A strategic partnership between Fusion Group, one of the UK's largest privately-owned student accommodation developers, and global alternative investment manager Cheyne Capital has reached another milestone at Brent Cross Town, securing planning permission for a 666-room purpose-built student accommodation development. This marks their second collaboration within Related Argent and Barnet Council's transformative €7.2bn mixed-use regeneration project.
The latest development, designed by PRP Architects, will span 180 acres and feature cutting-edge amenities including a digital competitive gaming zone for virtual sports, a health kitchen with zero-waste shop, and private dining facilities. Strategically positioned near the new high street, residents will benefit from Brent Cross West station's 12-minute direct rail connection to King's Cross St Pancras, positioning the development as a premium gateway between suburban comfort and central London accessibility.
"Our developments in Brent Cross Town and the neighbourhood as a whole are designed to enhance residents' wellbeing and provide an exceptional community living experience, a reflection of the shared vision between Fusion, Cheyne and Related Argent," said Nigel Henry, CEO of Fusion Group. The timing proves particularly astute as their first PBSA building welcomes students for the 2025/26 academic year, demonstrating immediate market validation and operational readiness.
The development gains additional momentum from Sheffield Hallam University's decision to establish its first London campus at Brent Cross Town from 2026, occupying six floors at 3 Copper Square. This institutional anchor tenant validates the location's educational credentials while creating a captive market for student accommodation, significantly de-risking the investment proposition for stakeholders.
What sets this development apart for investors is its integration within Europe's largest regeneration project, where student housing represents just one component of a comprehensive mixed-use ecosystem. The masterplan's 6,700 homes, 279,000m² of office space, and 20 hectares of parkland create a self-sustaining community that addresses the critical shortage of quality PBSA beds across London and Russell Group university cities.
"We continue to have strong conviction that the UK's student housing market offers compelling investment opportunities and are confident that, with our partners Fusion and Related Argent, we can apply our sector expertise to deliver a premium development," confirmed Hamish Gordon, Director in Cheyne Capital's Real Estate Group. With Fusion's secured pipeline worth €2bn in gross development value, delivering over 11,000 prime PBSA beds, this partnership positions both firms at the forefront of the UK's expanding student accommodation sector.
People mentioned:
- Nigel Henry, CEO, Fusion Group
- Oli Rifkind, Executive Director, Related Argent
- Hamish Gordon, Director Real Estate Group, Cheyne Capital
- Ross Houston, Councillor Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, Barnet Council
Companies mentioned:
- Fusion Group - UK student accommodation developer and operator
- Cheyne Capital - Global alternative investment manager
- Related Argent - Property and urban regeneration business
- Barnet Council - Local authority partner
- PRP Architects - Design architects
- Sheffield Hallam University - Educational institution establishing London campus
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