Grainger buys third build-to-rent investment in Bristol for £128m

Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed residential landlord with 9,793 operational rental homes and a further 9,962 build- to-rent homes in its £2.4bn pipeline, has exchanged conditional contracts to forward fund and acquire the build-to-rent element of the second phase of 'Redcliff Quarter' in Bristol which comprises 374 private rental (PRS) homes, as well as 94 affordable homes and six commercial units.

Grainger has agreed to acquire the scheme from Redcliff MCC LLP, backed by ICG Real Estate in partnership with Madison Cairn. Winvic Construction Limited has been appointed as contractor for the scheme. Winvic built Grainger's Brook Place development in Sheffield and is also delivering the Copper Works in Cardiff for Grainger.

In addition to the 374 PRS homes and 94 affordable homes at Redcliff Quarter, the scheme includes a total of c.5,900 sq. ft of internal residents' amenity space; c.21,200 sq. ft of external amenity space; c.8,500 sq. ft of commercial space; and 31 car parking spaces. A further six commercial units totalling c.15,800 sq. ft have also been acquired as part of the transaction.

The site is located within the central Redcliffe district of Bristol and forms part of the second and final phase of 'Redcliff Quarter', a wider residential-led, mixed use masterplan development. The scheme is a nine-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads rail station.

Construction is expected to commence in Q3 2022, with practical completion of the final element targeted for early 2025. It is anticipated that the scheme, including the commercial element, will generate a gross yield on cost of c.6% once fully let and stabilised.

Redcliff Quarter builds on Grainger's existing Bristol portfolio, which includes Hawkins & George, comprising 194 build-to-rent homes, and Millwrights Place which will comprise 231 build-to-rent homes when complete in early 2024.

Helen Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Grainger, said: "Our third build-to-rent scheme in Bristol will further strengthen our city cluster, bringing our total investment in the  city to nearly 900 homes when complete and driving operational efficiencies, whilst also enabling us to deliver 94 new affordable homes via Grainger Trust, our in-house affordable housing arm."