Q Investment Partners (QIP) is aiming to expand its investments into the UK purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) market. In July, the firm entered a £100m joint venture partnership with Gamuda Land to develop student housing in the UK.
Singapore has become one of the biggest investors in the UK PBSA market. A 2023 UK PBSA Spotlight report by property consultancy Savills said that between 2020 and 2022, the country accounted for 24% of overseas investments in the sector.
QIP intends to expand its UK PBSA portfolio, focusing on areas with a supply and demand imbalance supported by a strong university or multiple universities.
“Over the coming months and into 2025, we are looking at developing new schemes in markets like London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.”
Peter Young, Co-Founder and CEO, Q Investment Partners (QIP)
In January, QIP secured a forward funding deal with S Harrison to develop two PBSA schemes in Edinburgh. The two developments on East Newington Place and Canongate will deliver 141 studio rooms.
The East Newington Place PBSA scheme is expected to be ready by next year, while the Canongate development is set to be completed by the start of 2026. The transactions indicate that Singapore investors remain bullish on the UK PBSA market.
“Every major investor that understands real estate fundamentals, and in particular student housing, understands that now is the time to build the pipeline — whether it is acquiring an operator, portfolio assets or developing.”
Peter Young, Co-Founder and CEO, Q Investment Partners (QIP)
The joint venture with Gamuda will fund a 299-bedroom PBSA scheme at 81 to 88 Beresford Street in Woolwich, London. The project is QIP’s first student housing investment in London and its largest single-asset transaction. It will be the fund’s 11th student housing asset in the UK upon completion.
The Woolwich PBSA asset is co-developed by QIP and Hurlington Capital, a London-based specialist investor and developer. Hurlington Capital acquired the Beresford Street site in 2020 before QIP became an investor in 2023, taking a majority equity stake in the development.
QIP’s subsidiary, QIP Development Group (QIPDG), will share development management duties with Hurlington Capital. This is the first time QIP will lead as development manager for a UK project through QIPDG, a UK-registered company.
Work on site started earlier this year, with the project slated to be ready for the 2026/2027 academic year.
