Acquisition

RNS Number : 0189P

Grainger PLC

14 October 2021

 

14 October 2021

Grainger plc

("Grainger", the "Company", the "Group")

Acquisition

Grainger agrees a major £141m forward funding acquisition of a 401-home build-to-rent scheme in Southall, West London

Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed residential landlord with 9,109 operational rental homes and a further 8,851 in its £2.1bn pipeline, today announces that it has exchanged conditional contracts to forward fund and acquire Merrick Place, a 401-home build-to-rent development scheme in Southall, West London, for £141m. Proceeds from Grainger's recent successful equity placing will help enable this acquisition.

In addition to the 401 PRS homes at Merrick Place, 18,116 sq ft of office space, 3,541 sq ft of flexible commercial floorspace, 5,253 sq ft of internal residents' amenity and over 17,000 sq ft of external space is to be delivered.

Located adjacent to Southall Station, including the new Crossrail station, the scheme forms part of a wider development to be delivered by Network Homes with Henry Construction as the appointed contractor.

After the satisfaction of outstanding conditions which is expected shortly, including the Section 106 Agreement with the local authority, today's transaction will become unconditional.

Construction of Merrick Place is expected to commence in December 2021, with practical completion targeted in mid-2025. It is anticipated that the scheme, including the commercial element, will generate a gross yield on cost of c.5.75% once fully let and stabilised. This is a highly attractive investment opportunity which meets Grainger's disciplined investment criteria.

In line with Grainger's cluster strategy, Merrick Place builds on Grainger's existing West London portfolio, which includes Kew Bridge Court comprising c.100 homes. In addition, Grainger is pursuing Southall Sidings, a build-to-rent scheme of 460 homes which is located nearby to Merrick Place and recently received planning consent, and which forms part of Grainger's partnership with TfL, via its Connected Living London JV.

Helen Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Grainger, said:

"We are pleased to work with Network Homes to bring forward Merrick Place to deliver 401 new, high quality, purpose built rental homes in Southall. Merrick Place is an excellent addition to our existing portfolio in and around West London and will benefit from both operational efficiencies and opening of Crossrail. This acquisition marks a further exciting investment for Grainger as we continue to deliver on our strategy in the fast-growing UK build-to-rent sector."

-ENDS-

For further information:

Grainger plc

Helen Gordon/ Rob Hudson / Kurt Mueller

London Office Tel: [phone]

Newcastle Office Tel: [phone]

Camarco (Grainger PR)

Ginny Pulbrook / Geoffrey Pelham Lane

Tel: [phone]/4985

 

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