Press releases
Legal & General acquires BTR tower on behalf of two flagship funds
Legal & General (LGIM Real Assets) announces that it has exchanged contracts on a new Build to Rent (BTR) tower “North Tower” in Deansgate Square, Manchester. The acquisition, which is in line with LGIM Real Assets’ strategy to strengthen its exposure to alternative and operational sectors, has been made on behalf of its two largest balanced funds, the UK Property Fund and the Managed Fund, in a 50:50 ownership structure.
31 Jan 2020
The deal represents the Managed Fund’s first BTR acquisition as part of a sustained push into alternative sectors. Previous investments include the purchase of hotels, healthcare facilities and student accommodation. The Managed Fund, launched in 1971, has grown by £2bn in the last six years to a current value of £3.4bn.
For the UK Property Fund, this acquisition represents a further strengthening of its exposure to operational assets, including the recent acquisition of a 189-flat BTR site in Chelmsford and 14,000 sq ft. of lettable self-storage space across three sites. Since its launch in 2006, the UK Property Fund has grown from £100m to around £3bn today, with its success underpinned by a blended and high quality portfolio of assets.
Designed by world renowned architects SimpsonHaugh, North Tower sits at the heart of the Deansgate Square development, a cluster of four elegant residential towers surrounded by carefully curated amenity, commercial and public realm spaces. North Tower provides 276 luxury apartments of one-, two- and three-bedrooms, across 37 storeys. Residents will benefit from exclusive access to an unrivalled amenity building which includes a two-storey gym, 20m swimming pool, sauna, steam room, fitness studios and a full size indoor sports hall.
The building was purchased from the developer, Renaker; one of the UK’s leading property developers with a proven track record in design, build and delivery. CBRE advised on the transaction.
Manchester is widely regarded as a ‘beta’ global city, being one of the most economically influential places in the UK outside of London. The city continues to see sustained investor interest, a result of both of its forecasted 14% population growth over the next 20 years – equating to an additional 76,000 people – and its diverse employment profile.
LGIM Real Assets has a strong track record in the BTR sector, which continues to form an integral part of its wider platform. Across the business, it now has 16 UK-wide sites in operation and development. North Tower represents Legal & General’s second BTR acquisition in Deansgate Square with the adjacent West Tower purchased by its BTR Fund in April 2019. West Tower is currently around 72% let, exceeding the leasing velocity expected for the acquisition.
Michael Barrie, Director of Real Estate Fund Management at LGIM Real Assets:"This acquisition represents the coming together of two of LGIM Real Assets’ largest funds as we continue to diversify our exposure to alternative sectors. Alongside hotels, self-storage and student accommodation, BTR will continue to be a preferred subsector, giving us real-time access to occupational markets with a robust growth in rental income."
Tom Sinclair, Residential Investment Director at CBRE: "CBRE is delighted to have advised Legal & General on the acquisition of the North Tower at Deansgate Square. The North Tower marks CBRE’s second transaction with L&G at Deansgate Square and demonstrates continued confidence in Manchester’s residential market following the strong occupier demand experienced at the West Tower. On completion, the North Tower will provide exceptional residential accommodation, providing more renters with the opportunity to experience life at this desirable residential address."
Further information
Lauren Kemp
Head of Corporate Communications
Legal & General Capital
T: +44 (0) 20 3124 3394
Notes to editors
Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK's leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with over £1.2 trillion in total assets under management* of which a third is international. We also provide powerful asset origination capabilities. Together, these underpin our leading retirement and protection solutions: we are a leading international player in pension risk transfer, in UK and US life insurance, and in UK workplace pensions and retirement income. Through inclusive capitalism, we aim to build a better society by investing in long-term assets that benefit everyone.
*at 31 Dec 2022
Legal & General Investment Management
Legal & General Investment Management is one of Europe’s largest asset managers and a major global investor, with total assets under management of £1.29 trillion1. We work with a wide range of global clients, including pension schemes, sovereign wealth funds, fund distributors and retail investors.
For more than 50 years, we have built our business through understanding what matters most to our clients and transforming this insight into valuable, accessible investment products and solutions. We provide investment expertise across the full spectrum of asset classes including fixed income, equities, commercial property, and cash. Our capabilities range from index-tracking and active strategies to liquidity management and liability-based risk management solutions.
1Globally, we manage assets of £1.42 trillion or CHF 1.75 trillion as at 31 December 2021 (source: LGIM internal data as at 31 December 2021). The data combines assets under management by LGIM in the UK, LGIMA in the US and LGIM Asia in Hong Kong. Assets under management include securities and derivatives positions.
*at 11 Jan 2023
KEY RISKS
Past performance is not a guide to the future. The value of an investment and any income taken from it is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up, you may not get back the amount you originally invested. For illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historical basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an LGIM portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Views expressed are of LGIM as at 3 January 2023.
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE
In the European Economic Area, it is issued by LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited, authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS management company (pursuant to European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. No. 352 of 2011), as amended) and as an alternative investment fund manager with "top up" permissions which enable the firm to carry out certain additional MiFID investment services (pursuant to the European Union (Alternative Investment Fund Managers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 257 of 2013), as amended). Registered in Ireland with the Companies Registration Office (No. 609677). Registered Office: 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, 2, Ireland. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (No. C173733).
LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited operates a branch network in the European Economic Area, which is subject to supervision by the Central Bank of Ireland. In Italy, the branch office of LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited is subject to limited supervision by the Commissione Nazionale per le società e la Borsa ("CONSOB") and is registered with Banca d'Italia (no. 23978.0) with registered office at Piazza della Repubblica 3, 20121 Milan, (Companies' Register no. MI - 2557936). In Germany, the branch office of LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited is subject to limited supervision by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority ("BaFin"). In the Netherlands, the branch office of LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited is subject to limited supervision by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets ("AFM") and it is included in the register held by the AFM and registered with the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce under number 74481231.Details about the full extent of our relevant authorisations and permissions are available from us upon request. For further information on our products (including the product prospectuses), please visit our website.