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EQT Real Estate today announced the launch of a joint venture (the “JV”) with Sigma Capital Group plc (“Sigma Capital” or “Sigma”), a London<\/span>-listed residential development and urban regeneration specialist. The JV will focus on the creation of new-build, high-quality well-located BTR residential apartment blocks and houses in more affordable parts of Greater London<\/span> and its commuter towns. The homes will be predominantly located in transport Zones 3-6 and in close proximity to transport links, including train access to central London<\/span>.<\/p>\n Completed homes will be let at market-rate rents under Sigma’s `Simple Life<\/em> London<\/span><\/em>‘ brand, which aims to bring a higher standard of customer care and convenience to the private rental market. Sigma has pioneered BTR in the UK and to date has successfully delivered and manages in excess of 4,200 rental homes across the UK.<\/p>\n EQT Real Estate and Sigma have initially committed equity of GBP 300 million<\/span> and GBP 16 million<\/span>, respectively, to the JV. Including gearing, it is intended that the JV will have an initial capacity to establish an investment portfolio of approximately 3,000 homes with a total value in excess of GBP 1 billion<\/span>. The JV has secured five projects with an aggregate of 361 homes from Countryside Properties plc (“Countryside Properties”) located in the London<\/span> boroughs of Ealing, Enfield<\/span> and Havering. In addition, two further sites currently under development by Sigma in the boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering will be acquired by the JV on completion. These two sites together will comprise an additional 157 homes and are expected to be completed during H1 2021. The JV’s assets are expected to be delivered over a period of at least five years in order to create a stabilized portfolio of diversified rental income.<\/p>\n The initial acquisitions will be financed with a GBP 50 million<\/span> loan facility from Homes England, the UK Government’s housing body that is responsible for increasing the number of new homes that are built in England<\/span> and sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. EQT Real Estate, Sigma and Homes England share the same vision of delivering thousands of new rental homes in London<\/span> where there is a critical undersupply of affordable, high-quality rental properties.<\/p>\n Consistent with other EQT Real Estate transactions, the JV will invest in buildings with strong sustainability credentials. Where possible, buildings will tap into local community heating networks and will utilize photovoltaic panels. The JV will also promote sustainable living practices within the apartments themselves, while the schemes will include ample cycle storage and will typically be located near green outdoor areas, an important wellness factor.<\/p>\n Peter Shacalis, Director at EQT Partners and Head of UK, EQT Real Estate, said: “EQT Real Estate is thrilled to be entering the London<\/span> residential market, one with a severe supply shortage of professionally managed, high-quality, good value homes to rent, with Sigma Capital. In addition to the initial seven schemes, we are currently evaluating a growing pipeline of projects in Greater London<\/span> to build a large scale, resilient and downside-protected institutional BTR portfolio with robust and diversified rental income. EQT Real Estate looks forward to partnering with the Sigma team to realise our shared vision over the coming years.”<\/p>\n Rob Rackind, Partner at EQT Partners and Head of EQT Real Estate, said: “This joint venture with Sigma Capital marks an exciting entrance into the UK for EQT Real Estate as it represents the first transaction in this market since the business line was established in 2015. I cannot think of a more compelling investment opportunity at the moment than to deploy capital into this high conviction strategy, and one that should deliver significant social impact, by providing market-rate housing to renters in affordable locations within Greater London<\/span> and its commuter towns with strong transport links.”<\/p>\n Graham Barnet<\/span>, CEO of Sigma Capital, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our delivery of new rental homes in the UK with the launch of our London<\/span>-focused joint venture with EQT Real Estate, a strong and visionary partner. Homes England<\/span>, which has supported Sigma with every major initiative to deliver the new housing that is much needed across the country, is also providing invaluable backing to the joint venture. Once again, Homes England is leading the market in its support for organizations looking to deliver homes at scale in the UK. We are also pleased to be working with Countryside Properties in Greater London<\/span> to replicate the success of our partnership in the regions. We look forward to delivering thousands of high-quality new rental homes across the Capital with our partners at EQT Real Estate and providing London<\/span> renters with a higher standard of customer care.”<\/p>\n Iain McPherson<\/span>, Group Chief Executive, Countryside Properties, said: “We are delighted to have expanded our strategic relationship with Sigma and its new partner, EQT Real Estate, to deliver much-needed PRS homes within London. Our Partnerships business has a proven track record, and, together with our clear strategy for growth, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners as we focus on the delivery of high quality and sustainable mixed-tenure communities.”<\/p>\n UK Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “This Government is committed to delivering 300,000 new homes a year in England<\/span> by the mid-2020s, ensuring everyone has the opportunity for a decent and secure place to call home.<\/p>\n “These 3,000 new homes, backed by £50 million from our housing accelerator Homes England, will help us deliver for families across Greater London<\/span>.”<\/p>\n Simon Dudley<\/span>, Interim Chair at Homes England, said: “We are excited to be strengthening our work with Sigma Capital. By supporting their joint venture with EQT Real Estate we are using our resources to accelerate the delivery of much needed high-quality rental accommodation and unlock substantial private sector investment in the housing sector.”<\/p>\n Taylor Wessing<\/span> acted as legal advisor for EQT Real Estate.<\/p>\n Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n EQT<\/strong><\/p>\n Peter Shacalis Rob Rackind UK media enquiries: EQT Press Office Sigma Capital Group<\/strong><\/p>\n Graham Barnet<\/span> Mike McGill<\/span> KTZ Communications Tags:<\/b> Peter Shacalis
Director at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Real Estate,
+44 786 027 1392<\/p>\n
Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Real Estate,
+44 786 027 1392<\/p>\n
Greenbrook
eqt@greenbrookpr.com
+44 20 7952 2000<\/p>\n
press@eqtpartners.com
+46 8 506 55 334<\/p>\n
Chief Executive
+44 20 3178 6378<\/p>\n
Finance Director
+44 0333 999 9926<\/p>\n
Katie Tzouliadis
+44 20 3178 6378<\/p>\nSee Campaign: <\/strong>http:\/\/eqtpartners.com<\/a>
Contact Information:<\/b>
Peter Shacalis
\nDirector at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Real Estate,
\n+44 786 027 1392<\/p>\n
<\/a>, Wire<\/a>, Wire Real Estate<\/a>, United States<\/a>, English<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nContact Information:<\/h3>\n
\nDirector at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Real Estate,
\n+44 786 027 1392<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EQT Real Estate and Sigma Capital launch joint venture to create a GBP 1 billion investment portfolio of 3,000 high-quality “build-to-rent” (“BTR”) residential homes at market rental rates in more affordable areas of Greater London The joint venture constitutes EQT Real Estate’s first UK investment and combines its thematic focus on “beds and sheds” in European gateway cities … Continue reading EQT Real Estate and Sigma Capital launch GBP 1 bn residential joint venture, set to bring 3,000 new rental homes to Greater London<\/span><\/a> Continue Reading