Grainger has launched a build-to-rent (BTR) joint venture with Network Rail and Bloc Group called ‘blocwork’.
The partnership has the potential to deliver more than 2,000 new purpose-built BTR homes across sites in major cities across the UK.
Network Rail will bring forward potential sites for BTR development from its property portfolio and with the blocwork JV as developer will take the schemes through the planning process. Grainger will be actively involved in design proposals and once planning approval is secured, the company will forward-fund and ultimately own and operate the completed schemes.
The joint venture partners recently completed The Barnum (pictured) – a 348-home BTR scheme in Nottingham, with blocwork acting as developer and Grainger as investor, funding the development and operating it upon completion.
Helen Gordon, CEO of Grainger, said: “Having successfully delivered The Barnum, a build-to-rent scheme of 348 homes, with the Network Rail and Bloc joint venture ‘blocwork’, we see this as a great opportunity to collaborate further and deliver a potential 2,000 much needed high quality rental homes across the country, aligned to our city strategy. This partnership supports Grainger’s ambitious growth plans and provides exclusive access to superbly located and well-connected sites.”
Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, added: “Following the success of The Barnum in Nottingham with Grainger, this partnership is the natural next step to accelerate the delivery of new homes for communities. As the largest owner of infrastructure-led brownfield land in the UK, the creation of this partnership demonstrates our continued drive to work with strategic partners to unlock opportunities to deliver well designed and well-connected homes and regenerate towns and cities.”
Richard Thomas, development director of Bloc Group, said: “The successful delivery of The Barnum in Nottingham with Network Rail and Grainger demonstrated how well this partnership works together. We look forward to continued success by working together with our partners to deliver high quality schemes and a significant number of new homes on brownfield sites across the UK.”
