Case Studies

Example 1 – partnership with a University

Liberty Park, Bedford was created directly in partnership with the University that owned the Polhill Campus in Bedford, allowing it to release funds from unused land adjacent to the academic campus. Having acquired a long lease on the site, LibertyLiving worked in conjunction with the University to design and create a 500+ bed residence. The University entered into a 20-year agreement with LivertyLiving with rolling 3-year breaks, allowing the flexibility necessary for the University to continue expansion and offer top-quality accommodation but not requiring their own capital to meet accommodation needs.

Example 2 – stock transfer

Liberty Living at Queen's Hospital Close, Liberty Living at Hunter Court and Liberty Living at The Beeches were three buildings owned by the University of Birmingham that were in need of renovation. The University needed to make a major investment in the buildings in order to bring them up to the standard required for today's discerning students. Instead of spending the substantial sum required, they instead realised value from the assets and banked over £47 million from the sale of the buildings. LibertyLiving delivered the refurbishment in just 9 weeks in the summer following acquisition to deliver top-quality accommodation to the following year's intake.

The University subsequently entered into an agreement with LibertyLiving, ensuring that they were in control of the same number of bed spaces and were not limited in the number of students they could accommodate.

Example 3 – agreement with a University

LibertyLiving at Liberty Living at Quay Point, Newcastle offered precisely the location, number of beds and standard needed for Northumbria University to support its ambitious plans for campus expansion. Following an initial trial period, the University was confident enough with the standard of customer care intrinsic in the LibertyLiving brand to negotiate a long-term agreement with us to provide access to almost 700 beds. The University's City Campus East, at a cost of £100 million, was made possible by the guaranteed beds that LibertyLiving had delivered at no financial cost to the University.

Example 4 – lease agreements

Liberty Living at Linksfield, Aberdeen offered the good functional accommodation in central locations important to Robert Gordon University (RGU). In this agreement, LibertyLiving controls the "hard FM" e.g. cleaning and maintenance. RGU accommodation staff control the allocation of rooms and student welfare issues, assisted by the LibertyLiving staff "on the ground".

LibertyLiving is in the student accommodation business for the long term and is interested in any opportunities to grow through the acquisition of suitable properties. With strong and stable financial backing, the Brandeaux Funds make an ideal partner for long horizon partnership plans. The LibertyLiving brand exemplifies a pride in responding flexibly and professionally to university and student needs and LibertyLiving would be delighted to talk informally to any universities interested in discussing their accommodation needs future or present. University references are available on request.

For further information, or to arrange a meeting, please contact:

Charles Marshall - Chief Executive Officer
Email: c.marshall@libertyliving.co.uk