Cheyne Impact Real Estate has bought 45 residential units from joint venture partners Countryside Partnerships and L&Q at Acton Gardens.
Countryside and L&Q, who are delivering the regeneration of the former South Acton estate in West London in partnership with Ealing Council, have sold Block B2 at phase 8.2 of the project to Cheyne.
The block, which offers a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and maisonettes, was designed by architects Stitch.
Adele Sanderson, from Cheyne Impact Real Estate, said: “Cheyne’s mission is to make high quality and attractively situated rental homes available to those who cannot typically afford them. Countryside Partnerships and L&Q have developed the scheme to a very high standard, and we are excited to be able to offer these homes for a better rental experience, as well as to contribute to the stunning Acton Gardens regeneration by offering a further tenure type that caters to local key workers. Creating this affordable rental tenure for key workers at Acton Gardens demonstrates that the thesis we have already proven in other UK cities can be achieved in London also.”
Daniel King, managing director of Vistry Group West London, added: “We are proud to have partnered with Cheyne Impact Real Estate to further improve the range of tenure options available at Acton Gardens through this transaction. The 45 new rental homes will complement the 50% affordable housing and private homes that we are delivering at the regeneration, all of which is being built tenure blind, with Cheyne’s professionally managed offering providing a high-quality rental option. The discounted rent available for key workers and capped rental increases was a crucial element of this partnership, and will further improve the inclusivity and equity of Acton Gardens.”
Darren Parker, director of development and regeneration at L&Q, said: “We are very proud of our track record at Acton Gardens and the work we have put in together with our partners Vistry/Countryside and LB Ealing for the past 10 years. Acton Gardens is a truly inclusive, successful community, diverse and open to all and the addition of these new key worker homes will complete this picture. We are therefore very happy to welcome Cheyne Impact Real Estate on board in this partnership and delighted to welcome the new residents to the local community at Acton Gardens.”
Shaan Makwana, associate partner, BTR, at Carter Jonas, which advised the joint venture partners on the sale, said: “This transaction demonstrates the appetite for collaboration between impact investors and sustainable, high-quality house builders. Acton Gardens is a prime example of Countryside’s ability to place-make and quickly establish new communities within regeneration schemes.
“Our team is experiencing heightened investment activity within the living sector and a continuous flow of new entrants and strategies into the market. Real estate impact investors in the UK play a crucial role in fostering positive change by channelling investment towards sustainable and socially responsible projects. Their commitment to creating lasting impact sets a commendable standard for our industry. The stability and long-term income streams associated with living sector projects continue to compel investors in such an economically dynamic environment.”
