Birmingham student scheme secures funding from Singaporean construction group
Alumno’s £24m project to develop purpose-built managed student accommodation on Dogpool Lane in Birmingham is to receive funding through a partnership with Woh Hup Holdings, one of Singapore’s largest construction businesses.
Founded 95 years ago, Woh Hup has ongoing purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developments in York, London and Bristol with more in the pipeline.
In 2020, in partnership with Metro Holdings and Lee Kim Tah, Woh Hup launched Paideia Capital UK Trust to acquire completed UK-based PBSA assets. Since inception, Paideia has acquired sites in Warwick, Bristol, Glasgow, Exeter, Durham and London.
The focus of Woh Hup’s investment at Dogpool Lane is a new 24-hour managed residence designed to accommodate the growing number of students attending local universities and a dental hospital, taking pressure off private housing in the area.
It will comprise a mix of cluster beds and single occupancy studio rooms for 167 residents, together with a reception and communal areas.
The scheme will also provide an improved retail space for the existing Post Office and newsagent based on the site, which will be relocated close by during construction.
Regular Alumno partners Glenn Howells Architects will design the building.
“I’m delighted that we have secured funding from Woh Hup for this project, which will provide an economic boost to local businesses and deliver much needed accommodation for Birmingham’s growing student population,” said Alumno managing director David Campbell. “As with all our developments, we have worked closely with the surrounding community and local authority to ensure the scheme enhances this vibrant area.”
Commenting on financing the project, Phil Johnson at Woh Hup said: “We believe high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the UK offers great opportunities to investors. We are excited to be partnering with Alumno, an outstanding and pioneering developer specialising in this area, and look forward to growing the relationship”
Alumno plans to have the new building completed for the 2024 student intake.
