PropCast

Blackstock MD Andrew Teacher is joined by Ben Channon, senior architect at Assael Architecture, and Emmanuel Owusu, experienced building surveyor and champion of mental health, to discuss how architecture and design can be 'mindful'.

The discussion explores what mindfulness is in terms of design and how others can decorate and create mindful spaces. Companies are now starting to understand the importance of mental health, what else needs to be done?

Blackstock MD Andrew Teacher is joined in this discussion by Johnny Caddick (Moda), Richard Jackson (Apache Capital) and Joe Gaunt (Hero) to discuss their exciting new partnership!

Moda, a build-to-rent developer creating thousands of homes for rent, has announced a partnership with Hero, a new digital wellness company founded by WeWork’s former boss.

Hero, launched earlier this year by Joe Gaunt, former UK managing director of the $20bn co-working giant, is a digital wellness company that offers bespoke health and nutrition advice alongside personal training and fitness classes. Renters at Moda’s [£185m] Angel Gardens scheme in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood will receive discounted membership [need to specify] at the first hero performance hub when it opens in May 2019 on the ground floor of the development.

Ed Fowkes, development director of Prosperity Capital Partners discusses with Andrew Teacher the company's new Build to Rent in scheme in Manchester and the growth of BTR in the regions.

Property developers are turning to regional cities to meet growing demand for housing. As house prices have outstripped wage growth in the capital, people are now moving to cities like Manchester and Birmingham for more affordable homes.

On our latest podcast, “BTR in the regions: Boddington’s Regeneration”, for PropCasts by Blackstock Consulting, we interviewed Ed Fowkes, development director at Prosperity Capital Partners.

Ed revealed their approach to development in the regions and details about their Old Brewery Gardens build to rent (BTR) scheme in Manchester.

Prosperity Capital Partners are helping Manchester expand north with their BTR scheme on the historical Boddington’s Old Brewery Gardens site. The scheme offers over 550 high quality flats to rent, as well as townhouses with their own private gardens and playground for children.

“We think about our future tenants as long-term customers, and want them to become fans of the product we offer. This includes the quality of the homes we build as well as the amenity spaces we create, encouraging them to interact and know each other. Be it yoga outdoors, or gardening on the building’s rooftop, the amenities we deliver encourage people to know each other”, said Ed Fowkes during the PropCast interview.

Due to institutional investment in BTR products as emerging assets, developers are taking a long-term view of what they offer. Unlike the Buy to Let landlords that do not benefit from such investment, BTR developers are thinking about the tenants’ long-term living experience.

“Our commercial imperative is to think about rents now but also think about them in 7 years’ time”, added Ed. “We bear in mind that we’re trying to convince the tenants to make the place we build their own home, not just a space to rent.”

The Old Brewery Gardens BTR scheme will also offer commercial space for light industrial workshops, supporting small and medium sized businesses in the area. This incorporates the history of the Manchester area and helps people interact with the local industry.

“What we build and offer must be meaningful not only for the tenants, but for the whole local area, encouraging and supporting businesses to thrive”, said Ed.

James Hyman, head of residential of Cluttons discusses the London property market with Blackstock managing director Andrew Teacher.

James Hyman, the head of residential at Cluttons, the property consultants and estate agent specialists, has said that despite political turmoil and economic jitters, the London property market is as challenging as it has ever been.

During a PropCast on the London property market with Blackstock Consulting managing director Andrew Teacher, Hyman said that the current cycle is the “most unusual one” he has ever seen.

The unusual nature of the current market is due to a “stand off”, where a large proportion of people don’t need to sell their properties which has underpinned the current property values. According to Hyman, if there was an abundance of supply in the London property market, it would turn into a “complete buyers market”.

Hyman predicts that the London market is set to face a further drop from in values of between five to twelve percent before sentiment returns to the market

Amid the challenging market, Hyman believes that the two types of property selling right now in London are luxury properties and products at the mid-market. Developments in technology have been vital in terms of making the sector more transparent and enabling worldwide access for buyers to view properties.

As London’s biggest challenge remains affordability, the vast majority of Londoners use price as means of modifying their search criteria. However, many areas of London have gone through a process of regeneration which currently satisfy this affordability criteria, such as Westbourne Grove, Bermondsey Spa and Deptford.

The market is currently faced with the challenge of tax hikes and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. Hyman confirms that “over the last 2 years the majority of buyers have been owner-occupiers, and the opportunities for investors within Central London have been far and few between”. Yet Hyman predicts that “as the market corrects itself, with further price reductions, yields are beginning to improve”.

Hyman concludes by calling on the current Housing Minister, James Brokenshire MP, to enact “a change in legislation regarding ‘help-to buy’ and to bring it back into the second-hand market”. Hyman encourages giving more people “an opportunity to buy ideally what they would like, instead of being pushed into the newly built sector”.

Blackstock MD is joined by Graham Chilver (Barclays), Alex Notay (Places for People) and Richard Jackson (Apache Capital)for a lively discussion about the rise (and financing!) of build-to-rent developments across the UK.

Join us for this year's RESI Convention, the largest residential property event in the UK, on September 12-14 to learn about all the latest developments from the UK housing sector. Buy tickets at www.resiconf.com.

Blackstock MD Andrew Teacher discusses the changing face of Britain's high streets with Johnny Caddick (Moda), Alex Notay (Places for People) and Jo Moon (Whitbread).

Join us for this year's RESI Convention, the largest residential property event in the UK, on September 12-14 to learn about all the latest developments from the UK housing sector. Buy tickets at www.resiconf.com.

Blackstock MD Andrew Teacher is joined by Natalie Elphicke, chief executive of the Housing and Finance Initiative whose stated mission is boost the capacity and delivery of housing, and Phil Laney, founder and CEO of Lyvly, a co-living platform that helps renters find high-quality shared living accommodation. Phil and Natalie discuss whether home ownership is the best policy to solve the UK's housing crisis.

Join us for this year's RESI Convention, the largest residential property event in the UK, on September 12-14 to learn about all the latest developments from the UK housing sector. Buy tickets at www.resiconf.com.

Parul Scampion, co-founder of Propio and Peter Cosmetatos, CEO of Commercial Real Estate Finance Council Europe discuss alternative lending and technology disruption in the property finance and lending sector, hosted by Andrew Teacher.

Nick Riley, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects with responsibility for Student Living, and Mike Kearney, with responsibility for Deal Origination at Maslow Capital, discuss joint ventures and the role they can play in resolving the UK's worsening housing crisis.

Join us for this year's RESI Convention, the largest residential property event in the UK, on September 12-14 to learn about all the latest developments from the UK housing sector. Buy tickets at www.resiconf.com

James Hyman, head of residential of Cluttons and Arya Taware, founder of FutureBricks, discuss diversity and innovation in the property industry with Blackstock managing director Andrew Teacher.

Join us for this year's RESI Convention, the largest residential property event in the UK, on September 12-14 to learn about all the latest developments from the UK housing sector. Buy tickets at www.resiconf.com