Moorfield Group, a real estate fund manager, has secured a £15.6 million facility from Investec Real Estate to fund the development of a 293-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) campus in Lincoln.
The development is already under construction and due to complete ahead of the 2024/25 academic year. Comprising four three-storey townhouses and a further five four-storey buildings, features will include an on-site reception and laundry facilities.
This is Investec’s second student deal with Moorfield, having previously provided an £18.97 million loan for the development of a 282-bed PBSA scheme in Colchester.
Jonathan Long, Head of Corporate Lending at Investec Real Estate, said: “With UCAS expecting to receive one million applications annually by 2030, we remain bullish on the student accommodation sector’s compelling long-term outlook. It has an attractive, inflation-protected income profile supported by deep-rooted demographic tailwinds.
“Our 13-year track record providing a mix of domestic and international capital with a range of funding solutions means we are well placed to capitalise on the continued demand for new development.
“Working with repeat borrowers is central to our longevity – in particular with businesses like Moorfield, who deliver high-quality specialist schemes that are key to supporting the UK’s growing student numbers.”
Charles Ferguson Davie, Chief Investment Officer at Moorfield Group, said: “We have been investing in student housing for over twenty years and investor confidence in the sector remains resilient, with domestic and international investors keen to increase their exposure to an undersupplied asset class offering risk-adjusted returns and long-term income streams.
“We see a market opportunity in new-build development and refurbishment of existing stock, with both strategies responding to investor demand for high-quality assets with leading ESG credentials.”
