Orka Investments has acquired the Vista Square purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Liverpool through its joint venture with a global real estate investor for an undisclosed price.
The scheme, which sits on Oldham Place, on the edge of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, comprises 204 self-contained studios and 45 en-suite rooms in five-bedroom cluster flats, with studios accounting for more than 80% of the units.
The on-site amenity provision includes a sky lounge, roof terrace, gym, sauna, cinema room, study hub and private dining room. The scheme is fully let for the 2026/27 academic year.
The deal follows the purchase of Hill View Place in Exeter earlier this month and takes the joint venture’s portfolio to 1,761 beds across five schemes. Including assets held outside the joint venture, Orka’s wider UK student housing platform now totals 2,329 beds across seven schemes.
Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, vice-president, investments at Orka Investments, said: “Liverpool has one of the deepest student markets in the country and students there have plenty of choice, so the gap between the best buildings and the rest keeps widening. Demand at the top of the market is moving towards newer schemes with proper amenity and good service, and towards studios in particular. Buildings that have not kept up will find it harder to let.
“At the same time, construction costs and the new building safety regime are holding back development, so much of the next generation of quality student housing will come from upgrading existing schemes. That is where we see the joint venture’s next acquisitions – buildings from earlier development waves where the location is right but the product can benefit from targeted upgrades.”
Sebastian Walley, from Investec Real Estate, which provided financing for the deal, said: “Student accommodation financing opportunities remain attractive where a disciplined borrower is acquiring a high quality asset in a catchment with strong underlying student demand. Liverpool is an established university market, with two large universities, which makes Vista Square a compelling addition to Orka’s portfolio. We are pleased to continue supporting Orka and its joint venture partner as they grow their platform across leading UK university cities.”
The joint venture was advised by Simmons & Simmons and Colliers. Cushman & Wakefield acted for the seller.
