments within the city.
The partnership brings together Watkin Jones extensive expertise in delivering student accommodation, with Jadebricks’ development expertise, creating a development designed to raise the bar for the PBSA sector in the city. The partnership demonstrates continued investor confidence in Watkin Jones' PBSA platform and its ability to deliver high-quality living sector opportunities.
The Charles Street development will be amongst the first student accommodation in Manchester to offer air-conditioned bedrooms and will be constructed to BREEAM ‘Outstanding’.
Gwyn Pritchard, Managing Director - Construction, Watkin Jones, said:
"We're delighted to be partnering with Jadebricks to bring forward the Charles Street development. This high-quality city-centre opportunity marks our return to Manchester and further strengthens our secured PBSA pipeline - demonstrating the continued confidence our partners place in Watkin Jones' delivery capability.”
Mike Bathurst, Managing Director, Jadebricks, commented:
“Jadebricks are excited to be working with Watkin Jones on this outstanding project. Manchester’s universities attract the best and brightest students from around the world and this scheme will offer a truly unique level of quality accommodation in a fabulous location.”
Notes to Editors
About Watkin Jones
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 48,000 student beds across 143 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 21,000 student beds and build to rent apartments on behalf of its institutional clients. Watkin Jones has also been responsible for over 80 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
About Jadebricks
Jadebricks are a Manchester based development company with the singular aim of delivering outstanding buildings in prime locations. The company works with a market leading team of consultants to ensure that all aspects of their buildings are reflective of the very best in design and construction.
With a number of projects currently underway in the city centre, Jadebricks are bringing a fresh approach to delivering iconic buildings that will truly stand the test of time.