Drum Completes 324 Build to Rent Apartments for Legal & General  : Residential Complex Set to Welcome Tenants at Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow 

Drum Property Group has completed the construction of 324 Build to Rent (BTR) apartments for Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) at Buchanan Wharf on Glasgow’s Clydeside. Named ‘Solasta Riverside’, the 280,000 sq. ft. complex has been purpose designed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality rental accommodation across Scotland.  

Made up of two 18-storey towers, Solasta Riverside houses a dedicated dining space, gym, residents’ lounge and games room. It also takes full advantage of its spectacular location overlooking the River Clyde by incorporating a 4,250 sq. ft. communal roof terrace. 

Drum’s Buchanan Wharf is an award-winning £500m mixed use development within walking distance of Glasgow Central Station and the International Financial Services District – linked by the adjacent Tradeston Bridge. 

Welcoming the completion of Solasta Riverside, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum Property Group, said: “This is another important milestone for Buchanan Wharf and the transformation of what was a large, neglected industrial brownfield site into a thriving commercial and residential community. The new apartments and facilities will bring an exciting dynamic to the area, making Buchanan Wharf a stimulating and attractive environment in which to live, work, and visit.” 

Mike Powell, Head of Transactions, BTR, at LGIM Real Assets, added: “With a commitment to transform UK towns and cities, creating jobs and driving economic growth, the delivery of 324 high quality, well-located rental accommodation is an important part of Legal & General’s regeneration activity in Glasgow city centre. The city has seen particularly low levels of residential development over the last 10 years and an increasing demand for high quality, well-located rental accommodation in the city centre.  This acute supply and demand imbalance means the completion of our BTR development at Buchanan Wharf will bring a long-term sustainable rental scheme to Glasgow, meeting the demands of this vibrant and fast-growing city.”

The regeneration of Buchanan Wharf has been one of Scotland’s biggest ever building projects. Solasta Riverside sits next to Barclays state-of-the-art Northern Europe campus HQ, which opened in 2021. When complete in 2023, the Clydeside site will encompass prime Grade A office space, residential accommodation, local amenities and landscaped public spaces. Drum is currently constructing the final building at Buchanan Wharf – a 75,000 sq. ft. office HQ for The Student Loans Company, also forward funded by LGIM.

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

United Living Property Services awarded £3.2m contract to renovate social housing in Grantham, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire. 

United Living Group, a provider of infrastructure, housing and property services, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a £3.288m contract for the Earlesfield Estate Capital Works Project (the “Project”) by South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. The local authority has identified 152 post-war properties with Asbestos Containing Material (“ACM”) in Grantham, Lincolnshire. A number of the properties to benefit from the works are “Wimpey No Fines” design, a typical post-war construction. 

In addition to removing the ACM, replacement kitchens and bathrooms will be fitted in 143 of the homes, accompanied by electrical, heating and door upgrades in a similar number. 

During the works, around 112 households will be temporarily rehomed during the renovations to minimise disruption. A property on the estate will become a dedicated information hub where residents can find out more and keep up to date with progress. United Living Property Services will focus on delivering a high-quality renovation and ensuring we take residents’ views into account. 

Simon Will, Managing Director, United Living Property Services, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to work on this important project with South Kesteven District Council. As a local contractor working in areas such as Wolverhampton and Walsall, the scheme is perfectly positioned to fit in with our local delivery model. 

“We look forward to working with both the Council and residents to ensure they have a home that is greatly improved at the end of the scheme.”

Cllr Robert Reid, South Kesteven District Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, commented: “We are very happy to be working with United Living Group on this major Earlesfield Estate improvement programme.  We are committed to providing housing that meets the needs of all residents and I am pleased to see our funding approved by the council so that work can get underway.

“South Kesteven District Council has engaged with the tenants on the estate to enable a full understanding of the works to be undertaken and subsequent timeline. I hope they will be reassured by this clear commitment to improving their homes.

“It is a project that will deliver numerous benefits and is further evidence of the wider improvements we continue to see in our Housing service.”

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News

Burrington Estates (New Homes) Ltd has appointed David Jervis to the position of Group Managing Director as the original company founders Mark Edworthy and Paul Scantlebury step away from the day-to-day running of the business. David joined Burrington Estates three years ago to lead the launch of the company’s new Central England division, following its success in the South West, and now takes operational control of the whole housing business.

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Exeter, Burrington Estates has built a strong reputation as a leading developer across South West England having completed almost 600 homes in the region in the past six years. Last year it embarked on ambitious growth plans boosted by a £15.5m investment from BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor, to expand its residential business. Key to this was the launch of the new Central England division where developments are already under way in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Berkshire.

David has a strong track record in the housebuilding industry, having set up Spitfire Bespoke Homes in 2010 as the residential development arm of IM Properties. Within seven years, he had built it up into a business with a turnover of £100 million. At Burrington Estates, he will continue to head up the Central division and work closely with Grayham Tucker, the Managing Director for the South West region, helping drive better collaboration and integration across all parts of the business.

Mark Edworthy, Co-Founder of Burrington Estates said: “Paul and I are excited to embark on this new chapter for the company – it was always our vision to step away from the day-to-day running of the business.  We congratulate David on his new appointment and know that he, with Grayham’s support, will drive Burrington Estates forward successfully and continue to grow the business that we are so proud of.”

David Jervis, Group Managing Director of Burrington Estates said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity that Mark and Paul have given me, building on the great work that they have achieved so far.  I am lucky to be put in charge of a great team, with a strong brand and excellent sites, where there is huge potential to continue to build a sustainable business for the long term. There are many changes occurring within the housebuilding industry, and we need to maintain and enhance our focus on excellent design, quality and customer service.”

Grayham Tucker, Managing Director of Burrington Estates (South West) said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark and Paul for the personal mentorship and guidance over the last few years.  The brand is strong as ever and I am looking forward to working with David to gain traction on the synergies between both regions and for the new homes business to excel even further.”

Burrington Estates is a dynamic and agile business that focuses on high specification, design led homes in sustainable new communities. Its product is usually aimed at the mid-market, typically in the range of 15 to 100 units, spanning a wide range of property types. It delivered 97 homes in the financial year 2021/22 and its a four-year development programme has a value of £323million. It places emphasis on the quality of design, build and specification, through careful attention to detail, the innovative use of technology and sensitive development, as well as ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. For more information about Burrington Estates and its developments, please visit: www.burringtonestates.com/

Property & Development Magazine | The Home of Residential Sector News